Plastics and Disease - Bisphenol A

According to a report by a large expert panel, Bisphenol-A (BPA) causes abnormal penis development, early sexual development in females, an increase in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, childhood and adult obesity, type 2 diabetes, a decrease in sperm count, and an increase in prostate and breast cancer.

The report estimates that 95% of people in western cultures have too much BPA in their bodies.

Yes. You have too much BPA in your body. If you’re pregnant, your fetus has too much BPA in its body.

Other research has shown that the level of BPA that the US government considers safe may be too high. In other words, the number of people who actually have too much BPA in their body may be even higher than 95%. Experts have asked that the government reevaluate the safe level.

The plastics industry, of course, claims that BPA is safe at current levels of exposure. They sell six billion pounds of the stuff per year. They paid for eleven studies that all found that there wasn’t a problem. However, the government-funded studies found that there was a problem 90% of the time.

Surely all of us have noticed an increase in the health issues in the first paragraph. We can’t blame all of the increases on BPA, but it would be crazy to continue to expose ourselves to this dangerous chemical regardless of what may be considered a safe level.

What to do?

Use glass, ceramic and steel in all food preparation, storage and serving.

Learn how to use plastics safely. Only plastics with recycle codes of 2, 4 and 5 should be used at all. Plastics should never be used in the microwave. Don’t use canned food or drinks because the cans are lined with plastic. Especially don’t drink hot drinks in plastic cups or paper cups that are lined with plastic. (Sorry StarBucks!)

Look for products that don’t contain BPA. You can find BPA-free products on Amazon.com, from Nalgene, from SC Johnson who makes Saran-wrap and Ziploc bags, and many other manufacturers who are recognizing the problem and taking responsible action.

There are sources on the Web; The Environmental Working Group, BisphenolAfree.org, HealthyChild.org, Consumer Reports, and Z-Recommends have information about products that don’t use BPA.

Do it now

The good news is that BPA leaves your body, and your children’s bodies, very quickly once you stop using the products. Choose plastic products consciously. If you don’t know the product is safe, put it back on the shelf. If you don’t know how to choose safe plastics, now is the time to learn.

Take a deep breath,

Dr. Ron

Cellphones Kill You--sometimes

Here's an important article on cellphone use. I've talked about this before but I'm really getting concerned about kids using cellphones.

It's important to realize that we're not being told the truth about wireless devices. Basically they all harm us every time we use them; the degree to which they harm us and our individual ability to heal the damage are variable. That's why we're not all dropping dead from brain tumors--just some of us.

Some very bad research is being done which I assume is funded by the cellphone industry. An example study recently asked people how they felt after using cellphones. Not surprisingly, in this simplistic study there was no statistically significant difference between cellphone users and the placebo controls. Here's an article about how the cellphone industry has manipulated the research, the US government, and the public.

Reports of cellphone danger are not new; scientists began warning us of radiation exposure in the 90s. What is new is our increased exposure to the devices and the marketing of cellphones to younger and younger children.

Note that there seems to be more damage to children and teens who use cellphones, and this is troubling because they seem to use the devices more hours per day than adults.

Here's a website with some of the current non-US research and public articles.

Here's a UK article about the likelihood of producing a child with behavior problems after using a cellphone while pregnant. The doctors that did this study don't want people to panic and overreact. However it would be prudent to limit cellphone and other wireless exposures while pregnant.

Personally I use a headset whenever possible. It's also good to use the cellphone as a speakerphone so you don't have to hold it next to your head.

Take a deep breath,

Dr. Ron

French Documentary on Monsanto Products

Folks, you should be aware of what Monsanto is doing to control food production around the world. A French company produced an enlightening documentary we probably won't be able to see in the US on commercial television. (Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10).

Please watch the entire program; at the end is a section that describes the pollution of ancient strains of Mexican corn by Monsanto's industrial corn. The result is that the corn which has traditionally not needed fertilizer or pesticide, now needs both. The Mexicans believe that Monsanto is intentionally polluting their corn crops because they have outlawed the use of genetically-modified corn.

There's a similar article in Vanity Fair that discusses this problem.

To see what other problems Monsanto is causing around the world, look at the website of the Organic Consumers Association. They have been tracking the damage that this company is doing to our health, to our planet, and to our future.

Take a deep breath,

Dr. Ron

Your Right to Know What You're Eating

Accurate food labels and your knowledge about food safety are your tools for protecting your family against toxins. There are companies that are working hard to keep you ignorant.

Read this excellent article by Dr. Mercola in which he describes Monsanto's efforts to deceive the public about the chemicals in milk.

If you live in the US, please look for milk that says, "rBGH-free." If you live outside the US, don't worry, your government has protected you from this dangerous chemical by outlawing its use.

Take a deep breath,

Dr. Ron

Medicate Post-partum Depression?

I just read an article by Dr. Mercola speaking against Senate bill 1375. I agree with Dr. Mercola that this bill shouldn't be law. I think women should have information about post-partum depression which is the main focus of this bill.

But . . .

Should we have laws that hospitals must warn patients about smoking? Should doctors be required by law to give their patients information on heart disease or remind them to buckle their seat belts?

The only possible reason for this law is for the drug companies to make more money. Here are two videos that discuss one mother's plight.






The most important people on the planet, in terms of our future, are our children.
The second most important people on the planet are our mothers.
Men, have shown themselves to be, judging from history alone, mostly troublemakers.

I believe the fundamental causes of post-partum depression are:

1. a lack of female community that can share women's wisdom about birthing children
2. a lack of emotional nurturing of new mothers
3. a lack of proper nutrition in pregnant women and post-partum mothers
4. a lack of knowledge on the part of the medical establishment

It is not caused by a deficiency of antidepressants.

Take a deep breath,

Dr. Ron