The research by doctors from California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco is part of a growing body of evidence looking at the negative health effects of BPA, a plastic hardening chemical found in food containers, cans and even sales receipts, as well as methylparaben, a lesser-known preservative found in cosmetics and personal care products.
Scientific studies have linked the chemicals to hormonal problems and reproductive health issues, among other problems.
In the latest study, researchers took noncancerous breast cells from high-risk patients, grew them in a laboratory and found that once the cells were exposed to bisphenol A and methylparaben, they started behaving like cancer cells.
Tamoxifen, a drug designed to prevent or treat cancer, slows down the growth of both healthy and cancerous breast cells and ultimately leads to their death. But when tamoxifen was introduced in the lab, the cells exposed to the two chemicals kept growing and didn’t die, said Dr. William Goodson, senior clinical research scientist at California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute and lead author of the study.
The results are being published online this week in the medical journal Carcinogenesis.
Signal to consumers
Jeanne Rizzo, chief executive officer of the Breast Cancer Fund, a San Francisco advocacy group, said the study shows that BPA and methylparaben have a triggering effect when it comes to cancer. The next step, she said, has to be for consumers to demand changes that reduce environmental exposure to these chemicals.
A bill sitting on the governor’s desk would ban BPA in sippy cups and baby bottles manufactured or sold in California. AB1319 was authored by Assemblywoman Betsy Butler, D-Los Angeles. Similar legislation has failed in previous years.
The study looks at the fundamental mechanisms of how normal breast cells behave when exposed to BPA or methylparaben, said Dr. Mhel Kavanaugh-Lynch, director of the California Breast Cancer Research Program, which is administered by the University of California in Oakland and helped to fund the study.
Chemicals such as BPA and methylparaben mimic or interfere with the body’s endocrine or hormonal systems.
“We have a lot of information that makes these endocrine disruptors appear to be bad things to be exposed to, but there are very few, if any, studies that show a direct causal link,” Kavanaugh-Lynch said.
On a cellular level, Goodson and his colleagues focused on a gene – a critical pathway – that must be turned on for cancer cells to grow and work around the drugs designed to turn the cancer “off.”
The study found that healthy cells exposed to BPA and methylparaben started figuring out ways to bypass drugs like tamoxifen.
Drugs decrease estrogen
Since most breast cancers are driven by the hormone estrogen, the bulk of the drugs used to treat breast cancer are designed to knock down estrogen. BPA and methylparaben not only mimic estrogen’s ability to drive cancer, but appear to be even better than the natural hormone in bypassing the ability of drugs to treat it, Goodson said.
“There may be other routes of toxicity we’re just beginning to understand,” he said.
Scientists are increasingly looking at environmental causes for hormone-based cancers like breast cancer.
Breast cancer rates have been growing over the past 30 years. While some of the reason can be attributed to hormone-replacement therapies or other issues specific to women, researchers have noticed that breast cancer rates are going up by about the same amount in men as in women.
“It’s mostly a women’s disease, but when more men are getting more breast cancer, you have to wonder where the hormones are coming from,” Goodson said.
Goodson said BPA and methylparaben are hard to avoid because they are used so widely and are even found in household dust. He said he does not know whether the effects of exposure to the chemicals are reversible.
“It’s used so much. We kind of swim in it,” he said.
E-mail Victoria Colliver at vcolliver@sfchronicle.com.
This article appeared on page A – 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/12/MN2U1L2ERJ.DTL#ixzz1Xqlkejtl
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Are you interested in learning more about microcurrent treatments?
Are you a patient, a beginner or an experienced practitioner?
Hi I’m Doctor Anne Marie Fine and I have been using microcurrent in my
practice for the last 8 years. I am also the founder and C. E. O. of Fine
Natural Products, LLC a company dedicated to developing highly effective,
ultra-pure and organic skin care products that restore homeostasis and
produce healthy, beautiful and radiant skin. I will teaching a workshop on
using Microcurrent and other non-invasive therapies for facial rejuvenation.
Microcurrent has become a remarkable tool having an ability to treat a wide range of problems. This conference has something both for the beginner and the advanced practitioner. This is by far the most important conference you can attend if you are interested in Microcurrent. Please read why you should attend this conference!
