The problem with plastics (well, at least one of the many)

Is this true?

A while ago, a friend sent me this article from SmartMama.com on BPA. BPA (for Bisphenol A) is a chemical found in many types of plastics, including those used for food (e.g., the plastic liner in some canned products, Nalgene bottles, etc). BPA has a similar molecular structure to estrogen, and when introduced to the body can interfere with processes that rely on estrogen. It has been associated with breast cancer, low semen production, and rising rates of early pubescence in girls.

SmartMama reviews a scientific study linking BPA to obesity. My friend asked me for my take on it.

Here is what I said. 

The abstract of the study does not say if they controlled for dietary choices. Obviously, eating more packaged foods equals more BPA and more calories...

However, these results are not surprising. The body is extremely parsimonious. The same hormones that lead to sexual development are also used in building muscle and controlling the metabolism. BPA is a hormone disrupter, so no surprise when we find out it is messing with our bodies in a multitude of ways.

What should you do about it?

I try to avoid eating processed foods as much as possible. Of course, that is a good move for many reasons (healthier, fewer calories, less packaging materials, etc). However, you can't always avoid it entirely. The trick is that only certain plastics have BPA. Typically plastics labeled 1, 2, 4, and 5 are BPA free. Here is the rhyme I came up with to help me remember which ones.

One, two, four, and five
If you want to stay alive.
Avoid number three
So you can be cancer free.