12 foods/food additives to avoid and why :OT

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The

<http://fooddemocracy.wordpress.com/2008/01/18/the-dirty-dozen-12-foodsfood-

additives-to-avoid-and-why/> dirty dozen - 12 foods/food additives to avoid

and why

 

 

January 18, 2008

 

 

-Kelly Scotti, HHC

 

Packaged and processed foods get many a family through the day. They're

convenient, portable, and they stay fresh for a long time (thanks to all

those preservatives). Many kids can't get enough of these foods; they're

almost addicted to them. The additives put into processed foods to make them

look and taste better include unhealthy amounts of extra salt, fat, and

sugar-and those are the ones you can pronounce. These additives, however,

have a price that may include side effects, food allergies, increased waist

lines, decreased absorption of minerals and vitamins, cancer and more.

Today, when one in three American children are overweight or obese (and even

more than one in three adults) and food allergies are rampant, we have no

choice but to finally pay attention to what we are eating.

 

Below is a list of the 12 most pervasive and detrimental food

additives/substances you can eat, in no particular order.

 

1. Artificial Sweeteners are a combination of chemicals that exist to make

our foods sweeter without the calories of sugar. The funny thing is that our

nation has been getting fatter since the widespread introduction of these

sweeteners into the food supply. Why would that be? And what are the dangers

of artificial sweeteners?

 

It turns out that when you eat something sweet, but do not take in any

calories, your body will crave more calories than if you had eaten real

sugar. So it is with artificial sweeteners-and it is an endless cycle. For

many people, the more they eat of the artificial stuff, the more weight they

gain, and the more they crave sweet foods. Also, most of the foods that

contain artificial sweeteners are of poor nutritional quality, and in a

sense, cause your body to starve itself no matter how much you eat. You are

hungry all the time because your body is not getting the nutrients it needs.

 

Most of the artificial sweeteners have side effects, and their chemical

breakdown in the body can be toxic. In addition, in combination with other

food additives, like artificial colors, artificial sweeteners can have a

much more potent effect on nerve cells. A study completed at the

University of Liverpool in 2005 found, for example, that the application of

certain additives alone stopped mouse nerve cells from growing and

interfered with proper signaling systems. When the artificial color

quinoline yellow and aspartame were combined, however, the effect on nerve

cells was seven times greater than when each additive was applied on its

own. Just think of what this combination could do to your child.

 

Saccharin (Sweet'N Low) is one sweetener on the market that has a

controversial safety record in its past, based on findings of bladder cancer

in male rats fed sodium saccharin in the late 1970s. It's still used in

SweetN'Low, and was delisted as a carcinogen in 1997. But does that mean its

safe?

 

NutraSweet (Equal/Aspartame/Spoonful) is made up of methanol, phenylalanine,

and aspartic acid. These chemicals on their own can be considered toxic and

may alter brain neurochemistry. When the temperature of aspartame exceeds

86 degrees F, for example, the methanol converts to formaldehyde and then to

formic acid, which in turn causes metabolic acidosis, which can mimic

symptoms of MS; this formic acid is then stored in your fat tissues,

particularly in the hips and thighs, and can cause lasting damage.

Nutrasweet has also been linked to epilepsy, brain tumors, and 90 other side

effects including dizziness, hallucinations, headaches, depression, and

weight gain. It's found in over 5000 different types of foods products, both

sugar free and non-sugar free, including chewing gum, diet soda, breath

mints, yogurt, powdered drink mixes, pudding, children's vitamins and so

much more. It's also found in 600 different medicines, including many

children's medicines.

 

For more information about the dangers of this sweetener, go to

www.sweetpoison.com <http://www.sweetpoison.com/> , www.dorway.com

<http://www.dorway.com/> , and

www.greenfacts.org/aspartame/l-3/aspartame-1.htm#3.

