April 6: Confession

I have a confession to make.  I may have been wrong about information I've provided you. 

I gave a lot of opinions in my Toxin of the Day series, but the research those opinions were based on may have been faulty.  I've been studying and learning a lot recently, and I have come to a conclusion by reading the conclusions of others much wiser than I.  That conclusion is that animal studies are not relevant to human nutritional research because their digestive systems are too different from ours.

That being said, at this point I still stand by the conclusions that I made.  I truly believe that many food additives are toxins added to our food supply without regard to the effects on the people consuming the food. However, I question the research that I cited to come to those conclusions.  I'm not sure that research is applicable to us.   So you will be seeing the Toxin of the Day format revived, and backed up with different research.  My conclusions may change through the research I'm planning, and if they do, then I will provide you with my new conclusions.

This is a tough thing for a blogger or a writer to do. I'm eating crow, friends, because it is really important to me that the information I provide for you is accurate.  Hopefully this won't mean that you decide reading my blog is no longer worthwhile.  Hopefully you will understand this is as much of a learning process for me as a writer and a consumer, as it is for you as a reader and a consumer.  Hopefully we can learn more about this together.

Mar.1: Toxin of the Day ~ High Fructose Corn Syrup

Has anyone seen the new commercial aimed to calm the bad press regarding high fructose corn syrup? "It's natural and it has the same calories as sugar," the woman reassures her boyfriend in a condescending tone. She's kind of like the pusher that hangs out at the fence of the school yard. "One time won't hurt you - just try it!"

So what is HFCS? It's created by causing enzymatic changes in regular corn syrup. This is done by treating corn starch with alpha-amalyze, an enzyme which breaks it down to a shorter chemical chain of sugars. A chemical called glucoamalyze, which is created by adding a fermented fungus, is then added, and then the substance receives a treatment of chromatography, which separates the remain components even further. Some HFCS has been shown to contain trace amounts of mercury from the processing.

HFCS is becoming more commonly used than sugar because it is cheaper. It also masquerades under the names glucose-sucrose, isoglucose, maize syrup or glucose-fructose syrup.

HFCS is being touted as a natural product. As our commercial's pusher says, "Silly, it's made from corn." True, it originally starts out as corn, but recently the CSPI (Center for Science int the Public Interest) has recently threatened lawsuits against companies referring to it as a natural ingredient. Their position is that the high level of processing the corn undergoes, the genetically modified enzyme that is added to separate the molecules of the corn, and the synthetic fixing agents used in this process, rules out the definition of "natural". Cadbury Schweppes voluntarily changed their labeling when threatened with this suit.

Critics of the commercial use of HFCS point out that the low cost makes the high sugar content more easily available, contributing to obesity. Some studies have said that the higher content of fructose, instead of sucrose, is more likely to trigger insulin resistance. Animal studies have proven that HFCS suppresses the sensation of fullness, causing over consumption. Over consumption, in turn, caused the rats to suffer from fatty liver disease and Type II Diabetes.

In reality the studies that say HFCS is worse than sugar are not conclusive. HFCS is, however, similar to sugar, in that it should be avoided. It carries with it the same, if not necessarily worse, health risks as sugar. http://afuturesuccessstory.blogspot.com/2010/02/feb3-toxin-of-day-sugar.html

Sweeten with honey, sucanat, agave nectar, and maple syrup, and use these in moderation!

Feb.3 ~ Toxin of the Day: Sugar

In 1937, American anthropologist Edward Hooten published his book, Apes, Men and Morons. In it he said, "Let us go to the ignorant savage, consider his way of eating and be wise....Let us cease pretending that toothbrushes and toothpaste are any more important than shoe brushes and shoe polish. It is store food that has given us store teeth." Also in the 1930s, Dr. Weston Price traveled the world to review the health of aboriginal peoples. He noted that they consumed natural foods from their own habitats, and they all had excellent general health and teeth. It wasn't until "civilization" began to supply them with processed and refined foods that their health began to take an immediate decline.

White sugar has been called"white poison","legal heroin" and "as addictive as cocaine" by a wide variety of experts. Indeed, the addictive properties of sugar is easily demonstrated. Who among us hasn't found the candy dish irresistible, calling to you to eat more and more?

