Thyroid: what we track
Ingredients with published research that bears on thyroid function.
- PFAS compoundsFluorinated compounds that make products water-resistant and long-wearing.
- PFHxSA six-carbon fluorinated chemical used in firefighting foams and stain repellents, and a persistent contaminant of water and food.
- PFNAA nine-carbon fluorinated acid once used in surfactants and polymer manufacture, and a persistent contaminant found in food, water and blood.
- PFOSA long-chain fluorinated chemical used for water and stain resistance, and a persistent environmental contaminant.
- TriclosanAn antibacterial agent formerly common in soaps and toothpaste.
- 4-Methylbenzylidene CamphorA UV filter used in some sun and daily-care products.
- BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)A synthetic antioxidant that stops oils in a formula going rancid.
- Brominated vegetable oil (BVO)Vegetable oil reacted with bromine, once added at up to 15 ppm to keep citrus flavour oils suspended in soft drinks.
- Kelp (brown seaweed)Brown seaweeds — kombu (Saccharina and Laminaria), knotted wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum) and bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) — sold dried, powdered or as extracts in supplements and foods; the richest common source of iodine, in amounts that vary many-fold between products.
- OctinoxateA chemical UV filter used for UVB protection.
- PerchlorateA contaminant that reaches food and water from fertiliser, packaging and industrial residue.
- ResorcinolA dye intermediate that helps permanent hair colour develop.
- Sodium NitrateA curing salt for slow-cured meats and some ripened cheeses (E 251; potassium nitrate is E 252), which bacteria in the mouth and in the cure turn into nitrite.
- Soy isoflavonesPlant compounds in soy that bind weakly to oestrogen receptors.
- BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)A synthetic antioxidant closely related to BHA.
- FluorideThe active anticaries ingredient in most toothpaste.