The 5th Annual Microcurrent Case Conference Oct. 7, 8 and 9th, 2011 at the beautiful Carefree Resort in Arizona is something you don’t want to miss!
The Case Conference has something for the patient, beginner to the advanced practitioner. It brings together several microcurrent manufacturers so you get to see the latest in equipment. We have introductory training, our traditional case presentations where the best cases receive a cash prize, and new this year we have the Microcurrent Mastermind. This is a chance to have a round table discussion with the experts. Discuss you problem cases. Learn treatment tips from the experts!
Microcurrent works in 5 ways.
-Improves circulation.
-Stimulates cellular activity.
-Reduces inflammation
-Removes Scar tissue
– Neuro-protective effect
Some of the miraculous effects of Microcurrent.
-Microcurrent has a proven track record to heal tissues, muscles, bone and specific organs.
-Unparalleled ability to treat pain.
-Rejuvenation of skin, organs and the body.
-Resonance effect. Frequencies can be matched to the body to help healing and with emotional disharmony.
This year we will be having workshops on the treatment of pain, microcurrent in facial rejuvenation, microcurrent in the treatment of eye disease. We also will have another exciting line up of Case Presentations! These presentations have always been the highlight of the Conference. See first hand actual patients who have experienced the miracles of microcurrent.
A few of the Case presentations this year!
-Microcurrent to stimulate Stem Cells
-Instant Post Marathon Recovery
-Treatment for pain relief and post traumatic stress
-Successful Reduction of Ophthalmic Shingles
-Facial rejuvenation
-Treatment of eye diseases
-And much more…..!
Hear what others are saying about previous Microcurrent Case Conferences!
Thank you so much for an informative and very enlightening weekend! I’ve learned so much! Its nice to know and see 1st hand the great work that microcurrent is doing in the lives of people that we touch. I loved the techniques that were shown and found them to be easy to follow although Iam an acupuncturist. Thanks also to the staff for being wonderful and most hospitable. The conference was a joy! Renita Turner
This was a wonderful seminar. It was very enlightening to review microcurrent treatments and strategies and to learn how important the use of color in treating clients. I am continually amazed at the fabulous results in treatment and prevention that are being achieved through microcurrent/color in many if not all diagnoses. Thank you for sharing all of your information with me. Katie Goodwin, OTR
This conference has reinforced my deep conviction that microcurrent and light therapies need to get into the broader medical community. These therapies are the best hope of freeing humanity from our reliance upon pharmaceutical cover-ups of underlying causes of pain and illness. Roger Hill
Even after 25 years of microcurrent experience, I never cease to be amazed at how much more there is to learn. This gathering of like minds provides an endless source of inspiration, knowledge and professional camaraderie. It is truly an honor to be here. Dr. Teri Sherman, Phoenix, AZ.
Hi Dr. Kondrot, I have attended 3 microcurrent case conferences and enjoyed a variety of microcurent applications. There were always surprising and exciting topics each time. Thanks a lot for organizing this. Maggie Wayne
“I learned a lot in the conference and believe microcurrent will benefit my patents.” Dr. Galewaler
I’m having great results with the Inspirstar, using the probes and variations of Milly’s technique learned from Microcurrent Case Conference. Cindy PT
This conference is a unique on microcurrnent training, case study and workshop. I definite will recommend to other alternative medicine practitioners. Brad Daniels
Please join me for the 5th Annual Microcurrent Case Conference October 7, 8 and 9th, 2011! If you are not satisfied for any reason you will receive a complete refund of the registration Fee!
Register now and receive a special bonus! You will receive recordings of the 2010 Case Conference Winners! Videos of phenomenal presentations!
First Prize $500 Spinal Cord Injury
Dr. Lynda Hammer
2nd Prize $250 Microcurrent Treatment of Vietnam Veteran poisoned with agent orange
Dr Darren Starwynn
3rd Prize $100 Phantom Pain
Linda Southam, RN
Click here to register!
Still have questions?
drkondrot@healingtheeye.com
480-595-3181
Keep up to date on this exciting Conference and receive valuable information on microcurrent. Sign up for our case conference newsletter!
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Who doesn’t want beautiful, glowing, radiant skin?
