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Chemicals in Consumer Goods May Cause Weight Gain Chemicals in consumer goods called 'endocrine disruptors' may be causing you to fail at your weight loss goals. Endocrine disruptors, such as phthalates and bisphenol A (Canada Declares Bisphenol A (BPA) to be Toxic Source: New York Times, 10/14/2010), are found in plastics, cleaning and body care products. Recent studies have shown that these chemicals may be a major contributing factor to the obesity epidemic. Endocrine disruptors, such as phthalates and bisphenol A, have recently been associated with the increased risk of obesity. Exposure to endocrine disruptors, such as bisphenol A and phthalates occurs by absorption through the skin, inhalation and ingestion. These chemicals are both found in plastics. In addition to inclusion in plastics, phthalates are used to create synthetic fragrances for body care and cleaning products as well as to make lotions, creams and other thicker products flow smoothly. In addition to inclusion in plastics, bisphenol A is used in products such as canned goods as a can liner to protect food from interacting with the metal can. Both phthalates and bisphenol A are used in plastics intended for food storage such as plastic containers and food storage bags and offgassing allows the chemicals to leach into the food in the container. In an article published by the plastics industry, Toward Safer Plastics That Lock In Potentially Harmful Plasticizers, the plastics industry admits there is a problem with emissions and is working on a solution. Finally, since our current method of waste disposal includes spreading sewage on agricultural fields (after being banned from dumping in rivers and streams in the 1970's and banned by international treaties from ocean dumping in the early 1990's), these chemicals are part of our food supply, as well as in the fat cells of the animals intended as food for humans. In addition, the EPA is finding increased amounts, even after filtration, in water from municipal water supplies. "Phthalates and Your Health, Sewage for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Pollution: You're Drinking It, says EPA." Endocrine disruptors and obesity: an examination of selected persistent organic pollutants in the NHANES 1999-2002 data. "Recent evidence suggests that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may cause perturbations in endogenous hormonal regulation that predispose to weight gain. ... Hence, BMI and waist circumference are associated with persistant organic pollutant levels, making the chemicals plausible contributors to the obesity epidemic." Impact of environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals on the development of obesity. "This review summarizes data from experimental animals and humans which support an association of endocrine disrupting chemicals, such as diethylstilbestrol, bisphenol A, phytoestrogens, phthalates, and organotins, with the development of obesity." The impact of endocrine disruptors on endocrine targets. "Recently, as a result of animal models and preliminary human studies, a new area of interest has arisen concerning the implication of endocrine disruptors in the etiology of obesity and diabetes, the two major, life-threatening, epidemics of modern world." Association of endocrine disruptors and obesity: perspectives from epidemiological studies. "Additional prospective studies of the association between exposures to EDCs, especially during development, and obesity are warranted." Endocrine disrupters as obesogens. "Evidence points to endocrine disrupting chemicals that interfere with the body's adipose tissue biology, endocrine hormone systems or central hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as suspects in derailing the homeostatic mechanisms important to weight control. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of the molecular targets and mechanisms of action for these compounds and areas of future research needed to evaluate the significance of their contribution to obesity." Environmental estrogens and obesity. "The proposal of an association of environmental estrogens with obesity and diabetes expands the focus on the diseases from intervention/treatment to include prevention/avoidance of chemical modifiers especially during critical windows of development." Phthalates are ingredients in almost all conventional cleaning and body care products, as well as many 'natural' products, they are not listed on the label. The reason is because combinations of phthalates are used to make 'pateneted' formulas and since this is 'proprietary' information, they do not have to list them on the label. Look for 'fragrance/parfum' to determine if the product contains phthalates for fragrance. If this is on the label - don't buy it. Don’t microwave polycarbonate plastic food containers. Polycarbonate is strong and durable, but over time it may break down from over use at high temperatures. Polycarbonate containers that contain BPA usually have a #7 on the bottom. Reduce your use of canned foods unless it says 'BPA-Free' on the label. Use baby bottles, food containers and sippy cups that are BPA free. Open windows and doors and exchange the air with outdoor air weekly. Do not store your food in plastic containers or bags. Choose glass, porcelain or stainless steel. Remove food from plastic as soon as possible when returning from the grocery store. Reduce the use of disposable products, such as disposable mops, toilet brushes and dust cloths. The chemicals from these products seep out of landfills and into the water supplies. Shop for truly natural cleaning products or save money by making your own with the help of my book, Sunflower Naturals Non-Toxic Cleaning Guide. Shop for truly natural body care products or save money making most of your own with the help of my book, Sunflower Naturals Non-Toxic Body Care. NOTE: Remember that most conventional brands that claim 'green' or 'fragrance-free' still contain phthalate fragrances to neutralize the smell of the petroleum base. Choose products from truly green manufacturers such as Seventh Generation, or Full Circle. These are only examples, there are many other new truly green manufacturers that use a vegetable oil base that does not require synthetic fragrances to cover the petroleum odors. Companies aren't going to magically stop including these harmful chemicals in consumer goods. Like tobacco companies, they are fighting to keep these harmful chemicals in your products. Make the change for you to reduce your exposure today. Each person who makes the change results in fewer chemicals leaching into the environment, fewer toxins on our food supply, fewer toxins in our water tomorrow. A cleaner world for our children and future generations. Thank you for making the change, for yourself, your family and our future. RESOURCES: Throughout article. |
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Sunflower Naturals
Sunflower Naturals
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