Plasticizer chemicals are silently driving the chronic disease epidemic

[Bocco]

A report from the nonprofit group Consumer Reports found these plasticizer chemicals in 84 out of 85 tested food items. These plasticizer chemicals are linked to Type-2 diabetes, infertility, immunosuppression, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, among many other chronic illnesses and conditions.

Consumer Reports tested 85 common food items from 11 categories that included beverages, condiments, grains, dairy, meats, canned beans, packaged fruits and vegetables, seafood, fast food, prepared meals and infant food. Of the samples tested, 79 percent contained concerning levels of bisphenols and 98 percent of the samples contained phthalates.

Both phthalates and bisphenols are endocrine disruptors. Once inside the bloodstream, these chemicals interfere with healthy hormone production, signaling and regulation. In males, phthalates directly harm sperm motility and concentration. In females, the chemicals cause early puberty, ovarian dysfunction and cancers of the reproductive system. In children, bisphenol A (BPA) damages the brain and prostate glands, while altering human behavior. In one study, the kids whose bodies could not detoxify BPA were more likely to suffer from autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

 

[Paco Dennis]

At this point I can't see a way to rid our environment of microscopic plastics. I also think they are responsible for many of the "idiopathic" illnesses that are on the rise. We have polluted our nest and foods with oil. What a paradox. Plastics have helped make our advanced civilization. Without oil based chemicals we would back in the stone age. I guess you could say that civilization is killing us.

 

[George1959]

The endocrine disrupters are also the cause for feminizing effects in boys and men. The same with phytoestrogens which are in soy, hops, flaxseed oil, lavender tea and various products of other plants.

 

[Paco Dennis]

The endocrine disrupters are also the cause for feminizing effects in boys and men. The same with phytoestrogens which are in soy, hops, flaxseed oil, lavender tea and various products of other plants.

That is very interesting. "We are what we eat."

 

[VintageBetter]

I have been pondering this question for a few years now, if the credit-card chunk of microplastics we all have inside of us is slowly killing us. Last I casually read, many universities are doing these experiments on mice and rats to get the answer to this question; feeding them typical microplastics and then measuring the effects over time.

This is why I will buy an EV. I don't care if it will break down All cars break down sometime. We have to collectively admit that petroleum has had a great run, but now petroleum products are killing us all. We have the substitutes, we can manufacture the replacements, so let's save ourselves.

When I buy diet soda, I only buy it in cans now. That is my little bit to help - no more 2-liter bottles even though the per ounce price is often cheaper if you buy soda in plastic. I really want all those plastic bottles to be replaced with paper containers or aluminum cans.

I got some silicon bowl toppers at the 99 Cent Store. I use those to cover bowls when reheating, or waxed paper. Trying to not use plastic wrap for much of anything anymore, although I still have a roll of it. I sill use plastic baggies too since I have not found a very good, affordable silicone, washable bag replacement yet.

Some of the young people, or so I have heard, are now devoted to NEVER having polyester/nylon/olefin rugs in their homes. They want bare concrete or wood flooring covered with WOOL area rugs. That's very smart and we should all imitate them. Wall-to-wall carpeting is also bad for anyone who has allergies or asthma since they trap allergens so well.

Some companies are even trying out paper bottles for shampoos and such. https://www.fastcompany.com/9025819...cure-the-beauty-industrys-packaging-addiction This really does have to happen. We have to change our ways and it has to start with the U.S. and the EU because so many other nations imitate us.

 

[jimintoronto]

I have been pondering this question for a few years now, if the credit-card chunk of microplastics we all have inside of us is slowly killing us. Last I casually read, many universities are doing these experiments on mice and rats to get the answer to this question; feeding them typical microplastics and then measuring the effects over time.

This is why I will buy an EV. I don't care if it will break down All cars break down sometime. We have to collectively admit that petroleum has had a great run, but now petroleum products are killing us all. We have the substitutes, we can manufacture the replacements, so let's save ourselves.

When I buy diet soda, I only buy it in cans now. That is my little bit to help - no more 2-liter bottles even though the per ounce price is often cheaper if you buy soda in plastic. I really want all those plastic bottles to be replaced with paper containers or aluminum cans.