North American table sugar comes from sugar beets or sugar cane. It undergoes an 8 step process to become the fine, uniform sparkling powder that is familiar to us. That process includes the addition of lime and/or carbon dioxide to bleach it, followed by filtration through beef bone char. (This rules out standard sugar for a vegan diet - that was news to me!) Lime (calcium oxide) can cause severe stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.When mixed with water it can become combustible.

In 1793, a group of sailors were shipwrecked and had only rum and sugar to consume until they were rescued. Five survivors were marooned for 9 days until rescued. All five were nearly dead of starvation. A French scientist named F.Magiende was inspired to experiment on animals and discovered that without variation, a living creature could survive far longer on simply water than on water and sugar.

Consumption of refined sugar is linked to weight problems, diabetes, psychiatric problems, heart problems, kidney problems, and clogged arteries in the extremities.

Sugar is also addictive. Studies on addicted rats show the same type of brain activity when deprived of the substance as seen in rats addicted to nicotine, alcohol, and hard drugs. That means your 3:00 o'clock sugar craving has a scientific reason.

I used to eat 2 large bags of peppermint candy per day. I'm talking about the big bags from the dollar store you might get to fill a candy dish two or three times. I broke myself of the sugar habit cold turkey, and now avoid it religiously.

Many substitutes are available, and some are better than others. I DO NOT RECOMMEND artificial sweeteners. They are possibly even more harmful than sugar itself. I use sucanat, which comes from sugar cane but is far less refined. I use about a teaspoon per day in my morning coffee. Other options are stevia, agave nectar, honey or maple syrup.

Sugar definitely lives up to the name "Toxin of the Day!"

Jan. 28 ~ Toxin of the Day: BHA/BHT

BHA stands for Butylated Hydroxyanisole. It is a preservative that prevents or slows oxidization in fats. (an antioxidant but not the good kind found in fruits and vegetables.) It is more prevalently added to higher fat foods to prevent rancidity. The FDA put it on the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) list, however recommends limiting the consumption and has asked that additional testing be done. That suggests to me that they don't really find it that safe. Closely related to BHA is it's chemical cousin, BHT or Butyl Hydroxytulane. The chemical effects are the same

BHA has been shown in animal studies to cause cancer in at least 3 different species, in different organs in each species. It has also been proven to cause brain damage, upset the endocrine balance, and severe allergic reactions. The US Dept of Health and Human Service is quoted as saying that BHA is "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen." BHT is stored in human fat and can be released into the body in large doses during weight loss. It has been shown to increase the risk of cancer in animal studies.

Both of these chemicals are commonly found in potato chips, chewing gum, and vegetable oils. These potential carcinogens are also found in many cosmetic products including lip balm and diaper rash cream for babies.

BHA and BHT are completely banned in Europe and cannot be used in either cosmetics or food. In North America the Cosmetic Safety Database classifies BHA as a "high risk" product and lists the following as indicated health effects:

cancer

developmental/reproductive toxicity

allergies/ immunotoxicity

organ system toxicity

endocrine disfunction

bioaccumulation

biochemical or cellular level changes

neurotoxity/ecotoxicity

I came upon the cosmetic information accidentally but it makes me realize that as we strive for chemical-free foods, applying these same chemicals to our skin may be equally harmful.

BHA and BHT are now on my list of products to keep OUT of my house!

Jan. 24: Toxin of the Day ~ Carrageenan

What is this mysterious ingredient I keep finding on the labels of yogurt and ice cream? Is it prime to be a Toxin of the Day?

Yup. Like anything else on the ingredient list we can't picture coming from it's source, Carrageenan is less than desirable for our consumption. It comes from seaweed and is used to increase viscosity in foods. The seaweed is treated with a hot solution of potassium hydroxide, and then the cellulose is removed by centrifugation and filtration. Then through evaporation the cellulose is dried and then ground for commercial use.

Carrageenan is frequently found in dairy products like cottage cheese, yogurt and ice cream, beer, pates, shaved ham, fruit gushers (it's the gel gooey stuff in the middle), toothpaste and soy milk. If you don't want to eat it, you can also locate it in sexual lubricants, where it is being tested for it's ability to protect the user against certain sexually transmitted diseases. Other uses are in fire-fighting foam and shoe polish.

