bisphenol A Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Low Levels of BPA Exposure Can Affect Prenatal Brain Development

AHA Publisher — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 07:00:11 +0000

University of Calgary via News-Medical – Humans are exposed to a bath of chemicals every day. They are in the beds where we sleep, the cars that we drive and the kitchens we use to feed our families. With thousands of chemicals floating around in our environment, exposure to any number is practically unavoidable. Through the work of researchers like Dr. Deborah Kurrasch, PhD, the implications of many of these chemicals are being thoroughly explored. “Manufacturers follow standards set by regulatory bodies, it’s not up to the manufacturers to prove the chemicals in consumer products are safe,” says Kurrasch, a researcher in the University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) and Alberta Children’s Research Institute at the Cumming School of Medicine. “Scientists play a critical role and do the meticulous work of determining where the risks lie.” Kurrasch’s research over the past decade has focused on a chemical that is broadly recognizable: Bisphenol A, also known as BPA. This chemical is commonly found in plastics, canned food linings, and even thermal receipts. Studies from Kurrasch’s lab contribute to the collective research that shows the harms of exposure to this industrial compound. The latest study out of Kurrasch’s lab, published in Science Advances, suggests that continued vigilance is needed. A postdoctoral researcher in her lab, Dr. Dinu Nesan, PhD, examined the impact of low levels of BPA exposure to pregnant mice and the brain development of their offspring. “Our goal was to model BPA levels equivalent to what pregnant women and developing babies are typically exposed to. We purposefully did not use a high dose. In fact, our doses were 11-times and nearly 25-times lower than those deemed safe by Health Canada and the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), respectively. Even at these low levels, we saw effects on prenatal brain development in the mice.” Dr. Deborah Kurrasch, PhD, Researcher, University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) Using this BPA exposure model, Nesan found striking changes to the brain region responsible for driving circadian rhythms, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, located in the hypothalamus. When prenatally exposed to these low levels of BPA, the suprachiasmatic nucleus failed to develop properly. This change can have implications for sleep, activity levels, and other behaviours. “Previously we showed embryonic exposure to low-dose BPA can affect the timing of when neurons develop in zebrafish, but it was unclear whether a similar effect would be observed in a mammalian model with more similarities to humans,” says Nesan, first author on the study. When neurons develop, they rely on proper signals to guide them. If neurons develop too early, the cues they experience are different, which can lead to developmental errors such as migrating to the wrong location, becoming the wrong type of neuron, or forming inappropriate connections. These errors can lead to altered behaviors later in life. “Our study shows that in pregnant mice, prenatal exposure to BPA affects the timing of neuron development in the fetal brain, which has lasting effects on behaviours. Offspring that are exposed to BPA during gestation are awake longer and exhibit hyperactivity. The prenatal BPA exposure seems to change the brain’s circadian cues, causing the animals to have elevated energy levels and spend less time resting,” says Nesan. The researchers are hopeful their findings will add continued pressure on regulatory bodies to keep revisiting their determinations around safe levels of BPA. “We think there’s an incredible abundance of data showing BPA exposure guidelines are not yet at the appropriate level, which includes even the EU (European Union) who is leading on this front, but their ‘safe’ levels are still twice the dose we used in our study” says Kurrasch, “We hope our research serves as a reminder that low dose BPA is still capable of causing changes that are measurable and significant.” Her message of how to interpret this research is simple: Limit your exposure to BPA the best you can. Maintain smart practices with plastics in your kitchen, for example not heating them, and using glass or stainless steel when possible. This research was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Michael Antle, PhD, professor of psychology and member of the HBI. To read the original article click here.

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Obesogenic Exposure: Top 7 Obesogens that Lead to Weight Gain & Obesity

