After writing a blog on the chemicals to avoid in skin care products, I felt that it was necessary to write an article about the dangers of chemical additives found in food. Not only must we be conscious of the types of foods that we eat but we must also look-out for dangerous chemicals that have been added to some of our favorite foods.
Here are 10 additives that you must avoid or eat very little of...
1) Artificial Food Colours:
They have been proved to cause allergies, asthma, hyperactivity (ADD) in children and nerve damage. It is also a possible carcinogen (cancer causing). The FDA has banned Red No. 3 from many cosmetics and some foods because it causes thyroid tumors in rats. It may also cause light sensitivity and learning difficulties. Yellow No. 5 causes the most allergic reactions; research has linked it to early childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder and hyperactivity. Austria and Norway has banned this substance. Yellow No. 6 can cause allergic reactions such as abdominal pain, nasal congestion, hives, broncho-constriction and hyperactivity. It will also cause chromosomal damage and kidney tumours. Blue No. 1 contains coal tar! Can you believe that!!! Although it is believed to not cause hyperactivity, it is a carcinogenic in large quantities and known to cause tumors in lab rats.
2) Nitrates and Nitrites:
When ingested these substances can turn into nitrosamines which can be carcinogenic. Vitamin C is protective against this process; if you must consume foods with nitrates then be sure to consume at least 500 to 1000 mg of vitamin C. You can purchase small packets of vitamin C powder and carry it in your purse or pocket.
3) Sulfites (Sulfur dioxide, metabisulfites and others.):
These can cause allergic and asthmatic reactions (people with asthma should definitely avoid sulfites). They can also cause headaches, nausea, diarrhea and irritated membranes.
4) Sugars and Natural Sweeteners:
They can lead to obesity, dental cavities, diabetes, hypoglycemia, increased triglycerides and candida (yeast). Since these are simple carbohydrates, eating sugars in excess lead to increased cravings because the body is not nutritionally satisfied. Hyperactivity and behavioral changes are common when too much sugar is consumed.
5)Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame, Acesulfame-K, and Saccharin):
They may be carcinogenic and have been linked to behavioral problems, allergies and hyperactivity. The government cautions pregnant women and children against the use of artificial sweeteners due to health risks. Saccharin has been tested on rats and was found to be the promoter and initiator for cancer; it has also caused fatal genetic mutations in animal studies. Two research studies have linked aspartame to brain tumours in lab animals. Aspartame is found in soft drinks, gums, candies and other products.
6) MSG (Monosodium Glutamate):
There appears to be conflicting views when it comes to MSG. The government states that it is safe. Then again... they also claim that produces loaded with pesticides are safe as well! Other scientists believe that MSG is an excitotoxin, (a chemical substance which kills your neurons or brain cells by causing them to become over- excited). They claim that MSG may aggravate many neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. They link MSG to brain cell damage, seizures, rashes, allergies, asthma attacks, brain tumours and headaches. I've heard that studies done on rats illustrated that MSG caused holes to form in the brains of the rats and it was often used to induce obesity. Scientists have linked MSG to the cause of numerous diseases, obesity being one of them.
Both the government and scientists have agreed on one side effect of MSG; they conclude that it commonly causes allergic and behaviorial reactions which include, headaches, chest pains, dizziness, mood swings and depressions. MSG has many names; hydrolyzed veg protein, natural flavor, spices, hydrolyzed plant protein, sodium caseinate, seasonings ect...
7) Preservatives (BHA, BHT, EDTA, THBQ and Others):
Preservatives are chemicals that must be processed by our bodies, as a result they can be toxic to the liver and kidneys. They are known to cause neurotoxic effects, hyperactivity and allergic reactions. BHT may be toxic to liver and nervous system. They can be found in cereals, crackers, soup bases, food products containing oil and others. Sometimes they are not in the food itself but in the plastic that the food is wrapped in...
8) Artificial Flavour:
They may cause allergic or behavioral reactions in both children and adults. They are primarily found in industrial and refined foods.
9) Olestra:
This a synthesized/ artificial fat that has been created to fulfil the populations desire to stay slim while still being able to consume rich foods. It is not metabolized well by the body ( It is a non -absorbable oil polymer). Olestra may cause digestive problems, diarrhea and abdominal cramping.
10) Food Waxes and Plastic Packaging:
Food wax which is found on some fruits and vegetables may trigger allergies. They may contain fungicide sprays, pesticides or animal by-products. Plastic packaging contains polyvinyl chloride which is carcinogenic. It may cause lung irritation and immune reactions.
These food additives are generally found in processed, packaged, refined and industrialized foods. This is why it is imperative to lean more towards a diet based on foods found in its natural state. Plants were not created with artificial food colouring or flavour, food wax, sulfites, nitrates, MSG and other chemical additives. It was created to be "natural" just like our bodies was created to consume "all natural" foods. When we deveate and base our diets on processed foods loaded with these chemicals we pay the ultimate price...
Staying Natural is Staying Alive!
