Despite Known Dangers, BPA Continues to Taint Food Supply

Despite Known Dangers, BPA Continues to Taint Food Supply

BPA, or bisphenol-A, is an endocrine disruptor you’ve heard me mention before http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32616. It’s been shown to mimic hormones in the body–namely estrogen–and contribute to hormone imbalance. These dangers have been known for a long time. You’d think that spawn change to eliminate the use of BPA, right? Wrong. According to a new survey of over 250 brands of canned food, nearly 50% of respondents still use BPA in their products. [1] Around 109 of those surveyed did not respond, so the number of offenders may be even higher.



The Dangers of BPA

Because of its numerous uses in products like food packaging, dental sealants, and even paper receipts http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32637, BPA is ubiquitous in the environment. Virtually everyone on the planet has trace amounts of BPA in their body at any given time. Research into BPA has found that the chemical compound has links to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and even obesity. [2]

Food manufacturers are not required to disclose that they use BPA in the lining of their canned foods, so it can be challenging at times to discern between brands that do contain the compound versus those that don’t. Generally, BPA-free labels will give it away, but be aware that the substitutes used to replace BPA may be just as badhttp://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32638. BPS, or bisphenol-S, is a common replacement that has been shown to promote similar health effects.

What Can I Do?

In order to reduce your BPA and BPS consumption, the best thing would be to eat more whole foods and become less reliant on processed or packaged foods. Make your meals from recipes that only use fresh, whole, living foods, and ditch foods that come in boxes, cans, and jars. If you are going to use a processed food that has the BPA-free labelhttp://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=33661, contact the company to make sure they’re using safer substitutes for BPA. If you haven’t ever cleansed your body, the 9-step body cleanse http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=30733 may be helpful for reducing toxic compounds like BPA.

Were you aware of BPA and its pervasiveness in our world? What do you do to avoid it? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments below!

by Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

References:

1. Brian Bienkowski. Survey of canned-good brands finds hormone-mimicking compound still widely used http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/2015/jun/bpa-still-a-favorite-among-canned-good-brands. Environmental Health News.

2. Vom Saal FS, Nagel SC, Coe BL, Angle BM, Taylor JA. The estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA) and obesityhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22249005. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2012 May 6;354(1-2):74-84. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2012.01.001.

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Alert! Research Links Fluoridated Water to ADHD

Alert! Research Links Fluoridated Water to ADHD

Fluoride, a questionable chemical added to drinking water and toothpaste for the oft-repeated goal of preventing tooth decay, may actually be responsible for certain childhood mental disorders, according to new research from the Harvard School of Public Health. The researchers looked at various chemicals that children are regularly exposed tohttp://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=32199 and found that several, including fluoride, are directly related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=31861 and other mental issues. [1]



Government Bureaucrats to American People: “Shut up and take your medicine!”

Most Americans know fluoride as the chemical at the dentist office or in some types of toothpaste. Some fluoride occurs naturally in drinking water, depending on the geological composition of soils in the surrounding area. However, most exposure comes at the hands of city governments who elect to artificially add more fluoride to the water supply in the name of “improving oral hygiene.” It’s not optional, there is no way to opt out of fluoridated water if your house is connected to the municipal supply. How many of your friends, neighbors, and family members drink this stuff without a second thought? How often do you drink it?

Study Confirms the Obvious: Fluoride is Dangerous

Unfortunately, research has revealed that artificial fluoridation is an ineffective measure to combat tooth decay and that fluoride is a developmental neurotoxinhttp://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=32737. In other words, exposure to fluoride can be detrimental to brain developmenthttp://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=33072 in children and has been linked to reduced IQ. Fluoride accumulates in the body over time, and too much fluoride has also been connected to long-term degenerative problems such as kidney disease, bone weakness, and arthritis.

How to Defend Yourself

Although many municipalities have wised up and stopped water fluoridation http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=117&t=34166, it will take time before all city governments stop using artificial fluoridation. Visit the Center for Disease Control’s My Water’s Fluoride website to determine if your area artificially fluoridates their drinking water. If it does, you can reduce the level of fluoride by buying a reverse osmosis water filter, water distillation unit, or other filter, such as the Seychelle Water Filter Pitcher, that will remove fluoride from tap water.