AHA Publisher — Sat, 20 Jun 2020 07:00:57 +0000

Christine Ruggeri, CHHC via Dr. Axe – We all know that poor diet and lack of physical activity contribute greatly to the obesity problem in the United States, but did know that that there’s a class of artificial chemicals that are also linked to an increased susceptibility to weight gain? They’re called obesogens, and they’re found in many everyday products. Need another reason to stop using plastics and add fresh foods to your diet? When you learn about the dangers of obesogenic exposure, you’ll rethink how you package, store and choose your foods. What Are Obesogens? Obesogens are artificial chemicals that are found in various food containers, cookware and plastics. They have become known as a subset of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. These chemicals have been shown to be involved in weight gain. They can also interfere with any aspect of hormone action and have been linked to issues related to fertility and puberty. There are over 20 chemicals that are identified as obesogens. The term was coined around 2006, when exposure to these chemicals during early development were found to disrupt normal metabolic processes and increase a person’s susceptibility to weight gain across his or her life span. It’s not that obesogens directly cause obesity, but they do increase your susceptibility and sensitivity to gaining weight, especially if you are exposed to the chemicals during development. Studies indicate that obesogens promote obesity by altering the programming of fat cell development, increasing energy storage in fat tissue, and interfering with neuroendocrine control of appetite and satiety. In other words, they change how your body regulates feelings of hunger and fullness. They can also increase the effects of high-fat and high-sugar diets. Most Common Obesogens and Their Dangers 1. Phthalates Phthalates are obesogenic chemical compounds that are added to plastics to increase their flexibility and longevity. They are used in a wide range of cosmetic and food products, including children’s toys, cosmetics, food containers, sunscreens, detergents and more. It’s believed that more than 75 percent of the U.S. population carries detectable levels of several phthalate metabolites. In a 2019 meta-analysis involving 29 publications, researchers concluded that, in general, there’s a positive association between phthalates and obesity, especially in adults. Beyond its effect on weight gain, exposure to phthalates has also been connected to reproductive disorders, including DNA damage in sperm, testicular toxicity and delayed pubertal milestones. 2. Bisphenol A (BPA) BPA toxic effects are well-known. The synthetic compounds are associated with inflammatory conditions, infertility and vitamin D deficiency. BPA exposure has also been linked to obesity and diabetes. A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health states that there’s a suggested possible causality between BPA exposure and childhood obesity, and data indicates that BPA exposure itself increased the risk of obesity in children. You’ve seen BPA-free bottles in the grocery store, but the dangerous obesogenic compound is also present in plastic dinnerware, toys, medical devices, PVC compounds and dental sealants. It may also be hiding in beer kegs, metal coffee cans, aluminum beverage cans, jar lids and bottles of cooking oil. 3. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) PCBs are man-made chemicals that were used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications, including as pigments in paper, plasticizers in paints, plastics and rubber products, and in electrical equipment. Although using these obesogenic chemicals in the U.S. was banned in 1979, they are still present in soil, products, buildings and drinking water. They can accumulate in leaves, plants and food crops and are taken up into the bodies of fish and other small organisms. Once they are in an environment, they do not break down easily. PCBs have been shown to affect the development of obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, according to research published in Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 4. Atrazine (ATZ) Atrazine is the second-most widely used herbicide in the country. It sticks to crops, soil and surface water, eventually winding up in the water supply at unsafe levels. It is one of the most common contaminants in drinking water, causing tap water toxicity. It’s known as an endocrine disruptor that causes hormonal changes and can lead to serious developmental, reproductive, neurological and immune issues. Research published in PloS One suggests that atrazine may contribute to the development of insulin resistance and obesity, particularly where a high-fat diet is prevalent. 5. Tributyltin (TBT) Tributyltin is an artificial chemical that’s used as an antifouling agent in paints that are applied to boats, ships and fishnets. It has contaminated many lakes and coastal waters, and it’s hazardous to a wide range of marine organisms. Although the obesogenic chemical’s use has been prohibited by many regulatory authorities, it’s still found on large vessels and seeps into the sea. Research published in Vitamins and Hormones indicates that the obesogen tributyltin can exert toxicity through many mechanisms, but most recently it has shown to alter processes that are central to fat metabolism. Exposure to this class of chemicals may actually signal stem cells to turn into fat cells, contributing to weight gain and obesity. 6. Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Perfluorooctanoic acid is a drinking water contaminant that is known to be extremely resistant to environmental degradation processes and so it persists indefinitely. According to a review of literature published in Environmental Research, the obesogenic contaminant has been detected in finished drinking water, drinking water sources impacted by releases from industrial facilities and waste water treatment plants — as well as in waters with no known point sources. PFOA has been classified as “likely to be carcinogenic in humans” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board. It’s also considered an obesogen, and a 2018 meta-analysis established that exposure to the obesogenic contaminant in early life is associated with an increased risk for childhood obesity and higher body mass index. 7. Cigarette Smoke Exposure to cigarette smoke is the cause of many health issues, including obesity. In fact, one of the earliest links between human fetal development and obesity arose from studies on exposure to cigarette smoke while in utero. Babies born to smoking mothers are often underweight but tend to make it “make up for it” as they develop and grow, putting on more weight during infancy and childhood. A nationwide survey on over 20,000 Japanese adults found that there’s a positive association between the number of cigarettes smoked per day and obesity. How to Minimize Obesogenic Exposure The most dangerous time for obesogen exposure is during early development, as a fetus and during the first years of life. This is because at a young age, your body’s weight control mechanisms are still developing Here are ways to minimize exposure: Avoid foods stored in plastic. Use glass containers and bottles. Do not microwave plastics. Make your own skin care and beauty products. If purchasing cosmetics, use organic and natural products. When using products in plastic, look for containers that are BPA- and phthalate-free. Use “fragrance-free” products. Choose cast iron or stainless steel cookware. Do not purchase stain-resistant or flame-retardant carpets or furniture. Use a water filter, such as granular activated carbon and reverse osmosis filter systems. Eat fresh foods (including fruits and vegetables) whenever possible. Final Thoughts Obesogens are artificial chemicals that are found in various food containers, cookware, plastics, cosmetics and drinking water. They have become known as a subset of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and they are linked to weight gain and obesity. The most common obesogens include phthalates, BPA, PCBs, ATZs, TBTs, PFOAs and cigarette smoke. To reduce your exposure to environmental obesogens, avoid using plastics, don’t purchase foods in plastics, get a good quality water filter, use “fragrance free” products and eat fresh foods whenever possible. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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What Not to Do When You Handle Receipts

