Bisphenol-A
What a disaster! That's all one can really say about the widespread use of
Bisphenol-A (BPA). Tragically, researchers have known of its toxicity for
decades. In fact, BPA was originally developed as a estrogen replacement,
but then someone got the idea to put it into every consumer and industrial
product known to man. BPA is used in making plastics, epoxies, PVC, dental
fillings, eyeglass lenses, dental fillings - the list goes on and on.
Although BPA's most well-known usage is in food cans, USA Today reports that
Bisphenol-A is used in many other food containers including Tupperware
and sports drink cups. In addition, CD's, DVD's and
eye lenses are also made often with Bisphenol-A. [9]
Our kids are certainly not left out either: sippy
cups, baby bottles, safety goggles and helmets can also contain BPA. It is so
ubiquitous that 93% of Americans have significant levels of this toxin. [6]
The evidence is mounting just how hard this is on the male body. I have
already covered how researchers cautioned that bisphenol-A is a xenoestrogen associated with various
reproductive disorders in animals and, more importantly, that even
a
very minute amount can have a negative effect. This chemical is so powerful
that 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight is the current upper limit
considered safe by the EPA. However, research on animals has shown that the
actual safe level is much lower than that!
Do you know the foods and drinks that increase erection-boosting
Nitric Oxide? Check out the
Peak Erectile Strength Diet where I show
you how to dramatically and naturally improve your erectile strength.
So it isn't it nice that they decided to use this toxic substance in our food and
beverage containers? Researchers have long known that canned tomatoes,
which are acidic, can pull out more BPC. Hoaever, recently researchers
at Consumer Reports found that it was not just canned tomato goods that had
problems - it was canned goods in general. In a study of various canned goods, the BPA problem was
found to be much more widespread than previously imagined. [1] Almost every canned product tested,
including green beans, Juicy Juice, soup, corn, chili and baby formula, had
signficant BPA levels and researchers estimate that it would be very easy for
someone to consume levels of BPA close and equivalent to that which caused
reproductive issues in animals. (NOTE: I recommend that you avoid canned goods
until the FDA sorts this out.)
This could be critical to your sex life by the way. Researchers
have already shown that average human tissue levels of BPA are beyond that which
causes problems in animals. [3] Furthermore, workers exposed occupationally to
Bisphenol-A suffer lowered libido, reduced sexual satisfaction and erectile
dysfunction. [2] In fact, this understates the issue: researchers
found that they were "four times as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction
and seven times as likely to have difficulty with ejaculation". [6]
NEWS FLASH: BPA has also now been linked to heart disease and possibly
diabetes and liver dysfunction. [7] One recent study shows that those with Bisphenol-A tissue levels in
the top 25% were twice as likely to suffer from heart disease. [8] This, by the way, was the
second study to come up with this finding.
Even more frightening is what may be happening to our kids. Our young
children, particulary boys, were already under siege from the effeminization of
phthalates used in plastic. Time Magazine recently covered how Bisphenol-A
is likely contributing to the same issue and actually modifying their brain. [4]
There is also strong evidence that BPA is a carcinogen and reduces fertility in
males by modifying sperm counts and causing other nasty reproductive issues. [5]
Again, avoid plastics and cans, especially in cooking and food preparation,
until technology finds and implements some reasonable alternatives.
Bisphenol-A: What Can You Do?
The
FDA finally issued a "needs more study" stance regarding BPA in mid January
2010. Yes, this is yet another lesson that the FDA is not going to protect
youI and your family: there are now dozens of studies around the globe
showing the negative effects of Bisphenol-A, including many at dosages we humans
ingest and yet they still are taking a "let's all think about this some more"
stance.
Well, the only good thing the FDA had to say was issue some guidelines for those
who wish to try to protect themselves. Here is a listing:
1) Throw away scratched plastics.
2) Do not put hot liquids into plastics.
3) Do not heat plastics, especially in the microwave.
In other words, I'd break out the stainless steel - not aluminum! - and glass and
throw the rest out.
2) Hum Reprod, 2009, Advance Access published online on November 10, 2009,
"Occupational exposure to bisphenol-A (BPA) and the risk of self-reported male
sexual dysfunction"
3) Reproductive Toxicology, Aug/Sep 2007, 24(2):131-138, "Chapel Hill bisphenol
A expert panel consensus statement: Integration of mechanisms, effects in
animals and potential to impact human health at current levels of exposure"
6) Wash. Post, "High BPA levels linked to male sexual problems", Lyndsey Layton,
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
7)
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/01/100115-bpa-bisphenol-a-heart-disease/
8) PLoS ONE, 5(1):e8673, "Association of Urinary Bisphenol A Concentration with
Heart Disease: Evidence from NHANES 2003/06"
9) USA Today, online, "Bisphenol-A: What You Need to Know"
