Optimize your thyroid health by avoiding this toxin

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical found in many products today such as plastic baby bottles, food containers, food and beverage can linings, polycarbonate plastics, dental sealants, and many more.  One of the biggest sources of BPA is from the paper that receipts are printed on at the store!

Unfortunately, it appears that BPA can block the binding of T3 to the thyroid hormone receptors.  Of course, the whole purpose of T3 is to bind with the thyroid hormone receptors so that it can have it’s action.  Without binding, there is no action.

BPA is a common pollutant of rivers, lakes, and seawater.  That’s why humans and animals are exposed to it on a regular basis.  BPA has been detected in the blood and the placenta of pregnant women, in fetal blood, and amniotic fluid as well as the milk of nursing mothers.

This is particularly worrisome since BPA can be transferred from mother to fetus and adversely affect the baby’s normal development.  The brain and mental development of the baby are particularly dependent on good thyroid action (which is hindered by the BPA).  The last thing a baby in this situation needs is even more BPA from the formula can and from the baby bottle. BPA can also act like estrogen and can cause obesity, sexual development problems and infertility.

One way to avoid BPA is to not eat canned food at all.  However, some health-conscious brands are moving away from can linings that have BPA.  Eden Foods, for example, is avoiding BPA. Some companies have BPA in some of their products but not others.  You can call the company and ask them which of their products contain BPA and which don’t.  Unless a can is labeled “certified organic” you can be pretty sure it contains BPA.  If it does say “certified organic” it may still contain BPA, you need to ask.  You can always look for “BPA-free” on the label.  Paper tetra-paks are BPA free.

Another point to consider is that just because a liner is BPA-free doesn’t necessarily mean it is toxin free because there could be some other plastic toxin.  It’s best to try to avoid as much canned and plastic-packaged food as possible. Especially, pregnant women should avoid canned food and eat fresh food as much as possible.  If babies must be given formula then powdered might be a better choice than canned.  It’s reasonable to avoid drinking out of plastic water and soda bottles. Glass is good.

Eating and drinking healthy and avoiding toxins may be the best, most effective “medicine” you and your baby ever take.  Healthy food is often a little more expensive but it tastes better.  Plus, it seems wiser to spend money on healthy food and lifestyle in order to feel well as opposed to feeling lousy and spending a lot of time and money on drugs, doctors, and hospitals.