Bisphenol A (BPA) is an additive to plastics, found in the urine of 93% of American adults. It is found in plastic and plastic-lined food and beverage containers where it leaches into our food and beverages. In animal studies, BPA levels in the body are associated with weight gain, insulin resistance, thyroid and other hormone dysfunction, as well as oxidative stress. All of these factors could lead to cardiovascular disease (CVD). BPA is known to be an endocrine disruptor, interfering with hormonal action throughout the body
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)* can be detected before the patient has symptoms and is a risk factor for CVD. The present study was done to compare human PAD to the urinary levels of BPA to determine a relationship between the two. Consequently, a relationship between BPA urinary levels and CVD occurs. Subjects were taken from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES).
Of 753 people studied (all over 40 years of age) 63 had PAD. A strong association was seen between PAD and BPA urinary levels even before factors such as smoking, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, were accounted for.
CONCLUSION: Urinary Bisphenol A levels in humans were strongly associated with increased rates of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and, therefore, with cardiovascular disease (CVD).
NOTE: *Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is occlusive vascular disease to arteries outside of those to the heart and brain.
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PMID: 22645278.
Summary #778.