Carrageenan degrades in high heat or acidic settings, forming poligeenan. Animal studies have linked consumption of this substance to gastrointestinal and cancer. Studies have also related it to the worsening of Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms and Crohn's disease symptoms.

The World Health Organization expressed "concern about the potential promotion of colon carcinogenesis by Carrageenans." They also noted more research needs to be done regarding the fact that Carrageenans are a prominent ingredient in some baby formulas. They felt that the current tests were inconclusive regarding the safety of this additive.

Carrageenan starts out as seaweed, which sounds healthy and natural. When I looked up studies, I could not find as much resounding evidence that this one is a killer as many of the other additives I have researched. This is the absolute fact I gleaned from my research: Carrageenan is a Vaseline-like substance that when orally consumed, coats the stomach with an oily greasy residue that may cause gastro-intestinal distress. It may or may not give me cancer, but it is much more likely that it will make me think I am lactose intolerant or suffering from a food allergy when all I am suffering from is an additive reaction. I would NOT feed my babies a formula containing this creation, nor do I plan to include anything with this ingredient in our family meals.

This one might be a bit of a toss up whether or not it's an actual toxin. That being said, I plan to err on the side of safety and wholesomeness.

Jan. 23: Toxin of the Day ~ MSG & Friends

Everyone knows MSG is not good for you. A lot has been written about the terrible migraines that some people get from it. But there are a lot more side effects to MSG than migraines. Further, there are a lot of sneaky names for the substance so that "food" manufacturers can sneak it into their products without touting that they contain Monosodium Glutamate.

MSG is a flavor enhancer obtained by the fermentation of carbohydrates. Initially it came from the fermentation of wheat, but now it more commonly comes from corn, beets, sugar cane or molasses. It is an amino acid called glutamic acid.

The "food" industry uses MSG to mask lower quality (ie, cheaper) ingredients. Studies have been done regarding the addictive quality of MSG. The brain craves it after a while. It gives a new meaning to the ad slogan, "Betcha can't eat just one!"

Serious health concerns surround MSG. MSG is classified as an excitotoxin, which means that it triggers death in certain cells. Concerns include: Seizures, brain cell death, brain damage, allergic reactions, headaches and migraines, strokes, hypoglycemia, and brain tumors. Some studies have suggested excessive consumption could trigger brain issues like Parkinsons and Alzheimers. These studies have not been verified, but if it is a chemical that causes tiny changes in the brain of the consumer, it does not sound that far-fetched. Asthmatic allergic reactions are frequent.

Studies in Asia have concluded that the consumption of MSG may be correlated to a higher BMI. The reason for this? Have you ever had a big Chinese meal and then 2 hours later you are starving? That situation is so common it is almost cliched. It happens because the MSG causes an surge in the production of insulin from the pancreas. The insulin is there to consume sugar, but MSG is not a sugar. You become so ravenously hungry because your body becomes extremely low on sugar.

All of these effects are more pronounced in infants and children. Their little systems can't handle it. Dr. Russell Blaylock, author of Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills says that there is "overwhelming evidence" that MSG can cause obesity and metabolic syndrome in children. Studies on young rats showed lesions on the brains of MSG fed rats, and the inability to learn their way through a maze. Yet, if the labels are read, some BABY FORMULAS even contain MSG hidden under other names. In the 1960s, after a series of Congressional hearings, they baby food manufacturers finally stopped putting MSG in their harmless looking little jars of baby food.

The FDA allows MSG to be in our food. They have added the caveat that the label must state that the product contains MSG. So the "food" industry has bypassed that by inviting MSG's friends to the party. Every label is like a veritable costume ball. First, here is a list of items that are MSG:

Monosodium Glutamate

Glutamate

Hydrolized Vegetable Protein

Autolyzed Yeast

Hydrolyzed Plant Protein

Plant Protein Extract

Sodium Caseinate

Calcium Caseinate

Yeast Extract

Textured Protein (including TVP)

Hydrolyzed Oat Flour

Corn Oil

Now, if that list does not contain enough aliases, I have a couple more lists. These are items that "sometimes" contain MSG or "may" contain MSG:

Malt Extract or Flavoring

Broth

Boullion

Stock Flavoring

Natural Flavors

Natural Beef or Chicken Flavoring

Seasoning

Spices

Maltodextrin

Whey Protein and Concentrate

Enzymes

Soy Protein Isolate

Soy Protein Concentrate

This begs the question: If MSG is safe, why do the manufacturers feel the need to hide it under so many different names? Why must I keep a list with me when I go to the grocery store of all the names it may be hidden under? I think this is all quite suspicious.

