By now, many consumers have heard of Bisphenol A, or BPA. But just why are so many concerned about BPA toxicity?
In a nutshell, chemicals found in plastic food containers leach into the food or water that they hold. Among the most harmful of these chemicals is BPA and phthalate – both of these are hormone disruptors and cause infertility, sexual and gender identity problems, diabetes, and even cancer.
BPA is commonly found in two forms: polycarbonate and epoxy resins. The polycarbonates are common in food and drink containers, baby bottles, eye glass lenses, medical equipment, household appliances, sports safety equipment, airplanes, automobiles, CDs and DVDs.
Epoxy coating is used to line billions of food and beverage cans, adhesives, automotive primers, industrial protective coatings, dental sealants, flame retardant pajamas and a multitude of other commonly consumed products.
An additional source of BPA include thermal printer receipts and paper currency that is stored next to the receipts. Recycled paper products, like toilet paper and napkins, are also high in BPA due to recycling of the paper receipts.
Clearly, we are surrounded by damaging chemicals everywhere in our environment. So what can we do to combat this toxic chemical?
Tips to reduce BPA chemical toxicity:
Only use glass for drinking and eating. Avoid plastic food and drink containers.
Use glass containers or glass mason jars to store food.
Bring drinking water from home in glass water bottles, instead of buying bottled water.
Use reusable shopping bags for groceries.
Avoid canned foods and sodas. Choose fresh and/or frozen vegetables instead of canned.
Don’t heat plastic in the microwave or dishwasher or use plastic utensils for cooking or eating. Better yet, get rid of your microwave all together.
Ask your dentist about the type of dental sealant that is used.
Say no to cash register receipts. Studies have shown BPA transfers from the paper and through your skin. If you need a receipt, put it in an envelope instead of your wallet.
Beware of BPA-free claims. A common BPA replacement is BPS, which also has hormone-disrupting qualities, so do your research.
Supplements to help detoxify from BPA:
Calcium-D-Glucarate. Aids in the removal of heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, plastics, excess estrogen, and metabolic byproducts.
Chlorella. This form of blue green algae binds to toxins and help remove them from your body. Chlorella can be purchased at The Lamb Shoppe
Probiotics and Fermented Foods. Beneficial bacteria assist the body to remove this from the body so load up on these.
Regular Liver Detoxification. Since the liver is the body’s mechanism for removal of toxins, you want to make sure it is working to its optimal ability. The Designs for Health 21-day or 14-day PaleoCleanse Plus is a great way to help accomplish this because it works on both phase I and phase II detoxification pathways.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.