In the meantime, we need to stay passionate, continue the fight, and remain alert and active. Does fluoridated water concern you? Do you or your child suffer from ADHD and believe it’s connected? Please leave a comment below and share your thoughts with us.

References:

Dr Philippe Grandjean MD, Philip J Landrigan MD. Neurobehavioural effects of developmental toxicity http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(13)70278-3/abstract. The Lancet Neurology, Volume 13, Issue 3, Pages 330 – 338, March 2014. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(13)70278-3.

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Study: Pesticide Exposure May Be Linked to ADHD in Children

Study: Pesticide Exposure May Be Linked to ADHD in Children

Earlier this year, a joint research study conducted by Harvard and the University of Montreal reinforced an earlier research which found a connection between pesticide exposure and Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children [1].



While harsh chemicals are, logically, a very effective choice for pest control, their effects easily cross over to humans who come into contact with them.

The effects of pesticides on genetic material is tremendous. Much of the body’s essential chemistry – including parts of the brainstem as well as the genetic materials DNA and RNA – are made up of similar biological compounds. They are so similar in fact, that organophosphates essentially interrupt their core processes.

The well-documented ability of these compounds to damage or even destroy neurological and genetic material makes the possible link to ADHD and other behavioral conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, seem that much more plausible in the eyes of researchers.



In both sets of studies, the research teams found a strong connection between ADHD-related symptoms and pesticide levels found in the test subjects’ urine. Their overall conclusion was that the concentrations of organophosphates found in the bodies of most U.S. children are sufficiently high to trigger ADHD-like behavioral effects.

Avoid Unnecessary Pesticide Exposure?


child eating apple

Incidences of ADHD continue to climb. Theories about the cause of this recent surge in ADHD are almost as numerous as the children who carry the label. Unfortunately, it’s still not well understood.

Reducing your family’s exposure to brain-altering chemical compounds is not always easy. This stuff has been poured and saturated into the environment at levels that are mind blowing, to say the least. That said, there are simple things you can undertake to reduce exposure as much as possible.:

Consume only fresh, organic produce. Commercially grown fruits and vegetables are the number one source of pesticide exposure for humans. By eating naturally grown produce, you can dramatically reduce your family’s exposure to these chemicals. A good place to start, is your local farmers market http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=33340, as they will have locally-grown and organic produce.



Public parks and green spaces are also common places to come into contact with organophosphate pesticides. Pay attention to where your children play. Ask your parks department what forms of pest control are used at your favorite play areas. Ask for details on the treatment schedule. This should allow you to avoid visiting on days when pesticide concentrations are at their highest.

I recommend regular body cleansing http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=33401 and detoxification http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30713 to help your body purge built-up toxins, such as those found in pesticides, and to promote general health and well-being. Global Healing Center offers a range of natural cleansing supplements that can help your body deal with exposure to pesticides and other toxic chemicals.

by Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

References:

1. Maryse F. Bouchard PhD, David C. Bellinger PhD, Robert O. Wright MD MPH, Marc G. Weisskopf PhD. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Urinary Metabolites of Organophosphate Pesticides http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/125/6/e1270.abstract. Pediatrics. 2010 May 17. vol. 125 no. 6, pp. e1270 -e1277 (doi: 10.1542/peds.2009-3058).

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The Top 10 Endocrine Disruptors To Avoid

The Top 10 Endocrine Disruptors To Avoid

Constant exposure to endocrine disruptors http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=31783 is like putting a drop of water in the gas tank of a car. One drop may not have a major impact, but drip by drip, the car soon breaks down. Endocrine disruptors do the same thing to the human body. Unlike the car, before the body breaks down its main systems go haywire and present symptoms such as infertility, weight gain, cardiac disease, dementiahttp://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/aa/alzheimer_disease/alzheimersdisease_3.php, and so much more. That’s because hormones from endocrine organs, such as the thyroid, pituitary gland, testes, ovaries, pancreas, adrenal glands, and even the gastrointestinal tract, control every function in the body.



