"Health Food" for thought...

"Health Food" for Thought...
A courtesy of Healing Touch Chiropractic Center and Dr. Gary Easter

April 2007

Vitamins A,C,and Bisphenol-A?

Recently, there has been a rash of problems with chemicals in our foods that we may not want there. From the dog food scare and recall, to the recall of one of my favorite food groups, peanut butter. One of these stories flew in under the radar and didn`t get much mass media attention. The story about a polycarbonate compound called Bisphenol-A, leeching into canned goods like vegetables and baby formula.

Bisphenol A was first synthesized by A.P. Dianin in 1891. It was investigated in the 1930s during the search for synthetic estrogens. At that time, another synthesized compound, diethylstilbestrol, turned out to be more powerful an estrogen, so bisphenol A was not used as a synthetic estrogen.

Polycarbonates are widely used in many consumer products, from sunglasses and CDs to water and food containers and shatter-resistant baby bottles. Some polymers used in dental fillings also contain bisphenol A, while epoxy resins containing bisphenol A are popular coatings for the inside of cans used for canning food.

Recent studies have confirmed that bisphenol A exposure during development has carcinogenic effects and produce precursors of breast cancer. Bisphenol A has been shown to have developmental toxicity, carcinogenic effects, and possible neurotoxicity. Recent studies suggest it may also be linked to obesity by triggering fat-cell activity.

As usual, controversy abounds as to exactly how much, if any, Bisphenol-A is a threat. With the Federal Institute for Risk Assesment stating there is no risk according to their studies, to media coverage stating that their studies are flawed and the people doing them have industry ties.

So as always, err on the side of caution. Here are some steps to follow to limit you and your family`s exposure to this potentially harmful chemical:

  • Metal canned beverages appear to contain less BPA residues, while metal canned pasta and soups contain the highest levels.

  • Canned foods in glass containers are not a BPA risk.

  • Plastics with the recycling labels #1, #2 and #4 on the bottom are safer choices and do not contain BPA.

  • One-third of liquid baby formulas have high levels of BPA. Powdered formula packaging is generally considered safer.

  • Avoid heating foods in plastic containers and do not wash plastic containers in a dishwasher.

  • When possible, opt for glass, porcelain and stainless steel containers, particularly for hot food or liquids.

  • Do not let plastic wrap touch your food in the microwave, or better yet, avoid microwave ovens altogether.

  • Many metal water bottles, such as those sold by the brand Sigg are lined with a plastic coating that contains BPA. Look for stainless steel bottles, such as those sold by Real Wear and Kleen Kanteen that do not have a plastic liner.

Laughter Therapy

We`ve all had the annoying experience of calling up a hotline and waiting on the phone for eons to hear all the choices the lucky touch-tone dialers receive. Well, think how frustrating that would be if you were calling the.... PSYCHIATRIC HOTLINE

The telephone rings and an answering machine answers... "Welcome to the psychiatric hotline." If you are obsessive compulsive, please press one repeatedly.

If you are codependent, please ask someone to press 2.

If you have multiple personalities, please press 3, 4, 5, and 6.

If you are paranoid/delusional, we know who you are, what you want, just stay on the line so that we can trace your call.

If you are a schizophrenic, listen carefully, and a little voice will tell you which number to press. If your are manic depressive, it doesn`t matter which number you press....no one will answer any way.