(24-09-12) BPA and Narrowed Arteries: New Study Links Plastics Chemical with Coronary Artery Stenosis

By Dr. Mercola

A new study indicates bisphenol-A (BPA) ? a chemical already found to be an
endocrine disrupter linked to cancer and reproductive and fetal development
problems ? may be contributing to narrowed arteries.

Unfortunately, unequivocal proof of the chemical's dangers to the arteries
will be difficult to obtain because experiments on humans are not feasible, but
the study's authors said the growing body of evidence is impressive enough to
add BPA exposure to the known risk factors for heart disease.

BPA Linked to Narrowed Arteries

Coronary, carotid and aorticartery stenosis ? specific examples of a condition
generally known as narrowed arteries ? can block blood flow in your arteries,
with serious if not lethal health consequences. The narrower your arteries
become, the more blood flow gets blocked, which can ultimately lead to not only
symptoms of chest pain and tightness but also heart attack and stroke.

In the latest study, researchers looked at levels of urinary BPA levels and
artery narrowing in close to 600 people, and found that those with higher
urinary BPA levels were more likely to have an increased risk for severe
narrowing of the arteries.1 The same research team has conducted three other
studies that have also shown an association between BPA and heart risks,
including:

A 2008 study that found higher BPA concentrations were associated with heart
A 2010 study that found higher BPA exposure was consistently associated with
heart disease in the general U.S. adult population;2 in fact, U.S. adults with
the highest levels of BPA in their urine were more than twice as likely to
develop coronary heart disease than those with the lowest levels
A 2012 study that found for each 4.56 ng/mL increase in BPA concentration,
there was a 13 percent greater risk of heart disease3
BPA is Found in Nearly Everyone? and Heart Disease is the Leading Cause of
Death in the U.S.

While these studies are not proof that BPA causes heart disease, they
certainly raise serious questions about why the chemical is still being so
widely used across the globe.

BPA is so pervasive that scientists have found that 95 percent of people
tested have potentially dangerous levels of BPA in their bodies? and heart
disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States. BPA is
clearly not the only factor involved in heart disease, but given its widespread
use ? and the fact that it is even commonly found in the umbilical cords of
babies in utero ? any negative impact it makes on human health could prove
disastrous.

Not to mention, heart disease is not the only problem with BPA.

BPA is an endocrine disrupter, which means it mimics and/or interferes with
your body's hormones, subsequently "disrupting" your endocrine system. The
glands of your endocrine system and the hormones they release are instrumental
in regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function, metabolism, as
well as sexual function and reproductive processes.

Some of the greatest concern regarding BPA surrounds early-life, in utero
exposure to BPA, which can lead to chromosomal errors in your developing fetus,
causing spontaneous miscarriages and genetic damage.

But evidence is also very strong indicating these chemicals are influencing
adults and children alike, and leading to decreased sperm quality, early
puberty, premature mammary gland development, disrupted reproductive cycles and
ovarian dysfunction, cancer and heart disease, among numerous other health
problems. Research has even found that "higher BPA exposure is associated with
general and central obesity in the general adult population of the United
States,"5 while another study found that BPA is associated not only with
generalized and abdominal obesity, but also with insulin resistance, which is
an underlying factor in many chronic diseases.6

FDA Not Convinced of BPA's Dangers

Despite the concerning research pouring in, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) states that they are aware studies have found BPA is a
hazard to people, but says they have "carefully assessed these studies and
finds no convincing evidence to support that belief."7

Unfortunately, although the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed a
petition with the FDA calling for the agency to prohibit the use of BPA in
products manufactured in the United States, earlier this year the FDA announced
that it would be denying NRDC's petition, noting that it would "make any
necessary changes to BPA's status based on the science."

In September 2010, Canada declared BPA a toxic substance, but to date no other
country has followed suit, although BPA has been banned in baby bottles in
Canada, Europe and the United States. Many U.S. companies have voluntarily
removed the chemical from their products in response to consumer demand, but it
is still widely used. Thanks to the FDA's refusal to ban BPA from U.S. food
packaging, the chemical will continue to experience steady growth in 2012, with
an estimated 4.7 million tons set for production this year.

This, in turn, will earn BPA manufacturers a handsome profit of $8 billion.8

Plastics to Canned Goods: How are You Being Exposed to BPA?

You're probably aware that BPA is often found in plastic food containers and
bottles, but plastic is not the only route of exposure. Canned goods, which
often have a lining that contains BPA, may in fact be an even greater
contributor. In one study, eating canned soup for five days increased study
participants' urinary concentrations of BPA by more than 1,000% compared to
eating freshly made soup.9

The researchers believe canned goods may be an even greater source of exposure
to BPA than plastics. So watch out for canned tomatoes and other canned
vegetables, canned soups and canned beverages, like soda or juice.

Other often-overlooked routes of exposure include:

Receipts: A study in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry found that of 13
thermal printing papers (the type often used for receipts) analyzed, 11
contained BPA.10 Holding the paper for just 5 seconds was enough to transfer
BPA onto a person's skin, and the amount of BPA transferred increased by about
10 times if the fingers were wet or greasy.
Currency: In a study published in Environmental Science and Technology,
researchers analyzed paper currencies from 21 countries for the presence of
BPA, and the chemical was detected in every sample.11 They also measured the
transfer of BPA from thermal receipt paper to currency by placing the two
together in a wallet for 24 hours. This dramatically increased the
concentrations of BPA on the money, which again suggests that receipts are
highly contaminated.
So in order to really reduce your BPA exposure, you need to watch out for:

Canned foods and soda cans
All BPA-containing plastics and food packaging
Certain tooth sealants
Certain BPA-free plastics (which can contain similar endocrine-disrupting
chemicals)
Receipts and currency (seek to limit or avoid carrying receipts in your wallet
or purse, as it appears the chemical is transferring onto other surfaces it
touches. It would also be wise to wash your hands after handling receipts and
currency, and avoid handling them particularly if you've just put on lotion or
have any other greasy substance on your hands, as this may increase your
exposure)


SOURCE: www.mercola.com

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