Study Finds BPA Actually Changes Your Brain

Lisa Garber
Infowars.com
Sept 8, 2012

Researchers at North Carolina State University found that bisphenol-A (BPA) exposure in early life stages can actually cause gene expression changes. These effects are seen in a part of the brain called the amygdala, which can lead to increased levels of anxiety. What may surprise you is that soy—which has been accused of mimicking estrogen, as has BPA—prevented the behavioral changes.

BPA and Genetic Changes

Lead author of the study as published in the journal PLOS ONE, Dr. Heather Patisaul is an NC State associate professor of biology. For the research, she and other researchers divided rats into four groups:

Group I was fed only soy.

Group II was fed a soy-free diet.

Group III was fed only soy ad exposed to BPA.

Group IV was fed a soy-free diet and exposed to BPA.

Rats exposed to BPA were given low doses during gestation, lactation, and throughout puberty. When administered blood tests, the rats dosed with BPA showed levels comparable to those found in humans. The same was true of rats fed a soy diet, which displayed comparable levels of genistein the estrogen-mimicking chemical much abhorred in soy.

Group IV—rats fed no soy and exposed to BPA—showed markedly higher levels of anxiety than the other groups. Their genes had changed, specifically where expressed in the amygdala (a region of the brain that deals with responses to fear and stress, also associated with behavior). The affected genes—estrogen receptor beta and melanocortin receptor 4—both deal with the process of releasing oxytocin, a hormone and neurotransmitter linked to social behavior. Researchers therefore believe that the increased anxiety must have to do with BPA’s ability to change the oxytocin/vasopressin signaling pathway.

The abstract of the study states:

“Early life exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), a component of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, alters sociosexual behavior in numerous species including humans. The present study focused on the ontogeny of these behavioral effects beginning in adolescence and assessed the underlying molecular changes in the amygdala.”

The Relationship Between Soy and BPA

The rats in Group III—fed a soy-heavy diet and dosed with BPA—showed no increased levels of anxiety. Although both BPA and genistein in soy have both been accused of mimicking estrogen, the two together seemed to subdue the effects. “It is not clear whether these phytoestrogens [found in soy] are what mitigate the effect of BPA, or if it is something else entirely,” says Patisaul. “That’s a question we’re hoping to address in future research.”

BPA is found in a variety of items and foods, including but not limited to:

Food containers (disposable and reusable)

Epoxy resins

Water bottles (and other plastics)

Canned food

Paper money

Additionally, BPA (and its close cousin, BPS chemical) has been linked with the following conditions:

Breast cancer

Obesity

Fertility problems

Feminization of boys

Accelerated maturation in girls

Diabetes

Depression and hyperactivity

While the scientists are working on the soy option (which is far from the best option), try these other methods to mitigate the estrogenic effects of BPA.

Additional Sources:

NCSU

Pediatrics

This article originally appeared at Natural Society

The BPA Solution | How to Naturally Reverse the Effects

Anthony Gucciardi
NaturalSociety
October 17, 2011

plasticwater1 210x131 The BPA Solution | How to Naturally Reverse the Effects Bisphenol A (BPA) has made mainstream headlines as an estrogen-mimicking health destroyer. With 130 studies tying it to breast cancer, BPA has become an especially popular topic this October — National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Of course the negative effects of BPA do not end with cancer, with studies tying BPA to obesity, hormonal imbalance, and a massive reduction in male fertility rates. What makes BPA especially concerning to public health is the fact that it affects virtually everyone, is present in 95% of paper money and is in 18 out of 20 of the most popular canned foods. While there can be steps taken to avoid exposure, BPA is most likely present in your bloodstream way beyond ‘safe’ limits. All of these facts have been well-documented, but what is not often discussed is the fact that solutions exist to reverse BPA damage using 100% natural substances.

Reversing the effects of BPA

While BPA damages the body in such a way that can disrupt proper biological function, natural substances have actually been found to reverse this damage on a number of levels. With recent major studies finding that probiotic supplementation can degrade the presence of BPA, a whole new door is open into solving the BPA crisis, not just simply highlighting BPA dangers. For starters, here is a list of 3 common natural substances (out of 13 total) that studies have shown are effective in combating the effects of BPA, or even the presence of BPA in one way or another:

Black Tea
Probiotics
Melatonin

Each of these have at least one study demonstrating its combative effects on BPA toxicity, presence, and damage. What’s even better is the fact that at least one of these items is most likely already a part of your daily routine. It is also important to remember these are only 3 of the 13 substances that have been shown to effectively combat the effects of BPA. One such example is a study involving a probiotic bacteria present in kimchi, fermented Korean dish made of vegetables with varied seasonings. The study, out of the Japanese Department of Environmental Technology, found that the probiotic bacteria – Bacillus pumilus, is capable of degrading BPA.

In a similar vein, royal jelly has been found to halt the estrogenic effects of BPA, the primary cause of its hormonal damage. This is great news for women concerned with increased breast cancer risk over BPA exposure, as increased estrogen is the primary factor in upping the risk. The use of royal in women with exposure to BPA (the vast majority) will drastically decrease breast cancer risk as a result of BPA exposure and subsequent estrogen increase.

The list goes up to 13 substances that are effective at combating BPA on multiple levels, from the initial biological response to diminishing its presence in your system. The complete 13 substances and nutrients are:

Bifidobacterium 3
Bifidobacterium Breve
Lactobacillus casei
Probiotics
Melatonin
Bacillus pumilus
Black Tea
Fermented Foods and Beverages
Kimchi
Quercetin
Royal Jelly
Folic Acid
Genistein

Counteract BPA dangers naturally

Utilizing these 13 key substances in fighting BPA exposure is essential to achieving optimum health and ridding this extremely toxic chemical from your body. It is also a good idea to practice BPA avoidance, as it is possible to distance yourself from major sources of exposure and thus the effects of BPA using simple techniques. Instead of using plastic water bottles, filter your water into glass or stainless steel containers. Avoid usage of plastic containers and cooking ware, choose ceramic kitchen tools for longer life and 100% reduced exposure.

If you are working in a position that requires constant handling of currency, plastic items, or even ink-based items, wear gloves. BPA enters the bloodstream through the skin, if it is not in contact, then you will not absorb it. Following these tips and utilizing the 13 key BPA solution substances in your daily life will result in better overall biological function and mental clarity.

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