Posts Tagged ‘BPA’

Environmental Chemicals, Soy, and Sleep Disruption Contributes to Weight Gain

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

About 60 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, and their health-care costs are higher: $1500 more per year than a normal weight person.  Much of the difference is contributed to obesity related disease like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and other conditions.

Recently, scientists in Japan found  that low levels of certain compounds, such as bisphenol A – BPA for short, (the building block of plastics, including that in baby bottles), had surprising effects on fibroblast cells.  These cells typically help form connective tissue, muscle, ligaments, bones, etc.   Exposure to BPA and other chemical compounds caused the cells to turn into adipocytes (AKA – fat cells).   The chemicals also stimulated the growth of existing fat cells.

Another study performed in 2006 by scientist, Bruce Blumberg of the University of California reported similar results using different chemicals.  In 2006 he fed pregnant mice tributyltin, a disinfectant and fungicide used in marine paints, plastics production, and other products, which enters the food chain in seafood and drinking water.

“The offspring were born with more fat already stored, more fat cells, and became 5 to 20 percent fatter by adulthood.”

Genetic tests revealed how that had happened. The tributyltin activated a receptor called PPAR gamma, which turns fibroblast cells into fat cells. **It should be noted that medications given for diabetes control (Actos and Avandia) activate PPAR gamma and contribute to obesity.  Ironic considering the fact that obesity exacerbates diabetes.   The effect of these chemicals on obesity was so strong and so reliable that scientists created a new term for them – obesogens.

Additional testing showed that tributyltin is not the only obesogen that acts on the PPAR pathway, leading to more fat cells.  Phthalates (used to make vinyl plastics, such as those used in shower curtains and, until the 1990s, plastic food wrap), bisphenol A, and perfluoroalkyl compounds (used in stain repellents and nonstick cooking surfaces) also contribute to this problem.

Think Soy is Healthy?  Think Again –

On the same note, scientists started to investigate genistein, an estrogen like compound found in soy, at doses like those in soy milk and soy formula. By the age of 3 or 4 months, test subjects had higher stores of fat and a noticeable increase in body weight, suggesting that the compound threw a wrench in the workings of the body’s metabolic rate.

Eating at the Wrong Time  = Weight Gain

A Study in the Journal of Obesity reported that feeding test subjects during normal sleeping hours led to twice as much weight gain as feeding the same amount of calories to test subjects during normal waking hours.  The author of the study suspects that one possible cause of the difference is the disruption in the  circadian rhythms( hormone patterns that regulate our sleep wake cycle).  Genes that govern our daily cycle of sleeping and waking

“also regulate at least 10 percent of the other genes in our cells, including metabolic genes… Mess up the cellular clock and you may mess up metabolic rate.”

Source: Go Here…

Relying on Calorie Counting Doesn’t Always Work –

We have to take a pro-active role in protecting ourselves from an environment that is not conducive to the good health of our genes…Watch the video below for the full commentary:

  1. Filter your water – the right filter will pull these obesogen chemicals out of your drinking and bathing water.
  2. Filter Your Air – industrialization has led to 1,000’s of these estrogen based chemicals in your environment.  Filtering your household air will reduce your overall exposure.
  3. Stop the excessive soy intake (especially milks, bars, proteins, genetically modified versions, and other processed forms).
  4. Maintain a normal sleep pattern (go to bed when it gets dark – wake up at sunrise).  Modern technology (TV’s, lights, computers) has led many to lead a more nocturnal based lifestyle.  This shift in sleep disrupts a number of hormones and ultimately degrades your health.
  5. If you still have trouble with weight loss after implementing the above practices, find a doctor who practices functional medicine.  Make sure that the doctor you choose practices what they preach – i.e. obese doctors are not advisable.

In good health,

Dr. Osborne

Is Your Recycled Toilet Paper Toxic?

Monday, June 13th, 2011

Green Does Not Mean Good For You or the Environment –

Many consumers are purchasing recycled toilet paper as an effort to be more environmentally friendly.  The problem is, many recycled TP’s contain a dangerous chemical called Bisphenol-A (BPA).