 

Newer sweeteners on the scene include Sucralose (Splenda), Tagatose

(Naturlose), and Neotame. Sucralose is a synthetic chemical that is made by

chemically reacting sugar (sucrose) with chlorine. Tagatose is chemically

similar to glucose, but is poorly absorbed by the body. Neotame is composed

of aspartic acid and phenylalanine; it's made the Nutrasweet company, and is

chemically similar to aspartame. There have been no large human studies done

to investigate the potential hazards of these sweeteners yet, but grassroots

organizations and individuals have voiced their concerns about these new

additives. Go to www.sweetpoison.com <http://www.sweetpoison.com/> for

details.

 

2. Refined Sugar

The average person in the US consumes 150-175 pounds of sugar per year. In

other words, people are consuming half a cup of sugar a day, and most aren't

even aware of it. Due to its insidious nature, and the fact that it can

found in virtually all processed foods (unless they say sugar-free, that

is), we subsist off of sugar. No wonder the incidence of diabetes in the US

has increased to 20.8 million in 2005, up from 18.2 million in 2000, and 6.8

million in 1987. High consumption of sugar, and the corresponding elevated

insulin levels, can cause weight gain, bloating, fatigue, arthritis,

migraines, lowered immune function, gallstones, obesity, breast cancer, gum

disease and cavities, and cardiovascular disease. It can also disrupt

absorption of many required nutrients in the body, such as the B-vitamins,

calcium, magnesium, chromium and copper. This can lead to osteoporosis,

depression, PMS symptoms in women, and increased stress. Children that eat

lots of sugar actually eat significantly lower amounts of protein, and have

decreased amounts of the B vitamins, iron, zinc, and vitamin E.

 

Sugar has many names: dextrose, glucose, fructose, lactose, corn syrup, high

fructose corn syrup, maple sugar, honey, invert sugar, maltose, diastase,

sorbitol, caramel, date sugar, dextran, fruit juice, fruit juice

concentrate, ethyl maltol, maltodextrin, sorghum syrup, and more.

For a list of products containing one of worst refined sugars, high fructose

corn syrup, please go to Accidental

<http://www.accidentalhedonist.com/index.php/2005/06/09/foods_and_products_c

ontaining_high_fruct> Hedonist and

www.foodfacts.info/high-fructose-corn-syrup.shtml.

 

3. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG ) is used to bring out the flavor in foods.

Companies use it as an additive to reduce costs, as it allows them to reduce

the amount of real ingredients in their foods. Since 1960, the use of MSG

has caused some concern, when it was discovered that large amounts of MSG

fed to infant mice destroyed nerve cells in the brain. This research caused

a public outcry that forced baby food companies to stop adding MSG to their

products. Nowadays, MSG may be hidden in infant formula, low fat milk,

candy, chewing gum, drinks, over-the-counter medications (especially

children's), as a binder and filler for nutritional supplements, in

prescription drugs, IV fluids given in hospitals, and in the chicken pox

vaccine.

 

Many people are sensitive to the effects of MSG, and children are 4 times

more sensitive to MSG than adults. Neonatal exposure to MSG can cause a

permanent reduction in the secretion of growth hormone, leading to stunted

growth and irreversible obesity. Other reactions include headaches, nausea,

weakness, a burning sensation in the back of neck and forearms, wheezing,

changes in heart rate, and difficulty breathing. In order to cut out MSG

from your diet, you will need to remove foods with the following ingredients

in their label: Monosodium glutamate, free glutamate, hydrolyzed proteins

(any type), autolyzed yeast, yeast extract, caseinate, and " natural or

artificial flavors " .4. Artificial Colors are synthetic chemicals that do not

occur in nature. Most are derived from coal tar and can contain up to ten

parts per million of lead and arsenic and still be generally recognized as

safe by the FDA. Artificial colors can cause allergic reactions,

hyperactivity and ADD in children, may contribute to visual and learning

disorders or cause nerve damage. The use of coloring in products normally

indicates that other natural ingredients that may contain the color, like

oranges, have not been used.