Because it is a fermentation of natural products the FDA does allow MSG to be considered a "natural flavoring". It IS natural. Natural does not always mean good for us. If it has to be brought forth in a lab and separated, then added to our food, it is not food the way nature intended.

I have to go read some labels in my cupboards now. I think some of this nasty snuff may have snuck into my house under the guise of a natural flavoring.

Jan. 21:Toxin of the Day ~ Sodium Nitrate & Nitrite

Today's lucky toxin winner.....SODIUM NITRATE/NITRITE!

Nitrates and Nitrites (first cousins in the preservative family) are preservatives that are widely used. They are most prominent in processed meats. They add a pinkish color to the meat, which would otherwise be an unappetizing brown or gray. They also inhibit the growth of spores that could potentially cause botulism. They are present in most smoked and cured meats, including but not limited to: ham, bacon, lunch meat, hot dogs, bologna, salami, dry sausage, and fresh sausage.

Nitrates and -ites on their own are relatively harmless. The problems occur when the body goes to break those chemicals down. As they are metabolized they convert to NITROSAMINES, which have been proven to be extremely dangerous. Nitrosamines are linked to stomach cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer and esophageal cancer. In babies, nitrates can lead to a potentially fatal condition called methemoglobinemia. This means that it can cause an issue in the child where the blood is not transporting oxygen to the body's tissues, which can lead to oxygen deprivation and cyanosis.

One extremely alarming study undertaken by the Cancer Prevention Coalition in Los Angeles County stated that children that consumed more than 12 hot dogs per month have 9 times the normal risk of developing childhood leukemia. The statistics were also poor for children whose fathers consumed 12 hot dogs per month during the time of conception. If their mothers consumed hot dogs more than once a week during pregnancy the child's risk of brain tumors doubled.

Also cooking foods containing nitrates using extreme high heat cooking methods like frying can cause the conversion to a more harmful chemical to occur. If you MUST eat hot dogs or pepperoni, boiling is preferable to high heat baking, grilling or frying. (Boiled pepperoni?)

Many vegetables also contain nitrates and -ites. However the vitamins C and D present in vegetables inhibit the metabolizing of the chemical into nitrosamines. So that means our veggie supply is safe.

Strong recommendations have been made against the consumption of nitrates and nitrites, particularly in pregnant or breast feeding women and young children. Some of the organizations making these recommendations are:

The Cancer Prevention Coalition, Health Canada and the American Society for Clinical Nutrition

After researching this, I have to say, bacon has lost a great deal of it's appeal for me.

Jan. 20: Toxin of the Day ~ Olestra

Today let's shine the spotlight on Olestra, which is being promoted as a dieter's best friend in the US. It is a fat substitute that actually has no fat, no calories, and no cholesterol. Sounds great? Research tells us that the side effects may not be worth a few fat free potato chips. You make the decision based on the information I have found.

Olestra is created by adding fatty acids to a sucrose molecule. The molecule is too large to be absorbed through the intestinal walls. It therefore, cannot be digested so does not add to the fat or caloric value of the food that contains it.

Proctor and Gamble currently holds the patent on Olestra. From 1971, when it was rejected by the FDA, they have been performing research and applying political pressure, and finally got the approval they desired in 1996. In 2000, the FDA mandated the following warning label on products containing Olestra:

WARNING: THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS OLESTRA. OLESTRA MAY CAUSE ABDOMINAL CRAMPING AND LOOSE STOOLS. OLESTRA INHIBITS THE ABSORPTION OF SOME VITAMINS AND NUTRIENTS. VITAMINS A, D, E, AND K HAVE BEEN ADDED.

