Remember when I wrote recently about having bacteria in my urine? For the third time this year. Remember when I wrote about the first two times earlier this year -- when I had this problem twice within about two months? Remember that Dr. C didn't think it was such a big deal? Remember that I off-handedly blamed it on my water bottles, but didn't really have any "evidence"?
Well, now I do! In a recent Diabetes Health article, plastic packaging is linked to diabetes and other health problems: Higher urinary levels of the commonly used chemical, BPA, are linked with cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
When I read this all I could think was "A ha! I was right!" A study by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found: "Widespread and continuous exposure to BPA, primarily through food but also through drinking water and other sources, is evident from the presence of detectable levels of BPA in more than 90 percent of the U.S. population."
The first time I had the problem I chalked it up to nothing. But when it happened again I started thinking about all the attention that was suddenly being paid to BPA and plastic water bottles. I threw out my Nalgene bottle that I used every day. I didn't really think that was what was causing my problem, but it was worth a shot to eliminate something.
And then for months I didn't have a problem. Until I started up with a new water bottle that I used every day. Guess what? I threw it away and haven't had a problem since. In fact, I've started drinking my daily water out of an actual glass. I know! I do want something portable since desert living requires drinking a lot of water and I often find myself thirsty during my long commute, but for my desk at work the glass will work wonders.
My point is basically this: In whatever aspect of your diabetes treatment you think something is off or would be better handled a different way -- even if it's just throwing away your water bottle -- do it. If it makes a difference or seems to make a difference, then it was worth it.