 

Here are specific details regarding each color:

 

Blue #1, found in baked goods, candy, and soft drinks, has been shown to

damage the chromosomes in a cell's nucleus, contributing to uncontrolled

cell mutation and division that is a precursor to cancer. In seriously ill

patients, blue #1 use was associated with serious complications such as

refractory hypotension, metabolic acidosis and death.

 

Blue #2, which is found in pet food beverages, and candy, may cause brain

tumors.

 

Citrus Red #1 is sprayed on green oranges to make them look ripe. Like Blue

#1, this dye fractures the chromosomes in a cell's nucleus and can lead to

cancer. The FDA has proposed a ban on Citrus Red #1.

 

Citrus Red #2, used to color the skins of some Florida oranges, can cause

cancer if the peel is eaten.

 

Green #3, found rarely in candy and beverages, has been implicated as a

cause of bladder tumors.

 

Red #3 is often added to canned cherry pie filling, maraschino cherries,

baked goods and ice cream. Studies have linked this dye to nerve damage and

to thyroid cancer.

 

Red #40 is found in soda, candy, gelatin desserts, pastry, pet food, and

sausage, and is a suspected carcinogen.

 

Yellow #5 is the second most widely used colorant, and it contributes to

behavioral disturbances in children, and can cause allergic reactions,

primarily in aspirin sensitive individuals. It's found in gelatin desserts,

candy, pet food, and baked goods.

 

Yellow #6 can cause tumors in the adrenal glands and kidneys. It is found in

beverages, sausage, baked goods, candy, and gelatin.

 

5. BHA and BHT block the process of oil rancidity, which occurs when oils

age, are exposed to light, or have repeated exposure to air. These additives

seem to affect sleep and appetite, and have been associated with liver and

kidney damage, baldness, behavioral problems, cancer, fetal abnormalities,

and growth retardation.

 

6.Sodium Nitrate and Nitrite are preservatives that are added to processed

meat products such as bacon, corned beef, ham, hot dogs, lunch meats, and

sausage. They prevent the growth of bacteria and give the meat a deceptively

healthful-looking pink hue. These compounds transform into cancer-causing

agents called nitrosamines in the stomach, however. Nitrates are considered

dangerous by the FDA but they have not been banned due to their ability to

prevent botulism. Noticeable side effects include headaches, nausea,

vomiting, and dizziness.

 

7. Caffeine is an addictive stimulant that is added to soft drinks, gum,

diet pills, and pain relievers; it naturally occurs in coffee, cocoa, and

tea. Though there are beneficial effects of caffeine use in moderation, it

causes calcium to be excreted from the bones, which can lead to

osteoporosis, and can increase infertility. At higher doses, caffeine can

cause birth defects, miscarriage, heart disease, depression, behavioral

changes, and insomnia. Withdrawal symptoms include headaches, irritability,

sleepiness and lethargy.

 

8. Olestra (Olean) is a calorie-free fat substitute used as an ingredient in

snacks and chips made by Frito-Lay. This food additive passes through the

body undigested because its molecules are so large. In the process, the fat

soluble vitamins A, D, E, K and others attach to the substance, thinking it

is fat, and are inadvertently flushed out of the body. Currently, olestra

products bear a boxed label stating that, " Olestra may cause abdominal

cramping and loose stools. Olestra inhibits the absorption of some vitamins

and other nutrients. Vitamins A, D, E, and K have been added. " It can also

cause diarrhea and anal leakage.

 

9. Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is used to keep flavor oils in soft drinks

in suspension. Bromate, the main ingredient of BVO, is a poison. Just two

ounces of a 2% solution of BVO can severely poison a child. In adults, this

additive reduces immune defenses and depletes histamine, which can lead to

allergic reactions. It has been linked to major organ system damage, birth

defects, and growth problems, and is considered unsafe by the FDA. The FDA

has not taken action regarding BVO, however, thus it is still lawfully used,

and worst of all, manufacturers are not required to list BVO on food labels.

