Why Masterchef May Be Hazardous To Your Health!
November 28, 2010 by admin
Filed under Health Blog, Healthy Lifestyle
Have you been watching the Masterchef cooking series on TV? I love this TV show but I also grimace whenever I see them demonstrating a cooking technique that involves wrapping food in glad wrap and placing it in a pot of boiling water! It almost begs the question… “Would you like cancer served with that’?
Do you eat and drink from plastic? Do you warm up your meals in the microwave in plastic bowls covered with plastic wrap? Do you feed your baby from a plastic bottle or cup? Does your dog or cat get their food or water from a plastic bowl? Were you aware that plastic molecules can break down into the fluids or solids that they are holding (e.g. food and water) and can accumulate in your body and be harmful to your health?
Research indicates that the microscopic particles that break down from all plastics can be hazardous to health…..
6 environmental research studies reveal critical health risks from plastic
‘Plastic world’ findings on bisphenol A, phthalates and flame retardants urge regulatory action
Amsterdam, 2 October 2008 – Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates and flame retardants (PBDEs) are strongly associated with adverse health effects on humans and laboratory animals. A special section in the October 2008 issue of Environmental Research, “A Plastic World” provides critical new research on environmental contaminants and adverse reproductive and behavioral effects.
Plastic products contain “endocrine disrupting chemicals” that can block the production of the male sex hormone testosterone (phthalates used in PVC plastic), mimic the action of the sex hormone estrogen (bisphenol A or BPA used in polycarbonate plastic), and interfere with thyroid hormone (brominated flame retardants or PBDEs used in many types of plastic).
Two articles report very similar changes in male reproductive organs in rats and humans related to fetal exposure to phthalates. Two articles show that fetal exposure to BPA or PBDEs disrupts normal development of the brain and behavior in rats and mice. Two other articles provide data that these chemicals are massively contaminating the oceans and causing harm to aquatic wildlife. The other studies integrate new laboratory research with a broader view reflecting exposures to a variety of chemicals in plastic. These ubiquitous chemicals found in many plastics act independently and together to adversely affect human, animal and environmental health. The articles show amongst others the massive contamination of the Pacific Ocean with plastic, and the amount of contamination has increased dramatically in recent years; animal brain structure, brain chemistry and behavioral effects from exposure to BPA and “phthalate syndrome” in rats’ male offspring.
“For the first time a series of articles will appear together that identify that billions of kilograms of a number of chemicals used in the manufacture of different types of plastic can leach out of plastic products and cause harm to the brain and reproductive system when exposure occurs during fetal life or prior to weaning,” emphasized Dr. Frederick vom Saal, Guest Editor of the “Plastic World”. “Not only are these studies of scientific importance, they also contribute to the ongoing US congressional hearings involving the Food and Drug Administration,” remarked Gert-Jan Geraeds, Publisher of Environmental Research, “As such, “The Plastic World” has a broader societal impact and raises awareness of increasingly important environmental issues”. 2.10.08, Environmental Research, Elsevier.
Try to be aware of what you eat and drink out of; what you cook your food in (including Teflon as this is another plastic product); your use of plastic wraps and plastic bags that come into direct contact with your and your children’s food and consider other ways that plastics may be entering your body and how you can avoid them by storing food in glass, ceramic and stainless steel containers and cooking in cast iron, stainless steel and other safe alternatives. It may be ‘old-fashioned’ but breast cancer and other reproductive cancers were also not so prevalent in ‘the old days’!
Yours In Great Health,
Sar Rooney BHSc., ND., DC., DASc., GDSc. (Hons), MATMS, MNHAA, MHATO
Naturopathic Medicine Practitioner, Lecturer, Researcher
Earth Medicine TM
Email: [email protected]
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Helping you achieve optimal wellness, hormonal balance and disease prevention with personalised, professional naturopathic health care, clinical pathology testing and high-quality herbal medicines and supplements
Sar Rooney is a Naturopathic Medicine Practitioner specialising in Anxiety and Depression |Women’s Health| Hormonal Imbalances | Thyroid Disorders | Digestive Health | Genetic Polymorphisms (MTHFR/Pyroluria) | Nutritional Medicine | Optimal Wellness & Disease Prevention
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Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment. Please note: I am not a medical practitioner.
