The clothes you wear when you work out may do you more harm than helping you to stay healthy as you hit the gym. This is because research has revealed alarming levels of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound linked to significant health risks in several sports wear, including sports bra, leggings, and athletic wear. The Center for Environmental Health (CEH), which is a nonprofit consumer advocacy group has brought these concerns to light, and have raised awareness about the potential danger and damage these sports wear can cause because of the common chemicals used.

What is BPA? Is it concerning?

Bisphenol A, or BPA is a chemical that is used to make plastics and resins. It is also used in certain fabrics and is known for its endocrine-disrupting properties, which can also interfere with one's hormonal balance. There have been studies, including a 2019 study titled The adverse health effects of bisphenol A and related toxicity mechanisms that have linked BPA exposure to various health problems, including asthma, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, and even cancer.

Many of research which have been conducted focus on the ingestion, which can happen when you store food in BPA-lined containers. Among them, some of the more recent studies show that skin absorption is also a pathway. This means when you are handling receipts which are printed on thermal paper, or wear BPA-containing fabrics, the chemical can seep through your skin and enter your bloodstream.

Though it is also true that BPA is exposed from the body within days, however, continuous exposure from multiple sources can be concerning.

Sports Wear and the harm it may cause you

CEH also tested popular athletic wear in October 2023 and found BPA levels were exceeding California's safety standards by as much as 22 times.

Testing also showed that top brands contained up to 40 times the permissible limit of BPA.

What do the laws say?

As far as laws are concerned, under California's Proposition 65, the maximum allowable dose for BPA exposure via skin is 3 micrograms per day. While this law is among the strictest in the United States, it highlights a broader issue of chemical safety in consumer products nationwide.

Ana Soto, an immunologist with decades of research on BPA, even low doses of dermal and oral exposure can combine to create a significant health risk. She also warned that prolonged exposure through fabric, especially when you are exercising, as your pores are open and sweat is present, can in fact, amplify these effects.

How does BPA affect your health?

BPA can disrupt your body's endocrine system, which is a network of glands and organs that produce hormones that control many bodily functions. These include growth and development, metabolism, and reproduction, to name a few. BPA can mimic natural hormones like estrogen and interfere in those bodily functions.

Studies also link it with obesity and diabetes, respiratory issues, especially asthma risk in school-aged children, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer risks.

How can you be safe?

There are certain steps you can follow to protect yourself:

• Avoid wearing BPA-lined sports-wear
• Change immediately after your workout
• Do not wear sports-wear for an elongated period

Persistent hip pain is often dismissed as a muscle strain, poor posture, or fatigue. However, doctors warn that ongoing pain in the hip could sometimes be a signal for avascular necrosis (AVN) or osteonecrosis. This is a condition where reduced blood supply causes bone tissue to die. It may eventually lead to the collapse of the hip joint and serious mobility issues.

What Is Avascular Necrosis?

Avascular necrosis occurs when blood flow to a bone is interrupted or significantly reduced. The condition most commonly affects the hip joint, especially the femoral head (the rounded top portion of the thigh bone that fits into the hip socket). Over time, a lack of blood supply weakens the bone and may cause damage to the joint.

Early Symptoms Often Go Ignored

One of the biggest challenges with it is that symptoms appear gradually. In the early stages, people may only notice mild discomfort in the groin or hip area. As the disease progresses, pain may become more persistent. It can even worsen walking, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods. Some patients might eventually experience pain even while resting.

Who Is at Higher Risk?

Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing AVN. Long-term steroid use, excessive alcohol, hip injuries, fractures, and certain medical conditions such as lupus and sickle cell disease are known risk factors.

Delayed Treatment Can Lead to Joint Collapse

If AVN continues to progress, the weakened bone may eventually collapse. This can lead to severe arthritis and chronic pain. In advanced stages, patients may struggle with everyday activities such as walking, bending, or even standing for extended periods. Doctors say delayed diagnosis is one of the biggest reasons many patients require joint replacement surgery later.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Early diagnosis is crucial because treatment works best before the bone collapses. MRI scans and imaging tests can help detect the condition in its early stages. Treatment may include medications, physical therapy, or surgery in advanced cases. Early medical attention may help preserve the joint and prevent permanent damage.

Higher temperatures in the US could increase heat-related heart disease by 200 per cent by 2050, according to an alarming study.

The research, published in JAMA Cardiology, predicts rising temperatures driven by climate change will dramatically increase heat-related heart disease in the US.

It is already known that extreme heat is detrimental to heart health and can potentially trigger heart attacks and other cardiovascular events.

"But this study is the first to map out exactly how bad the problem could get—county by county, across the US. It also highlighted how states with lower median household incomes are likely to face higher heat-related heart disease burden," said Gokul Parameswaran, research associate at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine's Cardiovascular Research Institute and the study's lead author.

Regional Hot Spots

Researchers analyzed heart disease data in each county in the contiguous US from 2010 to 2016 to develop projections through 2050.

