Organic - so what!

This is an extension to the previous discussion about the need to detoxify our bodies at least annually due to our accumulation of pesticides, herbicides, and preservatives through he foods we ingest. The Environmental Working Group has published a list of the most commonly consumed fruits and vegetables and determined their toxic load via pesticide residue. The recommendation is to purchase organic as much as possible but at least for foods with high pesticide levels. The following link will take you to the list of foods that were tested and the corresponding results. http://www.foodnews.org/fulldataset.php

How safe is your water bottle?

Do you, like thousands of other Americans enjoy bottled water? Or what about using cling wrap to preserve your left overs, or when popping something into the microwave? And new moms and dads, do you like the convenience of feeding the little one from a plastic bottle?

However, are you aware that some or all of these packaging products may contain the chemical Bispherol A.

The manufacturers of these products will argue that, "the products manufactured from bispherol A (BPA) pose no know risks to human health when used for intended purposes." Recent research indicates that we cannot deny the possibility that BPA may cause serious health consequences even under "normal:" conditions.

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) voiced its concern about the leaching of BPA into our food supply under "typical conditions". Stating that one cannot dismiss the possibility of altered human development by the inclusion of BPA in such items as canned foods, baby bottles and plastic beverage bottles. The NTP also concurs that " there is some concern for neural and behavioral effects on fetuses, infants and children at current exposures". BPA has also been show to have negative effects on the prostate and mammary glands and for resulting in precocious puberty in females.

A study reported in the Journal of Reproductive Toxicology has found BPA to work as a endocrine disruptor in the body effecting the mammary gland development, and causing lesions in both the prostate and mammary glands. Rodent studies point to the potential for cancer and to affect brain structure, function and ultimately behavior.

A BPA task force has recently been established by the FDA commissioner to determine the impact and safety of BPA.

As of this posting there is no requirement by food packaging manufacturers to disclose the use of chemicals in their products. However, most polycarbonates or epoxy resins - hard plastics (those lovely colored drinking cups sold at high end stores) generally contain BPA. Nalgene has started to produce water bottles free of BPA. Most canned foods contain BPA as a can liner. (Just another reason to avoid these foods - that are already over processed, filled with preservatives, etc.).

A report by Environment California in 2007, and a 2008 one by Work Group for Safe Markets showed BPA leaching in five popular brands of baby bottles at levels that caused harm to animal subjects. More BPA was leached out when the bottles were either heated or older.

How can you minimize your exposure to BPA? Here are a few suggestions:

• Eat only fresh fruits and vegetables, not canned. Store any left overs in glass containers rather than plastic. Reuse pasta sauce jars.
• Avoid microwaving where plastic wrap is used to contain spills. Rather utilize microwave safe glass. Although avoiding microwaving as much as possible is recommended.
• Purchase foods in glass or cardboard containers - e.g tetrapak.
• Place drinking ware, juice, tea, milk, etc. in a glass or a stainless steel jar. Neoprene sleeves can be purchased to protect glass from breaking.
• Avoid plastics marked with #7 or PC. Instead look for #1, #2, and #4 which are BPA free.
• Medela and Born Free baby bottles and products are labeled BPA free.
• The Environment Working Group has a web site with further tips to avoid expose to BPA. (www.ewg.org/chemindex/chemicals/23297).