To get it you need to follow two important steps:
Exfoliate dead skin and detoxify toxins from your face
- Feed your skin inside and out
Clay is nature’s best detoxifier and as a bonus it contains many minerals to feed your facial skin. Calcium bentonite clay is a powerful clay that can actually pull toxins from your skin, revealing the fresh, soft, glowing skin that lies beneath. At the same time it exfoliates the dead skin cells that lie on top of your skin causing dullness, and flakiness.
People are calling the I AM FINE Purifying Mask the 15 minute face-lift! At the end of 15 minutes your face will feel toned and tight, the pores will be visibly smaller, and your skin will glow due to the improved circulation that the clay mask stimulated, and the fact that you have just removed the dead skin layer that sits on top of your face.
Don’t let environmental toxins age your skin prematurely. The skin on our faces and hands are the most exposed on our bodies. They are exposed to both UV rays and environmental toxins. This is why the face and hands show the effects of age the soonest.
Feed your skin by providing nutrient dense foods high in antioxidants that quench the free radicals that are generated from UV rays, environmental pollution, stress, and other lifestyle factors. Free radicals contribute to all over aging including skin aging. Some high antioxidant foods are blueberries, pomegranates, blackberries, bilberries, strawberries, and cranberries.
Bolster your bodies anti-inflammatory activity by decreasing inflammatory foods such as factory raised meats, dairy products, sugar, alcohol, and coffee. Eat freely from the anti-inflammatory foods which include fruits, vegetables, and fish. Inflammation drives aging all over the body including on the skin. In particular make sure you are getting the right amount of Omega-3 essential fatty acids in your diet as they make up your cellular membranes, hydrate the skin from within, and improve insulin resistance and other cardiovascular factors. Fish oil is the Omega-3 supplement that has the most studies behind it supporting these claims.
By supporting your skin from within and without, detoxifying with a clay mask on a regular basis, you can obtain glowing, luminous skin!
Buy the Purifying Mask at www.iamfineskin.com website!
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Why use organic blueberry, pomegranate, and cranberry seed oils in your facial moisturizer? These fruit seed oils have an extremely high ORAC value, which is to say they are very high in antioxidants. Organic seed oils are rich in natural antioxidants and are powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Free radical damage and inflammation are two potent drivers of skin aging, and being able to address these two issues both internally and topically with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents goes a long way in preventing premature aging of the skin and repairing some of the existing damage.
Antioxidants enhance your protection from the sun. A resevoir in the skin provides longer protection. Antioxidants can even reverse prior photodamage. And they protect from environmental pollutants which a recent study concluded accelerated skin aging, both in wrinkling, and in age spot formation.
One antioxidant, Vitamin E, is particularly noteworthy for its skin beautifying abilities. Vitamin E is really a family of 8 different isomers consisting of 4 tocopherols and 4 tocotrienols. The Vitamin E constituents used in the blueberry, pomegranate, and cranberry seed oils contain significant levels of alpha and gamma tocopherols and alpha and gamma tocotrienols, as well as the significant levels of the antioxidant zeaxanthin. And they are naturally sourced as well!
One of the reasons why the I AM FINE Pure Skin Collection Youth Serum works so well as an anti-aging agent is because of its potent anti-inflammatory properties. The organic seed oils were carefully selected based on the proper ratio of Omega-6:3 essential fatty acid ratios found in each oil. The seed oil ratio favors the anti-inflammatory activity of the Omega 3 essential fatty acids, instead of driving inflammation with the more typical Omega 6 essential fatty acid preponderance.
In addition, pomegranate seed oil is high in phenolic compounds such as ellagic acid, which is anti-cancer, and an excellent source of punicic acid, an Omega-5 conjugated fatty acid. Pomegranate seed oil also contains a rare plant source of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) which acts as a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic agent. As well, pomegranate seed oil stimulates keratinocyte production and promotes regeneration of the epidermis which is why your skin will look so fresh and glowing!
Buy the Youth Serum at www.iamfineskin.com!
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Your scented personal care products may be making you sick and producing reproductive abnormalities in your children. Phthalates are the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances to make them last longer. They are scent fixatives. Without phthalates, the scent would dissipate very quickly after application, leaving you wondering where your favorite perfume went.
