Some organic compounds are good for your health, while others—often with very similar molecular structures—are terrible for you. To wit: While the vitamins and minerals found in food and dietary supplements typically contribute to better well-being, a compound called bisphenol A (BPA), common in food packaging, can do serious physical harm.

To make matters worse, researchers from the University of Missouri recently discovered that the body absorbs BPA even quicker than previously assumed.

A study appearing in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that mice given BPA long-term, as part of their daily diet, absorbed much more of the substance than those given one large dose, as had been done in prior investigations.

BPA is still used in many plastics, usually to make them more transparent or shatter-proof. The study’s authors said that more than 90 percent of people have the hormone-disrupting compound in their bloodstreams. To ensure good health, the team suggested that individuals avoid BPA-laden plastics whenever possible.

On the proactive side of things, taking daily vitamin supplements may help adults keep their bodies healthy and their immune systems primed to effectively defend themselves.