 

10. Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil is made by reacting vegetable oil

with hydrogen. When this occurs, the level of polyunsaturated oils (good

fat) is reduced and trans fats are created. Trans fats can be found in foods

such as vegetable shortening, some margarines, crackers, candies, baked

goods, cookies, snack foods, fried foods, salad dressings, and many

processed foods. They are associated with heart disease, breast and colon

cancer, atherosclerosis and elevated cholesterol.

 

11. Pesticides

Every year more than two billion pounds of pesticides is applied to our food

supply. That's about ten pounds per person per year. And many, perhaps

most, of the pesticides used throughout the world are carcinogenic. Yet only

10% of the pesticides approved for use on food have been adequately tested

for use in humans.

 

Pesticides are not only found in our food supply, however.. They pollute our

water, and the cells in our body. They are sprayed on lawns, in gardens, in

parks, and on playing fields. After it rains, these chemicals are carried

through storm drains and sewers into creeks, rivers, and our oceans, where

they account for more than 90 percent of water pollution.

 

Pesticides accumulate in our bodies as well. 99% of mothers' milk in the

United States, for example, contains dangerous levels of

dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). All of us also have measurable

levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxin, heptachlor, chlordane,

aldrin, dieldrin, and other pesticides in our bloodstream. And since our

bodies cannot remove these chemicals, over time, they weaken our endocrine,

reproductive, circulatory, immune, and central nervous systems. As a result,

our likelihood of having heart disease, cancer, and allergies is greatly

increased. Pesticide accumulation also undermines our ability to resist

infectious organisms, may impair fertility, and contributes to miscarriages

and birth defects.

 

12. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are plants or animals that have

had their DNA modified. In the US, the majority of the corn, soybean,

cotton, and canola crops are now genetically modified, and one or more of

these can be found in nearly every processed food. The problem with this is

that there is no mandatory safety testing done by the FDA on GMOs, and thus

there is no clear proof that these foods are safe. Testing that has been

done in the past has shown GMOs can increase food toxicity, allergy

susceptibility, immune suppression, resistance to antibiotics, and the

incidence of cancer.

 

Here are some simple tips to avoid the Dirty Dozen in your family's daily

meals:

1. Drink lots of pure water; water helps flush your system of toxins and

keep you hydrated.

2. Be mindful when eating. The more you pay attention to what you are

eating, the better you will eat.

3. Chew your food. Processed foods don't taste good when they are fully

chewed, and you wont be as tempted to eat them

4. Eat more whole ORGANIC foods. If it grows in the ground or in a tree,

it's a whole food.

5. Get a good night's sleep-when you are well rested, your body and mind

function better, and you are more likely to make good choices.

6. Turn off the TV! The less TV you watch, the less you will be exposed to

food advertising, and the less processed food you will eat. It is good rule

of thumb is the more a food is advertised, the worse it probably is for you.

7. Don't take food packaging claims at face value.be sure to read all labels

and educate yourself about what each additive is.

8. Keep a food diary to determine what foods affect you and your family

negatively.

9. No matter what, feel good about what you eat. Negative thoughts lead to a

negative reality.

 

A word of caution: if the list of ingredients on a package is long, there's

probably a lot of chemical additives in the product. It's best to avoid

these foods, not only because of the individual effects of the additives,

but also because of the unknown health effects of combinations of food

additives.

 

Also, US Federal Regulations don't require full disclosure on product

labels. The only way to avoid dangerous food additives is to eat whole,

natural, organic food.

 

-Kelly Scotti, HHC, is the Founder and Director of Flying Dragon Wellness,

www.flyingdragonwellness.com <http://www.flyingdragonwellness.com/> a

nutrition and wellness counseling practice in Bucks County, Pa. She's Board

Certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, and

obtained her training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC.