Baby Products Linked to Chemical Risk
By LINDSEY TANNER, AP Posted: 2008-02-04 08:15:49 Filed Under: Health News

CHICAGO (Feb. 4) - Baby shampoos, lotions and powders may expose infants to chemicals that have been linked with possible reproductive problems, a small study suggests.

The chemicals, called phthalates, are found in many ordinary products including cosmetics, toys, vinyl flooring and medical supplies. They are used to stabilize fragrances and make plastics flexible.

In the study, they were found in elevated levels in the urine of babies who'd been recently shampooed, powdered or lotioned with baby products.

Phthalates (pronounced thowl-ates) are under attack by some environmental advocacy groups, but experts are uncertain what dangers, if any, they might pose. The federal government doesn't limit their use, although California and some countries have restricted their use.

Animal studies have suggested that phthalates can cause reproductive birth defects and some activists believe they may cause reproductive problems in boys and early puberty in girls.

Rigorous scientific evidence in human studies is lacking. The current study offers no direct evidence that products the infants used contained phthalates, and no evidence that the chemicals in the babies' urine caused any harm. Still, the results worried environmental groups that support restrictions on these chemicals.

"There is an obvious need for laws that force the beauty industry to clean up its act," said Stacy Malkan of Health Care Without Harm.

The study's lead author, Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, a University of Washington pediatrician, said, "The bottom line is that these chemicals likely do exist in products that we're commonly using on our children and they potentially could cause health effects."

Babies don't usually need special lotions and powders, and water alone or shampoo in very small amounts is generally enough to clean infant hair, Sathyanarayana said.

Concerned parents can seek products labeled "phthalate-free," or check labels for common phthalates, including DEP and DEHP.

But the chemicals often don't appear on product labels. That's because retail products aren't required to list individual ingredients of fragrances, which are a common phthalate source.

The Food and Drug Administration "has no compelling evidence that phthalates pose a safety risk when used in cosmetics," spokeswoman Stephanie Kwisnek said. "Should new data emerge, we will inform the public as well as the industry."

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the health effects in humans are uncertain.

"Although several studies in people have explored possible associations with developmental and reproductive outcomes (semen quality, genital development in boys, shortened pregnancy, and premature breast development in young girls), more research is needed," a 2005 CDC report said.

The new study, which appears in February's issue of the journal Pediatrics, involved 163 babies. Most were white, ages 2 to 28 months and living in California, Minnesota and Missouri.

The researchers measured levels of several phthalates in urine from diapers. They also asked the mothers about use in the previous 24 hours of baby products including lotions, powders, diaper creams and baby wipes.

All urine samples had detectable levels of at least one phthalate, and most had levels of several more. The highest levels were linked with shampoos, lotions and powders, and were most prevalent in babies younger than 8 months.

John Bailey, chief scientist at the Personal Care Products Council, questioned the methods and said the phthalates could have come from diapers, lab materials or other sources.

"Unfortunately, the researchers of this study did not test baby care products for the presence of phthalates or control for other possible routes of exposure," Bailey said.     Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.

***Asterisks, highlighted area, and bold represent information pertaining to Monavie ingredients. Please note these two important definitions with regard to Monavie-                     
APOPTOSIS: A form of cell death in which a programmed sequence of events leads to the elimination of cells without releasing harmful substances into the surrounding area. Apoptosis plays a crucial role in developing and maintaining health by eliminating old cells, unnecessary cells, and unhealthy cells.                                                                                    
ANTHOCYANINS: act as powerful antioxidants, helping to protect the plant from radicals formed by UV light and during metabolic processes. This antioxidant property is conserved even after consumption by another organism, which is another reason why fruits and vegetables with red skins and tissues are a nutritious food source.   This block of information has been added by an Independent Distributor of Monavie

Paul M. Gross, PhD

After review of more than 300 research reports on berries in 2006, here are The Berry Doctor's choices of the top 10 medical science studies over the past year.

Format of the presentation is to give the report title, authors' names, research institution and published reference followed by a synopsis of main research findings. To conclude each review, a “note to consumers” provides a single message having potential interest to the general public.

This presentation reveals 3 significant trends in berry research:
1. sophisticated biological models are being applied to demonstrate properties of berry constituents, particularly antioxidant phytochemicals (evident in papers 6,9,10);
2. there is increasing focus on identifying potential health benefits of berries against major diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, viral infections and particularly cancer (papers 1,3-5,7,8); and
3. exotic, nutrient- and antioxidant-dense berries (sometimes called “superfruits”), such as açaí, are increasingly under systematic investigation to more completely define their properties (paper 2)

***10.  Direct vasoactive and vasoprotective properties of anthocyanin-rich extracts.

Bell DR, Gochenaur K. Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 2101 Coliseum Blvd. East, Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499.  J Appl Physiol. 2006 Apr;100(4):1164-70.