The FDA removed the warning requirement in 2003, despite the fact that they had received over 20,000 complaints during that time, citing a study conducted by P&G on 3000 people who reported nothing more severe than increased bowel movements.

Health Canada has reviewed Olestra and has banned the product from food in Canada. Great Britain has also banned the product.

In the US, the CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest), a non-profit organization, paints a very different picture of the side effects than P&G. They noted side effects like:

severe diarrhea

abdominal cramps

explosive uncontrollable bowel movements

explosive sudden vomiting

bloody stools

The CSPI has been lobbying the FDA to ban Olestra, or at the very least, return the warning label to the front of products containing Olestra.

Fat free products are big business, and you can read a million studies on any product and pull information to support either side. The fact that several governments have looked at this and decided it was unsafe makes me lean strongly to the side of avoidance.

The foods that have Olestra added to them are not part of a healthy diet either before or after the chemistry project. However if I am going to eat chips, I am going to make a homemade olive oil version or I am going to just go for the gusto and grab the regular store bought kind. Either way, I know I won't be suffering some of those horrible sounding side effects like uncontrollable bowel movements. There is no chip in the world worth that!

Jan. 18 ~ Toxin of the Day: Sucralose

Sucralose is the primary ingredient in the most popular artificial sweetener sold today. It is touted as a healthy artificial sweetener because it is derived from sugar. Does that make it natural? Does that make it safe? Let's see with the research says.

If you are to ask the company who is the number one producer of a sucralose-based sweetener, they will tell it is a SPLENDID way to sweeten your beverages or baked goods. This particular company was sued by the sugar industry for promoting their sweetener as a natural product. The suit was settled out of court.

Sucralose is created when that parts of sugar that are broken down by the body are removed and replaced with chlorine atoms. Chlorine, as we know, is poisonous to humans. When the carbon is removed from the sugar it becomes a chlorocarbon. Other chemicals you may have heard of that are chlorocarbons are DDT, Lindane and Chlorodane. Chlorine is included in such things as bleach, disinfectants, hydrochloric acid, and poisonous gas used in WWI.

Animal studies have suggested that chlorocarbons can negatively affect the liver and kidneys, since those are the organs of the body that filter out the toxins. It has been shown to shrink the thymus gland, which houses the body's immunity. This can trigger an incurable disease called Polychemical Sensitivity Syndrome.

Extensive research is still being done on Sucralose. One fact is very evident: it is NOT natural. It is a chemical that is created in lab by removing and adding atoms from something that is grown.

The people making money from this chemical continue to insist it is safe. Many scientists doing research on it insist it is not. I found this link very informative. http://www.rense.com/general65/splend.htm
The scientist whose work is examined in this link suffers from Lou Gehrig's disease,which he believes was caused by aspartame poisoning. He refers to artificial sweeteners as "minute doses of nerve gas". His story is disturbing and eye-opening.

Jan. 18 ~ Speaking in code

I have received a cyber-slap for using the names of certain companies in my Toxin of the Day feature. In the future due to legal reasons, I will be referring to these company names in code that my readers get to figure out. I am going back and editing out the proper names of said companies, so you will see the changes in the blog. Don't worry, nothing bad has happened - but I do want to avoid those cyber-slaps in the future. As I think of clever code names I have realized, Hey - this could be fun!

From this point items will be referred to by code or chemical names only!

Jan. 16: Toxin of the Day ~ Aspartame

Today's toxin has had me in mourning. Aspartame is one of the unhealthiest additives out there. Before I started eating clean I was drinking nearly 2 litres of Diet Coke per day, along with eating artificially sweetened yogurt and other treats in an effort to control my weight. Since I reached well over 200 pounds, obviously it wasn't working.

Aspartame is made of 3 ingredients: methanol, aspartic acid, and phenylalanine. Each of these chemicals on their own is considered toxic. When heated past 86*F the methanol turns into formaldehyde, and then formic acid. This causes "metabolic acidosis" which can mimic the symptoms of MS. The formic acid is stored in the fatty tissues of the body. The name brand sweetener, Nutrasweet has been linked to over 90 side effects, including dizziness, headaches and weight gain.

Let's look at the individual ingredients.

