I recently read an
article, 5 Surprising Facts about Low
Thyroid in Children and Teens, which confirmed what I believe is partially
the result of poor diet in our children. When I say, “poor diet,” I don’t only
mean the diet only of the less financially fortunate, but also children from
affluent families who are always on the go.
We Are What We Eat
Some affluent families
in our communities are generally on the move. Running to sports events, attending
meetings scheduled late into the evening, and spur of the moment vacations.
This hurry, hurry lifestyle, leaves these families eating on the go. They buy
foods that are quickly and easily prepared. Foods that are as quickly consumed.
These foods are highly processed and don’t digest well.
Some Low-income
families with children are forced to eat foods that are considered “affordable.”
Their budget only allows for foods that can be purchased “on the cheap.” These
foods include highly processed foods with foreign ingredients. If you read many
of the labels, you will find ingredients that are next to impossible to
pronounce.
These families eat
synthetic foods and foods that are mass produced including, beef, and dairy injected
with hormones and antibiotics, and genetically altered fruits and vegetables
sprayed with pesticides.
The Body Makes Do With What it is Given
Children are
consuming these poisons in large quantities. The chemicals move through their
digestive tracts and into the bloodstream, not to be absorbed into the body, providing
nutrients for growth, but poisoning their cells causing virus, illness, and
mutated genes. I know, mutated genes? Sounds excessive.
Well, you may think that ridiculous, but the human body is meant to digest natural compounds. How do you think the body digests something it doesn’t recognize? How do you think the body reacts to the inability to absorb and process these chemicals? It can’t. So, the body does what it can to “make do” with what it’s given.
Our children are most
susceptible to these chemicals. Their little bodies are still growing and
developing. Their cells are adjusting to their environment. The result?
An Increase in Hypothyroidism in Children
Well, one result we are seeing is an increase in children with hypothyroidism. Yes, I said hypothyroidism; an adult disease, affecting our children. The number of children thought to develop hypothyroidism was one or two per 100 children, now is believed to be two to three in 100 (JAMA Pediatrics). Other autoimmune diseases are on the rise in children too.
To be clear, my
belief isn’t based on scientific fact. I don’t believe any producer of
processed food would back up such a study. My hypothesis is based solely on
common sense. What happens when we subject plants to chemicals and poisons? They
mutate. They take on a different form or alter their genetic makeup to
compensate for the stress caused by the toxins. The human body is made up of
the same building blocks as plants. So, what should we expect to happen?
Consider This
More children and
teens are diagnosed with hypothyroidism today than ever. Their little thyroid
glands are damaged, slow and can’t produce enough thyroid hormone to grow
properly. Low thyroid interferes with normal growth and development. It causes fatigue
and can interfere with performance at school.
If you have a
child, you should be aware of the following information:
- Hypothyroidism is
the most common thyroid disorder in babies, kids, and teens.
- Statistics show
the one in every 1500 – 3000 newborns test positive for hypothyroidism.
- It can develop
later in childhood or as teens.
- Girls are 4 times
as likely to be diagnosed as boys.
- Families with
histories of autoimmune disease, Down Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, type 1
diabetes, or celiac disease are at greater risk of developing hypothyroidism.
- Some medications
can damage the thyroid such as lithium, some epilepsy drugs and tyrosine kinase
inhibitors (some chemo drugs), and in some instances, iodine deficiency.
Watch your children
for the following symptoms:
- tiredness
- feeling cold
- constipation
- dry skin and hair
- Delayed growth (puberty)
- irregular menstrual periods
- anxiety
- attention deficit disorder
- Excessive weight gain in children and teens isn’t typically the result of a thyroid problem, but it never hurts to ask the question. If your child is carrying extra weight it could be the catalyst resulting in thyroid disorder.
Now What?
You as a parent
are your child’s only hope for a healthy future. They are too young to realize their
thyroid could be affected by what they eat, and what environmental toxins will
pollute their bodies. Their best hope is for you as a parent to advocate for
them.
Keep watch over your children. Monitor their moods and behavior. Ask questions and demand answers. It is easier to keep them healthy than it is to treat a disease or disorder. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.
https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/hypothyroidism
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=hypothyroidism-in-children-90-P01963
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=hypothyroidism-in-children-90-P01963
