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This article exposes the truth about the substances put in our
foods. Hopefully you're already looking at the labels and know
some of the dangerous ingredients. These chemical ingredients
are shown to trigger many diseases and ailments.
So why put them in food? Good question!
We're going to name these chemicals and with your help we're
going to spread this information far and wide so a clear
message is sent to those manufacturing these foods.
How many of you actually check the food labels before buying a
product? Do you know that many of the ingredients used in
packaged and processed foods can be detrimental to your
health? The artificial sweeteners, coloring, preservatives can
all be incredibly hazardous for your health, and it is
important to watch out for these while buying your groceries.
Here’s a look at the 5 Most Dangerous Food Ingredients that
you should avoid as far as possible:
1. Sodium Nitrite
Sodium Nitrite is a preservative that is
usually present in salami, pepperoni, ham, bacon, hot dogs and
other forms of processed meats. The reason why Sodium Nitrite
is added to meats is because it preserves the red/pinkish color of the meat and gives it a fresh appearance, and also
prevents botulism to some extent.
However when ingested in large amounts, sodium nitrite reacts
with the stomach acids to produce nitrosamines, the main cause
for cancer amongst animals.
Sodium nitrite consumption is also known to trigger migraine
pains, and COPD form of lung diseases. Non-red meats such as
chicken and tuna are comparatively safer as they do not have
nitrates in them.
2. Excitotoxins
Excitotoxins are basically amino acids that
also function as neurotransmitters in the brain. But when
brain cells are exposed to this chemical in large amounts
(through dietary consumption), they become over-excited.
During this stage, the nerve and brain cells fire their
impulses rapidly until they reach extreme exhaustion, a
near-death state.
Commonly found in canned soups, diet soda, sausages, salad
dressing and processed vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods.
Excitotoxins are used as a flavoring agent in most such foods,
but an over-dose of it can destroy the nerve cells.
Since the
protective enzymes in a baby’s brain are not fully developed,
they are unable to detoxify the Excitotoxins that enter its
brain. This is why pregnant women and young children should
completely avoid foods containing even a small amount of Excitotoxins.
The two most common forms of Excitotoxins are – Mono Sodium
Glutamate (MSG) and Aspartate. Glutamate is a prevalent
additive and is used in many food products. MSG triples the
amount of insulin the pancreas creates, causing rats (and
humans) to become obese.
It can also cause brain damage in
your children This chemical could effect how your
children’s nervous systems formed during development so that
in later years they may have learning or emotional
difficulties.
It’s crazy that FDA has set no limits on how
much of it can be added to food. They claim it’s safe to eat
in any amount.
MSG manufacturers and the processed food
industries are always on a quest to disguise the MSG added to
food. Below is a partial list of the most common names for
disguised MSG. Remember also that the powerful excitotoxins,
aspartate and L-cystine, are frequently added to foods and
according to FDA rules require NO LABELING AT ALL.
Food Additives that ALWAYS contain MSG
Monosodium Glutamate
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Hydrolyzed Protein
Hydrolyzed Plant Protein
Plant Protein Extract
Sodium Caseinate
Calcium Caseinate
Yeast Extract
Textured Protein (Including TVP)
Autolyzed Yeast
Hydrolyzed Oat Flour
Corn Oil
Aspartate is another excitotoxin that is widely used as an
artificial sweetener in soft drinks, cereals, ice creams and
so on. Aspartame (pre-cursor to aspartate) is known to cause
various neuropsychiatric disorders such as panic attacks, mood
swings, dizziness, blackouts and visual hallucinations.
3. Gluten
Recent researchers have brought into light the
various dangers that gluten can pose to human health. Gluten
is the starchy substance found in wheat, barley and rye.
Gluten contains Gliadin which is basically a form of insoluble
protein that can trigger allergic reactions in certain people.
Gastro-intestinal disorders result from Gluten intolerance.
Celiac diseases also known as Gluten Enteropathy, is a
hereditary disorder of the immune-system. Consuming wheat, rye
or other food products with gluten, triggers an on-going immune
reaction in people suffering from this disease. Ingesting
gluten in large amounts can cause irreversible damage to the
protective mucus lining of the small intestine.
Approx. 90 million people in the United States are negatively
affected by gluten, while 10 million are known to have gluten
sensitivity. Gluten sensitivity can cause and aggravate
conditions such as diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome,
arthritis, osteoporosis, dermatitis, psoriasis, and multiple
sclerosis.
4. BHA and BHT
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated
Hydroxytoluene (BHT) are used to preserve fats and inhibit the
formation of yeast. Food products such as butter, chips, beer,
cereals, dehydrated potatoes, meats, etc., contain BHT and BHA.
Both BHA and BHT are antioxidants that oxidize the fats,
thereby protecting the food products from going rancid.
However, ingesting these preservatives can cause serious
health problems. BHT and BHA are known to cause metabolic
stress, weight loss, liver damage, growth retardation and
fetal abnormalities. These are also the cause of hyperactivity
and other behavioral disorders in children.
Anecdotal reports suggest that BHA and BHT can increase the
risk of cancer (suspected carcinogens) and get accumulated in
body tissues causing several health problems. These are also
known to cause liver enlargement and cell retardation. Up to
13% of BHT is absorbed by the skin, which can result in
contact dermatitis and other skin problems.
5. High Fructose Corn Syrup
High Fructose Corn syrup is
known by different names such as Maize syrup, high fructose
corn syrup, fructose, corn sugar, etc. It is a high calorie
sweetener used in processed foods such as ketchup, jams,
bread, salad dressings, ice creams and even soft drinks. Corn
syrup is made by an enzymatic process from the glucose syrup
derived from corn.
Over consumption of Fructose can alter the intracellular
metabolism and accelerate the aging process. Because it is
metabolized by the liver, fructose causes imbalance in the
insulin levels in the blood. Also fructose converts to fat
more than any other sugar, leading to abnormal weight gain and
obesity. It is also known to raise the serum triglycerides
levels in the blood, increasing the risk of cardiovascular
diseases.
Keep the above mentioned “dangerous” ingredients in mind next
time when you go grocery shopping. Avoiding these and other
such unsafe preservatives and coloring agents can make a world
of difference to your and your family’s health.
<< Back to Be Well Again
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