Sustainable Health
In a recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, a team of researchers set out to find out how much of that BPA exposure was coming from the processed foods we eat, or more specifically, the packaging those foods come in. Twenty participants were chosen from five different families, all of which ate packaged and canned foods regularly. During the study, the participants were required to eat only whole and fresh foods for three days and then to go back to their regular diet. BPA levels in their urine were tested before, during and after the “fresh foods dietary intervention”.
Considering all the health concerns listed above (and all the ones notmentioned above) this study raises some serious questions about our packaged foods industry. If every bag of chips or can of beans is really adding to a drastic buildup of poisonous chemicals in our bodies, what can be done to rectify the problem? Of course, a good place to start is cutting out the processed foods altogether. Aside from the health discussion, packaging plants also produce mass quantities of toxic waste, BPA included. This all ends up in landfills and polluting our oceans.
But some companies are taking measures to clean up their act and avoid BPA use. Look for labels that say things like “BPA free lining” or plastic containers labeled “BPA free”. This is especially easy to find in baby and toddler products due to the heightened awareness of the affects on children. Many green companies are a safe starting point as they use natural products and avoid the use of plastics and chemicals. Of course, as we’ve seen often since the green products movement has really increased in popularity, not all green companies are what they claim, so check up on them. Other ways to avoid BPA, try to stay away from plastics in general. You can use glass containers to store leftovers and stick to reusable utensils rather than their disposable plastic counterparts. Switch to a reusable stainless steel water bottle, plastic water bottles are a huge source of BPA in consumer goods.
Do your research, if you check up on the products you consume you’ll be shocked by the amount of BPA you ingest on a daily basis. While it’s nearly impossible to completely avoid toxic chemicals like this one while living in America, there are definitely measures you can take to reduce your exposure and safeguard your health. S
healthbytheresa@yahoo.com boomersrhealthy.com
savorysceneries.com/sustainable-ezine
17
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31