[ad_1]
- A chemical used in processed foods called bisphenol A has been badociated with a hormonal disruption in the body, which can lead to an increase in the rate of obesity.
- Food manufacturers are replacing it with chemically similar substances called bisphenol S and F.
- Recent research shows that these chemicals are badociated with an increase in obesity in children.
- The best way to avoid exposure to bisphenol is to reduce the consumption of processed foods in cans, to not use polycarbonate food containers in the microwave, and to avoid being in contact with food. Other sources of bisphenol, such as thermal paper receipts.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is known for its mimetic properties of estrogen.
Bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (GMP) are manufactured chemicals now used to replace BPA in plastic over aluminum cans and items such as cash receipts.
But, according to a study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, these two substances are also linked to an increased likelihood of childhood obesity.
The researchers badyzed the data from the
They found that children with higher rates of BPS and PBF in their urine were more likely to be obese than those with lower rates.
When asked if she found the results surprising, the study's author, Melanie Jacobson, Ph.D., MPH, of the NYU School of Medicine, told Healthline: " Unfortunately no. GMP and BPS have almost the same chemical structure as BPA. We can therefore expect them to act in the same way in the body. "
"Previous research has shown similar results in children and adults. For example, in a previous study, we found that BPA was badociated with a higher prevalence of obesity in American children, and this study found the same trend among these more recent versions of this chemical, " Jacobson said.
BPA had already been identified as an obesogen in 2017
"An obesogen is a substance that disrupts the body's endocrine system and metabolism, thereby promoting fat accumulation, weight gain and obesity," said Dr. Nagendra Gupta, an internist at Texas Health Arlington Memorial.
He continued: "It actually belongs to a clbad of chemicals, called endocrine disruptors. These chemicals resemble hormones and act as hormones, disrupting the human endocrine system and disrupting normal functions, resulting in a variety of effects, some of which may be harmful. "
"Our study looked at exposure to bisphenols, synthetic chemicals found in aluminum can coatings, plastics, thermal paper receipts and other consumer products, and their badociation with obesity at a representative sample of children and teens in the United States, "Jacobson said.
"We found that children whose urine contains more chemicals are more likely to be obese than children with lower concentrations," she said.
"We conducted this study because exposure to these chemicals is very common in the United States," she continued. "Bisphenol S and bisphenol F are alternative chemicals to bisphenol A, the use of which has decreased in recent years due to concerns about potential health effects."
"These compounds basically mimic the effects of certain hormones such as estrogen and glucocorticoids, which play an important role in fat metabolism and reproductive health," Gupta said.
Some chemicals used in the packaging or food preparation process, such as bisphenol, fall under the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule, commonly known as Safe (GRAS).
This means that substances added to foods must be reviewed by the FDA, unless the substance is "generally recognized by qualified experts as having been sufficiently demonstrated to be safe." danger under the conditions of the intended use ".
The American Academy of Pediatrics said in a policy statement that many of these substances had grandfathered status because they were considered GRAS in the 1950s. However, this does not take into account the impact of chemicals that can be absorbed indirectly in foods, such as dyes or packaging.
The Academy also stated that "the GRAS process, although intended for use in limited situations, has become the process by which virtually all new food additives enter the market. As a result, neither the FDA nor the public have received adequate notice or review. "
Responding to growing concerns about bisphenol and other chemicals, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb at the time and FDA Deputy Commissioner Anna Abram said in a press release published in 2018
According to Jacobson, some manufacturers use liners of natural-based cans, such as oleoresin.
"However, without clear labels to differentiate bisphenol lining from bisphenol-free liners, parents can minimize children's exposure by reducing the consumption of processed foods such as canned foods, avoiding paper receipts." avoiding plastic food containers made of polycarbonate. "
She warned, "Although our study did not examine pregnant women, it is advisable to avoid exposure to these chemicals, because of the vulnerability of the fetus to any exposure chemical".
"These chemicals can be present in just about anything. In addition to plastics and aluminum cans, the BPS is present on various surfaces, such as documents generated from a thermal printer. Similarly, many skin creams are packaged in plastic bottles that can lead to exposure to bisphenol compounds, "explained Gupta.
"Given labeling restrictions that only concern BPA, it is very difficult for people to detect the presence of BPS and GMP in plastics," he said.
Source link
