Toxins In Plastics Are Detrimental To Our Health
The toxins in plastics are detrimental to our health and one of the super toxins that we need to avoid. The chemicals contained in plastics are known as hormone disruptors or endocrine disruptors and they have the ability to interfere with the body’s hormonal balance. Specifically known as xenoestrogens, these chemical compounds mimic estrogen in the body.1
Toxins In Plastics – BPA
One of the most well-known hormone disruptors is bisphenol A (BPA), which is commonly used in the production of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. BPA leaches out of plastic containers and into food and beverages, especially when heated. Ideally, avoid plastic containers with recycling codes 3 and 7, as these often contain BPA.2
According to a study conducted by Consumer Reports, it was found that a staggering 79% of fast food samples tested were contaminated with BPA. Studies have shown that exposure to BPA affects reproductive health, leads to weight loss resistance and disrupts thyroid function.3
BPA And The Agouti Gene
BPA exposure triggers the Agouti gene. Studies have shown that when the Agouti gene is overexpressed, it results in an increase in body weight and increased fat mass. Even worse, it also led to increased fat accumulation in offspring. One study found that when pregnant mice were exposed to low levels of BPA, their offspring were obese due to changes in the expression of the Agouti gene.4
However, when the Agouti gene was turned off, the mice lost weight and returned to normal. In addition, their offspring were also lean. The good news is, we can turn off genes that trigger undesirable phenotypes as you will see later in R5.
BPA Regulations
The concern over these hormone disruptors and endocrine disruptors in plastics has led many countries to ban or restrict their use. In the United States, the FDA banned the use of BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups in 2012, although this is more of a public relations stunt as you will see below. BPA is still widely used in other products such as canned goods and certain plastic water bottles.5
BPA-Free Does Not Indicate It Is Safe
Products labeled as BPA-free are more of a marketing ploy than anything else. While removing BPA may seem like a step towards safer products, the reality is that these alternatives are not any better. In fact, studies have shown that some BPA substitutes have similar or even worse effects on our health and the environment.
As awareness about the potential risks of BPA increased, many companies started using alternatives such as bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF). While BPS and BPF were marketed as safer options, studies have shown that they are just as harmful as BPA, if not more.
Furthermore, another study found that when exposed to sunlight or high temperatures, BPS and BPF break down into compounds that are even more toxic than BPA. This means that as companies switch to these alternatives, we are still at risk of exposure through our food and drinks stored in plastic containers.6
Toxins In Plastics – Phthalates
Another class of chemicals found in plastics that has been linked to hormone disruption are phthalates. These chemicals are commonly used as plasticizers, making the plastic more flexible and durable. Phthalates are found in a variety of products such as toys, food packaging, and medical devices. They have been associated with reproductive problems, developmental issues in children, and even increased risk of obesity.
Moreover, a recent study from Consumer Reports discovered alarming levels of phthalates in 84 out of 85 tested fast food and supermarket items. This raises serious concerns about the health risks associated with consuming these products.7
Microplastics In And Around Us
Microplastics are a growing concern, as their presence in the environment continues to increase. These small plastic particles, measuring less than 5 millimeters in diameter, originate from various sources including industrial processes and consumer products.
Due to their ability to be carried by wind, water, and animals, microplastics have accumulated in high concentrations in urban areas, coastal regions, and even remote locations such as polar regions and deep-sea sediments. This poses a threat not only to our ecosystems but our own health.
Recent studies have shed light on the extent of microplastic consumption by humans. It was found that the liquid inside a single plastic water bottle contains hundreds of thousands of micro-nano sized plastics. These tiny particles, ranging in size from 1 nanometer to 5 millimeters, end up in our bodies, filling up our organs with plastic. To avoid this, choose glass, ceramic, or stainless steel vessels.8
Toxins In Plastics Affect Cellular Health
Toxins in plastics have detrimental effects on cellular membrane health by causing inflammation in the cellular membrane, making it less permeable. This results in a hindered ability for nutrients to enter the cells and for waste products to be removed.9
Visualize each cell as a city enclosed by protective walls. When the entrance gate becomes damaged or blocked, the city is unable to function properly and becomes filled with waste and debris. Without new supplies coming in, the inhabitants of the city will suffer from malnutrition.
Similarly, when cellular membranes are inflamed, cells become overloaded with metabolic waste and essential materials for cellular function and ATP synthesis cannot enter. This toxin-induced cellular membrane inflammation is exactly what leads to a decline in overall cell health, causing downstream health symptoms.
Cellular Membrane Inflammation Reduces ATP Production
The process of creating ATP requires an adequate inflow of raw materials into the cell. When this is impeded, energy production takes a nosedive. The production of glutathione is directly dependent on adequate ATP production. Without enough glutathione, cellular detoxification comes to a stand still.10
The process of creating ATP results in metabolic byproducts that need to be ushered out of the cell so it doesn’t fill up with its own waste products. Again, if cellular membrane inflammation is persistent, moving metabolic waste products out of the cell is impeded.
Think of it this way, if you light a fire in a fireplace, but don’t open the chimney damper, the whole house will fill up with smoke. The byproducts of cellular energy production are similar to smoke and if we can’t move these waste products out of the cell, they slowly build up to toxic levels.
In order to get well, we must fix the cell and specifically the cellular membrane. If we keep filling our cells up with toxins with no way to remove them, the result is mysterious health illnesses and eventually, degenerative diseases. However, it doesn’t have to be this way if we repair the cellular membrane, thereby restoring permeability and reestablishing normal cellular metabolism.
