The Staggering Cost of Invisible Plastics Infecting Your Body
Welcome back to your weekly dose of wisdom and wellness, with science-backed insights you can use to improve your physical, mental and emotional well-being.
THIS WEEK’S SPOTLIGHT
New research aimed to quantify the health costs of all the plastics used in modern society, from grocery bags to cling wrap to all the bottles of stuff in your bathroom, kitchen and garage, and … that’s barely scratching the surface of all the plastics in our lives.
Problem is, plastics contain chemicals that leach out invisibly into indoor air, outdoor air, water sources and the environment in general. And we ingest countless microscopic bits of this stuff, just by breathing, drinking water or consuming food and medicine that comes in plastic packaging. The plastics mess with our endocrine system, which regulates everything from hormone levels to blood sugar and reproductive ability.
“Our study found plastics contribute substantially to disease and associated social costs in the U.S., about $250 billion in 2018 alone,” said study author Leonardo Trasande, MD, of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “The diseases due to plastics run the entire life course from preterm birth to obesity, heart disease and cancers.”
The findings were detailed this week in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
“Preventing plastic pollution can reduce the incidence of disease, disability and early death, and its attendant human suffering and health care costs,” said co-author Michael Belliveau, Executive Director of Defend Our Health based in Portland, Maine. “Policymakers and market leaders must detoxify and slash the use of petrochemical plastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Don’t think the problem will be solved by the petroleum industry, whose stuff is used to make plastics, nor from manufacturers who find plastic to be a cost-effective packaging material.
What we buy, or don’t buy, can have a collective impact, however. We can make individual choices about how much plastic we expose ourselves to.
To learn more about the dangers of plastics, see this week’s story by Annie Foley—Common Chemicals in Homes Prove Hazardous to Health—which looks at separate new research on how one type of dangerous plastic has become ubiquitous in the home, and in our bodies, and the serious health toll it’s taking.
They’re called phthalates. And if that sound like something you’d want to spit out, you should. But it’s not that simple. They’re found in everything from fast food to perfume. Foley explains how to avoid these awful chemicals.
MORE HEALTHY READING
A selection of this week’s informative and insightful Wise & Well articles:
The Problem with Self-Diagnosis and Labeling Others with a Mental Health Condition
Moodiness gets characterized as “bipolar.” Forgetfulness or a messy desk is attributed to ADHD. Neatness is labeled as OCD. This practicing psychologist explains what’s behind the growing phenomenon of casual diagnoses and rampant labeling, why diagnoses and labels can be helpful, and when they are not.
— By Gail Post, PhD
Cannabis and the Pursuit of the Runner’s High
New research suggests using marijuana before a workout can “increase positive mood and enjoyment during exercise.” The effect is similar to the runner’s high, suggesting a person might double their fun. But there’s a catch or two: Getting high before exercise does not appear to improve performance, and it can raise practical safety concerns. This runner and health coach sorts it all out for us.
— By Elizabeth Knight, PhD
Are Americans Getting Shorter? Or Are Other Countries Getting Taller?
Data seems to suggest US adults are shrinking, on average, while people in other nations are improving their stature. This researcher explains what’s really going on, debunking a recent, faulty analysis and explaining the role of nutrition in our species’ vertical potential.
The Foundation of Health and Happiness: Better Sleep
Multiple new studies, including a review of many studies in which researchers woke people up at night and deprived them of great sleep, illustrate the long-term physical, mental and emotional effects of poor sleep, and how one bad night can ruin your day. So I look at why sleep is so important, what it actually does for your brain and body, and how to create a better sleep strategy that can have positive snowball effects on mood and health.
… and from our sister site, Aha!:
Can Anyone Be Hypnotized?
Despite what you might think, hypnosis is a genuine therapeutic tool backed by surprisingly robust science. Its murky history, dating back two centuries, has swung like a watch on a string from parlor trick to legit treatment to a largely forgotten art and, now, back into the realm of helpful remedy — at least for some people.
— By Kathleen Murphy
What’s the Difference Between Plant and Animal Protein?
All protein is made from an alphabet of 20 amino acids, but like words, each type of protein is constructed from a wildly varying mix of those letters. Learn why plant and animal proteins have such different effects on digestion, metabolism and health.
— By Brent R. Stockwell, PhD
Can You Overdose on Water?
You’d have to be pretty foolish to kill yourself by overindulging in water, this doctor explains. Find out why endurance athletes need to be aware of the risk, when it can be a serious problem, and how to stay on the safe side.
— By Denny Pencheva, M
Why Do Paper Cuts Hurt So Much?
Science has fingered the reason, and you can thank evolution for the outsized throbbing, this dermatologist explains. It has to do with your outermost layer of skin being hot-wired, plus the non-intuitive fact that paper is dull and jagged.
— By Annie Foley
RANDOM BIT OF WISDOM
“Do or do not. There is no try.”
—Yoda
Wise & Well writers are physicians, psychiatrists, research scientists, dieticians, fitness experts, journalists and other professionals who share their expertise to help you make tomorrow a little better than today.