What is BPA?

BPA is a chemical that disrupts the endocrine system and actually mimics the female hormone estrogen.  It may be responsible for an increase in fertility problems and endometriosis among adult females.  More concerning is the fact that BPA exposure is linked to noticeable neurological, behavioral and even prostate gland changes in fetuses and young children.

BPA is a toxic compound that is found in most plastics.  In the U.S. many states are working to ban BPA in baby products — baby bottles, toys, pacifiers, and other items that babies put in their mouths.  Additionally, these BPA containing plastics can be used to store food (even some cans are lined with it).   Water bottles, zip lock bags, plastic utensils, and more contain this estrogen mimicking chemical.  Oh yeah,  that recycled toilet paper you just bought  may also contain BPA.

Recycled toilet paper: Not as friendly as you think?

It turns out that credit card receipts and other items that use thermal printing paper are ultimately used in making recycled toilet paper. Unfortunately, most brands of thermal printing paper contain BPA.   While BPA isn’t an ingredient directly used to make recycled toilet paper, the process that creates this environmentally friendlier paper product creates a completely new toxicity concern: BPA in wastewater streams.

What happens to toilet paper? It gets flushed. The wastewater ends up at a municipal water treatment plant. When toilet paper contains BPA, it is also processed at the local plant, but unfortunately, some of this BPA finds its way into both surface and groundwater supplies.

So, why is this a concern? The xenoestrogens in BPA have been linked to a number of cancers and hormonal abnormalities.  Water treatment facilities do not remove BPA.  That means that you are left with having to filter your own water.
Dr. Osborne's Comment
The Green Movement is great for environmental awareness.  But often times people look for Green without thinking.  A similar trend was seen with fat free diets, and gluten free diets.  Manufacturers starting using the term fat or gluten free on all labels.  It became a buzzword and was automatically associated with health regardless of reality.

Ever stop to think where you will be putting the toilet paper, or what you will be putting it on?

In this ever complex world of marketing and deception, how can you make informed decisions without all of the misleading media messages being blasted at you?

Top 7 Foods to Avoid

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Liz Vaccariello, Editor in Chief of Prevention Magazine, recently interviewed several experts on food healthfulness and safety. She asked, “What foods do you avoid”, and was surprised by some of the answers.

1. Canned Tomatoes, Canned Soup, Canned Green Beens
Recently, Consumer Reports magazine found the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) in the resin lining of many common food brands. BPA is used for food preservation, but is a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to many illnesses including heart disease, diabetes, and reproductive issues. Consumer Reports found the highest levels to be in canned green beans and soups. Fredrick vom Saal, PhD, an endocrinologist at the University of Missouri who studies bisphenol-A (BPA) states that acidic foods such as tomatoes can also cause the BPA to leach into the food, at a rate that exceeds 50 micrograms per liter. Dr. Vom Saal recommends choosing tomatoes in glass bottles or Tetra Pak boxes.

2. Corn-Fed Beef
Cows evolved eating grass, but today’s farmers feed their animals corn and soybeans, which fatten the animals faster for slaughter. A recent study conducted by the USDA and researchers from Clemson University found that corn-fed beef is lower in beta-carotene, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, magnesium, and potassium than grass fed beef. It is also higher in saturated fat. A study from Purdue University found that corn fed beef contains higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids, which may encourage inflammation in the body and may lead to bone loss. Grass-fed beef can be found at specialty grocers, farmers markets, and nationally at Whole Foods.

3. Microwave Popcorn
A big danger from microwave popcorn is burns from the steam that escapes when the bag is opened. Two chemicals in microwave popcorn have been linked to serious illness. In January 2008, the top four manufacturers removed diacetyl as a butter-flavoring agent in the products because it was linked to lung injuries. ConAgra Foods, General Mills, and the American Pop Corn Company (that sells Orville Redenbacker, Act II, Pop Secret and Jolly Time) have changed their recipes to exclude diacetyl.

