A low protein diet: Organic animal protein is essential for the production of the thyroid hormone and its conversion to the active form in the liver. Vegetarianism leads to low thyroid function and low cholesterol which can lead to all of the major chronic degenerative diseases (take your pick).  Women especially are vulnerable, because when they have low thyroid function, they become estrogen dominant and can’t make progesterone

Chlorine, fluorine and bromine are culprits in thyroid function, and since they are halides like iodine, they compete for your iodine receptors.

If you are exposed to a lot of bromine, you will not hold on to the iodine you need. Bromine is present in many places in your everyday world — plastics, pesticides, hot tub treatments, fire retardants, some flours and bakery goods, and even some soft drinks.

Also make sure the water you drink is filtered. Fluoride is particularly damaging to your thyroid gland. Not all water filters remove fluoride, so make sure the one you have does.

Estrogen in all its forms: ALL estrogenic substances whether natural, synthetic, herbal or environmental are extremely toxic and cause the diseases of aging.   Natural (not synthetic) progesterone prevents these diseases. Estrogen prevents your thyroid from secreting the thyroid hormone and also inhibits the conversion of T4 (the inactive form of the thyroid hormone) to T3 (the active form of the thyroid hormone).

Excess iodine is a powerful thyroid inhibitor. Most Americans get too much iodine because it is used as a dough conditioner as iodates and in commercial iodized salt. (Dr. Ray Peat Ph.D., Nutrition for Women, page 17).

Fluoride: common in water, reconstituted beverages, foods and toothpaste causes severe hypothyroidism, poisons over 100 enzymes, and causes increased risk to seizures, bone disease, premature aging and cancer (Waldbott).

Junk food, processed food, artificial sweeteners, trans fats, and anything with chemical ingredients. Eat whole, unprocessed foods, and choose as many organics as possible.

Mercury, present in silver amalgam fillings and as an environmental toxin, inhibits the conversion of T4 to T3. In fact, most toxins are thyroid inhibitors.

Pesticides in commercial foods: Pesticides are estrogen mimics and inhibit thyroid function. In addition, commercial foods containing pesticides have from much less nutrition than the organic equivalents. So, although organic foods are more expensive, you will get much more for your money and will be satisfied with less food.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA or omega-3 and -6 oils). This includes all oils liquid at room temperature including: soybean, canola, safflower, corn, flaxseed, fish, evening primrose, and borage oils. The exception is extra virgin olive oil. The use of polyunsaturated vegetable oils, whether processed or not, interferes with thyroid function.

Radiation is probably the greatest environmental cause of hypothyroidism and other thyroid problems, including tumors and thyroid cancer.  To one degree or another, we are all exposed to radiation, because radioactive fallout is a worldwide condition.

Soy products: Soy products contain three estrogenic substances (plant or phytoestrogens) that inhibit thyroid function and the conversion of T4, the inactive form of the thyroid hormone to T3, the active form of the thyroid hormone.

Synthetic and genetically engineered hormones: (estrogen and others) in meat, dairy products, poultry and eggs and in birth control pills block the release of thyroid hormone from the gland.

Popularity: 2% [?]