AHA Publisher — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 08:00:52 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – The plastics chemical bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA, was banned for use in baby bottles in Canada in 2008, in France in 2010, in the European Union in 2011, and in the United States in 2012. Then, in 2015, France forbade the use of BPA in any food or beverage packaging, something the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had decided was not warranted… But, what about the more than 90 studies “reporting relationships between total BPA in [people’s] urine and a wide array of adverse health outcomes, including a significant increase in the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, obesity, impaired liver function, impaired immune and kidney function, inflammation, reproductive effects in women…[and] in men…, altered thyroid hormone concentrations, and neurobehavioral deficits such as aggressiveness, hyperactivity, and impaired learning”? Only a very small minority of studies appear to support the U.S. government’s assertions that there were no effects of BPA at low doses. Where is the disconnect? Governmental regulatory agencies determine safety levels of chemicals by sticking tubes down into the stomachs of lab animals. In these types of tests, BPA is released directly into the stomach, where it goes to the liver to be detoxified into an inactive form called BPA-glucuronide. So, very little active BPA gets into the bloodstream. But, that’s not what studies on humans show. People have active BPA in their blood. How did the FDA respond? By rejecting all such human studies as implausible. The problem with a “blanket rejection” of human data is that there may be sources of BPA exposure that are not modeled by stomach tube exposure in rats. After all, “[t]his isn’t how food actually enters our bodies. We chew it, move it around in our mouths…before it enters the stomach.” It turns out “that BPA can be completely absorbed directly into the bloodstream from the mouth,” thus bypassing instant liver detoxification. The same would be the case for BPA absorbed through the skin, which you can see at 2:08 in my video BPA on Receipts: Getting Under Our Skin. Thermal paper, often used for cash register receipts, luggage tags, and many bus, train, and lottery tickets, is 1 to 2 percent BPA by weight. Taking hold of a receipt can transfer BPA to our fingers, especially if they’re wet or greasy. Does the BPA then get absorbed into our system through the skin? Cashiers were found to have more BPA flowing through their bodies “[c]ompared with other occupations,” but that was based on only 17 people. “Strict vegetarians had lower urinary BPA concentrations compared with nonvegetarians,” but, once again, the sample size was too small to really make a conclusion. It’s been estimated that even cashiers handling receipts all day may not exceed the “tolerable daily intake” of BPA—however, that could change if they were using something like hand cream. Indeed, “many skin-care products, including hand sanitizers, lotions, soaps and sunscreens,” contain chemicals that enhance skin penetration. So, using a hand sanitizer, for example, before touching a receipt could cause a breakdown of the skin barrier. What’s more, we now know that “using hand sanitizer and handling a thermal receipt…prior to picking up and eating food with [our] hands” results in high blood levels of active BPA. Researchers at the University of Missouri, conducting a study to mimic aspects of the behavior of people in a fast-food restaurant found that when people handled a receipt right after using the hand sanitizer Purell, BPA was transferred to their fingers. Then, BPA was transferred from their fingers to their fries, and the combination of absorption through the skin and mouth led to significant levels of active BPA in their blood, as you can see at 3:45 in my video. We can hold a receipt in our hand for 60 seconds and only come away with 3 micrograms of BPA in our body. In contrast, if we pre-wet our hands with hand sanitizer, we can get 300 micrograms in just a few seconds—a hundred times more BPA, as you can see at 4:05 in my video. “These findings show that a very large amount of BPA is transferred from thermal paper to a hand as a result of holding a thermal receipt for only a few seconds immediately after using a product with dermal penetration enhancing chemicals,” like hand lotion. This could explain why dozens of human studies show active BPA in people’s systems, contrary to the assumptions based on stomach tube studies in rodents. When actual evidence contradicts your assumptions, you reject your assumptions. The FDA, however, rejected the evidence instead. This article has been modified. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Greger click here.

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