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Top 10 Tips to Avoid Ingesting BPA: the Hormone Disrupter
 More
than 90 percent of Americans have BPA, the manmade compound in their urine,
according to one CDC study.
A recent study found children and teens exposed to high levels of bisphenol A,
or BPA, were more likely to be obese.
According to the study author Dr. Leonardo Trasande, an associate professor of
pediatrics and environmental medicine at the NYU School of Medicine" While over
92 percent of the study subjects had detectable levels of BPA in their urine,
those with the highest levels were 2.6 times more likely to be obese than those
with the lowest levels, even after controlling for diet and exercise."
The chemical BPA, makes fat cells bigger and inhibits the function of
adiponectin, a protein that helps break down sugar and fat.
It also appears to disrupt hormones that
play a key role in energy
balance.
"Low-density polyethylene wraps and bags do not contain BPA."
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While the long process of science is still sorting things out, it�s wise to stay
on the safe side and avoid
BPA whenever
you can.
 Minimize
use of Canned Food:
Sensitive groups such as kids and pregnant women should limit canned
food consumption. Beverages appear to contain less BPA residues, while
canned pasta and soups contain the highest levels. Rinsing canned fruit
or vegetables with water prior to heating and serving could lessen BPA
ingestion.
 Choose
Plastic, carefully:
Plastics with the recycling labels #1, #2 and #4 on the bottom are safer
choices and do not contain BPA. Plastics called polycarbonates leach low
levels of BPA into food or liquids, are a better choice. BPA is found in
polycarbonate plastic food containers often marked on the bottom with
the letters "PC" recycling label #7. When possible it is best to avoid
#7 plastics, especially for children's food.
 Why
not Fresh Foods: Opt
for fresh or frozen food, instead of canned, is one way to avoid BPA
from epoxy resins. If you do shop for canned
foods,
be sure to look for products that are made with whole grains, low in sodium and calories,
and free of trans
fats.
Make sure you pay attention to serving
size,
too, and balance out the processed
foods you
eat with a delicious fresh salad and
some whole grain bread.
 Look
for stainless steel bottles that
do not have a plastic liner for storage purposes. Some are
manufactured with an epoxy-based enamel lining that leaches BPA.
 Avoid
using plastic containers to heat food in microwaves.
While the levels of BPA that leach from hard plastics is generally low, avoid
use of plastic containers to heat food in microwaves. Ceramic, glass, and other
microwaveable dishware are good alternatives.
Avoid using old and scratched plastic bottles. Research
suggests that all plastics may leach chemicals if they're scratched or heated.
Abstain from canned soft drinks. A
Health Canada study found that the majority of them have low but measurable
levels of BPA. They�re not a healthy option anyway. Pure water should be your
primary beverage. Adding a fresh squeezed lemon to clean tap water provides a
burst of vitamin C.
  While
eating out choose restaurants you know use fresh ingredients. Many
of them stock up with canned soups, fruits, vegetables, etc. Take
out foods often come in plastic containers that leach chemicals into
hot food.
 Replace
foods from plastic container, at home.
If you buy cheese or other goods wrapped in plastic, remove them
from the plastic and put them in BPA-free containers/jars when you
get home.
 If
you must buy pre-made soup, milk, or soymilk, buy products that use
cardboard �brick� carton or glass containers.
Above all, wash hands before ingesting any food or after handling printed
receipts, money, toilet paper, newspapers, and paper napkins for they can be
contaminated with BPA.
Namita Nayyar (WF Team)
Dated 29 November 2012
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