What Everybody Ought to Know About Food Additives

Every day we are bombarded with information abouteaten occasionally. But, most tuna contains broth or
food products that are healthy, all natural, have nohydrolyzed vegetable protein, which contain MSG.
artificial ingredients, no preservatives, low fat, no fat,And MSG is not required to be listed on the label
no cholesterol, sugar free, vitamin fortified andbecause it is an ingredient in the broth, not directly
provide 100% of your daily vitamin requirements. Areadded to the tuna. This is the way food
these foods as healthy as the advertising tries tomanufacturers hide MSG in the food they produce.
make us believe they are?Let's look at the facts.And hidden MSG can be a very serious problem to
There are more than 3000 different chemicals addedthose who are sensitive to it. MSG can cause a wide
to our food. The company that wants to producevariety of symptoms including migraines, numbness
the chemicals or use the chemicals in the foods theyand tingling, asthma, seizures, diarrhea, panic attacks
produce usually does the testing for safety. Safetyand heart problems.Other sources of hidden MSG
testing has only been done for individual additives,include autolyzed yeast, boullion, stock, malt extract,
not for combinations of additives. Nobody knows themalt flavoring, barley malt, maltodextrin, natural
effects of the many different additives used in theflavors, pectin, seasonings, carrageenan, soy sauce,
thousands of different combinations. To makesoy protein, whey protein, anything enzyme modified,
matters worse, because of political pressure, thefermented, protein fortified, or ultrapasteurized, fast
FDA allows manufacturers to add small amounts offoods, chips, condiments, salad dressings, lunch
cancer-causing substances to our food. So, not onlymeats, sausages and soups. In fact, most processed
are many of our foods not healthy, they'refoods contain MSG according to Kathleen Schwartz
unsafe.The FDA has even approved, as safe,of the nonprofit group NoMSG.So, buyer beware!
additives it has known to be unsafe. Take, forEven if the label says "all natural ingredients" and "no
example, Olestra, the fat substitute which waspreservatives," the product could contain harmful
approved by the FDA over the objections of manyadditives. So, how do you know which foods are
leading food scientists. Olestra can cause diarrhea,really safe to eat? You need to read the labels and
abdominal cramping and may even contribute toknow how to interpret the information on the
cancer, heart disease and blindness. Foods containinglabel.Here's a few hints on what to eat and what to
Olestra must have a warning label on theavoid: Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains,
package.Then there's the artificial sweetenergood quality protein and healthy fats. Avoid these
aspartame, also known as Nutrasweet. Aspartameadditives:Aspartame or Nutrasweet
was approved and claimed safe by a speciallySaccharin
appointed FDA Commissioner after his own Board ofMSG and Free Glutamates
Inquiry that investigated aspartame claimed it unsafe.Artificial colorings
Aspartame can cause birth defects, central nervousNitrites and Nitrates
system disturbances, menstrual difficulties, brainCaffeine
damage in phenylketonurics, seizures, death and aBHA and BHT
long list of other reactions too numerous to mention.Brominated vegetable oil or BVO
It may cause irreversible health damage over theOlestra or Olean
long term.Fats are another story. A certain amountSulfites Here's a general rule of thumb: If the list of
of the right kind of fat is necessary for your nervousingredients is long, there are probably a lot of
system, your immune system, the formation of cellchemical additives in the product, and you're risking
membranes, and the absorption of the fat-solubleyour health by eating it. If the list of ingredients is
vitamins. The problem is that over 90% of the foodshort, it may or may not have harmful additives in it,
produced today contain hydrogenated or partiallyso you need to read the label carefully before you
hydrogenated oil, which contributes to heart disease,purchase it.Dr. Christine Farlow has made it easy for
elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, non-insulinyou to identify which additives are harmful and which
dependent diabetes and cancer. Research evenare not. In her handy pocket-sized book, FOOD
shows an association between attention deficitADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide To What's Safe &
disorder and hydrogenated oils.The next time youWhat's Not, now in its 2004 revised edition, she
grocery shop, look at the label of every item beforeclassifies 800 commonly used food additives
you buy. Unless you already buy all organic andaccording to safety, whether they may cause allergic
natural foods, almost every item you pick up willreactions and if they are Generally Recognized As
contain hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils.Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. In just seconds, you can
Instead, choose products that say no hydrogenatedfind out if an additive in the food you're buying is
oils. Use raw organic butter instead of margarine, andharmful to your health. It's clear, concise and easy to
extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil or flaxseed oiluse. Make this book your constant grocery shopping
(flaxseed oil should never be heated).If you're eatingcompanion and you'll never again wonder about the
more chicken, turkey and fish, because it's healthier,safety of the ingredients listed on the package. You'll
you may be surprised to learn that sliced chicken andknow.Dr. Christine H. Farlow, D.C. is a chiropractor,
turkey from the deli contains nitrites. And nitritesnutritionist and author. She has helped thousands
cause cancer. Nitrites are found in almost allimprove their health through nutrition. For more
processed meats, including luncheon meats, hot dogs,information on food additives and healthy eating, visit
sausages and bacon. Then there's tuna, a healthyContact Dr.
choice if it only contains tuna and water and is only