© CorbiaHarmful chemicals may be triggering early puberty in girls.
Furthermore, the studies found that the chemicals also put them at a greater risk of diabetes and cancer. The three chemical classes studied were phthalates, phenols and phytoestrogens. One such hormone-mimicking chemical is Bisphenol A, which was recently found in eighteen out of twenty popular food cans.
The average age that girls begin puberty currently stands at ten years and three months. This average has fallen by more than a year within a single generation. Studies indicated that chemicals like Bisphenol A could be to blame. While Bisphenol A appears to speed up puberty in girls, health experts say other factors must also be considered. Doctors say that obesity could be the largest factor in delaying puberty in girls.
Professor Fran Ebling noted that weight may be a larger factor in the process. "Most of the associations in this study were weak and we know that weight is a much better predictor of early puberty. But this is a very well-designed study." Fran Ebling is a professor at Nottingham University, and is a British puberty expert.
The study examined 1,151 American girls over the course of two years. The girls were between the ages of six and eight when the study began. The study found that all three of the chemicals were all widely detected in the urine of the girls. Of the girls studied, about one-third showed signs of premature puberty. Phthalates and phytoestrogens were found to be the strongest links to a hasty puberty.
Dr Mary Wolff summarized the results of the research. "Our research shows a connection between chemicals that girls are exposed to on a daily basis and either delayed or early development. While more research is needed, these data are an important first step in evaluating the impact of these common environmental agents in putting girls at risk."
Avoiding Bisphenol A may be key to maintaining a proper hormonal balance within your body. Avoiding Bisphenol A can be rather simple. Knowing which products to buy is key. Research the products that you use to ensure that they are free of Bisphenol A.
Sources:
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As that push grew in the '80s in livestock which seemed to have similar affects.