Archiv der Kategorie ‘Food Allergie‘

BPA, Found in Soup Can Lining, Associated with Adverse Health Effects in Humans

Consuming Canned Soup Linked to Greatly Elevated Levels of the Chemical BPA

A new study from researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) has found that a group of volunteers who consumed a serving of canned soup each day for five days had a more than 1,000% increase in urinary bisphenol A (BPA) concentrations compared with when the same individuals consumed fresh soup daily for five days. The study is one of the first to quantify BPA levels in humans after ingestion of canned foods.

The findings were published online November 22, 2011, in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and will appear in the November 23/30 print issue.

“Previous studies have linked elevated BPA levels with adverse health effects. The next step was to figure out how people are getting exposed to BPA. We’ve known for a while that drinking beverages that have been stored in certain hard plastics can increase the amount of BPA in your body. This study suggests that canned foods may be an even greater concern, especially given their wide use,” said Jenny Carwile, a doctoral student in the Department of Epidemiology at HSPH and lead author of the study.

Exposure to the endocrine-disrupting chemical BPA, used in the lining of metal food and beverage cans, has been shown to interfere with reproductive development in animals and has been linked with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity in humans. In addition to the lining of food and beverage cans, BPA is also found in polycarbonate bottles (identified by the recycling number 7) and dentistry composites and sealants.

The researchers, led by Carwile and Karin Michels, associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology, set out to quantify whether canned-soup consumption would increase urinary BPA concentrations relative to eating fresh soup.

They recruited student and staff volunteers from HSPH. One group consumed a 12-ounce serving of vegetarian canned soup each day for five days; another group consumed 12 ounces of vegetarian fresh soup (prepared without canned ingredients) daily for five days. After a two-day “washout” period, the groups reversed their assignments.

Urine samples of the 75 volunteers taken during the testing showed that consumption of a serving of canned soup daily was associated with a 1,221% increase in BPA compared to levels in urine collected after consumption of fresh soup.

The researchers note that the elevation in urinary BPA concentrations may be temporary and that further research is needed to quantify its duration.

“The magnitude of the rise in urinary BPA we observed after just one serving of soup was unexpected and may be of concern among individuals who regularly consume foods from cans or drink several canned beverages daily. It may be advisable for manufacturers to consider eliminating BPA from can linings,” said Michels, senior author of the study.

Support for this study was provided by an Allen Foundation grant and a Training Grant in Environmental Epidemiology from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Literature:

Jenny L. Carwile, Xiaoyun Ye, Xiaoliu Zhou, Anotonia M. Calafat, Karin B. Michels, “Canned Soup Consumption and Urinary Bishphenol A: A Randomized Crossover Trial,”JAMA, online Nov. 22, 2011; in Nov. 23/30 print issue.

Video Channel:  Harvard School of Public Health

Twitter: Harvard School of Public Health

Prof. Doris Rapp – An icon of environmental medicine visits Germany

Evidence for the causes of environmental diseases have been around for a long time

The doctor and scientist Doris Rapp is one of those who not only practice environmental medicine, but has also made environmental medicine the most important thing in her life. The American spent two weeks in Germany. The reunion with Prof. Rapp was very productive and we were lucky enough to spend a beautiful day on the Moselle. Here is a small summary.

Researcher documented environmental disease

I met Prof. Rapp for the first time at a congress in Bad Emstal about 18 years ago. It was a crucial experience. In her presentation, she showed a video about a teacher who became ill from contaminated carpeting in the school. The teacher was filmed during a reaction to contaminated dust from the carpet. This video vividly conveys to the viewer what MCS is and what a reaction can look like. At that time I was at the very beginning of my own illness and had had similar reactions to certain pesticides. The teacher experienced convulsions and fell unconscious. I thought “my goodness, that’s me, that’s exactly like me, that’s what you have…“ After the lecture I spoke with Prof. Rapp and that was the beginning of an ongoing exchange of information and an interesting friendship. We met again at conferences in Germany, Holland and in the U.S., visited each other in Germany and the United States and exchanged e-mails. When I visited her in Scottsdale, she showed me one of her video archives. She had stored thousands of videos of children whom she had treated. They showed the patients during and after therapy and during testing of foods, mold, pollen, dust mites or chemicals. They displayed impressive evidence that can remove any last doubts as to the existence of environmental illnesses and allergies.

We can no longer ignore environmental illnesses

Dr. Binz and his wife invited the environmental doctor for this most recent visit to Germany. We had actually arranged to meet for a trip along the Moselle, which would start before lunch. We had a warm reunion and before we knew it we had already exchanged information and ideas and were in the midst of planning for future projects.

“I’m over 80 years old now and have no children, I don’t really need to be doing all this and I could be enjoying my peace at this age, but I see what’s going on, and I simply cannot remain silent. We have so many chemicals in our environment, in the food we eat, in the water we drink and the air that we are constantly breathing. They affect each of our body systems and we can no longer ignore this. Almost every second person in my country has cancer and that is just not acceptable”, says Doris Rapp.

