Teflon linked to thyroid disorders
Added 07.04.2010
Once again a chemical we are in contact with every day may be wreaking havoc on our health. And it's no surprise given that in just the past 40 years over 50,000 new chemical substances have been introduced into our environment. A new study by the University of Exeter and the Peninsula Medical School has now linked perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) to thyroid disease.
What is PFOA?
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a toxic chemical that is used in many consumer and industrial goods. Examples include: non-stick cookware; stain and water resistant fabrics (clothing, carpets); microwave popcorn bags and other food packaging; and flame retardants.How does PFOA affect our health?
PFOA is toxic and a known carcinogen. Past studies have linked the chemical to infertility, high cholesterol, birth defects, immune system damage and liver damage. A study now also finds a strong link between PFOA and thyroid disorders.Thyroid disease is most commonly characterised by hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormones are produced), hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormones are produced) and thyroid nodules. Untreated thyroid disease can lead to weight gain or loss, depression and anxiety, heat or cold intolerance, exhaustion and face swelling and puffy eyes.
How can you avoid PFOA?
It may be impossible to completely eradicate PFOA from our lives, but we can minimise our exposure significantly. A start would be to make an investment in ceramic cookware to replace all non-stick Teflon cookware. Also, avoid microwave popcorn and other packaging for greasy foods and stain-proof fabrics.A long-term way to keep toxins out of your body is to take quality detox supplements. Doctor's Natural organic chlorella is an example of a natural detox supplement that is documented to cleanse the body of many toxins and heavy metals.
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Dr. Bo Nielsen's comments:
Scientific studies have associated PFOA exposure with infertility, higher cholesterol, birth defects, increased cancer rates, a lowered immune system and liver disease, besides the influence on our thyroid functions. Unfortunately we are surrounded by this man-made synthetic substance. PFOA's are employed in hundreds of industrial uses, including within the fields of aerospace, automotive, building and construction, chemical processing, electronics, semiconductors, textile industries and are also found in stain resistant carpets, carpet cleaning liquids, house dust, microwave popcorn bags, water, food and many more. Dupont, a manufacturer of Teflon, continues to stand behind their products, even though they have already paid up to $345 million dollars to 60,000 people from Virginia and Ohio in order to settle a lawsuit which claimed that their supply of drinking water was contaminated with PFOA.
