BPA And Miscarriage

Most of us have BPA in our bodies the question is how much? Higher levels are associated with increased risks for miscarriage highlighting a need to greatly reduce exposure when trying to conceive.

In one Japanese study on women with recurrent first-trimester losses, levels of BPA were compared to levels of other markers of auto-immune pregnancy loss. High BPA levels were strongly correlated with high levels of ANAs (anti-nuclear antibodies) known to increase miscarriage risks and the study concluded that:

"Exposure to bisphenol A is associated with recurrent miscarriage."

BPA requires some very focused intent to avoid, here are some of the main sources that you may be exposed to:

Canned food, especially soups and tomato / pasta sauces
Store receipts
Plastic beverage bottles with #7 recycling logo
Some plastic bottles with #3 logo
Polycarbonate plastic bottles
Plastic lined water pipes
Dental fillings and sealants
Food heated in plastic containers
Food packaged in plastic

BPA gets into canned foods because it is part of the plastic can liners which leach BPA into canned foods, known to be a particular problem in canned soups and pasta products packed in tomato sauce. In some studies even canned green beans had high levels. Here are some tips for keeping your levels low:

Buy tomato sauces in glass jars
Use a stainless steel water bottle and filter your water
Minimally handle store receipts
Have dental work done before you try to conceive
Avoid microwave dinners in plastic containers
Avoid all beverages in plastic bottles and cans
Always choose glass over plastic when buying sauces, dressings etc.
Use a water filter for tap water

One mechanism by which BPA may harm pregnancy success is by its toxic effect upon the placenta. Studies on placental cells (CTBs) have shown that even very low concentrations of BPA cause and increased rate of cell damage and cell death. BPA exposure also increased levels - and gene activity - of a substance called tumor-necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) which is associated with pregnancy loss. This study concluded that:

"Our findings suggest that exposure of placental cells to low doses of BPA may cause detrimental effects, leading in vivo to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, prematurity and pregnancy loss."

It's hard to avoid BPA, most of us have it in our bodies at some level, the key is to make a great effort to de-plasticize your diet and lifestyle and keep levels as low as possible for your fertility - your pregnancy - and your baby.

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References:


Sugiura-ogasawara, M.; Ozaki, Y.; Sonta, S. -I.; Makino, T.; Suzumori, K. (2005). "Exposure to bisphenol a is associated with recurrent miscarriage". Human reproduction (Oxford, England) 20 (8): 2325-2329.

Benachour, N.; Aris, A. (2009). "Toxic effects of low doses of Bisphenol-A on human placental cells.". Toxicology and applied pharmacology 241 (3): 322-328.