I got some silicon bowl toppers at the 99 Cent Store. I use those to cover bowls when reheating, or waxed paper. Trying to not use plastic wrap for much of anything anymore, although I still have a roll of it. I sill use plastic baggies too since I have not found a very good, affordable silicone, washable bag replacement yet.

Some of the young people, or so I have heard, are now devoted to NEVER having polyester/nylon/olefin rugs in their homes. They want bare concrete or wood flooring covered with WOOL area rugs. That's very smart and we should all imitate them. Wall-to-wall carpeting is also bad for anyone who has allergies or asthma since they trap allergens so well.

Some companies are even trying out paper bottles for shampoos and such. https://www.fastcompany.com/9025819...cure-the-beauty-industrys-packaging-addiction This really does have to happen. We have to change our ways and it has to start with the U.S. and the EU because so many other nations imitate us.

Type 2 diabetes ? Please explain HOW people in the 19th century were diabetics, LONG BEFORE plastics were in use ? I bet you can't explain that. JimB.

 

[VintageBetter]

Type 2 diabetes ? Please explain HOW people in the 19th century were diabetics, LONG BEFORE plastics were in use ? I bet you can't explain that. JimB.

Sorry Jim, I'm not going to take the bait. I'm not a doctor. I'm sure there are books written on these topics, all about the numbers of Type-2 diabetics prior to 1900 and what has happened after 1900. I suggest you get some books on the topic if you really want to know.

But put some shredded plastic shards on my salad and I'm not going to want to eat that. Tell me to take a tablespoon of motor oil for my "health" every morning and I'm going to reject that advice. Likewise, I don't think the human body was designed to eat plastics and still live healthy. Just read the CAUTION label on any quart of oil: https://www.autozone.com/motor-oil-...ventional-engine-oil-5w-20-5-quart/426981_0_0

It's poison. Not meant for human consumption. But we're swimming in plastics now and it's getting into us.

 

[Paco Dennis]

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or use it appropriately, leading to high levels of sugar in the blood1. This condition has been recognized for thousands of years, long before the advent of plastics.
In the 19th century, diabetes was diagnosed by the presence of sugar in the urine2. The main treatment for diabetes during much of this time was a low calorie, high protein, low carbohydrate diet2. Some physicians also prescribed agents such as digitalis and opium to suppress appetite2.
It’s important to note that diabetes could be fatal in some people but chronic in others, further clarifying the differences between type 1 and type 21. By the early 19th century, there were no statistics about how common diabetes was, there was no effective treatment, and people usually died within weeks to months of first showing symptoms1.
The discovery of insulin in the 1920s revolutionized the treatment of diabetes3. However, the prevalence of diabetes in the 19th century and earlier shows that the disease is not solely linked to modern factors such as the use of plastics. It’s a complex condition influenced by a variety of genetic and environmental factors.
Learn more
1medicalnewstoday.com2thediabetescouncil.com3en.wikipedia.org

 

[Paco Dennis]

Just saw this post and was reminded how this problem continues today unabated. The medical industry stays healthy when we stay sick.

 

[George1959]

Yes. The medical industry has no interest at all in healthy people.

 

[IrishEyes]

Just saw this post and was reminded how this problem continues today unabated. The medical industry stays healthy when we stay sick.

View attachment 500128

That last paragraph I believe with all my heart when I was trying 200% to lose weight and all I got from doctors was: try harder.
Turns out it was a medication I was on at full dose keeping me from losing because if I lost, I would not need it any longer.
No doctor would tell me that. I opted for Bariatric surgery and lost the weight and within 2 weeks I was off 8 meds to ONE.
And keeping my weight maintained for over 14 years now. My type 2 diabetes was gone, my Chronic Kidney Condition was gone
as well. So many things you are not told about medications.

 

[gruntlabor]

Type 2 diabetes ? Please explain HOW people in the 19th century were diabetics, LONG BEFORE plastics were in use ? I bet you can't explain that. JimB.

I believe the rise of prepared foods is responsible for much of our out-of-control diabetes.

 

[MarciKS]

I find it hard to believe that when they started making all this plastic for our lives that they didn't know the price we would pay and didn't know about microplastics.

 

[gruntlabor]

I find it hard to believe that when they started making all this plastic for our lives that they didn't know the price we would pay and didn't know about microplastics.

... or that they cared.