As Number of Americans with Diabetes Hits Almost 26 Million, Study Says BPA is a Culprit. How to Decrease Your Type 2 Diabetes Risk

The number of Americans with diabetes has risen to nearly 26 million while the CDC reports that more than a third of adults are estimated to have prediabetes.  Even more disturbing is the news that Type 2 diabetes already appears to be a sizable and growing problem among U.S. children and adolescents.  As I reported yesterday,  HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) may be leading to the increase in numbers of diabetics while new research suggests that low doses of BPA (Bisphenol-A) found in plastics, the lining of food and drink cans as well as on receipts is also a culprit. The new research adds credibility to previous studies linking type 2 diabetes and low-dose exposure to BPA.

“I don’t think that anyone can say now that low-dose effects don’t occur,” says endocrinologist Ana Soto of the Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, who was not involved in the new work. “It shows that changes happen in human cells — and at concentrations comparable to current levels of human exposure.”

BPA mimics the effects of estrogen, a hormone that is involved in regulating insulin production in the body. The new study, published online February 8 in PLoS ONE, finds that BPA is every bit as potent as the body’s natural estrogen in terms of triggering insulin release.

“I don’t think BPA alone will cause type 2 diabetes,” says Franck Mauvais-Jarvis of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. Dozens of environmental chemicals can mimic hormones, he says, “and I suspect it’s a cocktail of these nasties that predisposes individuals to developing metabolic disease, whether its type 2 diabetes or obesity.”

What can you do to minimize your exposure to BPA and the possible type 2 Diabetes risks?  Stay away from foods and drinks in cans (or look for Eden Foods BPA free cans), use stainless steel instead of plastics, refuse receipts or keep them in an envelope in your wallet and wash your hands repeatedly throughout the day.

P.S.- Have you heard about The Green PolkaDot Box! Recently launched with over 12,000 members and backed by the Organic Consumer's Association, you can easily buy NonGMO organics at wholesale pricing online.  It's like a Sam's club but focused on products for green, healthy living!!  You can even shop by dietary restrictions like gluten free, vegan or diabetic.

Sources: CDC,  BPA Fosters Diabetes-promoting Changes - Science News