More recently, chemicals such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) have been found to be a part of the lining of the bag, which leaches into the food during microwave cooking. This chemical has been linked to infertility in a recent study from UCLA. In animal testing, the chemicals are linked to liver, testicular, and pancreatic cancer. Olga Naidenko, PhD, a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group, says “[PFOA] stay in your body for years and accumulate there.” Some larger manufacturers have promised to phase out PFOA by 2015 under a voluntary EPA plan, but until then it is best to make popcorn using canola oil in a covered saucepan or skillet.

4. Nonorganic Potatoes and Carrots
Root vegetables absorb the pesticides that wind up in the soil. In the case of potatoes, they are also treated with fungicides during the growing season, then sprayed with herbicides to kill off the fibrous vines before harvesting. The potatoes are treated once more at the processing plant to delay sprouting. Jeffrey Moyer, chair of the National Organic Standards Board, says that washing will not remove all the chemicals that have been absorbed into the flesh of the vegetables, and encourages the purchase of organic produce.

5. Farmed Salmon
Salmon is promoted as one of the healthiest foods for the heart because it contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. However, when choosing salmon, it is best to choose wild-caught Alaska salmon over farmed salmon. Farmed salmon has been shown to contain 10 times more toxins, including Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and dioxin, than wild salmon. Farmed salmon are fatter, and the PCBs are sequestered into the fat and remain there. In addition, salmon farms can harbor parasites, such as sea lice and kudoa thyrsites, so fishers use pesticides and antibiotics that can become part of your fish dinner. Many industrial salmon farms use artificial colorings to make the fish more appealing to consumers, some of which can be harmful to health.

If a package says fresh Atlantic salmon, it is likely farmed, according to David Carpenter, MD, director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University at Albany and publisher of a major study in the journal Science on contamination in fish. He states there are no longer commercial fisheries for wild Atlantic salmon.

6. Milk Produced with Artificial Hormones
Rick North, project director of the Campaign for Safe Food at the Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, encourages the purchase of hormone-free or organic milk. Conventional milk farmers treat their dairy cattle with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST) to boost milk production. These can lead to a higher level of a hormone in the casein called insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) in humans that is linked to breast, prostate, and colon cancer. Organic milk farmers cannot use artificial hormones in their dairy cattle. Other manufactures may list rBGH-free or rBST-free on the package label.

7. Nonorganic Apples and Pears
Many fruits are treated with pesticides. Those in which the peeling or skin is consumed are at highest risk to people. Over time, farming techniques for fruits such as apples have caused the fruit to lose its resistance to pests, and therefore they are sprayed more frequently. Washing the fruit thoroughly and removing the skin is recommended, but this may not eliminate the chemical residue entirely. In addition, removing the peeling removes many of the healthful benefits of fruit, such as fiber. According to the Daily Green, the best fruits to buy organic include apples, pears, grapes, and cherries.

This is an excellent article shedding light on many of the foods not commonly considered unhealthy.

Farm raised fish and corn fed beef are often overlooked.  People generally do not consider the source of their animal foods.

Other foods that should be added to the list include:

  1. Packaged or processed foods
  2. Non-organic produce
  3. Grains
  4. Sugars
  5. Dairy (from corn fed cows – even if it is organic)
  6. Foods containing hydrogenated fats (trans fat)
  7. High fructose corn syrup
  8. Pasteurized juices

Following these simple rules can help you steer clear of poor food choices:

  1. Limit eating out as much as possible
  2. If the ingredient label has any words that you cannot pronounce without a chemistry degree avoid it.
  3. Buy your produce when it is in season (locally if possible)
  4. Grocery shop for your next meal, not for the next two weeks.  Foods should be perishable.  Buy and eat them as fresh as possible.
  5. Before you eat, ask yourself the following questions:

Is this food healthy?  Am I really hungry?

Remember, your body and your health are gifts from God.  Don’t desecrate your temple!

Common Plastics a Danger to Unborn Children..

