I’ve been trying to eliminate all unhealthy plastics in my life because I have elevated thyroid titers. In a prior post, I explored BPA and BPS in plastics. This is an update to that post, including new information I’ve learned in my quest for health!
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Table of Contents
Who is Betsy Leighton?
I’m a writer, blogger, and healer dedicated to helping individuals reconnect with their innate peace and wholeness by healing nervous system dysregulation. My personal experience with chronic illness called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) shapes my work, and my content offers tools to empower those with chronic illness to improve their well-being and take charge of their health.
I created the Sacred Self-Healing Method and am a trained and certified Safe and Sound Protocol provider, an author, blogger, and A Course in Miracles Teacher. I hold a Master of Divinity in Spiritual Counseling and am a trained spiritual mentor, with certificates in sound healing, aromatherapy, nutrition, and Sacred Deathcare. I offer a self-study certificate program in the Sacred Self-Healing Method, provide spiritual counseling and coaching, courses, and supported subscriptions for the Safe and Sound Protocol.
What is MCAS?
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a chronic condition that affects all organ systems. It can cause severe, disabling symptoms every day, including potentially fatal anaphylaxis.
The common triggers for MCAS are infections, toxic exposures including mold exposure and EMFs, trauma, concussions, and stress.
MCAS often occurs with other chronic conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Managing MCAS is challenging because many healthcare providers are unaware of it, and diagnostic tests can be unreliable. Treatments include antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers in the form of medications and supplements, along with avoiding triggers. Check out this post on managing MCAS.
What are phthalates?
“Phthalates found in some plastics have been shown to decrease thyroid function and changes in the thyroid gland, while Bisphenol A (BPA) decreases thyroid receptor site sensitivity, causing thyroid resistance.” – Source
After changing brands of sparkling water and changing water bottles from plastic to glass, I next looked at my mouth splint. I wear a mouth splint at night because I grind my teeth, and it prevents my teeth from grinding against each other. The splint I was prescribed two years ago (within the same time period that I developed my thyroid nodules) is made of two kinds of plastic. If you think about it, grinding your teeth on a piece of plastic all night long every day adds up to a lot of plastic exposure. And it turns out that the plastics in my splint are not compatible with my biology. So, I am going to switch to one made of Lucite.
The bucket theory
The bucket theory simplifies understanding symptom reactions with MCAS. Imagine your body as an empty bucket you don’t want to overflow. Reactions to various stimuli fill the histamine bucket at different rates, forming the total histamine level (how full your bucket is). More histamine means more symptoms. By managing triggers, reducing exposures, and taking medications and supplements, you can control your bucket’s level.
Know your typical symptom progression
Understanding your symptom progression during a flare is key to developing your rescue plan. This post discusses how to recognize symptom progression so you can be prepared to address them.
Get my free ebook, symptom log, and meal plan!
Want a tool to easily track your symptoms?
What are unhealthy plastics?
Some plastics are safer than others. If the plastic item is stamped with a number on the bottom, you can use that number to discern if the plastic is healthy. Here is a breakdown of plastics by number.
Unhealthy plastics to avoid
#1 plastics – PETE or PET
#3 – PVC
#6 – polystyrene
#7 – polycarbonate plastics (PC), which are usually clear, including Nalgene bottles. Even if it is BPA-free, the plastic has likely been made with BPS.
Safer plastics
These plastics have never had BPA in the first place:
#2 – HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): They are very chemically resistant, and that is why they are normally used in milk, juices, yoghurt, water, garbage, and supermarket bags; some Nalgene bottles are made of this material.
#4 – LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): It is a type of plastic that does not release any chemicals into water, making it one of the safest available, so there is no danger in its reuse.
#5 – Polypropylene is a durable, rigid plastic with less likelihood of chemical leaching compared to PEX.
PEX – PEX pipe is part of a water supply piping system that has several benefits over metal pipe or rigid plastic pipe systems. It is flexible and resistant to scale and chlorine. PEX pipe doesn’t corrode or develop pinholes. Plus, it is faster to install than metal or rigid plastic, and it requires fewer connections and fittings.
#7 – ABS – if it is opaque, it is considered safer, and is the same plastic that Lego bricks are made of. Another #7 plastic is Nylon, which is opaque and safer.
Lucite, acrylic, or plexiglass – polymethyl methacrylate; from what I have read, these plastics are not made of BPA, and they don’t break down from contact with water.
Polyurethane is considered to be completely inert and harmless to humans.
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a non-toxic and 100% food-safe material. TPU does not contain any chemicals that interfere with endocrine or hormonal systems, nor does it contribute to changes in soil or water pH. It contains no dangerous ingredients according to REACH Compliance (EC) No 1907/2006.
Safest options
Silicone – no known health hazards.
Glass – no known health hazards.
Stainless steel – no known health hazards.
Check out these circadian health tools!
I’m an affiliate with Bon Charge, a company that makes tools for circadian health, and you can receive 15% off your order with my coupon code BETSYL.
Bon Charge offers tools such as yellow– and red-tone blue-blocking glasses, red light therapy devices, PEMF mats, infrared saunas, and EMF-blocking products.
Sign up for the SSP!
I’ve found the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) to be the most helpful bottom-up healing strategy if your nervous system has been overloaded with toxic exposures, including mold or non-native EMFs, chronic infections, concussions, stress, or trauma. The SSP is a passive listening therapy that helps heal nervous system dysregulation. Many people with MCAS and other chronic conditions have nervous system dysregulation stemming from infections, toxic exposures, concussions, and trauma. The SSP is an easy-to-use app that lets you listen to specially filtered music for 30 minutes each day as part of a 5-hour cycle. Studies show the SSP has a profound effect on mental health and chronic conditions. Here’s a short podcast describing the Safe and Sound Protocol.
You can sign up for the SSP here!
Heal your mind!
While the SSP is a bottom-up, somatic therapy for healing the nervous system, the Sacred Self-Healing Method I offer is a top-down nervous system-healing modality that focuses on cognition, attention, perception, and emotion, using the mind’s higher functions. The SSP and the Sacred Self-Healing Method complement each other and together produce lasting results. Here’s a short podcast on my self-healing practice.
I provide one-on-one in-person and remote chronic illness and caregiver coaching, as well as Sacred Self-Healing Sessions based on the Sacred Self-Healing Method, a proven, novel co-creative healing modality detailed in my Books.
Order my books!
Here’s a short podcast highlighting my five books.
My latest book, Living In The Light: Healing with Forgiveness, Sound, and Light, is all about the tools that have been most helpful for me to heal: forgiveness, sound, through nervous system retraining using the Safe and Sound Protocol, and light, through entraining my circadian rhythm with the energy of the sun. Living In The Light is available here!
Rocks and Roots chronicles my solo backpacking journey on the Superior Hiking Trail and my efforts to overcome nervous system dysregulation, gut dysbiosis, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome symptoms to complete the 328-mile hike successfully.
The Sacred Self-Healing Method ebook is available here and in most ebook retailers!
The Sacred Self-Healing Workbook is available for purchase here!
Betsy’s first book, Sacred Self-Healing: Finding Peace Through Forgiveness, is available here
Companion Recordings
The companion audio recordings of chants, guided meditations, and sound healing demonstrations that accompany the Sacred Self-Healing Method are available for free on my YouTube channel here
What do you think?
I’d love to have your reply below!
Disclaimer
The preceding material does not constitute medical advice. This information is for information purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, cure, or treatment.
