How to Reduce Exposure to BPA (Bisphenol A)?
Bisphenol A – commonly known as BPA is a chemical used in production of food packaging and beverage cans, including food storage containers, baby bottles, the liners and metal food cans. Because BPA can leach into food from Bisphenol A based plastics, and because BPA is a hormonally active agent known as endocrine disruptor, exposure to it through consumption of infected food and drink can lead to adverse health effects.
BPA Free Plastics May Help Reduce Exposure to Carcinogenic Bisphenol A, Photo: thesoftlanding, Flickr
Studies have shown that exposure to BPA can cause prostate cancer, breast cancer, infertility, obesity and ADHD – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. According to the data provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, as many as 93% of Americans have detectable levels of BPA in their bodies. Canada has already declared Bisphenol A a toxic substance (toxic to human health and the environment) and banned its use in baby bottles (negative effects of BPA are more severe in early development stages). The European Union has followed suit, however no such ban exists in the United States (as of the beginning of 2011) though several states are considering various BPA bans.
The Food Packaging and Bisphenol A Study
According to the report released on March 30, 2011 by a nonprofit organization The Breast Cancer Fund and a breast cancer research group The Silent Spring Institute, exposure to Bisphenol A can be significantly reduced with simple dietary changes. The Breast Cancer Fund and the Silent Spring Institute conducted a study in which 5 families from San Francisco Bay were requested to eat canned foods, including microwaveable frozen foods and drink canned sodas for the period of 5 days and then spend 3 days eating organic meals stored in glass or stainless steel containers.
Each of the five families consisted of 4 family members, which included an adult male, an adult female and two children of both sexes. Ages of children ranged between 3 and 11 year old. Urine samples of each participants were collected every day and analyzed by experts. During the first 5 days of the study, each individual ate meals prepared outside their homes.
After the initial 5 days, the families switched to eating organic meals and fresh produce for 3 days. These were provided by a caterer who prepared them using BPA free packaging. The urine samples analyses showed that 3 days after switching to an organic diet without plastic packaging, the BPA levels decreased by more than 60% on average.
How Anyone Can Reduce Exposure to BPA Today
As was demonstrated by the Food Packaging and Bisphenol A Study, simple dietary changes can significantly decrease exposure to BPA in both adults and children. Switch to organic foods, start eating fresh organic produce and avoid premade, microwaveable, plastic packaged meals and you could remove the burden of BPA from your body very quickly. And as the levels of BPA in your body decrease, so do the chances of developing breast or pancreatic cancer. There is no better cure for cancer than prevention.