Small Steps to Wellness

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Consider looking at the food labels when you are shopping to avoid the following twelve food additives that have been linked to various diseases:

1. Sodium nitrite
2. BHA & BHT
3. Propyl gallate
4. Monosodium glutamate
5. Trans fats
6. Aspartame
7. Acesulfame-K
8. Food colorings (Blue, Red, Green, Yellow)
9. Olestra
10. Potassium bromate
11. White sugar
12. Sodium chloride (salt)

Sodium nitrite is a preservative found in bacon, ham, hot dogs, sandwich meats and smoked fish. BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) are also preservatives and are found in food like cereal, gum, potato chips and vegetable oils. Propyl gallate can be found in meats, chicken soup base and gum. These preservatives have been linked to cancer.

Monosodium glutamate which is found in most processed foods, can cause migraines and other health problems. Although trans fats have been removed from most foods, studies have shown that this kind of fat can cause heart disease, strokes and kidney diseases.

NutraSweet and Equal, products that contain aspartame an artificial sweetener found in diet soft drinks and other diet food products. A new sweetener used in diet soft drinks and some baked goods is acesulfame-K.

Although most food colorings have been banned by the FDA, some can still be found in our foods. Food colors have been found to cause cancer. Olestra, a fat that prevents fat from being absorbed in your digestive system was common for awhile in low-fat potato chips. The problem with Olestra is that it can block vitamins from being processed by our bodies.

Potassium bromate is banned in some countries from use in food products, while many others do not and can be found in white flour, breads and rolls to increase their volume. It has also been found to cause cancer. Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sri Lanka, China, Nigeria, Brazil and Peru have banned the use of this additive while the United States has not.

White sugar and salt can be dangerous when eaten to excess and besides they have no nutritional value.

Just because you are choosing vegetarian foods doesn’t mean they are additive free. Check the label to see if any vegetarian processed foods contain these additives.

You can avoid these additives in your food is by reducing or cutting out processed foods in your diet. It is always best to eat food in their original state and choose organic if you can. Eating a diet that is full of food that is “alive” is the best way to get nutrients your body needs with out the added toxins. Preparing your food yourself, and not relying on processed foods, is the best way to maintain good health.

Source:
Health News June 29, 2009

Documentary: Food, Inc.

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