Hidden Plastics Could INCREASE This Disease Risk
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted April 15, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
You cannot escape plastics in our modern world. They’re used for nearly everything!
But just because plastics are useful, doesn’t mean we should use them for everything in our lives.
Case in point: plastics cause problems when they contact our food.
We’ve known for a long time that when plastic-associated chemicals (specifically bisphenol-A and plasticizers) enter our bodies, they greatly increase the risk for disease.
They fire the flames of inflammation and oxidative stress, harming our cells and altering our genes.
But I never thought that chemicals from plastics could do this.
Researchers have found that hidden plastics could INCREASE this disease risk.
I’m talking about high cholesterol.
According to a recent study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, phthalates (chemicals used to make plastics more durable) increased cholesterol levels in mice.
You see, a specific phthalate called dicyclohexyl phthalate (or DCHP) acts like a hormone in our bodies and binds to a receptor called pregnane X receptor (or PXR).
And activating the PXR receptor makes the body produce MORE cholesterol, elevating both LDL and total cholesterol.
Worse still, exposure to DCHP increases waxy fat molecules called ceramides which have been closely tied to increased heart disease and diabetes in humans.
What can you do?
It’s hard to stay away from plastics in our food, after all. Think about it: almost every food comes wrapped in plastic or has at some time been stored in plastics.
While it’s difficult to stay away from plastics in your food at home, it’s nearly impossible if you go to a restaurant or eat any packaged foods.
Your first strategy is to buy foods in non-plastic packages like glass or buy your food fresh. You can also store your food in non-plastic containers.
While keeping all plastic away from your food is nearly impossible, you can greatly reduce your exposure to plastic-associated chemicals with a little bit of work.
In the meantime, make sure you’re maintaining a healthy cholesterol level. And if you need help lowering your cholesterol, check out my mailbag answer here.
P.S. The mainstream has spread A LOT of lies about high cholesterol. Find out the truth right here.
SOURCES:
Karpale M, Käräjämäki AJ, Kummu O, Gylling H, Hyötyläinen T, Orešič M, Tolonen A, Hautajärvi H, Savolainen MJ, Ala-Korpela M, Hukkanen J, Hakkola J. Activation of pregnane X receptor induces atherogenic lipids and PCSK9 by a SREBP2-mediated mechanism. Br J Pharmacol. 2021 Jun;178(12):2461-2481. doi: 10.1111/bph.15433. Epub 2021 May 14. PMID: 33687065. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33687065/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/cardiovascular-diseases/news/ceramides-a-class-of-lipids-with-links-to-heart-disease/mac-20429577
Pittawala, Iqbal. “Study links high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease to plastics.” 11/30/2022. https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2021/11/30/study-links-high-cholesterol-cardiovascular-disease-plastics
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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