Toxins Linked to Belly Fat and Obesity

Are plastics thwarting your best weight loss efforts? A new study from Harvard School of Public Health and published in the journal Environmental Health found that commonly-found toxins in plastics are linked to both general obesity and abdominal obesity. Known as Bisphenol A or BPA for short, these hormone disruptors have been primarily found in plastic, including plastic food and beverage packaging.

Harvard scientists studied the effects of BPA to see low-dose exposures of the toxin increased abdominal or general fat in humans. They were aware of previous studies showing that low-dose BPA increased obesity in rodents. The scientists assessed the urinary BPA concentrations, body mass index, and waist circumference in 2747 adult men and women ranging in age from 18 to 74.

Their findings aren’t surprising given the toxin is a known hormone and metabolism disruptor. The higher the urinary concentrations of BPA (indicating higher exposures), the more likely a person was obese and experiencing abdominal obesity. The adults with the highest amounts of BPA in their urine were 75 percent more likely to be obese than those with the lowest amounts of BPA.

They concluded that “higher BPA exposure is associated with general and central obesity in the general adult population in the United States.”

As a result of studies like the Harvard one, toxins like BPA, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and phthalates are increasingly being referred to as “obesogens.”

Keep reading to discover 6 ways to reduce your BPA exposure and 5 other things you can do to protect yourself…

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Michael B.

10:52AM PDT on Mar 23, 2013

I have discovered the perfect cleanse to get rid of these nasty toxins that are in our bodies. It has proven to work for me and my family and friends. FB me if you want more info. I love sharing this stuff!

March 23
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Jenny C.

11:02AM PST on Nov 18, 2012

We all need to make a conscious effort to move away from Plastic.

November 18
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Lynn C.

9:15PM PST on Nov 15, 2012

Thanks for this article. I found it very interesting and would not be at all surprised that it proves to be the case.

November 15
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Rana N.

1:39PM PDT on Nov 3, 2012

I do a bunch of those, but until 1 item "gives out" I can't really afford to replace it. I am an under employed grad student. However Care2 if you would like to employ me that would be great and I could go ahead and replace some of my stuff. ;) lol

November 3
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Michele W.

4:51AM PDT on Nov 3, 2012

Thank you

Rana S.

7:58AM PDT on Nov 2, 2012

Good, noted. Thanks for sharing.

November 2
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Past Member .

4:40AM PDT on Nov 2, 2012

I enjoy spicy food so am getting plenty of chillies but the curries I make I normally enough for about 4 meals and freeze them, but I'm doing that in plastic containers (old butter tubs). I've checked the tubs but there is no mention of what type of plastic is used, so how are we meant to know whether they are BPA-free or not?

I will look in to getting some sustainable wooden/bamboo utensils though.

Lynn D.

1:36AM PDT on Nov 2, 2012

Thanks very much, I had never heard of this!

Rosie L.

1:06PM PDT on Nov 1, 2012

thank you!!