Synopsis.

Although nitric oxide is a reactive oxygen specie (ROS), it is, under normal conditions, an important universal transmitter in the human body, having a role in numerous physiological processes. It is particularly important for regulation of blood flow and blood pressure by dilation of small arteries whose smooth muscle layers are under control by nitric oxide as the endothelium-dependent relaxation factor. Nitric oxide, however, can be attacked by other ROS and its normal functions deterred. This study examined the effect of anthocyanin phenolics from chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa), bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) and elderberries (Sambucus nigra) on protection of nitric oxide regulation of vascular tone in pig coronary (heart) artery rings in vitro (a model for human heart artery function). The berry anthocyanins themselves caused the heart arteries to relax (dilate) and also protected normal nitric oxide-mediated dilation in the presence of other ROS.

Note to consumers: This study concluded that berry anthocyanins, either through the diet or as therapeutic agents, may be important for protection of blood flow in coronary artery disease. Such results indicate that colorful berries could be valuable as dietary preventative agents for general health of the heart and vascular system.

***9.  Neuroprotective effects of Lycium barbarum (wolfberry) Lynn on protecting retinal ganglion cells in an ocular hypertension model of glaucoma.

Chan HC, Chuen-Chung Chang R, Koon-Ching Ip A, Chiu K, Yuen WH, Zee SY,
So KF.  Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.  Exp Neurol. Epub 2006 Oct 11; 203(1):269-73.

Synopsis.

The high intraocular pressure of glaucoma is a threat to vision quality in many aging seniors. Goji (“wolfberry”), well-known for its rich antioxidant content of vitamin C and carotenoids, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin and lycopene, may be a valuable food choice for maintenance of eye health. Zeaxanthin particularly is necessary as a pigment filter and antoxidant in the retina. In rats surgically prepared to have high intraocular pressure characteristic of  glaucoma, this study found treatment with an extract of goji berries preserved retinal ganglion cells in this model of glaucoma.

Note to consumers: The results are evidence that components of the goji berry (wolfberry) – likely its vitamin C and carotenoids – created a protective effect on retinal ganglion cells in this experimental model of glaucoma. Goji berries may be valuable either as a whole food in the diet or from its extracts to create a therapeutic agent against the effects of glaucoma.

8.  Induction of cell death in Caco-2 human colon carcinoma cells by ellagic acid rich fractions from muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia).

Mertens-Talcott SU, Lee JH, Percival SS,

Synopsis.

Muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia) contain some of the richest pigmentation and phenolic concentrations known among berry fruits. This study examined the effect of ellagic acid and other flavonoids from muscadine grapes on parameters of colon cancer cells in vitro. Cancer cells were prevented from proliferating and had increased rates of apoptosis (higher natural self-induced death rates) resulting from exposure to ellagic acid from muscadine grapes.

Note to consumers: An indigenous specie of the southeast USA, muscadine grapes are exceptional sources of ellagic acid and other phenolics that may reduce cancer cell numbers and stimulate cancer cell death.

***7.   Blackberry, black raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, red raspberry, and strawberry extracts inhibit growth and stimulate apoptosis of human cancer cells in vitro.

Seeram NP, Adams LS, Zhang Y, Lee R, Sand D, Scheuller HS, Heber D.  Center for Human Nutrition, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095.       J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Dec 13;54(25):9329-9339.

Synopsis.

Six species of common berries – blackberry, black raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, red raspberry and strawberry – were studied for their phenolic antioxidant contents by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Anthocyanins, flavonols, flavanals, tannins, ellagic acid, proanthocyanidins and other phenolics were found in high concentrations. Tested in vitro for their effects on cell numbers in four different types of cancer – breast, colon, prostate and oral cancer --  the berry phenolics proved effective for inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and stimulating apoptosis (increased rate of cell death, a desirable anti-cancer effect).

Note to consumers: Phenolic antioxidants from common berries proved effective in vitro against four different kinds of cancer.

***6. Blueberry polyphenols increase lifespan and thermotolerance in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Wilson MA, Shukitt-Hale B, Kalt W, Ingram DK, Joseph JA, Wolkow CA. Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224. Aging Cell. 2006 Feb;5(1):59-68.

Synopsis.

