http://thyroid.about.com/b/2011/07/12/phthalates-plastic-thyroid-bpa.htm

 

Study Links Chemical Phthalates in Plastics to Thyroid Irregularities

July 12, 2011

Phthalates (pronounced thall-ates) are chemicals that are also referred to as "plasticizers." They are added to plastics to make them flexible and bendable, or stronger. They are also sometimes used as solvents. You'll find them in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), as well as a number of common products, such as toys, food packaging, plastic raincoats, shower curtains, vinyl floor covering, wallpapers and wall coverings, inks, paints and coatings, lubricants, adhesives, cleaning products like detergents, and many personal care products such as nail polish, hair spray, shampoo, deodorant, fragrances, hand lotions, insect repellent, and soap. That new car smell? That's the smell of the phthalates in the car's interior.

Then there's bisphenol-A -- known as BPA -- an ever present chemical found in certain plastic water bottles and even in the lining of canned foods….

… What they found was that among adults, there is a significant inverse relationship between levels of phthalates and BPA in the urine, and and total T4, free T4, total T3, and thyroglobulin levels -- meaning that the higher the level of phthalates and/or BPA found in the urine, the lower the levels of thyroid hormone. There was a positive relationship between the phthalates and TSH -- so the higher the phthalate levels, the higher the TSH.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Are-Plastic-Food-and-Beverage-Containers-Safe?&id=5...

Fatty foods in plastic containers are even more problematic, as fats are absorbed differently and carry their phthalate solvents into our bodies more easily. Phthalates bio-accumulate because of their fat solubility. Phthalates concentrate in such fat organs in our bodies such as brains, prostates, testicles, ovaries, breasts and, unfortunately, breast milk. (The other popular food alternatives for infants are worse. Commercial baby formulas are loaded with the manmade phthalates.)

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/57347

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110711131614.htm

Science News

 

Large Human Study Links Phthalates, BPA and Thyroid Hormone Levels

 

ScienceDaily (July 11, 2011) — A link between chemicals called phthalates and thyroid hormone levels was confirmed by the University of Michigan in the first large-scale and nationally representative study of phthalates and BPA in relation to thyroid function in humans….

 

… The current study showed the strongest relationship between thyroid disruption and DEHP, a phthalate commonly used as a plasticizer. Research has shown that the primary exposure to DEHP is through diet. Urine samples in the highest 20 percent of exposure to DEHP were associated with as much as a 10 percent decrease in certain thyroid hormones compared to urine samples at the lowest 20 percent of exposure.

While the study focused primarily on adults, these findings underscore the need for more research on adults, pregnant women, and children, Meeker said, because fetal and child development may be particularly vulnerable to disruptions in thyroid hormone levels associated with exposure to environmental chemicals.

 

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/charles5.htm

Recently I had the pleasure and honor to interview cutting edge health expert Dr. Sherry Rogers M.D. She is the author of many books on health issues. Her latest one, Detoxify or Die is a must for any health conscious individual's library. Here are just 3 of the facts revealed in her book.

 

The Interview

Charles Poliquin: How can detoxifying help with the processes of building muscle and losing fat?

Dr. Sherry Rogers M.D: First, phtalates or plasticizers have an affinity for the testicles, which accounts the ever worsening levels of testosterone in American males. And this is no surprise that the average American male is producing 30% less testosterone than 20 years, and it is getting worse.

Second, detoxifying the phthalates (plastics that are in all humans) can tremendously boost the effectiveness of your own thyroid and other hormone production. Phthalates are known to block the receptor sites for thyroid. The average human consumes 210 mcg of phthalates, as from everyday plastic wrap on foods, as well as plastic water and soda bottles.

Third, pesticides (another hormone disruptor) are well known to interfere with acetylcholine metabolism. In essence, that is how they accomplish their job. Having pesticides accumulating in your body will interfere with your body's ability to recruit high-threshold motor units.

CP: In your opinion, why do you think intestinal dysbiosis is so common in athletic circles.

SR: First and foremost, the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen and other pain medications) increases gut permeability which leads to a host of symptoms also known as leaky gut syndrome.

Second, the use of antibiotics leads to overgrowth of intestinal fungi which inflames the gut wall, leading to poor absorption of nutrients, elevated cholesterol levels, etc...

Third, most athletes eat out a lot because of their schedules and end up absorbing a lot of food borne pathogens. When I was in medical school 35 years ago, parasitology tests were reserved for overseas travelers. Now the world has come to America. If you have no education and cannot speak the language, you end up working in the food industry. No wonder that "irritable bowel syndrome" is the number one condition (treated but rarely cured) by gastroenterologists. Also eating out invariably leads to high levels of trans fatty acids that damage all body chemistry.

CP: Would you agree that the use of stimulants like ephedra and its related compounds leads to elevated cortisol which in turn increases gut permeability?

SR: Yes, you are right, whether they use Ma Huang, Ritalin or "greenies", the high cortisol associated further contributes to lowered resistance to invasion by infectious organisms and increased gut permeability.

CP: If one is on a budget what are the 5 cheapest ways to detoxify the human body?

SR: 

1.    Eliminate all trans-fats. Trans-fats, hidden in the majority of factory foods, accelerate every disease and aspect of aging, thus making it impossible to completely heal any condition or reach maximum output until the body's chemistry has returned to normal. Eliminating those nasty fats cuts in half your risk for cardio-vascular disease!

2.    Switch to a whole foods diet. Eat as organic as possible. That may seem obvious, but very few people adhere to this type of diet.

3.    Improve the quality of your water. An inexpensive $100.00 filter will do wonders for your health. Take for example fluoride; it was found that instead of building strong healthy teeth, it damaged brain enzymes and lowered I,Q..s (Zhao, Foulkes).

4.    Take the daily detox formula as explained in my book, "Detoxify or Die"

5.    Take a high quality fish oil to help you regenerate your cell membranes. And for peak performance, have your fatty acids assayed and individually correct and prime your cell membranes (directions in "Detoxify or Die")

CP: Thank you Dr. Rogers, looking forward to many more interviews.

For More Info Be Sure To Check Out Charles'

Website At: http://www.charlespoliquin.net

http://www.healthfullivingsf.com/autism/toxins.php

Environmental Toxins

Environment toxins have an effect on all children and adults, especially those on the autistic spectrum.

It is not thoroughly known whether environmental toxins are an underlying cause of autism that can change biochemistry (like mercury), or if they can damage genetic matter and turn on/off genes. What is known is that environmental toxins such as xylene, touluene, phthalates (plasticizers), and PCBs overload an already burdened body, cause seizures and damage, and contribute to the symptoms of autistic spectrum disorders.  For those on the spectrum with already overworked systems, these toxins can overburden a taxed liver, kidneys, and many other detoxification routes – creating further challenges.

These chemicals affect the entire endocrine system including the thyroid (a problem in many with ASDs), adrenals, testes, ovaries, etc.  They are also potent neurotoxins in most cases and can cause serious seizures. Phthalates impact boys 4:1 over girls. This may help explain the higher rate in which boys are impacted by autism, as appearance of these chemicals corresponded to the increases in autism rates.  When phthalates were produced in the 1960’s only 3% of the people tested positive for them, now 97% do.  It’s possible that the bioaccumulation in the environment, and in mothers, could account for the rise in autism. These toxins are known to can cause birth defects, infertility, brain damage, cancer, and other serious effects….