“The politicians and the public must realize the impact the flood of chemicals has on us and no one should keep insisting that we do not know where all the increasing diseases that occur are coming from. The evidence is there. We have animal testing to prove it. That’s why, as a doctor, I ask: How much more has to happen before we admit to the real causes? I won’t accept hearing when one says, “Yes, but there’s nothing we can do about it.” Yes, there is, because you can educate yourself and there’s a hell of a lot you can do,” says Prof Rapp, who is enraged about the current situation.

Solutions are often very simple

Prof. Rapp is no one who can be at odds with the world and ignore the solutions. She is in the process of writing another book. “It will be a small book, only 30 pages. Every reader can easily understand how he/she can shape his environment in order to stay healthy. The tips in this book will not cost anyone a fortune, they can easily be implemented without major expense. It will help anyone who wants to change something and wants to improve his health. The doctor cites two examples:

“Many people react to foods, but are not sure towards which foods. Expensive tests are not necessary. I advise people to think about what they eat most, foods that they downright crave. Experience has shown that these are the foods that are eaten every day and most likely those which cause reactions. The solution: omit the suspected food for a week. You can test one food after another. This costs nothing! ”

“Some people live in a house that is contaminated with pollutants or contaminated by mold. My experience is that five out of seven people can improve their health by 70% if they obtain a high quality air purifier that is capable of filtering hundreds of chemicals from the air in your home. Such an air purifier may cost a bit, but I have often seen patients who got better over night. So it’s worth it if you are unable to directly move out of the apartment or house.”

The new book will be published this year, and Professor Rapp has authorized me to translate it into German. She also gave me permission to translate videos and other books into our language, contributing knowledge to allergy sufferers and chemically sensitive people in the German-speaking countries, helping them to find a way back into life.

 

A trip along the Moselle

During the drive to the historic Moselle wine village, Bernkastel, to Traben-Trabach and the drive back to Trier, Prof. Rapp was bursting with innovative ideas that we will begin to put into action in the next few months and they will benefit the environmentally ill in many ways.

Author: Silvia K. Müller, CSN – Chemical Sensitivity Network, 12 September 2011

PureNature Online Shop now available in Spain

Since July 8th, 2011, we are pleased to welcome an online PureNature shop in Spain. Spanish customers will find over 2,000 products that will help them to live more comfortably with their allergies and to assist them with more environmentally conscious living.

A customer on-site service director has been operating since last year. Our representative, Mr. David Palma has replied to the Spanish customer inquiries with great expertise and is in constant contact with his German colleagues in order to satisfy all customer requests and inquiries with the greatest customer satisfaction.

The translation of the PureNature products took many months to complete and is ongoing. The effort has paid off, because with the launch of the online store, it is now much easier for the Spanish customers to shop. The goods are shipped from the PureNature, based in Idar-Oberstein, Germany to Spain. The new customers are welcomed by receiving free shipping during the month of July with their first order.

A warm welcome to Spain, and at this point, a big thank you to David Palma and his wife Eva Caballé, without whom this project would never have become a reality!

All the best,

from the entire PureNature team

 

Have a look at the new Spanish PureNature Shop: www.purenature.es

 

Strict avoidance – the best way to treat and prevent food allergies?

Identification of biomarkers is needed for patients who react to food

In a recent study, scientists identified a prestigious American university asking if strict allergen avoidance is the most appropriate strategy for dealing with food allergies. Traditionally, avoiding the foods which one cannot tolerate has been a standard treatment for allergies to food. This advice is based on the assumption that contact can lead to an allergic reaction and avoidance accelerates the recovery. Recent studies make this assumption.

Heat largely kills allergens

Recent studies show that most children with a milk allergy tolerate eggs and similar foods when they were hot. In addition, clinical studies show that eating tiny amounts of food could result in desensitization. It must be noted at this point that this procedure can be naturally carried out in the presence of a physician or an at an allergy clinic when a child suffers from severe allergic reactions.

Late introduction of allergens offers no advantage

Recently published epidemiological studies do not support the previous assumption that a delayed introduction of highly allergenic foods for infants and young children prevents food allergies. In fact, the recent data suggest that delaying the introduction of certain foods may even increase the risk of developing an allergy.

Biomarkers could provide a better understanding

The latest data suggest that strict allergen avoidance as a treatment is not always necessary. Exposure to a particular food can even be a therapeutic measure. An extended delay in the introduction of food allergens in the diet of young children may increase the risk of allergies as shared by scientists in their report. In many cases, the strict avoidance of a treatment is clearly necessary, however, so the scientists at the Mount Sinai Hospital continue to state, that further studies are needed to assess risks and benefits of exposure to allergens in more detail. They agree that the identification of biomarkers is needed for patients who react to food.

Author: Silvia K. Müller, CSN – Chemical Sensitivity Network

Literature:

Kim JS, Safe S., Should there be strict avoidance of foods in prevention and treatment of food allergy?, Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA, Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. February 16th, 2010.