Most cosmetics, household cleaners, and personal care products including shampoos, conditioners, nail polishes, hairsprays, perfumes, colognes, body washes, and soaps contain phthalates. If you have ever tried to find fragrance-free products, you know what I am talking about! Phthalates have also been in the news recently regarding their use in children’s toys, particularly the ones that are mouthed, and plastic wrap used in food preparation.
Phthalates are a group of endocrine-disrupting chemicals which are readily absorbed through the skin and can also enter the body through ingestion and inhalation. As hormone disruptors, it should come as no surprise that many of their unwanted effects relate to reproduction and development- hormonally driven activities.
Phthalates have been associated with a variety of serious health problems including infertility, premature births, defects of male genitalia, premature puberty in girls, uterine fibroids, breast cancer, obesity, asthma and allergies.
The greatest concerns regarding phthalates are their effects on human reproduction and development. Phthalates have demonstrated the ability to decrease testosterone in men, reduce sperm counts and motility, and cause genital deformation in male infants. Exposure of human mothers to phthalates as measured by an analysis of their urine samples has been associated with shortened ano-genital distances in their male newborns- a characteristic of feminization of external genitalia. There are also concerns about phthalates causing fetal mortality, low birth weights, and other fetal abnormalities.
In the girls we are seeing premature puberty- sometimes in girls that are only three years old. Have you wondered why girls are maturing so early? This problem is so widespread that the age of puberty in girls is being “normalized” so that the new guidelines for precocious puberty are for girls under the age of 7 or 8- implying that puberty that occurs in girls between 9 and 12 is now normal! Thirty years ago the average age of puberty in girls was between 12 and 13. The average age has now dropped to between 10 and 11. Phthalates are associated with premature puberty in girls, but they are not the only class of endocrine disrupting chemicals that are implicated.
Phthalates are ubiquitous in humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been looking at the blood and urine levels of various chemicals in the bodies of Americans for almost ten years and phthalates have been found in virtually everyone tested. This has also been found to be true for the people tested in Europe.
The great news is that phthalates break down fairly quickly and do not bioaccumulate in our tissues. But the fact that nearly everyone tests positive for it means that we are being exposed to them on a fairly continous basis.
It makes sense then, that simple avoidance of phthalates will allow the body to excrete the phthalates naturally without any additional detoxification support. Rick Smith, one of the authors of Slow Death by Rubber Duck , tried this and detailed the results of his ambitious experiment in his book. Although he allowed three days to detox his current load of phthalates, accelerated by fasting for two days, refraining from showering, avoiding all scented items and all personal care products,and then only consuming fresh foods from the Farmers Market that had not come into contact with plastic for the third day, he was found to have five of the six phthalates for which he was tested, albeit at low levels.
He then applied scented personal care products, used a Glade Plug-In Scented Oil for two hours on one day, and ate regular food to see how the results would change. Rick Smith was shocked to see that one of the phthalate metabolites (MEP-one of the chemicals linked to male reproductive problems) went through the roof, from 64 to 1,410 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). And thus the Rubber Duck Wars were begun. Rubber ducks, those beloved symbols of childhood innocence, contain phthalates too.
To dramatically reduce your phthalate exposure, buy fragrance- free or unscented personal care products and cleaning supplies, do not use fragrance plug-ins, and avoid foods prepared or stored with plastic. Read the label: if you see the words “fragrance” or “parfum” then the item in question contains phthalates. If you see the words “essential oils of rose or lavender etc” then these products are scented with nature’s original perfumes- plant material. Fragrance-free label claims have been rising for the last few years, and hot on their tail are the newer phthalate-free labels.
Of course, my own skin care line, iamfine Pure Skin Collection, does not contain phthalates. I formulated it to be a medical grade, highly effective, non-toxic skin care line notable for what it does not contain:
- No parabens
- No ethoxylated ingredients (1,4-dioxane- a carcinogen)
- No artificial colors or fragrances
- No phthalates
- No propylene glycol
- No alcohols
- No mineral oils or other petroleum derived ingredients
- No gluten
- No silicone
- No formaldehyde releasers or nitrosamine formers
As a board-certified doctor emphasizing Environmental Medicine, I have developed an integrated approach to skin care that produces natural radiance and youthfulness through highly functional, non-toxic, and nourishing organic ingredients. My motto is never put anything on your skin that you would not eat!
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