Methanol: Methanol is alcohol obtained from wood. It is used to make formaldehyde, solvents, and windshield washer fluid ( the non-freezing type used in the winter.) On it's own, methanol is highly toxic. Consuming as little as 10 mL, causes permanent blindness through destruction of the optic nerve and as little as 30 mL can be lethal.

Aspartic Acid: Aspartic Acid is an amino acid. Isolated amino acids can be damaging to the brain. Some studios have shown that aspartic acid consumption caused lesions or "holes" in the brains of laboratory rats. This acid breaks down into many different toxic by-products. It is classified as excitotoxin, which is a neurotoxin. This chemical has been linked to brain tumors.

Phenylalanine: Research in 1976 confirmed that cancer could not live without phenylalanine. That did not stop the FDA from allowing it, in combination with other ingredients to be allowed in our food in the form of aspartame. This chemical is also an isolated amino acid. 50% of the chemical makeup of aspartame is phenylalanine. This amino acid can be especially harmful for diabetics of for people suffering from a disease called PKU (Phenylketonuria). This chemical has also been strongly linked to brain cancer.

Another issue with artificial sweeteners that is currently being studied is it's link to weight GAIN. It is 200 times sweeter than sugar. As opposed to satisfying a consumer's sweet tooth, it can actually trigger the person to eat more, as the body searches for the sugar and carbohydrates it has been tricked into thinking it has already consumed. These sweet taste of these amino acids cause the body's cells to store carbs and fat,which signals the body to consume more of those items.

In conclusion, the calories you save by consuming a diet soda will likely be added right back into your diet once the cravings triggered in your brain hit. The toxins you are consuming have all individually been linked to cancer. There is no reason to believe that they become safer in combination with one another.

My personal experience was this: I stopped drinking Diet Coke cold turkey on Dec. 1, 2009. I had headaches for the first couple of days, but once they went away I had no further problems. I suffer from some arthritis joint pain, which has lessened dramatically since I removed artificial sweeteners from my diet. I no longer crave Diet Coke, and suspect if I had a sip of it now I would find it sickeningly sweet.

Artificial sweeteners have no place in a clean eating lifestyle. Sweeten with honey, maple syrup or organic unprocessed sugar instead.

Jan. 12: Toxin of the Day ~ Calcium Chloride

In my search for cheese today, I discovered every pre-packaged cheese had one thing in common - Calcium Chloride. I finally discovered a clean organic cheese that was outlandishly expensive to top our pizzas tonight, but it left me curious to know, what is Calcium Chloride and can I get away with the cheapo cheese next time?

Calcium Chloride, I discovered, is used by the dairy industry to make the cheese dry and firm. It is a by-product of the creation of soda ash, which is made by adding ammonia to limestone. Non-food uses for Calcium Chloride include road de-icer (sprayed on the roads during snow storms to keep the roads from freezing), an additive in plastics and an additive in fire extinguishers. It is also used to help set concrete. Industries are warned that Calcium Chloride will corrode steel.

This is another chemical listed on the Canadian MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet.) It carries the warning that Calcium Chloride is an irritant to skin. Also the MSDS says:

WARNING! CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES, AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED.

The instructions continue to recommend the induction of vomiting and immediate medical treatment if swallowed.

I believe we will be sticking with the expensive cheese from now on. I understand that these warnings are for the pure substance, unadulterated by food, and a high concentration of Calcium Chloride, but I cannot find it acceptable to consume or to feed my children things that are poisonous. Not even in what the FDA calls "acceptable amounts" .

Please read the labels on everything you purchase. If you aren't certain what it is, don't eat it until you look it up! Then, at least, you are making an educated decision.

Jan. 11: Toxin of the Day - Potassium Bromate

Here is just a little more information about commercially packaged bread. Today's toxin is geared to our American friends, as this ingredient is illegal in Canada. The ingredient to look out for is Potassium Bromate. This substance is used to heighten the volume of the baked good less expensively than additional yeast. As it breaks down, most, but not all, of the chemical breaks down into bromide, which is relatively harmless. However a small amount of the Bromate remains, and this is where the trouble lies. Bromates have been proven to cause cancer in animal studies. So conclusive are these studies that every country in the world except the USA and Japan have banned the addition of this substance to food.

