Common household chemical may cause insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes
Americans are becoming more and more aware the negative effects obesity can have on our daily lives. Obesity has been linked to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and even various forms of cancer. These concerns have led to many Americans taking control of their daily diet, but now there is a study that shows a healthy diet may not be enough. According to a recent study lead by Gale Carey, Professor of Nutrition at the University of New Hampshire, “a flame-retardant chemical commonly found on household items, may cause metabolic problems that lead to insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.” The chemical is Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether, or PBDE, and is found on common items such as “sofas, carpet, and electronics.” During the study, researchers exposed rats to PBDE’s and “noticed the chemical disrupted the rats’ metabolisms, leading to obesity and liver enlargement.” Even more alarming, the researchers are not certain why PBDE’s are causing these issues. Studies such as this one show that maintaining a healthy diet is of course important, but there are other factors that may be out of our control that we need to be mindful of.
To learn more about the concerns of PBDE’s, follow the link: http://bit.ly/1DO6l5K