More than 90 percent of Americans have BPA, the man made 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."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.
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