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009
Commonly used plastics compound effects fetuses and
children…
A chemical used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, bisphenol
A (BPA), is raising concern over its effects in fetuses and children,
according to a draft report from the NIH.  The report, from the
National Toxicology Program, concludes that BPA presents “some
concern” that exposure of fetuses and children “can cause changes in
behavior and the brain, prostate gland, mammary gland, and the age
at which females attain puberty.” The report cites “negligible concern”
that BPA exposure leads to birth defects.  Polycarbonate plastics are
used in, among other things, bottles for water and infant formula or
breast milk. The draft report says that infants and children have the
highest intakes of BPA in the population.  The Canadian government
may declare the compound toxic as early as this week, an anonymous
source told the New York Times.
Dr. Osborne’s Comment…
Another example of how we over expose ourselves and our children
to compounds that have damaging health effects.  In the last issue,
we discussed diacetyl in popcorn as a compound in artificial butters
that can contribute to lung disease.  This however, is a much greater
problem, as we are surrounded by polycarbonate plastics.  More than
6 billion tons are put out each year.  They are used in storage and
drinking containers as well as a number of polymers and resins used
in industrial processing.  I find it alarming that baby bottles and food
containers contain BPA as this chemical is a known estrogen mimicker.
Why is this dangerous?  Estrogen can bring about long term
hormonal changes.  BPA has been shown to contribute to abnormal
behaviour and hyperactivity in children, brain damage, abnormal
sexual behaviour, early puberty, and reproductive abnormalities.
Protect yourself:
1. Try to avoid exposure by eliminating the use of these plastics.
2.  Support your body’s ability to protect and detoxify itself.
Exercise regularly to stimulate sweating as well as the flow of
blood and lymph fluids to help your body rid itself of toxins on a
regular basis.
Breathe!  Proper breathing can help increase oxygen into your
tissues supporting your overall metabolism.
Eat a diet rich in healthy meats, nuts, seeds, beans, fresh fruits
and vegetables and devoid of processed dairy, sugar, and grain
based foods.
Maintain adequate hydration.  Water is a catalyst for your
body’s ability to eliminate toxic substances.
Plastic bottles contain toxic BPAA chemical used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, bisphenol A (BPA), is raising concern over its effects in fetuses and children,  according to a draft report from the NIH.  The report, from the National Toxicology Program, concludes that BPA presents “some concern” that exposure of fetuses and children “can cause changes in behavior and the brain, prostate gland, mammary gland, and the age at which females attain puberty.” The report cites “negligible concern” that BPA exposure leads to birth defects.  Polycarbonate plastics are used in, among other things, bottles for water and infant formula or breast milk. The draft report says that infants and children have the highest intakes of BPA in the population.  The Canadian government may declare the compound toxic as early as this week, an anonymous source told the New York Times.

Dr. Peter Osborne, Diplomate with the American Clinical Board of NutritionDr. Osborne’s Comment…

Another example of how we over expose ourselves and our children to compounds that have damaging health effects.  In the last issue, we discussed diacetyl in popcorn as a compound in artificial butters that can contribute to lung disease.  This however, is a much greater problem, as we are surrounded by polycarbonate plastics.  More than 6 billion tons are put out each year.  They are used in storage and drinking containers as well as a number of polymers and resins used in industrial processing.  I find it alarming that baby bottles and food containers contain BPA as this chemical is a known estrogen mimicker.  Why is this dangerous?  Estrogen can bring about long term hormonal changes.  BPA has been shown to contribute to abnormal behaviour and hyperactivity in children, brain damage, abnormal sexual behaviour, early puberty, and reproductive abnormalities.

Protect yourself:

  1. Try to avoid exposure by eliminating the use of these plastics.
  2. Support your body’s ability to protect and detoxify itself.  Exercise regularly to stimulate sweating as well as the flow of blood and lymph fluids to help your body rid itself of toxins on a regular basis.
  3. Breathe!  Proper breathing can help increase oxygen into your tissues supporting your overall metabolism.
  4. Eat a diet rich in healthy meats, nuts, seeds, beans, fresh fruits and vegetables and devoid of processed dairy, sugar, and grain based foods.
  5. Maintain adequate hydration.  Water is a catalyst for your body’s ability to eliminate toxic substances.