Are you cooking up cancer on the stove top?

Cookware is a big deal in my house with my husband always on the lookout for a pan that will cook up the perfect egg.

Basically, we’ve used just about every type of cookware out there until we finally settled on one we liked… A nonstick pan that was easy to use and never caused our eggs to stick.

The problem was we were cooking up far more than just eggs in that pan… We were also cooking up cancer.

Why?

Because almost all of that nonstick cookware you can buy today (and is probably sitting in your cabinets right now) is made using a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid, also known as PFOA or C8.

And, it’s a chemical that has been linked to a high incidence of cancer.

Here’s what you need to know…

A warning from the American Cancer Society

Many people can’t see the connection between the pan they use to cook with and an increased risk of health problems.

In fact, when I threw out our nonstick pan, my husband asked how in the world a pan could cause cancer. After all, he was just cooking food on top of the surface, not eating the chemicals in the pan itself.

But, it turns out that’s not actually true.

You see, when you heat up that pan, the high temperatures cause the nonstick coating to break down, releasing the PFOA directly into your food. So, you really are eating it.

Scary, right?

Especially when you consider the fact that even the American Cancer Society has gotten into the act and warned about the dangers posed by PFOA, stating that exposure to PFOA increases the risk of certain tumors – especially tumors of the liver, testicles, breasts and pancreas in people working in chemical plants or living near them.

Now surprisingly, they will also tell you it’s still safe to eat out of Teflon coated pans… that you’re only exposed to small amounts from the pan. But, wait. Don’t you cook a few times a week on those pans?

I don’t know about you, but I’ll make up my own mind about how safe it is to eat food from a pan made in a plant where exposure to PFOAs gave people working there and even living close cancer!

And, cancer’s not the only risk you take when you use a non-stick pan…

More nonstick cookware dangers

Here are the other health dangers you should be aware of before you stick that nonstick pan on your stove.

#1 – High Cholesterol
According to scientific studies, there is a link between high levels of PFOA in your blood to your risk of developing high cholesterol.

That means that when you use a nonstick cooking pan, you could be cooking up heart disease as well as cancer.

#2 – Thyroid Problems
PFOA and other perfluorochemicals are also associated with an increased risk of thyroid problems, like an underactive thyroid which leads to weight gain. So, if you’re struggling with your weight, the pan you’ve been cooking in could be to blame.

#3 – Liver Inflammation
And, it doesn’t stop there.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), PFOA can also cause your liver to become inflamed, ruining its ability to clear toxins out of your body.

#4 – Constant Sickness
Are you sick all of the time? Do you catch every single bug that goes around?

It’s just another problem that comes from using nonstick cookware since PFOA also weakens your immune system.

Choosing a healthier cookware alternative

So, what should you be cooking in to avoid all of the health dangers that come with nonstick cookware?

My recommendation is the old-fashioned cast iron skillet.

It’s free of chemicals and can even help boost your iron levels to help with fatigue brought on by iron deficiency.

My second choice is stainless steel cookware which is a great option if you don’t want to worry about the need to regularly season your cast iron cookware. The only thing you need to remember when using this type of cookware is to not scrub it with harsh brushes or pad or you risk damaging the lining, which could cause it to leach metals into your food.

The food you eat is not the only thing you have to watch in order to stay healthy. You also have to be careful about what type of cookware you’re using to prepare that food. Throw out all of the nonstick cookware that is leaching dangerous chemicals into your food and instead reach for a cast iron skillet or stainless steel cookware.