New research has found that the chemical BPA is not only linked to obesity and heart attacks, but also found that BPA in the packaging of certain plastic cups and water bottles can trigger painful migraine headaches. The new study, which took place at the University of Kansas, links BPA, a chemical found in many plastics, to migraines.
While scientists say 90 percent of the U.S. population already has the chemical in their system especially women, BPA, an estrogen-mimicking industrial chemical, is being blamed for the onset of migraines. According to a recent study published in the journal Toxicological Sciences, BPA exposure via food packaging, plastics, and tins may increase the incidence and prevalence of migraines by causing changes in locomotion, light and sound sensitivity, and startle reflexes.
During the research, rats were given a BPA chemical once every three days. Female rats were utilized as the test model, due to scientists’ belief that their headaches are similar to those of humans — they avoid light, sound, grooming, and routine movements. The behavior of the rats was observed prior to and after the researchers administered the BPA chemical as they were surgically implanted with a device to produce migraine-like symptoms. Behavioral tasks modeled after those used to diagnose migraine in humans were performed by the rodents to observe the effects of BPA exposure. Within 30 minutes of the dose, the rats who were exposed to BPA were found to be less active, steered clear of loud noise and strong light, were easily frightened, and showed signs of tenderness to the head. When tested, those rodents were found to have higher levels of estrogen in their brains compared to their non-BPA counterparts, with the estrogen being linked to significantly worsening their migraine symptoms.
Previous research done by the FDA using animals raised potential concerns that BPA exposure may cause multiple health problems, including reproductive disorders, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. People are exposed to BPA through small amounts that migrated into their food and beverages from plastic containers.
The Food and Drug Administration has already began taking safety precautions against BPA by banning the use of the chemical in the production of baby bottles and children’s drinking cups. Many plastic manufacturing companies are labeling their bottles, cups and plastic containers BPA free but there has not been an official ban on the chemical. However, plastic containers have recycle codes on the bottom. Some, but not all, plastics that are marked with recycle codes 3 or 7 may be made with BPA.
