Medicine is more advanced than ever before – and with our lives more modernised and convenient, people are living much longer than the generations that came before them. But despite the significant advancements we have witnessed in medicine and technology over the last few decades, illness and disease is on the rise. As Dr Gabor Mate says in his latest book, The Myth of Normal:
“Chronic illness – mental or physical – is to a large extent a function or feature of the way things are and not a glitch; a consequence of how we live, not a mysterious aberration.”
Many of us only become acutely aware of this (and the sheer number of toxic elements which surround us) when we fall ill ourselves. Suddenly we are looking for ways we can proactively improve our health, as well as some of the factors that may have unknowingly contributed to our condition – and we find many of them.
From polluted air to the food we eat and the water we drink, with so many different sources of toxins around us, it can be overwhelming and confusing to say the last when you first start, and difficult to know where to begin. One of the biggest and most significantly harmful issues to health we collectively face is exposure to plastics, which is why I recommend a plastics detox for most of my clients. Reducing exposure to plastics starts with awareness – of what they are, where they come from and how they impact our health in many different ways.
What’s the problem with plastics?
Most people are well aware of the damaging influence of plastics on our planet, where they cause the illness, injury and death of animals and plants. But exposure to plastics also has a significant effect on human health, with studies only just beginning to reveal the far-reaching effects of our rising dependence on the material.
Over 300 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally every single year, and most often we’re surrounded by the stuff. From food packaging and medical items to household items and even the clothes we wear, plastic is a pervasive element of modern life. Some plastics can be more harmful than others, and studies are only just starting to reveal the devastating impact that exposure to plastics can have on our physical and emotional health.
Which types of plastic should I avoid?
With proper research only in its early stages, we don’t yet understand how every different type of plastic available affects our health. There are hundreds of varieties of plastic, each containing hundreds of chemicals in varying quantities and combinations. But early research has identified two types in particular with especially damaging qualities.
Bisphenol-A
You’ll probably already be familiar with Bisphenol-A – as it’s known as BPA for short, and its effects are so well-known that you’ll find a lot of food containers and bottles are now sold as ‘BPA free’. BPA is commonly found in transparent resins and plastics, so it’s often present in packaging for food and consumable products but also beauty products, medical devices such as dental sealants and feminine hygiene products. BPA often functions as a barrier to maintain freshness, so it can even be hidden in the lining of cans and containers.
There are a number of serious concerns with BPA. It is a known endocrine disruptor (affecting our hormone balance) and belongs to a collection of chemicals called xenoestrogens. Scientific studies have shown that when it enters the body, BPA mimics oestrogen by latching onto the body’s oestrogen receptors, tricking the body into thinking it is genuine. This leads to increased levels of oestrogen in both men and women, disrupting the delicate natural balance of hormones. When oestrogen levels are too high the production of other hormones is affected, lowering progesterone in particular which can impact on fertility. BP can also bind to both testosterone and thyroid hormone receptors, so it can cause an incredible amount of issues relating to our hormonal health.
The other issue (which makes the above concerns even more troubling) is that BPA has been proven to leach out into food and liquid, especially when it is heated. Vessels and products that are often found to contain BPA like takeaway boxes and water bottles are amongst the most common sources of exposure for most people. Research has also shown that fatty, acidic and salty foods are all most susceptible to being contaminated with higher levels of BPA.
Phthalates
Phthalates are a family of chemicals which can be found in food packaging and cling film. Their purpose is to soften plastics to make them more flexible and easier to use, and products containing phthalates can be found throughout the home from glues, detergents and personal care products to furniture, toys and even vinyl flooring. Although invisible to the naked eye, phthalates constantly emit particles which can be found in dust and air within the home which is understandably bad news for our health. Phthalates are also commonly found in household cleaning products such as detergents, as well as in cosmetics and personal care products such as perfume and shampoo. Like BPA, phthalates can mimic hormones and cause disruption and imbalance as well as acting as a wider toxin on other bodily systems.
How do plastics effect our health?
Plastics impact our health in many different ways, and are thought to be behind the development and onset of certain conditions and diseases. The issue is the levels to which we are exposed – in modern life, plastics are everywhere, so we are being subjected to high levels of chemicals at all times. Some people understandably wonder how or why these toxins have been allowed to be so widely used – and the answer is limited testing. These substances are safety-tested in isolation and for very short periods of time, so we have no data on the long-term effects on our health; which is why limited exposure is especially important.
