Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a toxin used in the production of a variety of products, including certain paper products, plastic food packaging, plastic bottles, and the in the linings of canned goods. It’s on dollar bills and in the water we drink. Because of this, it is also found in our bodies, but it isn’t from exposure to these products directly. New research from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) affirms what many experts have already been saying—that the majority of the BPA found within us is coming from the foods we eat.
It’s the first in-depth analysis on BPA by the EFSA since 2006 and the first to look at both food and non-food sources of BPA exposure. The agency says, surprisingly, that it’s research has also shown that BPA exposure is less prevalent than previously thought. They are currently seeking feedback on their findings and will issue a second part to their research to be specifically focused on the human health risks of BPA.
The EFSA’s research applied two approaches: exposure modeling and urine analysis. Researchers assessed exposure to known sources of BPA including air, dust, food, toys, dental sealants, and thermal paper. Then, they analyzed the presence of BPA in study subjects’ urine samples.
“Exposure modelling involves the assessment of exposure to BPA through food and non-food sources (thermal paper, air, dust, toys, cosmetics, dental sealants) and routes (diet, inhalation and skin contact) in the EU population. This method allows for the estimation of exposure from all sources which could be identified and quantified individually.
Urinary biomonitoringdata (that is, levels of BPA found in the urine) were used to corroborate the Panel’s estimates of overall BPA exposure and to ensure no major source of exposure was missed.”
Some of the surprising findings from their research:
For infants up to 3 months, dietary exposure is estimated to be some 30 times lower than previously stated (135 ng/kg bw/day in 2013 compared to 4,000 ng/kg bw/day in 2006).
For adults, including women of child-bearing age, estimate for 2013 is about 11x lower than in 2006 (up to 132 ng/kg bw/day in 2013 compared to 1,500 ng/kg bw/day in 2006).
It could be that the research techniques have improved and we are getting a more accurate picture of BPA exposure now, or the research is flawed. Finally, the decrease could be explained by a growing awareness on the part of the public and manufacturers on the dangers of BPA. The second part of the research may provide greater insight into the changes.
BPA is a hormone-mimicking toxin that has been linked to increased breast cancer risk, increased incidence of obesity, accelerated maturation of girls, increased risk of diabetes, and fertility problems. A few years ago Canada became the first to ban BPA outright. Here in the U.S., the FDA recently moved to ban the substance in baby formula packaging.
(NaturalNews) Kale is actually an earlier form of the cruciferous cabbage family. In addition to its high level of nutrients, now its carotenoid content is associated with mood elevation.
Actually, Mother Jones health editor Tom Philpott reported on a late 2012 Harvard study that associated high carotenoid consumption with elevated moods. He whimsically chose kale to headline his article.
But the study itself focused on nine different carotenoids and antioxidants from leafy green and orange vegetables.
The Harvard School of Public Health study
The study involved a cross-sectional association between reported optimism and serum concentrations of antioxidants and carotenoids among 982 men and women from a Midlife in the United States study.
Mood reports were conducted with the LOT-R (Life Orientation Test – Revised), a short 10-question psychological research test not meant for clinical applications that has allows for different predetermined levels of answering. The code for “grading” is tilted toward determining optimism over pessimism.
Fasting blood samples had to be taken for antioxidant and carotenoid serum levels. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation funded Midlife in the United States Survey (MIDUS) is part of ongoing research started in 1989 on several health and psychological factors involved with mid-life, mostly in the 40 to 60 age bracket.
Although the association of high carotenoid serum content and optimism were obvious, the researchers were reluctant to cite a causal link. It could be that optimistic middle aged folks who eat lots of veggies are naturally optimistic, they cautioned.
Well yeah, maybe so. But the fact is that if your health is good, you will tend to be more optimistic. Consuming lots of organic veggies while shunning processed foods leads to better physiological health as a foundation for better psychological health.
Carotenoid Sources
According to the Linus Paul Institute, “Carotenoids can be broadly classified into two classes, carotenes (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and lycopene) and xanthophylls (beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin).”
All green veggies, including kale, are high in xanthophylls, while orange and red fruits and vegetables are high in alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, both precursors to vitamin A.
Vitamin A toxicity can occur from too many supplements, but food based alpha or beta carotene’s vitamin A production diminishes as the body establishes sufficient vitamin A.