As an experimental model in medical research, the roundworm nematode called C.elegans has provided a wealth of scientific information in studies of genetic composition and disease resistance, drug discovery and aging. In this interesting series of experiments using blueberry extracts on C. elegans, the authors found that blueberry phenolic proanthocyanidins increased lifespan and tolerance to heat. The effect was mediated through a genetic pathway that regulates osmotic stress.

Note to consumers: blueberry proanthocyanidins have antioxidant and other regulatory effects that may improve resistance to disease and aging.

5.  Anti-diabetic properties of the Canadian lowbush blueberry Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.

Martineau LC, Couture A, Spoor D, Benhaddou-Andaloussi A, Harris C, Meddah B, Leduc C, Burt A, Vuong T, Mai Le P, Prentki M, Bennett SA, Arnason JT, Haddad PS. Department of Pharmacology and Membrane Protein Study Group, Universite de Montreal, P.O. Box 6128, Downtown Station, Montreal, QC, Canada H3C 3J7; Institut des Nutraceutiques et des Aliments Fonctionnels, Universite Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.  Phytomedicine. 2006 Nov;13(9-10):612-23.

Synopsis.

Extracts of blueberry fruit plus other plant components (leaves, roots, stems) improved glucose transport and the insulin response of muscle and pancreas cells in vitro while protecting these cells against glucose toxicity commonly seen in diabetes. Pancreatic beta cells were increased in number by treatment with blueberry extracts.

Note to consumers: blueberry fruit and other plant components contain phenolic antioxidants with properties that favorably improve the response of muscle and pancreas cells to diabetic stimuli, and so have promise as anti-diabetic agents.

***4.  Antiviral effects on bacteriophages and rotavirus by cranberry juice.

Lipson SM, Sethi L, Cohen P, Gordon RE, Tan IP, Burdowski A, Stotzky G.
Biology Department, St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201. Phytomedicine. 2006 Nov 28; [Epub ahead of print]

Synopsis.

In a study comparing the antiviral effects of juices from cranberries, oranges and grapefruit, the authors found cranberry juice to be 100% effective against monkey viruses called rotavirus SA-11 and bacteriophage T4. Cranberry juice was more effective against these viruses than orange or grapefruit juice.

Note to consumers: commercial cranberry juice has significant antiviral effects under the conditions of these experiments.

3.  Up-regulation of tumor suppressor carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 in human colon cancer Caco-2 cells following repetitive exposure to dietary levels of a polyphenol-rich chokeberry juice.

Bermudez-Soto MJ, Larrosa M, Garcia-Cantalejo JM, Espin JC,
Tomas-Barberan FA, Garcia-Conesa MT.  Grupo de Investigacion en Calidad, Seguridad y Bioactividad de Alimentos Vegetales; Ciencia y Tecnologia de los Alimentos, CEBAS-CSIC, 30100 Murcia, Spain.  J Nutr Biochem. 2006 Jul 21; [Epub ahead of print]

Synopsis.

Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is well-known for its intense sourness, a reflection of strong phenolic acids serving the fruit as antioxidant pigments. In this study of chokeberry juice containing mixed phenolics, several regulatory mechanisms of colon cancer cell function were affected. Chokeberry juice inhibited genes involved in cancer cell growth, reduced cell proliferation and upregulated suppressor genes involved in growth of adenomas and carcinomas.

Note to consumers: Chokeberry juice, normally so bitterly sour that it cannot be taken as a native juice, provided strong anti-cancer effects in vitro. This experiment indicates that phenolic-rich plants like dark berries have promising potential as anti-cancer agents. The study also suggests that modification of chokeberry juice to make it palatable, or use of its extracts, could have significant potential as an anti-cancer tool.

***2.  Antioxidant capacity and other bioactivities of the freeze-dried amazonian palm berry, Euterpe oleraceae mart. (açaí).

Schauss AG, Wu X, Prior RL, Ou B, Huang D, Owens J, Agarwal A, Jensen 
GS, Hart AN, Shanbrom E. Natural and Medicinal Products Research, AIMBR Life Sciences, 4117 South Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98373.  J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Nov 1;54(22):8604-10.

Synopsis.

One of nature's most color-intense fruits, açaí is attracting interest for its future use in functional foods where it could supply rich concentration of phenolic antioxidants and value as a deep violet colorant. In studies to characterize the antioxidant strength of açaí, these authors measured freeze-dried açaí powder against several assays of antioxidant capacity, finding the highest scores yet measured for a fruit against the superoxide radical and for total antioxidant strength. Anthocyanins were only partly responsible for this effect, as other, yet unidentified phenolics were present. Using human neutrophil cells as a model, the authors also showed that açaí phenolics remain intact and effective in low doses in exerting their antioxidant effect. This finding indicates that small amounts of açaí added to foods or beverages could provide significant antioxidant protection.   Added note:  A 2006 Study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry showed that extracts from acai fruit triggered an apoptosis response in up to 86% of leukemia cells tested. 

