You finally took the plunge and invested in a gym membership. You’re feeling motivated and excited to get in shape—but wait! Before you hit the treadmill, you need to make sure you have the right gear. Unfortunately, according to a new report, some of the most popular athletic clothing brands are loaded with a hormone-disrupting chemical called BPA.
BPA is a synthetic compound that’s used to make certain plastics and resins. It’s been linked to a whole host of health problems, including infertility, cancer, and diabetes. And according to the report from a watchdog group, it’s present in high levels in some of the most popular workout gear on the market.
A new report shows that several of the most popular athletic brands contain extremely high levels of BPA. I’m talking around 22 times the safe limit.
According to the Epoch Times,
BPA—an endocrine disrupting chemical that upsets the body’s functioning through blocking or mimicking hormones—is linked to developmental and health problems mostly for young children. For adults, studies have found that high levels of the chemical results in heart problems, while experts have connected BPA to obesity, diabetes, ADHD, and other ailments, with more research pending for definitive conclusions.
…..
“Studies have shown that BPA can be absorbed through skin and end up in the bloodstream after handling receipt paper for seconds or a few minutes at a time. Sports bras and athletic shirts are worn for hours at a time, and you are meant to sweat in them, so it is concerning to be finding such high levels of BPA in our clothing,” said Kaya Allan Sugerman, director of the Illegal Toxic Threats Program at CEH.
Investigations by the agency have discovered BPA in polyester-based clothing with spandex, including socks made for infants.
Some of the brands that made the list include Athleta, PINK, Asics, The North Face, Brooks, All in Motion, Nike, and FILA when it comes to sports bras, and THe North Face, Brooks, Mizuno, Athleta, New Balance, and Reebok when it comes to activewear shirts. So, if you’re wearing any of these brands while working out, there’s a good chance you’re being exposed to harmful levels of BPA.
So, what can you do to protect yourself from BPA? For starters, you can avoid wearing any synthetic materials while working out. That means no polyester or nylon—stick to natural fibers like cotton instead. You should also avoid using any plastic water bottles or food containers.
If you must use plastic, make sure it’s labeled “BPA-free.” And last but not least, stay away from canned foods unless they’re marked as BPA-free as most cans are lined with BPA-containing resin. By taking these simple precautions, you can minimize your exposure to this harmful chemical and help keep your hormones in balance.