When you do a Google search for Rocket fuel, you find lots of interesting information and a few unexpected little gems. Apparently there are recipes for Rocket fuel chicken that can be spiced up to be Mexican or Thai. In case you're wondering, they don't add rocket fuel, that's just the catchy and fun name for the culinary masterpieces out there.
Some of my friends call their favorite energy drink, Red Bull, "Rocket fuel". In fact, one of them is an engineer who works for the Department of defense on missiles and rockets. No, we're not talking about Red Bull, but coincidentally, we are talking about real rocket fuel.
Perchlorate, aka Rocket Fuel, is a component of fireworks, munitions and yes, rocket fuel. It can also be found in certain fertilizers from Chile. Back in 2004, and 2005, researchers began to develop more sensitive tests to detect tiny and minute amounts of perchlorate in drinking water and guess what, this stuff is everywhere. Holy, guacamole. Read on, because it's an interesting reminder of how interconnected everything is.
Drinking water, milk and lettuce were tested, as was human breast milk. What was surprising was that in some cases the levels of perchlorates in breast milk was 5 times that seen in the milk you could by off the shelf in the dairy section.
Some areas of the country had very high levels of perchlorates in the water supply and in the soil. Areas of the country, where rockets get recycled, whatever that means, or areas where rocket fuel is manufactured, had higher levels, as you might expect. The problem is, some of those areas are out west where lots of people live. And, this stuff seeps into the ground water and into the grass that the cows eat. As I read more, it became apparent, that milk and water from every part of the country was affected, and it started to dawn on me that this stuff is everywhere.
How dangerous is it? Well, perchlorates can interfere with how our thyroid glands function. Here's the key, IF and it's a big IF, we don't get enough iodine in our diets, then perchlorates can be dangerous. Thankfully, if people have adequate iodine in their diets, from getting iodized salt or from eating the seaweed wrappers on sushi, or eating fish or shellfish they should have plenty of iodine to counteract any potential effect of perchlorates on their thyroid glands. As a reminder, pregnant women should avoid eating all raw fish or fish that could be high in mercury, Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel and Tilefish. The iodine counteracts the perchlorates, which is a big relief.
Recently a report was issued by the CDC. Samples they took of baby formula from back in 2006 were found to have detectable levels of perchlorate. I don't know why, but they waited until last week to announce it. Go figure? Thanks guys, love the scary headlines that make my patients run to the phones in panic. Some of my patients found out that perchlorates were also found in breast milk. Was anything safe?
What wasn't said, and this is why it's good to read beyond the scary, provocative headlines, is that the key here is to get adequate iodine. You knew that, because it's up there in the 5th paragraph. So, because perchlorates are everywhere, and until we can convince the lawmakers to disclose how much is where and what are safe amounts, make sure you and your family get adequate iodine to protect your thyroid gland from any harmful effects of this component of rocket fuel.
Get the sushi roll, and if you're pregnant, go for the cooked sushi, use iodized salt, and check your multivitamin to make sure it has iodine in it. (The salt in and on packaged foods, like chips and pretzels isn't iodized.)
I hope this helps put the current scary headlines in perspective. These chemicals can be found in tap water, in milk, in breast milk and in formula. Luckily, infant formulas contain iodine already, which protects babies and their developing thyroid glands. Mothers who are breastfeeding should make sure that their prenatal vitamin has iodine in it, and get iodized salt. For parents of older kids, make sure you're using iodized salt at home and look for a vitamin, like Flintstone gummies with iodine in it. That's what I take.