*Oh and don't you worry... I will do a blog on pesticides and chemicals used in farming.*
For now... peace and love,
Monique 'Mut Sia' Jackson
Here are 10 additives that you must avoid or eat very little of...
1) Artificial Food Colours:
They have been proved to cause allergies, asthma, hyperactivity (ADD) in children and nerve damage. It is also a possible carcinogen (cancer causing). The FDA has banned Red No. 3 from many cosmetics and some foods because it causes thyroid tumors in rats. It may also cause light sensitivity and learning difficulties. Yellow No. 5 causes the most allergic reactions; research has linked it to early childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder and hyperactivity. Austria and Norway has banned this substance. Yellow No. 6 can cause allergic reactions such as abdominal pain, nasal congestion, hives, broncho-constriction and hyperactivity. It will also cause chromosomal damage and kidney tumours. Blue No. 1 contains coal tar! Can you believe that!!! Although it is believed to not cause hyperactivity, it is a carcinogenic in large quantities and known to cause tumors in lab rats.
2) Nitrates and Nitrites:
When ingested these substances can turn into nitrosamines which can be carcinogenic. Vitamin C is protective against this process; if you must consume foods with nitrates then be sure to consume at least 500 to 1000 mg of vitamin C. You can purchase small packets of vitamin C powder and carry it in your purse or pocket.
3) Sulfites (Sulfur dioxide, metabisulfites and others.):
These can cause allergic and asthmatic reactions (people with asthma should definitely avoid sulfites). They can also cause headaches, nausea, diarrhea and irritated membranes.
4) Sugars and Natural Sweeteners:
They can lead to obesity, dental cavities, diabetes, hypoglycemia, increased triglycerides and candida (yeast). Since these are simple carbohydrates, eating sugars in excess lead to increased cravings because the body is not nutritionally satisfied. Hyperactivity and behavioral changes are common when too much sugar is consumed.
5)Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame, Acesulfame-K, and Saccharin):
They may be carcinogenic and have been linked to behavioral problems, allergies and hyperactivity. The government cautions pregnant women and children against the use of artificial sweeteners due to health risks. Saccharin has been tested on rats and was found to be the promoter and initiator for cancer; it has also caused fatal genetic mutations in animal studies. Two research studies have linked aspartame to brain tumours in lab animals. Aspartame is found in soft drinks, gums, candies and other products.
6) MSG (Monosodium Glutamate):
There appears to be conflicting views when it comes to MSG. The government states that it is safe. Then again... they also claim that produces loaded with pesticides are safe as well! Other scientists believe that MSG is an excitotoxin, (a chemical substance which kills your neurons or brain cells by causing them to become over- excited). They claim that MSG may aggravate many neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. They link MSG to brain cell damage, seizures, rashes, allergies, asthma attacks, brain tumours and headaches. I've heard that studies done on rats illustrated that MSG caused holes to form in the brains of the rats and it was often used to induce obesity. Scientists have linked MSG to the cause of numerous diseases, obesity being one of them.
Both the government and scientists have agreed on one side effect of MSG; they conclude that it commonly causes allergic and behaviorial reactions which include, headaches, chest pains, dizziness, mood swings and depressions. MSG has many names; hydrolyzed veg protein, natural flavor, spices, hydrolyzed plant protein, sodium caseinate, seasonings ect...
7) Preservatives (BHA, BHT, EDTA, THBQ and Others):
Preservatives are chemicals that must be processed by our bodies, as a result they can be toxic to the liver and kidneys. They are known to cause neurotoxic effects, hyperactivity and allergic reactions. BHT may be toxic to liver and nervous system. They can be found in cereals, crackers, soup bases, food products containing oil and others. Sometimes they are not in the food itself but in the plastic that the food is wrapped in...
8) Artificial Flavour:
They may cause allergic or behavioral reactions in both children and adults. They are primarily found in industrial and refined foods.
9) Olestra:
This a synthesized/ artificial fat that has been created to fulfil the populations desire to stay slim while still being able to consume rich foods. It is not metabolized well by the body ( It is a non -absorbable oil polymer). Olestra may cause digestive problems, diarrhea and abdominal cramping.
10) Food Waxes and Plastic Packaging:
Food wax which is found on some fruits and vegetables may trigger allergies. They may contain fungicide sprays, pesticides or animal by-products. Plastic packaging contains polyvinyl chloride which is carcinogenic. It may cause lung irritation and immune reactions.
These food additives are generally found in processed, packaged, refined and industrialized foods. This is why it is imperative to lean more towards a diet based on foods found in its natural state. Plants were not created with artificial food colouring or flavour, food wax, sulfites, nitrates, MSG and other chemical additives. It was created to be "natural" just like our bodies was created to consume "all natural" foods. When we deveate and base our diets on processed foods loaded with these chemicals we pay the ultimate price...
Staying Natural is Staying Alive!
*Oh and don't you worry... I will do a blog on pesticides and chemicals used in farming.*
For now... peace and love,
Monique 'Mut Sia' Jackson
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