Could your cell phone be making you fat?

The thyroid gland's small size belies its enormous importance in regulating your metabolism. If the production of thyroid hormone slows down, you're likely to gain 5 to 10 extra pounds. Or more.

Next to diabetes, a sluggish thyroid (or hypothyroidism) is the most common endocrine disorder in this country. Other symptoms include constipation, depression, dry skin, fatigue, hair loss, intolerance to cold, muscle cramps and slow heart rate.

Radiation zeroes in on the thyroid as though this gland were painted with a target. Today, there's growing evidence that even low-level radiation may have an effect on the thyroid. Studies in rats have found that exposure to both 50 Hz (European electrical system) and 900 mHz (cell phones) electromagnetic radiation decreases the production of thyroid hormone, leading to symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Research in the Toxicology Letter finds that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from cell phones lower blood levels of thyroid hormones. Another study shows that both thyroid cells and immuno-reactive nerve fibers are significantly impacted by EMFs. In humans, young children and pregnant women, as well as the developing fetus, appear most sensitive to the thyroid-damaging effects of radiation.

Dr. Ann Louise's Take:

Thyroid disorders are epidemic. I have always suspected that the flood of EMFs in the environment over the past 10 years is contributing to the dramatic increase in both hypo- and hyperthyroidism.

After the 1986 nuclear accident at Chernobyl, exposed children started developing thyroid cancer sooner and in larger numbers than scientists expected. The rate of thyroid cancer rose an astonishing 2,400 percent!

A review of thyroid and other cancer incidence and mortality among U.S. firefighters - who are exposed to numerous toxins through inhalation - reached the surprising conclusion that exposure to EMFs and radiofrequency (RF) radiation was, in fact, what raises their cancer risk! The good news is that this kind of exposure is largely preventable.

When it comes to your own lifestyle, consider using your cell phone on speaker mode, and replace your cordless phone with a corded one. In the past 20 years, the incidence of thyroid cancer has jumped dramatically, along with the use of cordless and mobile phones.

Invisible, silent, scentless and tasteless, EMFs are rapidly surrounding us all with Wi-Fi everywhere - on commuter trains, at the local coffee shop, in public buildings and schools. If you're wireless at home, you and your family are being exposed 24/7 to low-level radiation. Get wired, instead (that includes your mouse and keyboard). Or at least turn off your wireless router at night.

Got Iodine?

To add insult to injury, most Americans are already deficient in iodine, which increases the risk from electromagnetic radiation. In the 1940s, typical Americans were getting 500 to 800 mcg of iodine from their diet. Today, we're lucky to get 135 mcg.

The thyroid needs iodine from the bloodstream to produce the hormones that regulate energy and metabolism. But this gland can't distinguish between normal iodine and radioactive iodine. It will absorb whatever is there because this mineral is so critical to proper thyroid functioning.

What to do? Try to avoid endocrine-disrupting minerals like bromide, chlorine and fluoride. Bromides are found in everything from pesticides used on strawberries to oils in citrus-flavored drinks like Mountain Dew and dough conditioners in commercial baked goods. Both chlorine and fluoride are present in most public water supplies. They all increase urinary iodine excretion.

If you suspect a thyroid imbalance, install a High Output Shower Filter to remove chlorine. Emissions from hot showers can dissolve 50 percent of the chlorine and 80 percent of other carcinogens, like tetrachlorethylene and radon, in water. You don't want to breathe or soak in these chemicals. One half of all water pollution involves exposure through the lungs and skin via hot showers and baths.

To determine your iodine bioavailability, check out the Iodine Loading Test, which uses a urine sample to measure how well your tissues are absorbing iodine from your diet. The Fluoride & Bromide Provocation Test measures levels of the substances that prevent the uptake of iodine in the body.

Sources:

• Fat Flush for Life

• http://cellphonesafety.

• www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20424115 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20424451

• www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20421883

• www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19464814

• www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16263652

• www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15917150

• www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15813213wordpress.com/2007/05/01/thyroid-gland-may-be-affected-by-electromagnetic-frequencies-at-900-mhz/

Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman is the award-winning author of more than 30 books on health and nutrition and guest on many TV and radio programs. She resides in Kootenai County. Info: annlouise.com