In a recent study by the US government, people who ate fast-food were found to have high levels of industrial chemicals called phthalates. Phthalates are a family of man-made compounds used in the manufacture of plastics to make them more flexible and pliable. The two most commonly found phthalates in fast-food were bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (also known as DEHP) and diisononyl phthalate (also known as DiNP). The research found that a significant source of the chemicals in the fast-food may come from leaching from machinery used in processing and packaging, as well as from gloves worn by workers.
Phthalates are known to interfere with the body’s hormone-producing (endocrine) system, preventing you from producing optimal levels of hormones. They are also associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Chemicals that do this are known as Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (also known as EDCs). They include, bisphenol A (BPA) found in food can linings and cash register receipts; phthalates found in plastics and cosmetics; flame retardants, solvents, and lubricants; pesticides and herbicides; and heavy metals (cadmium, lead, arsenic, mercury).
Comments: EDCs represent one of the greatest public-health threats facing our nation today. To reduce your exposure to endocrine-disrupting phthalates, avoid eating fast-food, eat organic whenever possible, and focus on food prepared from scratch using fresh fruit and vegetables.