Some of the most common features of plastic exposure are endocrine issues, which often manifest as fertility problems, hormone-dependent cancers and oestrogen dominance issues including painful, heavy periods, fibroids and endometriosis. Male and female infertility and endocrine diseases are on the rise, and the prevalence of plastics and harmful chemicals in our immediate environments would provide a strong (yet so far unproven) link.
With so much focus on reproductive hormones, it’s often easy to forget that hormones are chemical messengers which govern many of our most important bodily systems, from immune system functions and muscle development to balancing essential vitamins and minerals. Research has shown that phthalates can impact the sensitivity of the hormones which control blood sugar levels, which can increase the amount of fat deposited in our bodies. This also forges a link with insulin resistance, which is a key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes and PCOS, conditions which are also on the rise.
Chemicals found in plastics have been proven to pass through the skin barrier into the blood stream and from the bloodstream into the brain. They’ve been implicated in the development of autism (ASD), although research is still in its early stages.
How to avoid plastics
Plastic is a common feature of many different aspects of modern life – so avoiding it can feel difficult and overwhelming. Better health begins with awareness, and there are lots of things you can do and small steps you can take towards eliminating harmful plastics from your daily life which can make a positive difference. My favourite tips include:
Swapping out water bottles: An easy and inexpensive way to lower your plastic exposure is through changing your drinking habits. Avoid as much as possible purchasing bottled water in plastic when you’re out and about – a reusable bottle is great for this if you don’t have one already, as many places now offer free drinking water. If you don’t have a reusable bottle (or currently have plastic bottles at home), purchase or replace them with glass or metal alternatives. BPA-free water bottles are popular, but the jury’s still out on whether they’re a truly healthy alternative. This is because although they may not contain BPA, they may contain other substances science has not yet identified as toxic which also leach into food liquids. If it’s BPA free (but contains anything with the letters BP in it), it will likely contain bisphenol and therefore will have similarly negative effects on your health. This seemingly small step has big benefits – as one study revealed that after just one week of drinking out of bottles containing BPA, levels of BPA in the urine of participants had increased by two-thirds in just one week.
Switching plastic food containers for glass: or BPA-free alternatives: ‘Tupperware’ and plastic food containers (often with a few missing or mismatched lids here and there!) are a staple item in most UK households. Some people also save takeaway cartons to re-use before throwing them away. Although it’s a great idea to try and recycle plastics, they’re best left to the experts as these food containers leach harmful chemicals into your food, especially when you are using them to store and reheat leftovers. To remedy this, replace your plastic food containers with glass (or BPA-free plastic, although as mentioned before use caution, as these products may still contain other chemicals). This is a simple swap and can be fairly inexpensive since glass containers are much more widely available now.
Buy unpackaged food wherever possible: It’s frustrating to see that we are still struggling to convince supermarkets to ditch plastic packaging on fresh produce, especially fruits and vegetables which come with their own protective coverings from nature. Your best is better than perfect here – try to buy fresh and avoid buying food packaged in plastic or cans as much as you can. This is a fairly small change which could have a major impact on your health. In one study, levels of endocrine disruptors in the body fell by up to 90% after three days of swapping packaged food for unpackaged, fresh food. Where budget allows, opt for organic produce to avoid contamination from pesticides, too – especially for the ‘dirty dozen’.
Opt for natural, clean beauty, personal care and household products: Phthalates can be easily absorbed into the body and bloodstream via the skin, so be sure to check your current beauty regime and any products you use often and swap them for cleaner alternatives where necessary. Take a look through your cleaning cupboard and bathroom to check surface sprays, laundry detergents, personal care products and cosmetics for phthalates and other harmful chemicals. Be careful, as many brands engage in ‘greenwashing’ and may use words like ‘natural’ ‘clean’ or ‘organic’ without actually having the credentials to back them up.
Detoxing from plastics is important for everyone, especially those already living with pre-existing health conditions and cancer. Although a lot of plastic products offer us the benefit of convenience, with the damaging effects of plastics in mind it’s better to go back to basics wherever possible or source eco-friendly, non-toxic alternatives to the daily products we use most frequently.
For tailored holistic health support or to learn more about what I do and my Cancer Wellness Programmes, get in touch today: www.physiocareholistics.co.uk
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