Top Endocrine Disruptors

The following 10 endocrine disruptors are the main ones you should completely avoid. Where possible, I’ve included ways to avoid exposure as well as simple strategies you can take to reduce body accumulation.

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#1. Organophosphate Pesticides

These pesticides http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=117&t=32640 get sprayed all over our food in an effort to kill common crop pests. Pesticide residue on vegetables and fruits are one of the most common ways we consume these dangerous chemicals, unless we choose organic. Organophosphate pesticides have been shown to cause infertility in men, slow brain development in children, and have even been shown to affect thyroid function. [1] [2] Always choose organic when purchasing food to avoid these pesticides.

#2. 17α-Ethynylestradiol

Don’t let the name of this compound turn you off. 17α-Ethynylestradiol is a synthetic form of estrogen and the only one that remains active when taken orally. Currently, this synthetic hormone can be found in all forms of oral birth control. Studies have shown that it promotes breast cancerhttp://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/cc/breastcancer.php complications and cell proliferation. [3] Even the US government has acknowledged its dangerous effects.

#3. Fire Retardants (PBDEs)

PBDEs, or polybrominated diethyl ethers, disrupt thyroid function by blocking the uptake of iodine http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=32220, eventually taking its place in the thyroid. [4] Because of this action, they also mimic and disrupt thyroid hormones. PBDEs have been linked to lower IQ and are proven to negatively affect neural and physical development in children and developing infants. [5]

#4. Phthalates

Phthalates have been getting a lot of attention recently, and for very good reason. These chemicals are added to plastics to aid durability and flexibility; yet, their negative health effects have been constantly reported in various studies all across the world. Phthalates can easily leach into water, and people drinking water bottles are the most susceptible to chronic exposure. Research has confirmed that phthalates inhibit sperm cell development, initiating early cell death. [6] These chemicals have also been linked to obesity,diabetes http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/dd/diabetes.php, and thyroid conditions. Always store foods and liquids in glass whenever possible, or choose phthalate-free varieties if necessary.

#5. BPA

You’ve probably heard of BPA (Bisphenol A) by now, thanks in part to the massive publicity surrounding their controversial health effects. While BPAs may not be an entirely new subject, they still manage to permeate their way into our food and environment. Food cans, plastic bottles, cell phone protectorshttp://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32018, and water pipes continue to use BPA. The chemical even coats store receipts. This chemical easily leaches from containers and can absorb through the skin on contact; studies have found people who handle receipts have this chemical in their urine just a few hours later. According to government research, ninety-three percent of Americans have detectable levels of BPA in their bodies. BPA is extremely concerning as it has been tied to obesity, breast cancer, early-onset puberty, cardiovascular disease, and reproductive problems. Choose BPA-free storage containers and use glass whenever possible.



#6. Perchlorate

Found in rocket fuel, explosives, fireworks, and fertilizers, this common environmental chemical noticeably disrupts thyroid function. Similarly to PBDEs, perchlorate replaces iodine in the thyroid and leads to decreased thyroid activity. Symptoms of decreased thyroid activity include weight gain, poor energy, and depression. Water contains the highest concentrations of perchlorate. The best solution to prevent damage from this endocrine disruptor is to ensure you are getting enough quality iodine on a daily basis. Also, a high-quality water filter may also help filter out perchlorate.

#7. Arsenic

This element naturally occurs deep within the earth’s crust, but can also get released through mining and other industrial activities, finding its way directly into our water sources. [7] Exposure to arsenic can result in insulin resistance, immune system suppression, slowed cognitive development, cardiovascular damage, and weight gain/loss. [8] The best way to protect against arsenic is to install a water filter, one that specifically contains the ability to remove arsenic.

#8. Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs)

It’s estimated that 99% of Americans have PFC accumulation in their bodies. PFCs are commonly used to make non-stick pans. During cooking, some of these chemicals escape into your food and have the power to accumulate in your body. Once its there, it can become really tough to get out. PFCs disrupt hormone function and have been tied toinfertility http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/ii/infertility.php, ineffective sperm, heart disease, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, and low birth-weight in babies. A recent study confirmed PFCs, especially PFOA and PFHxS, negatively affect thyroid hormone levels. [9] A deep and thorough cleansing may be helpful for removing built up levels of PFCs in the body. Avoiding non-stick cookware is also extremely important.

