20 Apr Go Glass To Get Rid of Toxins
I know what it’s like to live a busy life. We have 3 kids and they all play sports and are very active in school. We were constantly looking for things of convenience to make our lives faster and easier. One of these conveniences has been plastic water bottles.
When I went to the gym, I could easily grab a bottle of water and go. On the way to a sports game, we would grab several. It was easy. It seemed okay to do because we only used the bottles on the go.
Now, being a breast cancer survivor and knowing it’s critical to remove as many toxins as possible, we’ve switched to glass. We’ve greatly reduced our risk of plastics (BPA) leaching into our foods and water.
Bisphenol A, often known as BPA, is a chemical found in hard plastics and the coatings of food and drink cans which can behave in a similar way to estrogen and other hormones in the human body. BPA is used to make many products, including water bottles, baby bottles, dental fillings and sealants, dental devices, medical devices, eyeglass lenses, DVDs and CDs, household electronic and sports equipment.
BPA is known as an endocrine disruptor and has been linked to everything from breast and others cancers to reproductive problems, obesity, early puberty and heart disease. According to government tests, 93% of Americans have BPA in their bodies!
Now, I always err on the side of caution, so when it comes to cooking, I use either iron skillets, stainless steel or ceramic cookware. I store all of our food in glass containers. We drink from glassware. We do not use any plastic plates.
Here are some tips for reducing BPA in your home:
1. Use alternatives such as glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers for hot foods and liquids instead of plastic containers.
2. Seek out BPA-free products. More and more BPA-free products have come to market. If a product isn’t labeled, keep in mind that some, but not all, plastics marked with recycle codes 3 or 7 may be made with BPA. Just because it is BPA FREE, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good option as we are now discovering that the BPA replacements used in some “BPA-free” products may not be any better.
3. Cut back on cans. Reduce your use of canned foods since most cans are lined with BPA-containing resin.
4. Avoid heat. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health, advises against microwaving polycarbonate plastics or putting them in the dishwasher because the plastic may break down over time and allow BPA into foods.
5. Say no to receipts, since thermal paper is often coated with BPA.
You can remove many of the toxins you’re exposed to just by switching from plastic to glass. Plus, the switch is better for the environment. Take care of yourself and your family by making healthier changes.
Do you have a favorite brand for glass water bottles? Let us know in the comments below!
Written by Karen Shackelford.
Mary Caire MD empowers the world to create a culture of optimized health guided by DNA and epigenetics.