Day 234- BPA in Baby Bottles?

We hear the dangers of plastic water bottles that contain BPA and we know not to heat up our food in plastic containers. We have known these dangers for years now; that's why we have switched over to containers like Klean Kanteen to carry our water in and we heat our food up in glass containers. So I was surprised to find out that it wasn't until just recently, that states such as California, are passing laws to ban BPA in baby bottles.

So what is BPA and what are the dangers, especially to children?

According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services:

"Bisphenol A, more commonly known as BPA, is a chemical that has been used for more than 40 years in the manufacture of many hard plastic food containers such as baby bottles and reusable cups and the lining of metal food and beverage cans, including canned liquid infant formula. Trace amounts of BPA can be found in some foods packaged in these containers.

Plastic containers have recycle codes on the bottom. In general, plastics that are marked with recycle codes 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 are very unlikely to contain BPA. Some, but not all, plastics that are marked with recycle codes 3 or 7 may be made with BPA.

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• * Do not put very hot or boiling liquid that you intend to consume in plastic containers made with BPA. BPA levels rise in food when containers/products made with the chemical are heated and come in contact with the food.

• * Discard all bottles with scratches, as these may harbor bacteria and, if BPA-containing, lead to great release of BPA."

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According to Wikipedia:

"As it has been known to be estrogenic since the mid 1930s, concerns about the use of bisphenol A in consumer products were regularly reported in the news media in 2008, after several governments issued reports questioning its safety, prompting some retailers to remove products containing it from their shelves. A 2010 report from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raised further concerns regarding exposure of fetuses, infants and young children. In September 2010, Canada became the first country to declare BPA as a toxic substance. In the European Union and Canada, BPA use is banned in baby bottles."

According to the Washington Post:

"Commonly called BPA, the chemical mimics the hormone estrogen and may disrupt the body's endocrine system. Public health advocates say it poses a particular danger to fetuses, infants and children because BPA can interfere with cell function at a point when their bodies are still developing.

Over the past decade, more than 130 studies have linked BPA to breast cancer, obesity and other disorders. In September, the study of BPA in humans found adults with higher levels of bisphenol A had elevated rates of heart disease, diabetes and liver abnormalities. Last year, researchers at the Yale School of Medicine linked BPA to problems with brain function and mood disorders in monkeys.

Much of the new research suggests that BPA has an effect at very low doses -- lower than the current safety standard set by the Food and Drug Administration. The most prominent finding was by the National Toxicology Program, part of the National Institutes of Health, which reported last year that there is "some concern" BPA may affect the brain and behavioral development of fetuses, infants and young children.

The FDA has maintained that BPA is safe, relying largely on two studies that were funded by the chemical industry. In October, the agency was faulted by its own panel of independent science advisers, who said the FDA's position on BPA was scientifically flawed. As a result, the agency is revisiting its position on the chemical."

The good news is that the six leading manufactures for baby bottles has stopped using BPA in their products as of 2009.

According to U.S Department of Health and Human Services:

The six major U.S. manufacturers of baby bottles and infant feeding cups have confirmed to FDA that as of January 2009, they have not manufactured these products using BPA for the U.S. market. These manufacturers represent more than 90% of the U.S. market. These manufacturers produce brands that include Avent, Doctor Brown’s Natural Flow, Evenflow, First Essentials, Gerber, Munchkin, Nuk, and Playtex.

Yet it will not be until July 2013 until BPA will be officially banned from the market. The California law that will go into affect is the AB1319, which will prohibit the sale of any baby bottles or cups that contain more than 0.1 parts per billion BPA. It will also prohibit the sale of formula and other foods intended for kids 3 and under that contain more than 0.1 parts per billion of BPA.

Now if we could just get them to see how the soy in baby formula affects children's development as well, then we will really be making progress!

Pura Vida!

Alica Ryan, NTP

Day 192- Men Go Through Menopause Too!

MANopause?

We are all too familiar with the age around when women start to complain of hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, loss of libido and all of the other symptoms that comes along with menopause. But many aren't aware that men can experience similar symptoms as well, but instead of menopause we call this andropause. The term andropause is becoming much more common amongst practitioners, but in many cases the mechanism is misdiagnosed and treatments only have a "honeymoon phase."

According to Wikipedia:

Andropause or male menopause, sometimes colloquially called "man-opause" is a name that has been given to a menopause-like condition in aging men. This relates to the slow but steady reduction of the production of the hormones testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone in middle-aged men, and the consequences of that reduction, which is associated with a decrease in Leydig cells.

Unlike women, middle-aged men do not experience a complete and permanent physiological shutting down of the reproductive system as a normal event. A steady decline in testosterone levels with age (in both men and women) is well documented.

Unlike "menopause", the word "andropause" is not currently recognized by the World Health Organization and its ICD-10 medical classification. This is likely because "andropause" is a term of convenience describing the stage of life when symptoms of aging appear in men. While the words are sometimes used interchangeably, hypogonadism is a deficiency state in which the hormone testosterone goes below the normal range for even an aging male.

First of all it takes a certain type of male to actually admit to having andropause symptoms. Most likely in order for a man to see a doctor about his "hot flashes" he is being drug into the doctor's office against his will.

Common symptoms of Andropause:

• Low testosterone with high estrogens
• Fatigue
• Hot flashes or "sweating attacks"
• Irritability
• Emotional
• Weight gain, especially in midsection and breast area
• Low libido
• High cholesterol and/or triglycerides
• Sexual dysfunction
• Memory loss
• Can't build and maintain muscle as well as before
• Depressed
• Low passion/drive

What men will usually first notice is loss of stamina and initiative.

So what happens when a male seeks help for any of these symptoms?