Restoring Cellular Health With My 5Rs
Health issues are often a result of toxin-induced cellular dysfunction. The key to getting well lies in fixing the cells. To achieve this, there are five steps known as my 5Rs that I developed to address the core of health problems.
The first step, R1, involves reducing exposure to toxins. This requires making conscious choices about reducing the use of plastics in our daily lives. By opting for glass or stainless steel options instead of products that come into contact with plastics, we can significantly decrease our exposure to these harmful substances that accumulate in our bodies over time.
Next is R2, which focuses on repairing cellular membranes. Years of toxin accumulation damages the membranes, hindering their proper functioning. To restore them, the process of lipid synthesis is vital and requires specific nutraceuticals. Additionally, incorporating a healthy diet that includes the right types of dietary fats can also aid in regenerating cellular membranes.11
The third step, R3, is all about boosting cellular energy. Mitochondria are responsible for producing energy and aiding in detoxification processes within our cells. To support their functioning and promote the growth of new mitochondria, there are specific nutraceuticals provided as part of the Pompa Program. These compounds work to optimize mitochondrial function, providing our cells with an adequate supply of energy for optimal functioning.12
Reducing inflammation at the cellular level is addressed in R4. Inflamed cellular membranes lead to a harmful cycle of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. To break this cycle, specialized nutraceuticals are used to downregulate inflammation and restore balance within the cells. This step is crucial for achieving ideal cellular health.13
Lastly, R5 focuses on restoring methylation levels. Proper methylation is necessary for regulating gene expression, and when levels are low, unwanted genes can be activated leading to health problems. By reestablishing proper methylation, we can turn off these negative genes and promote overall health and well-being.14
To learn even more about super toxins and my 5Rs, join me in my free webinar or read more about what is causing the increase in thyroid disorders.
References
1 Wang X, Ha D, Yoshitake R, Chan YS, Sadava D, Chen S. Exploring the Biological Activity and Mechanism of Xenoestrogens and Phytoestrogens in Cancers: Emerging Methods and Concepts. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Aug 16;22(16):8798. doi: 10.3390/ijms22168798. PMID: 34445499; PMCID: PMC8395949.
2 Khalili Sadrabad E, Hashemi SA, Nadjarzadeh A, Askari E, Akrami Mohajeri F, Ramroudi F. Bisphenol A release from food and beverage containers – A review. Food Sci Nutr. 2023 May 7;11(7):3718-3728. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.3398. PMID: 37457148; PMCID: PMC10345686.
3 Friedman, L. F. (2024, January 4). The plastic chemicals hiding in your food. Consumer Reports. https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-contaminants/the-plastic-chemicals-hiding-in-your-food-a7358224781/
4 Dolinoy DC. The agouti mouse model: an epigenetic biosensor for nutritional and environmental alterations on the fetal epigenome. Nutr Rev. 2008 Aug;66 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S7-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2008.00056.x. PMID: 18673496; PMCID: PMC2822875.
5 Jeon GW. Bisphenol A leaching from polycarbonate baby bottles into baby food causes potential health issues. Clin Exp Pediatr. 2022 Sep;65(9):450-452. doi: 10.3345/cep.2022.00661. Epub 2022 Jul 25. PMID: 35879867; PMCID: PMC9441614.
6 Guynup, S. (2024, March 5). We got rid of BPA in some products—but are the substitutes any safer? Premium. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/bpa-substitutes-safer-harmful
7 Loria, K. (2022, March 24). Dangerous PFAS chemicals are in your food packaging. Consumer Reports. https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-contaminants/dangerous-pfas-chemicals-are-in-your-food-packaging-a3786252074/
8 Qian N, Gao X, Lang X, Deng H, Bratu T, Chen Q, Stapleton P, Yan B, Min W. (2024, January 8). Rapid single-particle chemical imaging of nanoplastics by SRS microscopy. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2300582121
9 Ammendolia, D.A., Bement, W.M. & Brumell, J.H. Plasma membrane integrity: implications for health and disease. BMC Biol 19, 71 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-021-00972-y
10 Vašková J, Kočan L, Vaško L, Perjési P. Glutathione-Related Enzymes and Proteins: A Review. Molecules. 2023 Feb 2;28(3):1447. doi: 10.3390/molecules28031447. PMID: 36771108; PMCID: PMC9919958.
11 Gu C, Philipsen MH, Ewing AG. Omega-3 and -6 Fatty Acids Alter the Membrane Lipid Composition and Vesicle Size to Regulate Exocytosis and Storage of Catecholamines. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2024 Feb 21;15(4):816-826. doi: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00741. Epub 2024 Feb 12. PMID: 38344810; PMCID: PMC10884999.
12 Zolkipli-Cunningham Z, Falk MJ. Clinical effects of chemical exposures on mitochondrial function. Toxicology. 2017 Nov 1;391:90-99. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2017.07.009. Epub 2017 Jul 27. PMID: 28757096; PMCID: PMC6078194.
13 Pall M. L. (2013). The NO/ONOO-cycle as the central cause of heart failure. International journal of molecular sciences, 14(11), 22274–22330. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms141122274
14 Dhar GA, Saha S, Mitra P, Nag Chaudhuri R. DNA methylation and regulation of gene expression: Guardian of our health. Nucleus (Calcutta). 2021;64(3):259-270. doi: 10.1007/s13237-021-00367-y. Epub 2021 Aug 16. PMID: 34421129; PMCID: PMC8366481.
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