Are Chemicals Making Us Fat?
Many of us figure that we know how people gain weight. The calories that we take in exceed the calories that we expend. Right?
What if there were another factor in the mix?
An article published last week by Nation of Change suggests that there just might be. In the article, which you can read here, the author brings to light some information regarding the growing obesity problems among animals other than humans. There is some really compelling information in this article, including a link to a paper called "Canaries In The Coal Mine". From the article:
In 2010, an international team of scientists published findings that nearly two dozen animal populations -- all cared for or living near humans -- had been rapidly fattening in recent decades.
The author of the article goes on to say that certainly overeating and lack of exercise can be factors involved with animals' obesity, just as with humans. However, in the "Canaries In The Coal Mine" paper, the scientists mention that the animals in the study had controlled environments that did not vary in living condition or diet. So, their increase in weight was surprising.The article lists more than one possibility for this weight gain. However, the one factor that is interesting scientists these days is the environment that humans share with these animals, and what toxins the environment contains.
In a paper by Paula Baille-Hamilton, written more than a decade ago, this issue is examined further. In the paper, entitled, "Chemical Toxins: A Hypothesis to Explain the Global Obesity Epidemic", Baille-Hamilton states that she found evidence of chemicals that affect every aspect of our metabolism. In particular, the paper points to evidence that endocrine disruptors can influence weight gain. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that mimic and have the ability to interfere with the natural hormone system.
Take a look at the article for more on this issue. Make sure you read through to the end, so you can learn about "Zombie Chemicals". That was a piece of information that was completely new to me.
It's all worth considering, and serves as another reason why we could benefit from knowing what is in the products we use on our bodies and in our homes, in addition to the food and drink we ingest.