In most cases when a male patient complains of any of the above symptoms doctors will test testosterone levels. What tests most often show is that testosterone is low, so the patient is immediately put on testosterone replacement, usually in the form of a cream.

Why does this not work?

First of all, yes the test is correct - testosterone is low, and patients may feel better at first on hormone replacements, but the effects are not lasting. What we need to look at is why? Instead of just giving the body the hormone that is depleted, why aren't we looking a bit further and determining why it is low in the first place. A simple step to answer this question is to run an estrogen panel along with testosterone. In most cases when testosterone is low, estrogens are high.

Why is it common to see estrogens high when testosterone is low?

During andropause men tend to convert testosterone into estrogen in a process called aromatization. Aromatase is an enzyme that is found in body fat. Giving someone a hormone cream will cause the hormones to build up in body fat, and along with other system imbalances can cause aromatization. Hence, the reason why giving a male a testosterone cream, and then testing his testosterone levels you will still see low testosterone! The more testosterone you give someone that is aromatizing the more estrogen levels you will see in the body. Testosterone is not the issue here, it is only a side effect.

So what causes aromatization in the body?

There are several reasons why aromatization can take place leading to andropausal symptoms. The most common reasons are due to blood sugar dysregulation and inflammation. It has been shown that insulin resistance and cytokine surges can up-regulate aromatase; converting testosterone to estrogens.

What if testosterone is normal, but a man still is experiencing andropausal symptoms?

In many cases testosterone may be normal, but the sex hormone-binding globulins in the body are high, thus causing free testosterone to be low. Free testosterone is what attaches to testosterone receptors in the body in order to achieve the desired affect. Ask your doctor to run a panel that includes not only testosterone but free testosterone as well to determine if this is an issue.

Other causes of andropause?

Oxidative stress can cause the leydig cells in the testes to reduce production of testosterone even when LH is elevated.

Andropause can also be due to something like chronic stress. Chronic stress can lead to adrenal hormone imbalances. The gonads are not the only place that testosterone is created; the adrenal hormone, DHEA is also converted into testosterone. As a man ages more and more of testosterone production is dependent upon healthy working adrenals. As long as they are working correctly there will be healthy testosterone production.

Liver detoxification can also be an issue that hormones are out of balance. Every hormone the body makes has to pass through the liver. The liver works to get the hormones to the correct cells and makes sure that any hormone in excess is excreted. If the liver is inhibited from doing it's job this could in turn cause hormone imbalances.

The best way to address andropause in men, is first of all to run a complete hormone panel; a simple testosterone panel is only part of the picture. The next part is diet and exercise of course! Stabilizing blood sugar is vital in rebalancing hormones. I recommend cutting out or reducing majority of carbohydrates from the diet. Focus on eating proteins, essential fatty acids and vegetables with each meal. Eliminate soy and minimize fruit consumption. Stimulators such as coffee and alcohol should be consumed sparing.

It is also important to reduce outside hormone exposure. Purchase antibiotic, hormone free meat; opt of organic grass-fed instead. Soy contains phytoestrogens, which is why I suggest avoiding unfermented soy sources.

Consume foods that support testosterone levels such as foods that contain zinc - oysters, nuts, pumpkin seed, etc. And foods that support prostate health like saw palmetto, stinging nettle, pygeum, etc.

Diets high in fiber are also suggested since the fiber can help bind to excess hormones such as estrogen, and remove it from the body.

Pura Vida!

Alica Ryan, NTP

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Day 50- Trying to loose weight? Check your estrogen...that goes for you too gentlemen!

Estrogen is the essence of femininity; it is what gives women their sexy curves. It also builds up bones and the uterine lining, increases fat stores, reduces muscle mass, and regulates the menstrual cycle. Estrogen is also an important hormone in men, supporting the maturation of sperm and healthy libido.

The problem that arises is when estrogen is found in excess in the body; this is known as estrogen dominance and can be seen in both men and women. High estrogen can cause extra weight gain, particularly in the hips, thighs, and butt. It has also been linked to other issues such as, breast cancer, heart disease and infertility.

How does one become estrogen dominant?

There are several factors that can cause excess estrogen in the body, such as birth control pills, hormone replacement, phytoestrogens, and body fat. Excess body fat can influence a process called aromatization which converts testosterone into estrogen in both men and women. This is also why I don't recommend testosterone creams.

What are phytoestrogens?

Phytoestrogens are compounds that are very close in structure to estrogen and are able to bind to estrogen receptor sites and either inhibit or produce estrogen effects in the body. A common natural phytoestrogen is soy. There are also chemicals that act in the same way by blocking the natural balancing effect of hormones and that can act as estrogens. They are known as "endocrine disruptors." These compounds can be found in our water, food, make-up, cleaning products, containers, etc. A big concern is plastics, which contain a substance called bisphenol A.

Tips to reducing your estrogen exposure:

• Avoid birth control- I want to dedicate an entire blog on this subject, but the synthetic estrogens in birth control (even in the low dose) can cause way more issues than it is worth. Plus if you are trying to loose weight, this is going to be the an important place to start
• Avoid plastic bottles- try to drink and eat out of glass containers and if you can't avoid it, then at least NEVER heat your food in the plastic container!
• Purchase organic meat- look for free range, hormone free meat
• Purchase organic produce- try to avoid produce that has been treated with chemicals and pesticides
• Check out your skin care and beauty products- many of them contain estrogens, avoid ones that contain parabens and phthalates.
• Avoid phytoestrogens such as soy
• Use natural cleaning products in your home

So bottom line if you are struggling with weight loss, check your estrogen levels. I suggestion saliva when testing hormones, but a thyroid panel (blood work), especially the T3 uptake marker can show high levels of estrogen or testosterone as well.

Pura Vida!

Alica Ryan, NTP