They found that the Pacific Northwest has the highest heat-related heart disease rate in the country. Southern states, however, are projected to see the steepest increases by 2050.

"Climate change is not just an environmental issue—it is a health equity crisis, and prioritizing vulnerable communities must be at the center of any heat mitigation strategy," said Salil Deo, associate professor in the Department of Surgery.

Also read: Global Temperatures Likely To Stay Near Record Levels For Next Five Years: WMO

The study also found that aging — independent of temperature increases — will contribute an additional 34 per cent increase in heat-related heart disease by 2050, simply because there will be more older adults by then.

Heat Events In The US

The study comes amidst more frequent heat events in the US, which is also lasting longer, and the temperatures during heat events are going up.

The past 10 years, from 2015 to 2024, were the hottest on record globally. But in cities across the United States, the average rate of extreme heat events increased from two per year in the 1960s to 10 per year between 2010 and 2020, according to Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), a Washington-based NGO.

Also Read:‘Heat Dome’ Triggering Record-Breaking May Temperatures In France, UK, Spain

Additionally, as of 2024, the average length of heat-wave season in the US has increased by 46 days since the 1960s.

How Does Heat Raise Heart Risks?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when temperatures rise, the heart must work harder to keep the body cool, and the likelihood of developing sudden clots in the bloodstream increases.

Read More: Can Extreme Heat Trigger Heart Palpitations? Expert Explains Risks

This extra stress on the heart due to high heat may lead to heart attacks or sudden worsening of heart disease, especially in the elderly or those with prior heart conditions.

How To Tackle The Risk

• Expanding green spaces and tree cover in urban areas could help reduce temperature-related adverse effects.
• Expanding access to cooling centers and air-conditioning assistance programs for low-income communities can also help bridge the gap in underserved communities.

"Climate change is not a distant, abstract threat," said Sanjay Rajagopalan, director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute and chief of Cardiovascular Medicine at University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute.

"It is a present and growing danger to the hearts of every American, and it is coming for the most vulnerable among us first. The choices made today about greenhouse gas emissions, urban planning, and health care policy will determine whether tens of thousands of Americans live or die from heat-related heart disease by 2050," he added.

Diabetes is not only a disorder affecting blood sugar levels, but it also increases the risk of heart disease. People who have diabetes are more prone to get affected by heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and blockage of arteries than people without diabetes. Because of this strong link, diabetes care needs a focus on both blood sugar control and heart care.

One of the biggest improvements in diabetes care is the use of GLP-1 receptor agonist therapies. These medications not only help to control sugars but also reduce the risk of heart disease. When a person combines GLP-1 treatment along with a healthy lifestyle, they can improve their overall well-being and lead a good quality of life.

Understanding the Link Between Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Disease

Type 2 diabetes and heart disease are interlinked. Diabetes increases heart disease risk by 2 to 4 times. Over a period of time, when the sugars are chronically high, blood vessels and nerves that support the heart get damaged. Many individuals with diabetes also have additional risk factors, such as:

• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Physical inactivity

These conditions can make a person vulnerable to a heart attack and stroke. Studies show that people with Type 2 diabetes are nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease compared to those without diabetes.

What Are GLP-1 Therapies?

GLP-1 receptor agonists are medications to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. These therapies help by:

• Increasing insulin release when blood sugar rises
• Delaying stomach emptying
• Reducing appetite
• Decreasing glucagon production
• Improving weight loss

GLP-1 therapies help control blood sugar. Beyond this, these treatment regimens provide many more benefits. Research shows that these medications can reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.

In addition, GLP-1 therapies help in weight reduction. Obesity is also linked to diabetes and heart disease. Hence, GLP-1 therapies help to reduce weight and the risk of developing heart diseases.

Importance of Lifestyle Changes

Medications are important in controlling blood sugars. However, the medication therapies need to be combined with a healthy lifestyle, which can remain the foundation of diabetes and heart disease care.

Healthy Nutrition

A balanced, healthy plate can improve blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. Individuals with diabetes are encouraged to include:

Whole grains

Vegetables and fruits

Lean proteins

Nuts and seeds

Healthy fats

By restricting sugars, processed and ultra-processed foods, extra salt, and unhealthy trans-fats, one can reduce weight and support heart health.

Regular Physical Activity

Regularized physical activity routines help improve insulin sensitivity and strengthen the heart. Activities like walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, and strength training can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Experts generally recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week.

Weight Management

Even small amounts of weight loss can improve blood sugar control and reduce stress on the heart. The combination of GLP-1 therapies, healthy lifestyle, controlled eating, and regular exercise gives better long-term results.

Conclusion

Type 2 diabetes and heart disease are closely interlinked, making complete diabetes care essential. GLP-1 therapies are changing diabetes management by offering benefits beyond glycemic control, including heart protection and weight reduction.

However, tablets and medicines alone cannot do all the work. Healthy lifestyle changes, such as balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and proper weight management, must contribute equally. GLP-1 therapies and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce heart-related risks and improve overall well-being in individuals with Type 2 diabetes.