Soaring BPA Levels Found in People Who Eat Canned Foods
BPA (bisphenol A) is a dangerous chemical that is a hormone interrupter. BPA suppresses the production of male hormones and has been linked to numerous health problems. Please read this story to be aware of the risks:
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/11/23/soaring-bpa-levels-found-in-people-who-eat-canned-foods/?test=latestnews#ixzz1eXpcMq4h
While the FDA does not regulate supplements as vigorously as other products, they will occasionally warn the public about some issues with supplements and vitamins. The most common warnings pertain to weight-loss products. The following is an excerpt followed by a link to the full story:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to use 20 weight-loss supplements found to contain the drug sibutramine.
An FDA laboratory analyses confirmed the supplements contain sibutramine, the active ingredient in weight-loss medication Meridia, previously found to substantially increase blood pressure and heart rate and also linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. It was removed from the U.S. market in October 2010. The supplements are sold on various websites and in some retail stores in the form of capsules and as coffees and teas. Some are labeled “100% natural.”
Full story at: http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2011/10/20-weight-loss-supplements-contain-undeclared-drug-fda-warns.html?EXTKEY=NE1B000H
This is probably not what you would expect on a fitness center’s blog. However, my concern is for everyone’s overall health, not just your fitness. PLEASE read and be aware…
While recently conducting research, I came across information that is a cause for alarm. You may be aware of concerns about BPA – bishpenol A – a common additive to some types of plastic. There’s several reasons to be concerned about this chemical and the potential for adverse health effects. The following is a quote directly from a research paper prepared jointly by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute entitled “REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL CANCER RISK”:
Of the many known and suspected EDCs (Endocrine Disrupting Compounds), bisphenol A (BPA) has received perhaps the most public attention in recent years (see also Part I, p. 18). BPA is used in numerous products, including baby bottles and food and beverage can liners. It disrupts the endocrine system because it acts as a weak estrogen. Extensive research has linked BPA to breast cancer, obesity, diabetes, and other serious medical problems.88,92 The Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction concluded in 2008 that there is “…some concern for effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to bisphenol A.”185
Like BPA, phthalates disrupt normal hormone function by mimicking estrogen. This group of chemicals is used to make
plastics soft and pliable. They are found in a wide array of consumer products, including plastic bottles, IV tubing, toys (including soft teething toys for babies), cosmetics, hair conditioners, and fragrances. Phthalates inhibit normal binding to estrogen receptors and suppress male androgens. In girls, phthalates may cause early puberty and higher breast cancer risk later in life.189 Male fetuses in the first trimester of pregnancy appear to be particularly vulnerable to damage by phthalates, which may cause undescended testicles, hypospadias, and possibly higher testicular cancer risk. In humans, phthalates have been linked to problems with sperm count and sperm quality, and like other EDCs, phthalates are a suspected breast carcinogen.
In summary, we need to be aware of such risks. Many plastic bottles are made with BPA. You should be aware that this chemical will leach into the content of the bottle with time. It will do so even more when exposed to heat or when used for highly acidic contents such as fruit juices.
Most manufacturers are now including labels stating their product is BPA free. You can check this by looking at the recycling numbers on the bottom of plastic bottles. If there is a 7 on the bottle that means it was made with polycarbonates, which often contain BPA. If the bottle has a 1, 2, 4 or 5 it is BPA free.
Everything is up and running! One exception: the new rowers have not arrived yet. They’re worth the wait, though. They are Concept II Model D’s. That’s their most popular model.
Our New Cardio Entertainment Center
All the new Star Trac equipment is really nice. One cool feature everyone is sure to love: ipod docks. Plug directly into the treadmill to play and charge at the same time. You select your input method: ipod dock; USB; TV. Plug your headphones into outlet on the crossbar with the heart rate monitors built-in and enjoy! The treadmills and the TBT’s (Total Body Trainer ellipticals) are equipped with this feature.
What’s next? Customer service enhancements. With the new member account management services, you will soon have access to ABC Financial’s Member Services page through our website. May not seem like a big deal right now, but you will be able to check any account information, such as length of your membership, any outstanding dues, credits on your account and other member services info. As we develop additional programming, you’ll be able to schedule tanning sessions, personal training sessions or inquire via email through the site.
I have some minor wiring to complete, once the necessary hardware arrives. STILL trying to resolve a problem with the Direct TV remotes. Cannot get them dedicated to one receiver, so attempting to change one TV changes all of them. Frustrating!
Thank you to everyone for your patience during the construction process. We hope you make use of all the new toys.
The new cardio equipment is here and ready for everyone. The TBT’s are a big hit with those who have tried them. A few issues still to be solved: the display panels for the treadmills were not shipped with them but are due to be here today; and the ipod dock systems for each machine were not shipped but should be in be week’s end. I still have some wiring to complete as soon as some special light controls come in.
Sara and I are very pleased to provide all of this in for our members. We want everyone to make use of it and enjoy training. Now, get out there and tell your friends they need to join and get in shape!
One of our members completely surprised us with a gift. He’s an active-duty military combatant serving in Afghanistan. When he comes home for short periods, we welcome him here to train without any cost. The mental and physical sacrifices of our men and women in uniform is beyond measure, and we greatly appreciate their service. We enjoy providing this very minor offering to them when they’re home on leave.
We received a box at the front desk today. When opened, there were 50 new hand towels with our logo printed on them! We were taken aback by this gift, not expecting it. What a pleasant surprise.
Make use of them, but PLEASE remember to leave them here!
New Hand Towels!
New Bikes Being Assembled
Installation crew is here and moving right along. Assembling the bikes now and bringing in treadmills. This is just like Christmas morning!
Cardio Entertainment Center Before New Equipment
We have made a lot of progress. I have just a small amount of wiring left to do. This morning I installed new audio receivers on the current cardio machines. I have included a photo of the CEC as it currently is.
Also, we moved a lot of the strength and circuit equipment to make it easier to move throughout the fitness center. I hope everyone likes it.
Time to get moving. See you at the fitness center!!
The remainder of the wood flooring is down. A BIG thanks to Earl Wallace for helping me. If it weren’t for Earl, I would still be standing there looking at it, trying to figure it out.
I’ll have the remainder of the wiring completed today. Wiring is completed for the treadmills. Once I have the outlets installed for the TV’s and satellite receivers, all that’s left is hanging the flat screens on the wall and wait for the new equipment to arrive.
When all the construction is completed, this blog will transition into a resource site. We will begin updates on training and nutriton-related topics as well as any updates relative to the fitness center. Thanks for following us!
Making progress! I must admit that I’m rather exhausted. Left around 1am this morning. Managed to finish wiring the track light system. The mounting equipment for the TV’s has not arrived yet. I’ll have the flat screens up as soon as they do.
A good friend of mine, Allen Carr, operates his own business as a home entertainment systems specialist. Not only does he have a wealth of knowledge and years of experience installing home entertainment systems, he has an eye for aesthetics. He’s helping me with getting everything done. As an example, he understood that I need the TV’s mounted on the east wall and spread out evenly. Visit his site at www.hangmanav.com or reach him by cell at 765.278.8483 if you need any help with A/V systems.
I’ll be working on the flooring tonight and tomorrow. Hope to get that done quickly. We’re Want to make sure there’s plenty of room around each machine, and since we will have 32 cardio machines we need as much floor space as possible.
You may have noticed that a small group of spin bikes are set up on the north part of the floor. If anyone wants to turn the lead bike around to face the others and teach a spin class, have at it! That’s why we set them up there.
The mirrors from the group ex room will be placed on walls around the club on Friday (August 12th). The flat screens should go up some time next week.