#9. Mercury

We all know mercury is toxic and dangerous to pregnant women and the babies they carry. It’s known to affect women in particular as it will bind with a hormone essential to menstruation and ovulation. Mercury also attacks the pancreas, thereby affecting insulin production. This action may lead to diabetes; however, research is unclear on this topic. Reducing seafood consumption may be one of the best solutions to reduce mercury intake; unfortunately, fish is no longer the only concern. The new CFL light bulbs contain dangerous levels of mercury. In fact, if one of these light bulbs break, it’s recommended you evacuate the area to prevent exposure.

#10. Dioxin

The US government recognizes dioxin as an endocrine disruptor, so how come they are continuing to pollute our environment? Research connects dioxin, a by product of many industrial processes, with heart disease, diabetes, reduced fertility, poor sperm activity and low sperm counts, embryo development interference, and spontaneous miscarriage. [10] Meats and other food products which contain animal products provide the majority of exposure to Americans. It accumulates in fat and can remain for years, slowly poisoning us.

What Can We Do?

While difficult, it is possible to take steps to avoid endocrine disruptors. If you eat meat or fish, choose organic, free-range, or wild sources. Buy fresh, organic produce as much as possible, and choose glass for food storage. Make sure you supplement with iodine http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=30707 to protect the thyroid. I also highly recommend regular cleansing to help the liver remove toxin accumulation.

-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

References:

1. Jurewicz J1, Polaska K, Hanke W. Chemical exposure early in life and the neurodevelopment of children–an overview of current epidemiological evidencehttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24069851. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2013;20(3):465-86.

2. Aguilar-Garduo C1, Lacasaa M, Blanco-Muoz J, Rodriguez-Barranco M, Hernandez AF, Bassol S, Gonzalez-Alzaga B, Cebrin ME. Changes in male hormone profile after occupational organophosphate exposure http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23153546. A longitudinal study. Toxicology. 2013 May 10;307:55-65. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2012.11.001.

3. Barbara Demeneix. Examples of Chemical Pollution Targeting Thyroid Hormone Actionhttp://books.google.com/books?id=J_7dAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA132&lpg=PA132&dq=PBDEs,+iodine+uptake&source=bl&ots=45_JkfWc9a&sig=R-1m8YPBfTTh5JowRmA9Cwjxw7k&hl=en&sa=X&ei=l1vJU4z0Ne7hsASIxoCADQ&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=PBDEs%2C%20iodine%20uptake&f=false. Losing Our Minds: How Environmental Pollution Impairs Human Intelligence and Mental Health.

4. Lata K1, Mukherjee TK2. Knockdown of receptor for advanced glycation end products attenuate 17-ethinyl-estradiol dependent proliferation and survival of MCF-7 breast cancer cells http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24252278. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2014 Mar;1840(3):1083-91. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2013.11.014.

5. Eskenazi B1, Chevrier J, Rauch SA, Kogut K, Harley KG, Johnson C, Trujillo C, Sjdin A, Bradman A. In utero and childhood polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) exposures and neurodevelopment in the CHAMACOS study not allowed class="postlink" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23154064">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23154064. Environ Health Perspect. 2013 Feb;121(2):257-62. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1205597.

6. Specht IO1, Toft G2, Hougaard KS3, Lindh CH4, Lenters V5, Jnsson BA6, Heederik D7, Giwercman A8, Bonde JP9. Associations between serum phthalates and biomarkers of reproductive function in 589 adult men http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24583187. Environ Int. 2014 May;66:146-56. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.02.002.

7. Garelick H1, Jones H, Dybowska A, Valsami-Jones E. Arsenic pollution sources http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18982996. Rev Environ Contam Toxicol. 2008;197:17-60.

8. Naujokas MF1, Anderson B, Ahsan H, Aposhian HV, Graziano JH, Thompson C, Suk WA. The broad scope of health effects from chronic arsenic exposure: update on a worldwide public health problem http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23458756. Environ Health Perspect. 2013 Mar;121(3):295-302. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1205875.

