Chiropractor in Northfield Talks About Another Common Chemical to Avoid

In a previous blog post this author talked about the endocrine disrupting ways of triclosan. This post is going to talk about the endocrine disrupting effects of another very common chemical called Bisphenol A (BPA).

BPA was first discovered by a Russian scientist and in the 30’s a couple of chemists noticed that it had Estrogen-like qualities. They used both for enhancing the growth of chickens and cows, but also used as an estrogen replacement therapy for women. In the 50’s they discovered it was useful for the hardening of plastics and as a resin for the lining of food and beverage containers.

In 1997 in was discovered that low doses of BPA still had estrogen-like qualities. This is when the biggest studies of BPA started. In 2007 the National Institute of Health determined that there was “some concern about BPA’s effects on the fetal and infant brain development and behavior.” Because of the conclusion of the NIH and the growing evidence against BPA, baby bottle makers changed the chemical make-up of their products. In 2010 the Canadian government declared BPA a toxic substance.

The most recent studies about BPA tend to show that BPA may play a part in breast cancer, diabetes, obesity, hyperactivity, thyroid disruption, aggression, depression. They new studies also show that BPA has a multigenerational effect. That means that the effects are being sent down to the kids of the BPA exposed. This is possible even though BPA doesn’t affect the DNA. However, the effects are showing to be more epigenetic. This means that the BPA is affecting the way that genes are being turned on and off.

This is very concerning; because it seems that the research can find a link to some increasingly common disorders like obesity, autism, diabetes, infertility, and depression. I don’t want this blog to be an excuse for a lack of proactivity. In fact I would like this blog to be an inspiration to be very proactive in your health. When you are trying to help your health it is important to support the system with a detoxification of your liver to really boast its efficiency to help rid the body of these types of harmful chemicals. Here is a link to a previous blog discussing the detox process.

The detox is important, but what is even more important is to find out how you and your family are being exposed to BPA. Studies have shown that ridding the body of the exposure can diminish the impact in the body by 50-70% (eating fresh foods instead of prepackaged foods). Here is a short and incomprehensive list of where BPA can be found:

Cash register receipts

Plastic bottles (unless labeled BPA-fee)

-Plastic bottles that have a 3 or 7 at the bottom have been known to leak BPA more than other plastics

-heightened exposure from these plastics when heated of treated with detergents (don’t reheat or wash plastic containers with those numbers)

The plastic lining of canned foods

Canned soft drinks

Plastic packed foods

Thermal printing paper

Here is a link to more information:

If this kind of exposure scares you, then another important action to take would be to talk with your state and federal representatives. Let them know that you don’t want to be exposed to such chemicals, and urge them to ban this substance, or at least have every product that contains BPA be labeled so that you can be an informed consumer. Another thing that legislation can do is to do what they did with cigarettes. Have the companies that use BPA label their products to state that BPA is a known endocrine disruptor, and exposure can lead to cancer, obesity, hyperactivity, and other problems. Remember that children are the most effected by BPA, so breast-feeding mothers should avoid BPA more than most. Avoiding BPA and other endocrine disruptors is the LEAST EXPENSIVE METHOD TO HEALTHCARE. If you would like more information about BPA or other problems please call Cannon Pointe Chiropractic 507-645-8000.

 

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