Plastic Chemical BPA is Making You Fat, Fueling Obesity – Plus Solutions

Are you aware of the plastic chemical bisphenol A (BPA)? It’s everywhere, and it’s causing health problems most people don’t even know about. In fact, exposure to BPA has been shown time and time again to be fueling one of America’s greatest threats – weight gain and obesity.

The Connection Between BPA and Obesity

Natural Society has covered the connection between BPA and obesity since 2010, reporting on a study pinpointing 2 prevalent environmental toxins – bisphenol A and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) – as key players in negatively affecting our ability to regulate fat cell production and lipid accumulation.

In other words – BPA was found to be making people fat.

(A link to that study has been lost, but luckily there are several others drawing similar conclusions.)

Between 2010 and now, numerous other studies have pinpointed BPA in fueling the obesity epidemic. Here are just a few of those:

• A study published by New York University scientists has established a link between high levels of BPA exposure and obesity in white children, making them 5 times more likely to be obese compared to those with lower BPA levels. This research, the first of its kind to connect BPA with childhood obesity, echoes similar findings in adults and animal studies, reinforcing the association between BPA, found in canned foods, beverages, paper receipts, and dental sealants, and increased obesity risk.
• A 2013 study concluded with this: “Our study suggests that BPA could be a potential new environmental obesogen. Widespread exposure to BPA in the human population may also be contributing to the worldwide obesity epidemic.“
• Researchers with the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor looked at BPA levels in urine of children between the ages of 6 and 18. While elevated BPA levels were not linked to insulin resistance or blood sugar in this study, they were linked to obesity.
• A study published in PLoS ONE in 2013 revealed that school-age children in grades 4 to 12 who had higher levels of BPA were more likely to be obese.
• Another study by the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health at the Mailman School of Public Health revealed a significant association between prenatal BPA exposure and increased body fat, particularly in girls, underscoring a critical vulnerability during fetal development.

What about in more recent years? I couldn’t possibly cover all of the research solidifying this BPA-obesity connection, but I’d like to at least cover some more recent research.

BPA Continues to Sneakily Spark Weight Gain by Sparking Inflammation

In 2023, scientists found that people exposed to higher levels of BPA had a much higher chance of being obese, with their risk increasing by nearly 5 times. This was also linked to higher levels of IL-17A in their bodies, which is known to cause inflammation.

When the researchers looked at mice, they found that those exposed to BPA gained more weight and had more inflammation in their body fat, especially if they were also fed a high-fat diet. However, mice that couldn’t produce IL-17A didn’t have these problems, even when exposed to BPA and a high-fat diet.

This study suggests that BPA might be making us more prone to obesity by triggering inflammation in our bodies.

BPA Leading to Obesity and Cardiovascular Complications

Here are some highlights from a 2022 study:

• Research Findings: A comprehensive review of recent studies highlights the potential of BPA to alter lipid metabolism and gene expression related to fat breakdown, leading to obesity.
• Controversial Safety Levels: Despite some claims that low levels of BPA are safe, extensive in vivo research contradicts this, linking BPA exposure to a significant risk of obesity.
• Transgenerational Effects: BPA exposure might not only affect the current generation but could also have health implications for future generations.
• Disruption of Bodily Functions: BPA is known to interfere with endocrine regulation, neuroimmune responses, signaling pathways, and the gut microbiome, contributing to weight gain and obesity.
• Cardiovascular Risks: One of the primary health concerns associated with BPA-induced obesity is the increased risk of cardiovascular complications.

BPA Increases Risk of Obesity by 11%

A 2020 study published in Dose-Response concluded with:

“We found a positive correlation between the level of BPA and obesity risk. A dose–response analysis revealed that 1-ng/mL increase in BPA increased the risk of obesity by 11%. The similar results were for different type of obesity, gender, and age.”

The Solutions to BPA Exposure

The sad truth about BPA exposure is that it’s everywhere, from plastic bottles to the food we eat. It’s a common environmental endocrine disruptor widely used in the production of everyday plastics and epoxy resins, leading to its pervasive presence in our food, water, and even air.

This widespread exposure to BPA is evidenced by its frequent detection in human biological samples.

So what can you do? Here are some practical (and some less practical) tips.

• Use BPA-Free Products: Look for products specifically labeled as “BPA-free.” This is particularly important for food containers, water bottles, and baby products.
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• Opt for Glass, Porcelain, or Stainless Steel: Especially for items like food containers, water bottles, and cups, choose materials that are less likely to contain BPA to prevent the chemical from leaching into food or water.
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• Limit Use of Canned Foods: Many canned foods are lined with BPA-containing material. Opt for fresh, frozen, or dried foods instead.
• Avoid Heating Plastic: BPA can leach into food when plastic containers are heated. Until you find some food storage replacements, avoid microwaving food in plastic containers and storing hot foods or liquids in plastic containers. [Example: Microwave-safe glass containers]
• Use Safe Infant Products: Ensure that baby bottles, sippy cups, and other products meant for infants are BPA-free.
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• Reduce Use of Receipts: Thermal paper, such as receipts, often contains BPA. Handle receipts less often and wash your hands afterward.
• Check Recycling Codes: Plastics marked with recycling codes 3 or 7 may contain BPA. Look for products with other recycling codes.
• Be Cautious with Dental Sealants: Some dental sealants and composites may contain BPA. Discuss BPA-free options with your dentist.
• Look for BPA-Free Baby Toys: If possible, look for baby toys that are BPA-free or made from other materials. This would be most important for toys that kids may put in their mouths.