This phenomena is similar to how vitamin D from sunshine exposure halts upon sufficient serum of vitamin D, while supplementing vitamin D can potentially lead to toxic levels.
Both sets of carotenoids are fat based, so eating them with healthy cold-pressed oils or real organic butter or coconut oil enhances bio-availability. If you juice veggies and fruits, adding a small scoop of coconut or other oil on the side may be wise.
Of course the less cooked they are, the better. An exception is tomatoes’ lycopene. Its lycopene bio-availability is improved when cooked in oil. Thus tomato sauce is considered a good prostate health protector.
Juicing three times a week is considered sufficient for greatly reducing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease as well as providing a lot more carotenoids to boost overall health than one could consume as part of a normal diet (http://www.naturalnews.com/028523_Alzheimers_juicing.html).
According to Mother Jones health editor Tom Philpott’s coverage of a different UK study, leafy greens such as kale contain a substance known as indole-3-carbinol, responsible for maintaining the immune system’s white blood cells and maintaining overall gut health.
A diet without greens leads to lower immunity and gastrointestinal issues. Kale is great for juicing with carrots and an apple to ameliorate the bitter taste, but some folks like it lightly steamed and seasoned or mixed into a tossed salad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk4hfI…
A rcoones video. Deborah Tavares explores some of the ways depopulation may occur and everyday things we are exposed to may be used as weapons against the people. If Depopulation is the objective these may be the tools to do just that. Filmed at Conspiracy Con 2013
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by Christina SarichNatural SocietyJuly 29, 2013
Milarepa, the Tibetan saint, was said to have lived on nothing but nettles for decades of meditation. Yet another weed that most of us pull and throw out, like dandelions, nettle is a wonderful health-boosting herb that should never be dowsed with weed-killer, but plucked and dried to make into an herbal panacea that could make the local pharmacy go bankrupt. Nettle, from the flowering plant genus Urtica in the family Urticaceae, has so many health benefits, they can hardly fit into this small space. Keep reading to see 29 nettle tea benefits.Stinging nettle is: diuretic, astringent, pectoral, anodyne, tonic, rubefacient, styptic, anthelmintic, nutritive, hermetic, anti-rheumatic, anti-allergenic, decongestant, expectorant, anti-spasmodic, and anti-histamine, anti-lithic/lithotrophic, herpetic, galactagogue, and an anti-histamine.
Look: Health Benefits of 60+ Foods
29 Nettle Tea Benefits
To give you an idea of just how powerful this singular plant is, nettle has the potential to treat the following ailments:
Nettle stimulates the lymph system to boost immunity
Nettle relieves arthritis symptoms
Nettle promotes a release from uric acid from joints
Helps to support the adrenals
It helps with diabetes mellitus
Strengthens the fetus in pregnant women
Promotes milk production in lactating women
Relieves menopausal symptoms
Helps with menstrual cramps and bloating
Helps break down kidney stones
Reduces hypertension
Helps with respiratory tract disease
Supports the kidneys
Helps asthma sufferers
Stops bleeding
Reduces inflammation
Reduces incident of prostate cancer
Minimizes skin problems
Eliminates allergic rhinitis
Lessens nausea
Cures the common cold
Helps with osteoarthritis
Alleviates diarrhea
Helps with gastrointestinal disease, IBS, and constipation
Reduces gingivitis and prevents plaque when used as a mouth wash.
Has been shown to be helpful to in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Relieves neurological disorders like MS, ALS and sciatica
Destroys intestinal worms or parasites
Supports the endocrine health by helping the thyroid, spleen and pancreas
You can brew stinging nettle leaves in almost boiling water and drink daily as a curative to all these ailments. Just be sure to check with your doctor since nettle can interfere with certain pharmaceuticals. Enjoy nettle tea benefits today!
Traditional Food Gardens require watering, sunlight, fertiliser and concerns for pests. With Forest gardening there is a natural ecosystem that provides nourishment and protection. http://www.ediblelandscapeslondon.org…
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a toxin used in the production of a variety of products, including certain paper products, plastic food packaging, plastic bottles, and the in the linings of canned goods. It’s on dollar bills and in the water we drink. Because of this, it is also found in our bodies, but it isn’t from exposure to these products directly. New research from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) affirms what many experts have already been saying—that the majority of the BPA found within us is coming from the foods we eat.
by PF Louis
by Christina Sarich
PN 