9. Wen LL1, Lin LY, Su TC, Chen PC, Lin CY. Association between serum perfluorinated chemicals and thyroid function in U.S. adults: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2010 http://press.endocrine.org/doi/abs/10.1210/jc.2013-1282. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013 Sep;98(9):E1456-64. doi: 10.1210/jc.2013-1282.

10.Chen SC1, Liao TL, Wei YH, Tzeng CR, Kao SH. Endocrine disruptor, dioxin (TCDD)-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in human trophoblast-like JAR cellshttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20083559. Mol Hum Reprod. 2010 May;16(5):361-72. doi: 10.1093/molehr/gaq004.

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ConAgra to remove feminizing BPA chemicals from food cans

ConAgra to remove feminizing BPA chemicals from food cans

Food giant ConAgra has announced that all cans containing its products will now be free of the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA). The change applies to all canned food products made in U.S. or Canadian factories after July 30.

"In response to our consumers' desire for alternate coatings for the food they eat, we have been working for several years to identify, test, qualify and commercialize non-BPA coatings that they can trust," said Wes Wasson, ConAgra's senior director of packaging technology and cost optimization.

ConAgra announced that it is replacing BPA with linings made from polyester or acrylic. Some desserts and cooking sprays will instead use a laminated steel liner.

Nestle USA has also announced its intention to remove BPA from all of its U.S. canned products, but the company said that the transition would not be completed until some time next year.

BPA mimics estrogen activity

Until a few years ago, nearly 100 percent of canned food and beverages sold in the United States were lined with a resin made from BPA to prevent the food from reacting with the metal. This lining not only prevents the taste of food from being modified by the metal, but it also prevents chemical reactions that can cause food to spoil or cans to explode.

BPA is a ubiquitous industrial chemical used in everything from clear plastic water bottles to the thermal paper used to print receipts. Despite this abundance of uses, studies have shown that canned foods and beverages are one of the major sources of human exposure. This is because BPA leaches freely from can linings into food and canned foods are so widely consumed.

Studies have conclusively established that BPA mimics the activity of the hormone estrogen in the body. BPA exposure has been linked with a variety of health problems including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and neurobehavioral changes. It is thought to be particularly dangerous to children and pregnant women.

Replacements not necessarily safe

While the move away from BPA by giant companies might seem to be good news, food safety experts have raised concerns that BPA might be replaced by other chemicals with untested health effects. Indeed, numerous studies have now demonstrated that the closely-related chemical BPS, used in many "BPA-free" plastic bottles, also acts as an estrogen mimic in the body. The chemical also appears to cause hyperactivity and cardiac arrhythmia. Alarmingly, its effects seem to be even more potent than BPA.

Most companies shifting away from BPA are not publicizing which chemicals they are using to replace it, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) warned in a report published on June 3. In an analysis of 252 canned food brands produced by 119 separate companies, EWG found that only 13 of the brands described their BPA alternatives in any way. This secrecy is dangerous, the organization said, because it makes it harder to conduct safety testing on these substances.

The alternatives that have been described are a diverse group of chemicals, including vinyl, polyester, modified polymers, epoxies, epoxy-based lacquers, titanium dioxide-based linings, and oleoresins used alone or in combination with other chemicals.

In the rush to assure the public that BPA is being phased out, food companies are exposing consumers to a new, untested cocktail of potentially harmful substances.

Given the uncertain safety profiles of BPA alternatives, EWG still recommends that consumers limit their intake of canned foods.

Companies have also continued to be secretive not just about alternatives, but also about whether they use BPA at all, EWG found. An astonishing 109 brands from 54 companies neglected to specify whether they used BPA.

EWG is also urging the government to establish a mandatory safety limit for the BPA content in canned food of 1 part per billion.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.omaha.com/money/conagra-bows-to-calls-for-stripping-feared-chemical-from-food/article_cc76183e-0aff-5ed8-9ab3-13699880cfc0.html

http://www.foodqualitynews.com/Industry-news/EWG-report-reveals-brands-using-BPA-in-canned-food

http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=31738

http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=32371

http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32313

http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32637

http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32862

http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32863

http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32864

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