BPA and Its Effects on Our Bodies

 

BPA and its effects on your body:

BPA also known as Bisphenol A, is found in many plastic containers such as food containers, water bottles and in the lining of canned foods.

The National Toxicity Program has declared that consumers should have reason to be concerned about BPA because it can cause neural problems or behavioral problems in a pregnant woman's fetus as well as problems in infants and older children. Doctors have found that BPA can cause your estrogen levels to rise dramatically, regardless of whether you're a male or female. In males, this can cause prostate cancer and a lowered sperm count. In females, it can cause breast cancer. In children and even infants, BPA has been shown to promote hyperactivity, even promote early puberty in young girls.

BPA is an estrogen receptor agonist. These agonists can begin to mimic the human body's actual hormones which will cause the body to have similar physiological effects. Because of this, there is great concern that when exposed to extended low doses of BPA, it may provoke chronic toxicity in the human body.

Countries such as Canada have conducted their own studies and have declared to classify BPA as inherently toxic. According to Frederick Vom Saal, a BPA researcher and a biology professor at the University of Missouri, heat, acid, alcohol, harsh detergents, age and microwaving can also exacerbate the release of BPA.

Steps we can take to avoid BPA are to limit your use of canned foods and beverages, purchase foods and beverages in glass containers, or buy frozen vegetables. Instead of plastic containers, store your food in glass containers such as Pyrex containers. Defnitely do not heat your food in the micorwave in plastic containers since this causes the chemicals to leach out of the plastic at an increased rate, and i've heard that acidic foods such as tomatoes absorb the BPA from the can lining moreso than a more alkaline food will. Canning your own fruits, jams, tomatoes and sauces is a great way to avoid BPA. Look for a post on canning before next canning season!

See this site with info. on canned tomatoes along with some other great info on eating healthy:
http://wakeup-world.com/2011/10/06/7-foods-experts-wont-eat/