BPA Linked to Diabetes

Cash register receipts are a major source of BPAMounting evidence continues to point to pollution's contribution to the obesity epidemic. In yet another study, the pollutant BPA has been identified as a cause of decreased glucose tolerance (ability to break down and eliminate sugar from the bloodstream) and the insulin resistance syndrome associated with diabetes and obesity. Previous studies have linked BPA to deleterious effects on the  brain, behavior and prostrate gland of fetuses, infants and children.

Despite the American Chemical Society's attempts to downplay rising concerns, this study in the National Institute of Health peer-reviewed journal, Environmental Health Perspectives, is yet another nail in the coffin for BPA, which the Centers for Disease control reports can be found in the bloodstream of most Americans and is commonly ingested by consuming foods that come in contact with plastic (either through plastic storage containers, wraps, bottles or cans lined with plastic) or by handling BPA-laden cash register receipts.Eden Organic offers BPA-free canned foods.

In this mouse study, environmentally relevant exposure to BPA (meaning the low level exposure experienced by the average person as opposed to the high level of exposure more commonly used in testing for pollutant's health effects) aggravated insulin resistance produced during pregnancy and was associated with decreased glucose tolerance and increased plasma insulin, triglyceride, and leptin concentrations relative to controls. The authors concluded: "Our findings suggest that BPA may contribute to metabolic disorders relevant to glucose homeostasis and that BPA may be a risk factor for diabetes."

The study was conducted at biomedical research universities in Spain, which may be one clue as to why it didn't make headlines in the U.S. Already, France and Denmark have placed restrictions on BPA in infant feeding bottles. The EU health Commissioner, John Dalli, recently indicated his agency may follow suit.  The Canadian government has added the compound to a list of substances deemed harmful to health, in preparation for further regulatory action. The FDA sends a mixed message: "FDA shares the perspective of the National Toxicology Program that recent studies provide reason for some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children." But as yet the agency has failed to take action by recommending any restrictions on manufacturing and production of products that expose people to BPA, not even taking action against BPA-laden baby bottles.

Dr. Merrell's Take: Look for bottles and cans labelled BPA-free. Store food in glass containers. Do not allow saran wrap to touch hot foods (or any food if you can help it.) Keep cash register receipts out of food bags, and make sure to wash your hands after handling them. Finally, don't let your baby suck on plastic toys.