Is it in you? A recent study(1) found that eliminating canned and other prepackaged foods from a family's diet over a three day period and replacing foods with fresh, organic meals, significantly reduced the levels of certain chemicals in the body.
In fact the concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA) in urine dropped by an average of 66% and levels of the phthalate DEHP decreased over 50%.
The probability of these chemicals being detected in someone is 93% for BPA and around 75% for DEHP according to the Centers for Disease Control.
This is concerning because these chemicals disrupt our endocrine systems. BPA has been associated with adverse effects on the developing brain. Additionally, there are concerns about cancer, specifically breast and prostate.
The public outcry over these chemicals has been steadily rising in recent years. Minnesota and several other states have passed laws to ban the use of BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups and federal law prohibits phthalates in children's toys.
However, exposures to these chemicals continue from epoxy resins containing BPA used to line food cans and plastic packaging with DEHP to many non-food-related consumer products.
So what to do? Feed your family WHOLE foods, those that are not prepackaged. Fruits, vegetables, lean protein etc. As the study showed you can do something to reduce the levels of these chemicals in you and your family's bodies in just three days and that is something to be hopeful about.
1. Ruthann Rudel, MS: Is It In You? BPA and phythalates in food packaging.Lead author of the study and Director of Research, Silent Spring Institute
