on my mind monday 09.03.12 - the bpa issue

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It's never the same two weeks in a row.  A collection of what I find interesting in the world of food, nutrition, and holistic health.  Here's what's on my mind.

Due to links forwarded and suggested by several readers this week has become the BPA Issue.

BPA ban in baby bottles - 41 months (nearly 3 1/2 years) after they were first asked to ban BPA the FDA has agreed to ban it in baby bottles and sippy cups.  It's better than nothing but this is a move that comes very late and doesn't go far enough.  Hopefully this is just the beginning and will pave the way for all Bisphenol products to be removed from any situations where they can come into contact with food.




Dental fillings linked to kids behavior problems - Another strike against BPA.  For all those who chose to avoid using mercury due to the health risks they instead chose composite fillings.  What many of us did not know is that the composite was in part composed of BPA.  Obviously it is important to take care of our teeth and to fill caries when they occur.  But another, more health-supporting option is to take better care of our teeth.  Reduce or avoid sugary drinks and sweets, avoid sticky sweet foods, and consider the information in this report on homeopathic dentistry from the Weston A Price Foundation.

Big Chem, Big Harm? - Manufacturers have tried very hard to prevent any legislation or limitations on the use of BPA.  Now with a new study published in Neuroendocrinology it turns out that pregnant women who are exposed to BPA can pass along changes in behavior and DNA to their unborn babies (in the study this was done using mice, not humans).  These genetic changes continued into future generations, affecting even those who had no direct exposure to BPA. According to the article listed above, "The researchers found behaviors in BPA-exposed mice and their descendants that may parallel autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit disorder in humans."

BPA Linked to Heart Disease - Comparing BPA levels in the urine of test subjects from 10 years ago and currently it appears that those with higher BPA levels were more prone to heart disease. "Some scientists have been warning that BPA could interfere with numerous biological processes because its structure resembles the hormone estrogen."

Eat Spinach to Protect Against BPA - Studies appear to show that eating more folate (found in dark leafy green vegetables such as spinach) can be protective against the effects of BPA.  The article also suggests soy which is high in folate however since most soy in this country is genetically modified that may not be the healthiest option.

Below are several books about the issue of environmental toxins:

• Plastic Free: How I Kicked The Plastic Habit And How You Can Too
• The Non-Toxic Avenger: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
• Slow Death By Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger Of Everyday Things
• The Body Toxic: How The Hazardous Chemistry Of Everyday Things Threatens Our Health and Wellbeing
• Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products and What's At Stake for American Power

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