Other uses for Potassium Bromate are as a veterinary drug - it is commonly used as an anti-seizure medication for dogs and cats. I also found a reference that stated when mixed with aluminum it could be a fracturing agent for concrete.

Potassium Bromate is a proven carcinogen. Experiments have revealed that this chemical is a "complete carcinogen", which means the substance both initiates and promotes cancerous activity in cells. Potassium Bromate has been linked to kidney cancer and kidney failure.

The Material Safety Data Sheet in Canada issues the following warnings about the substance when used in an industrial setting:

DANGER! STRONG OXIDIZER.
CONTACT WITH OTHER MATERIAL MAY CAUSE FIRE OR FORM SHOCK SENSITIVE MATERIALS.
MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED.
HARMFUL IF INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH THE SKIN.
CAUSES IRRITATION TO EYES, SKIN ,AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.
MAY CAUSE KIDNEY DAMAGE.

The MSDS also recommends "impervious protective clothing", safety goggles, and personal respirators when dealing with this substance.

I think that says it all, don't you?

Apparently it is difficult with new laws for the FDA to ban substances that are already in use. They can only request that the manufacturers phase out a chemical. Personally, I feel that the FDA is there to protect the consumer, and I think it is tragic that laws are passed that protect the rights of the food manufacturers to increase and maintain their profits by poisoning people.

Please read your labels! If you can't picture the source of the ingredient in your head (plant, animal, etc) DON'T EAT IT AND DON'T FEED IT TO YOUR CHILDREN!!!

Jan. 9: Toxin of the Day ~ Calcium Proprionate

Today's lucky winner is....drumroll...... calcium proprionate!

This ingredient was in every packaged bread and wrap on our local grocery stores shelves today! Of course, this unidentified substance made me curious so I came home to research it. Boy, am I glad I resisted the urge to pick up those wraps "just this once."

Calcium Proprionate is used in bakery products as a mold inhibitor. Not only does it inhibit mold, but it is used in some countries as a pesticide. I guess it inhibits bugs too, and apparently the bugs, unlike the FDA, are smart enough to realize it is poison. Calcium Proprionate has been condemned by the Pesticide Action Network in North America as being "slightly toxic." PAN also has stated concerns about the effect of this chemical on the water supply.

Studies in Brazil have shown that rats given proprionates have shown evidence of brain alterations and learning deficits. My question, of course, upon reading that was, How can you tell if a rat has a learning disability. Easily, apparently, because a rat fed proprionate to the equivalent of 3 slices of bread per day to a 6 year old child, was unable to learn the mazes. These studies are being continued, as scientist strive to prove that proprionates can affect a young child's brain, causing serious developmental delays and behavioural issues.

Two of the biggest bread producers in Australia are currently phasing out the use of Calcium Proprionate in their products based on parent outcry.

If Calcium Proprionate is in everything on the shelves, how can you purchase baked goods without this toxin? I go to a local bakery and purchase my bread. They carry a great line of whole wheat bread, dinner rolls, and hamburger buns. The foods there are perfectly clean. You must store them in the refrigerator or they will spoil quickly (small price to pay!) I sometimes freeze the bread in slices, ready for the toaster. In our small town I have yet to find wraps that are clean, so I will post that when I find it. For Mexican food we have been using a clean corn tortilla that we found at the grocery store.

We will definitely be avoiding this one!

Jan.8 - Toxin of the Day: Microwave Popcorn

Microwave popcorn is a "guilt free" staple of dieters far and wide. Sure it is low calorie, but as we all know, "low calorie" and "good for you" are not always riding in the same car.

Let's examine the ingredients in a popular brand of microwave popcorn that you can find on the shelves of any grocery store in North America.

Ingredients: popping corn, palm oil, salt, potassium chloride, natural and artificial flavors, butter (Cream and annato), color added, freshness preserved by TBHQ and Citric Acid

Okay, the first three ingredients I understand. I can picture them in my head. I might actually use those ingredients in making my popcorn at home. But what are those other ingredients?

Potassium Chloride: According to Wikipedia, the number one use is for fertilizer. Mmmm. It is also used to melt ice in commercial "sidewalk salt" and for a little bit more fun, it is used as part of the chemical compound used in lethal injections to carry out the death sentence. Wow. Could you pass me some of that?

