By Chayden Pitzer, Student Pharmacist and Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist
Elvis Presley released the song Stay Away in February of 1968 as part of the soundtrack for the movie Stay Away, Joe. This song only hit number 67 on the top 100 hits in the United States. This was unusual for the King of Rock and Roll since he had 18 number one hits and 40 top ten songs during his career.
Elvis’s first number one pop chart hit was Heartbreak Hotel in 1956 even though he had hit number one on the country charts in 1955 with I Forgot to Remember to Forget. He would have been 20 and 21 years old with each of these hits. Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. In 2025, Elvis would have been 90 years old.
Why is it important for PFAs to stay away?
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) are man-made chemicals. They are often referred to as forever chemicals. These chemicals can be found in contaminated water and food. PFAs have been used commercially in products since 1940. They have been used in non-stick cookware and protective coatings in manufacturing carpets and fabrics. In addition, PFAs are used in coatings for paper and cardboard food packaging.
PFAs have been associated with many negative health effects such as obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and increasing the risk of cancer. The American Cancer Society provides a good summary of the cancer risks with forever chemicals. The strongest evidence is an increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer. There is a possible link to breast and thyroid cancer.
Humans are exposed to PFAs in everyday life with food and dietary intake as a major contributor. In order to prevent future diseases due to PFAs exposure in the diet, making better food and beverage choices can help. Recent evidence indicates making these choices at an early age is important.
A study evaluated data from both the Children’s Health Study (CHS) and the National Health and Nutrition survey (NHANES) assessing the levels of PFAs in the blood of young adults while collecting information on the types of food the subjects ate as well as where the food was prepared. Their study reported foods prepared in fast-food restaurants had a higher level of PFAs than foods prepared in dine-in restaurants and at home.
For example, young adults cooking French fries, tacos and burgers at home had lower levels of PFAs in their blood than those who ate those foods from a fast-food restaurant. Young adults who drank tea, bottled water and sugary drinks had a higher amount of PFAs in their blood than young adults who drank tap water.
The authors of the study stated food packaging could be responsible for the increased amount of PFAs. The packaging used for food and drinks contains chemicals to help with grease, moisture and non-sticking which allows these chemicals to transfer into food.
Some ways to lower PFAs in your diet can be to eat more fruits, vegetables, and grains instead of fast-food options or pre-packaged foods or desserts. People who eat more home-cooked food or snacks are found to have lower levels of PFAs in their body than those who eat out.
Eating at home can save your wallet and benefit your health. Stay away PFAs!
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ONU HealthWise offers the shingles vaccine along with flu, COVID-19 and other vaccinations. Vaccine clinics will continue through the middle of December on weekdays from 2:00-6:00 p.m.
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