What are the risks of phthalates?
The negative health effects of phthalates on the body may include reproductive issues, a larger waist size and increased insulin resistance, a precursor for diabetes. In this video, pediatrician Alan Greene, MD, discusses these health risks.
Transcript
We know shockingly little about the health effects, but we do know a few things. One is that in well-controlled animal studies,
phthalates have been shown to cause certain health problems. [MUSIC PLAYING]
For chemicals that are in so many of our bodies, in one recent study, 98% of people's urine tested positive for phthalates.
[MUSIC PLAYING] We know shockingly little about the health effects,
but we do know a few things. One is that in well-controlled animal studies, phthalates have been shown to cause certain health problems.
And two, when you go out and randomly measure phthalate levels in people, you often find a higher rate of those same health problems.
So what kinds of things are we talking about? Number one, reproductive problems. This could be testicular dysfunction in men,
endometriosis in women, or genital formation in baby boys.
Number two is increased waist size. People with higher phthalate levels are more likely to have a bigger waist,
even eating the same number of calories and having the same exercise. Number 3 is increased insulin resistance--
harder to control blood sugar. This is a precursor to diabetes. [MUSIC PLAYING]
diet nutrition
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