Note to consumers: açaí fruit from the South American tropics has the strongest antioxidant properties yet observed and has high promise for entering first-world markets as a functional food ingredient and colorant. As its effects are evident at low doses, it may become an ingredient of numerous foods, drugs and other consumer products where antioxidant protection is needed.

1.  Transitioning from preclinical to clinical chemopreventive assessments of lyophilized black raspberries: interim results show berries modulate markers of oxidative stress in Barrett's esophagus patients.

Kresty LA, Frankel WL, Hammond CD, Baird ME, Mele JM, Stoner GD, Fromkes JJ. 
Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio
State University College of Medicine and Public Health, Columbus 43210, USA.  Nutr Cancer. 2006;54(1):148-56.

Synopsis.

Over the past five years, research from this group at Ohio State University has been establishing experimental evidence for how phenolics from black raspberries in the diet have preventative effects against several types of cancer (oral, esophageal or throat, breast, colon). The research has progressed sufficiently now to be carried to the next landmark stage – a preliminary investigation of anti-cancer activity in patients with Barrett's esophageal cancer. The research is significant as it directly examines the role of dietary berries on anti-cancer activity in patients with an aggressive cancer. 

Note to consumers: preliminary laboratory evidence is significant showing that black raspberries in the diet provides anti-cancer activity against oral, esophageal, breast and colon cancers. Research on humans begun in Autumn 2006 is examining potential benefits of dietary black raspberries on Barrett's esophageal cancer. This is the first human clinical trial of dietary berries as a preventative dietary agent against cancer.

About the Author. Paul M. Gross, Ph.D., received his doctorate in physiology from the University of Glasgow, Scotland and was a post-doctoral fellow in neuroscience at the Laboratory of Cerebral Metabolism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. A former Research Scholar for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, he published 85 peer-reviewed journal reports and book chapters over a 25 year career in medical science, and was recipient of the Karger Memorial Award, Switzerland, for publications on brain capillaries. Dr. Gross is on the Steering Committee of the International Berry Health Association. He is senior author of a 2006 book on the goji berry entitled Wolfberry: Nature’s Bounty of Nutrition and Health (Booksurge Publishing, Amazon.com, http://wolfberry.org) and is publisher of The Berry Doctor's Journal, http://berrydoctor.com where the public can obtain free information on berry science and nutrition.

Chemical in formula packaging may harm baby

(Congress investigating 7 companies, but FDA says it’s OK for now)- yeah right! updated 5:36 p.m. PT, Thurs., Jan. 17, 2008

WASHINGTON - House Democrats are investigating whether a chemical used to package baby formulas poses a risk to infants, despite assurances by U.S. regulators that it is safe for kids and adults.

Reps. John Dingell and Bart Stupak sent letters Thursday to seven companies that make baby formulations, questioning whether they use bisphenol A in the lining of their cans and bottles. The companies include Hain Celestial Group, Nestle USA, Abbott Laboratories and Wyeth.

The chemical at issue has been used to package foods for over 50 years, but consumer advocates said last year that trace amounts that leak into food could be dangerous to babies.

Concerns about the chemical caused Canadian retailers to remove bottled water and other plastic containers from store shelves last month.

FDA is reviewing the safety of the chemical but said last November it "sees no reason at this time to ban or otherwise restrict its use."

In a letter to FDA, Dingell and Stupak, both Michigan Democrats, ask commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach to explain how the agency determined bisphenal's safety.

"At best, the scientific community has concerns about the safety of bisphenol A," said Stupak, in a statement. "Our primary goal is to protect infants from a potentially harmful chemical."

An expert panel of researchers assembled by the National Institutes of Health said last August that the chemical's "impact on human health is a concern, and more research is clearly needed."

Additional research is a good idea, according to a trade group for baby formula makers, but they stressed Thursday that regulators in the U.S. and Europe believe the amounts found in food products are not dangerous.

"Parents using infant formula should not be alarmed because the bisphenol used in infant formulas and other food packaging exists in trace amounts," said Marisa Salcines, spokeswoman for the International Formula Council. "No change in infant feeding practices are necessary at this time."

A spokesman for Wyeth said Thursday the company does not use the chemical to package any of its baby formula products. Calls placed to other companies Thursday evening were not immediately returned.

FDA: Cold meds too risky for little ones
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.