Natural and Artificial Flavors: Natural flavors are derived in some way from organic things, but not necessarily the organic item it is supposed to taste like. Artificial flavors are synthetic and if they make up less than a certain percentage of the ingredients then the manufacturer is not required by the FDA to distinguish the chemicals used to produce those flavors. So basically, your guess is as good as mine as to what this popcorn contains.

Annato: A naturally occurring food coloring, Annato is the only natural food colouring linked to allergic reactions. This is what gives the popcorn it's yellow "buttery" color.

TBHQ: That is the short way of saying tertiary butylhydroquionine. I'm not sure how to say it the long way, but I don't blame them for abbreviating it. This is added to stabilize the oils used in the popcorn. This chemical has been proven to cause precancerous stomach tumors in lab animals, and long term exposure is said to cause other cancers as well. TBHQ is also used to stabilize explosives and make varnish.

Citric Acid: That's just vitamin C, is the common refrain. True. However the commercial citric acid used as a food stabilizer is obtained by growing mold in scrap molasses. I'd frankly prefer to get my vitamin C from eating an orange. Other uses for citric acid include delaying drying time for cement, developing film and making explosives.

Let's make our paper bag popcorn tonight instead, shall we? http://afuturesuccessstory.blogspot.com/2010/01/jan-3-clean-junk.html

Have a squeaky clean day!

Daisy

Jan. 6: Toxin of the Day - Sodium Benzoate

Today's lucky toxin is.......Sodium Benzoate!!!!!!!!!!!

This killer chemical is generally found in acidic foods like salad dressings, carbonated beverages, pickles and condiments. It's purpose in these foods is to act as a retardant to fungus and bacteria.

A report by Professor Jim Stevenson at Southampton University states that when sodium benzoate is mixed with certain artificial food colors it can result in an increase in hyperactive behaviour in children. Stevenson recommends avoiding Sodium Benzoate.

Even more frighteningly, when combined with ascorbic acid, a very common additive, the mixture of the two creates benzene, which has been proven to cause leukemia and other types of cancer.


If you choose not to consume your Sodium Benzoate, it can also serve the purpose of acting as a fuel in "whistle mix" in fireworks, as it makes a loud whistling noise when ignited. It is also an anti-corrosive in automotive antifreeze.

Currently, Coca Cola is looking for a substitute for Sodium Benzoate, and has plans to phase the ingredients out of their soft drinks as soon as a substitute becomes available.

Read your labels!!!!

Jan. 5 - Toxin of the Day: Trisodium Phosphate

I'd like to introduce a new feature on my blog, The Toxin of the Day! Food companies are doing North America a huge disservice by legally introducing poisons into the food we feed our children and consume each day.

Consider preservatives for a moment. How do you think they preserve food? They preserve food by making it inhospitable to mold and bacteria. Basically, most of them are nothing but minute doses of pesticides. If they are toxic to bacteria, how do you think that they relate to our bodies? People walk around feeling sick and exhausted all of the time, and I firmly believe it is because of the constant influx of toxins we are voluntarily consuming.

Today's lucky winner is Trisodium Phosphate. Sodium phosphates are used as an emulsifier - that means they blend foods that would not normally stay blended. They are commonly found in processed cheeses, processed meats, and canned soups. It can also be used as a leavening agent in batter or commercial cakes.

Now the fun part: let's see what else Trisodium Phosphate is used for and decide whether or not we want to eat it!

The primary use for this chemical is in cleaning products. Particularly, it is the active ingredient in many toilet bowl cleaners. These cleaners carry the warning:

MAY DAMAGE GROUT AND CORRODE METAL. USE GLOVES WHILE HANDLING THIS PRODUCT.......

The Clean Water Act has taken steps to limit use of this product in cleaning supplies because of the damage it causes to the environment. They have great ecological concerns about this chemical being introduced into our water supply. The FDA, however, still deems this safe to eat.

I don't know about you, but I have no interest in feeding myself or my family any food that contains this product.

PLEASE READ YOUR LABELS!!! If you can't picture in your head the source of the ingredient, you probably don't want to eat it.

I'll be back later to talk about today's food.