Could Obesogens Be Causing your Weight Issues?

Last year Bruce Blumberg, a biologist at UC Irvine, coined the word "obesogens.”  Obesogens are chemicals in our food or environment foreign to the body that are believed to inhibit normal fat metabolism and cause storage of excess fat.  When fat metabolism is compromised it can leave you feeling hungry with low energy levels.

How does this happen?  Obesogens are linked to causing the pancreas to produce more insulin, thus promoting fat storage without the increase of more calories or food.

Okay – so now there’s a new word so let’s break it down.  What ARE obesogens?  High fructose corn syrup (HFCS), Bisphenol A (BPA), pesticides and PVC (vinyl found in plastic wraps, air fresheners, shower curtains, and some fragrances) are just a few.

HFCS – the Stuff that’s NOT so Sweet

Let’s start with the most famous – high fructose corn syrup.  HFCS was developed as a cheaper way to sweeten foods since sugar is expensive.  The Corn Refiner’s Association would have you think it is the same as sugar but the research shows otherwise.  HFCS has a higher amount of fructose which tricks the hormone in the brain that makes you feel full called leptin.  When you are eating large amounts of HFCS (not hard to do since it is the sweetener is most foods) your brain becomes deaf to leptin which leaves you wanting for more food.  It’s virtually impossible to tame the sweet tooth with HFCS.

BPA and PVC

Bisphenol A or BPA is a plastic in some water bottles and plastic containers.  Plastic wrap used in grocery stores is mostly PVC which leaches phthalates.  Phthalates can lower testosterone which will increase your chance of storing more fat, especially belly or visceral fat.  BPA can also lower testosterone and increase insulin resistance leading to type 2 or adult diabetes.

Pesticides

Even though organic foods are more expensive, they contain far less pesticides and hormone disruptors.  It’s much better to consume small imperfect fruits and veggies than those beautiful conventional non-flavored ones.  Your body will thank you later.

Take Home Message

1. Avoid Foods Made with HFCS – this one is easy – just read labels or avoid foods with labels to ensure you are eating unprocessed whole real foods.

2.  Avoid BPA and PVC

Avoid storing foods in plastic containers and look at the plastics you do have to ensure they do not have BPA in them.  Never heat food in plastic containers and do not clean plastics in the dishwasher which can increase leaching of BPA.  Absolutely never defrost meat in its original packaging.

Avoid buying fatty foods like meats packaged in plastic wrap and if you use air fresheners or fragrances avoid buying those with vinyl products.

3. Buy Organic

Choose the most important organic foods and what you can afford.  Buying grass-fed meat and pastured poultry/eggs lowers intake of pre-loaded hormones in the meats.

We can’t blame all our weight issues on obesogens.  However, years ago we never had to think about these issues.  If the normal lifestyle factors of healthful eating, exercise, and sleep are not adding up to your success, obesogens may be one piece of the puzzle to consider.  Now that’s a corner piece I’d like to find.

What is Bisphenol A?

Until recently I had not paid much attention to Bisphenol A (BPA) but with the onslaught of recent studies I finally had to listen up.

What is BPA and how does it affect us?  BPA is a chemical substance used to make plastics and resins or coatings on the insides of many food and beverage containers.   It has been known to disrupt the endocrine system since it mimic’s the body’s own hormones (particularly estrogen) which can cause negative health effects.

Recent studies have shown several concerns:

• BPA suppresses a hormone that protects people from heart attacks and type 2 or adult onset diabetes
• Exposure to BPA can be linked to linked to life-long fertility defects and gene changes in babies
• BPA has been linked to increasing rates of asthma

After analyzing these studies I went on a search to find out if any of the plastics I used had BPA.  I looked at my water bottle for the gym, my favorite peanut butter from Trader Joe’s, and everything else plastic in my house.

With a little research I found out what to look for.  If a plastic has BPA it will have a “7” with a triangle around it and “PC” under the triangle, also known as polycarbonate (PC).  Many plastics are “7” but do not contain PC.  Many baby bottles have BPA in them so be sure to check those if you have an infant.

My water bottle had a 7 but no PC under it so I was safe there.  One of the plastic water containers I use at home for drinking did have the 7 and PC so I tossed that but the rest were okay.  My Trader Joe’s peanut butter was safe as were the rest of the plastic containers in my home.

So what about canned foods?  This topic is controversial but from what I have read canned tomatoes can contain the highest levels of BPA, since they are lined to prevent the acid from leeching into the can’s metal.  According to consumer reports, canned green beans and soups have been found to have higher levels of BPA as well.

So what’s the take home message?  If you have any plastics in your home and chances are you probably do, look at the bottom to ensure there is not a 7 with a PC under it.  Cook with as many fresh foods as you can, and keep your intake of canned products to a minimum.  It is not logical to eliminate canned foods from your diet but exercising caution is the key to preventing overload of BPA in your system.