Can Toothpaste Cause Weight Gain?

While attempting to lose weight and keep it off is difficult enough, there are diet “destroyers” that we don’t even realize exist. These can throw a monkey wrench into even the best weight loss efforts. Often times, these are things that you would least expect. You likely have no idea that they are causing you to gain weight or making it difficult for you to lose weight. One little-known diet “destroyer” that is often ignored or which people are ignorant about, is fluoride.

 

Fluoride can be found in our water and in toothpaste. Until 40 years ago, in the 1970s, some doctors in Europe prescribed fluoride to patients that suffered from hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). The medication was given to suppress the thyroid. Now this may be fine for individuals who suffer from an overactive thyroid. However, for persons with normal thyroid function, this can lead to the onset of symptoms that are quite damaging. For example, it may lead to a number of ailments and conditions such as weight gain, hair loss, heart disease and even depression. Recently, more and more people have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Some individuals and health experts believe that the fluoride found in our water and toothpaste may have something to do this.

 

Fluoride can cause individuals to gain weight because it makes it difficult for the body to absorb Iodine. Iodine supports thyroid function and when we are not able to get enough of it, our metabolism is negatively affected. It begins to slow down. The thyroid affects the metabolism and causes it to work less efficiently. We this occurs, people gain weight.

 

Now fluoride is not totally bad. Is has its’ place. This is especially true for kids. It helps to protect their bones and teeth. However, as we age, it begins to build up in our systems and makes it difficult for the thyroid to absorb iodine. As stated above, when this happens, the thyroid begins to a slow down. Not only does it cause us to gain weight but it also zaps our energy. When a person is low on energy, it is difficult to get motivated to exercise.

 

If you believe that you are being or have been exposed to too much fluoride, you can make some lifestyle changes. Changing your diet and eliminating or decreasing the amount of fluoride that you ingest, are two ways that you can reverse the negative side effects. Purchase toothpaste that does not have fluoride and use the filter on your kitchen sink to cut back on the amount of fluoride in your water. You should also aim to consume 150 mcg of iodine a day. Iodine can be found in foods such as eggs and baked potatoes with the skin on. Cod and shrimp are also all excellent sources of iodine.

 

Many times we are unaware of how the in our environment can cause us to gain weight. It is important to become educated about those things that can possibly sabotage our diets, fluoride being one of them. Fluoride can cause problems with the thyroid, slow down our metabolism and cause to gain weight. It is important to cut back when and where one can and to eat enough iodine to counteract any negative effects.

No related posts.