French Fries and a Side of Phthalates

What you don’t know can potentially kill you. This statement is not referring to accidents that cannot be helped, such as the possibility of there being a drunk driver on the road or the acts of Mother Nature. Rather, it is referring to not having the knowledge of the dangers of something which unknowingly cause your harm. The most recent issue of Dynamic Chiropractic (June 15, 2016) had a great article titled “Drive-Through Disease” regarding the not so obvious harmful effects of fast food, effects far beyond the regular consumption of it.

Are you familiar with the word phthalates? You may have heard it in conjunction with plastics, as it is commonly called the “everywhere chemical.” Phthalates make plastics soft and pliable. However, just because a particular food item is not served in a plastic container does not necessary mean that it was not processed in one. But why does this really matter?

BPA, or bisphenol-A, is also found in plastics alongside the phthalates. It is used to make plastics such as water bottles, sippy cups, food storage containers, and inside many food and beverage cans. But where is the connection to the fast food industry? In addition to the poor quality of nutrition found in most fast food items, there is also another danger – phthalate and BPA exposure. Think about how the food is manufactured and packaged? In the article, a particular study was highlighted that was featured in The Washington Post that found higher levels of these two chemicals in individuals that had a higher consumption of fast food. So, not only are we increasing our risk of obesity and diabetes, but also an adverse effect on reproduction, behavior, and respiration in children, plus insulin resistance in adults. How do you feel about that big old double cheeseburger now?

Fast food is a silent killer. The only way to prevent its harmful effects is by limiting our exposure to it. The choice is ours.