Organic Food in Schools Costs Only 24 Cents More

100 percent organic food for children in schools and kindergartens

The scientific findings in recent years leave no doubt that children should receive as much organic food as possible. Conventional food, especially fruit and vegetables are contaminated with pesticides and other agro- chemicals. Although it is said that maximum levels for certain pesticides are rarely exceeded, that doesn’t mean it is safe and clear for all consumers. The trick of the agricultural industry is easy to see, just use different pesticides in the exchange and thus press the values for the individual pesticide. Moreover, recently the limits have increased for a number of highly toxic pesticides EU-wide. The Pesticide Action Network released results from new inspections, which can detect the degree of pesticides used. Celery, for example, contained 69 different pesticides. No one can predict the health effects of such pesticide cocktails except that such food is not healthy. Disorders such as hyperactivity and attention-deficit disorder in children are under scientific investigation with a connection associated with elevated pesticide levels.

For only 24 cents more, one can have organics on the table

Usually the argument given to parents has been, “Organic food is too expensive”, but that is not the case. For only 24 cents more, parents can inform the schools, kindergartens, and day care centers that organic food for children and young people is indeed affordable.

AID reported that many initiatives in recent years proved that organic food is not too expensive. There is also an increasing percentage of organic components incorporated into the daily meal. That even the whole so-called, out-of-home, on organic food can be changed. It is more of a question of commitment. For example, the Munich-based initiative “Bio for Kids” just a four-year project, carried out the organic commitment very positively.

Using start-up funding from sponsor companies, a total of 28 facilities have succeeded in fully converting to organic without any problem. Everything was represented from parents having their own kitchen staff to external caterers.

The cost increases were kept to very manageable limits

The main meal cost per child was only 24 cents more, compared to conventional food. It is important that institutions become independent and no longer remain dependent on sponsors. The mystery of the small additional cost was reported in the improvement of kitchen management: Systematic shopping, less meat, the production of long-term supply plans, seasonal cooking or resorting to organic products from the region all played a crucial role.

Reasons why you should use organic food in the kitchen

The purchase of organic food supports sustainable land management and protects nature and the environment. Organic products contain less nitrate and residues of chemical plant protection products (pesticides, herbicides, fungicides) than conventional products. Fruit and vegetables from organic farming compared to conventional products have a higher nutrient density and a higher content of secondary plant substances. Animals are fed appropriately and kept – no growth and performance enhancers are used. Organic foods are carefully processed, only a few additives are allowed. Shopping for regional and seasonal products will also strengthen the regional provider, saving long-distance transportation. In addition, the value chain of organic food can be wonderfully explained; whether one has preschoolers or school children.

Are there good arguments against having organic food in schools? NO

There is nothing one can say against organic, and for only around five Euros a month, organic meals in schools are a viable investment that will ultimately be offset by better performance and healthy children.

Healthy eating can be fun – chefs show how to do it

Some top chefs are in great need to instruct children in healthy eating. Jamie Oliver has cooked time and time again in schools and provided delicious recipes that taste really great to children.

In Dortmund, the German chef, Mark Haxton, has cooked with children is a primary school. This year, eleven other organic cookery events with students in various German cities, have scheduled events with this chef. He is not the only German chef who is committed to organic farming on the website, for example, we can see other projects in which children were obviously having much fun cooking organic food and tasting too. Parents should show courage and propose that their child’s school convert to organic. Perhaps parents can even suggest other ecological projects or help make it possible to create and organic garden for the school, which brings children closer to nature.

Author: Silvia K. Müller, CSN – Chemical Sensitivity Network

Literature:

  • Aid, 100 percent organic food for children, June 9th, 2010
  • University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, Sarah Yang, Release: Children susceptible to pesticides longer than expected, study finds, 22 June 2009

Gluten-free diet reduces bone problems in children with celiac disease

Celiac disease is a congenital intestinal disorder that is characterized by a lifelong intolerance to the ingestion of gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Celiac illness can occur at any age, but most of the intolerance occurs during early childhood (between the 9th and 24th month of life). Frequently, people who suffer from celiac problems have a decrease in bone density. A current article published in the medical journal, Nutrition Reviews, has reviewed the existing literature on the subject and revealed that a gluten-free diet can strongly influence recovery in children.

Celiac disease can reduce bone density

Metabolic bone disease is among the most significant and frequent complication of celiac disease. Decreased bone mineral density in children can lead to the fact that they are not in a position to develop optimal bone mass and bone loss in adulthood. Both increase the risk of developing, osteoporosis. People with celiac disease, also run an additional risk of bone fractures.

Gluten-free diet can lead to recovery

However, there is evidence that a gluten-free diet can promote an increase of bone density quickly. This can lead to complete recovery of bone mineralization in children. A gluten-free diet improves bone mineral density in adults, but normalization is rare. Children can get normal bone mass if the diagnosis and treatment were carried out before puberty. This also prevents the development of osteoporosis in later life.

Moreover, nutrients which contain calcium and vitamin D seem to improve bone mineral density in children and adults who suffer from celiac disease.

Conclusion

“Our findings reinforce the importance of a strict gluten-free diet, which currently appears to be the only scientifically proven treatment for celiac disease,” said the study authors. “Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to complications from celiac disease, such as preventing reduced bone density.”

Literature: Wiley-Blackwell, gluten-free diet Reduces bone problems in children with celiac disease, October 8, 2009