The majority of processed foods contain ingredients that are harmful and cause adverse health conditions and complaints. If you include processed foods in your diet, you MUST read the label and be aware of these ingredients.
HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP:
HFCS is the number one source of calories for most Americans. You’ll find high-fructose corn syrup in processed food, fast food, sodas, syrup that goes into your Latte from Starbucks, etc. HFCS is extremely toxic to your liver, increases inflammation, causes obesity, oxidative stress and creates an aggressive insulin response.
PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED OILS (TRANS FATS): Partially hydrogenated oils are found in thousands of processed foods (breakfast cereals, cookies, chips, all CRAP food). Trans fats are proven to cause heart disease and contribute to obesity. Restaurant food, especially from fast food chains, often serve food loaded with trans fats.
Consequences of a diet high in trans fats include:
– inflammation
– immune function
– testosterone
– Arthritis
– Cancer
– Decrease IQ – learning disabilities. American IQ has dropped 20 points in the past 20 years.
– Diabetes
– Elevated blood pressure
– Free radical production
– Heart Disease
– Interferes with neurological & visual development of fetus
– Liver damage
– Obesity
– Osteoporosis
– Type II diabetes
MSG: MSG – Monosodium glutamate is a chemical that has been associated with reproductive disorders, migraine headaches, permanent damage to the endocrine system leading to obesity and other serious disorders. MSG is used in many foods as a taste enhancer. It is linked to reduced fertility.
SODIUM NITRATE: This is a preservative, coloring, and flavoring commonly added to bacon, ham, hot dogs, luncheon meats, smoked fish and corned beef. Studies have linked eating it to various types of cancer.
BHA and BHT: Butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydrozyttoluene are used to preserve common household foods. They are found in cereals, chewing gum, potato chips and vegetable oils. They are oxidants, which form potentially cancer-causing reactive compounds in your body.
WHITE SUGAR: Sugar is more addictive than cocaine! Sugar has a profound influence on your brain function and your psychological function. Sugar is highly acidic, the perfect environment for increasing cancer cells. Cancer cells love sugar.
When you consume excess amounts of sugar, your body releases excess amounts of insulin, which in turn causes a drop in your blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia.
Sugar consumption contributes to formation of gallstones and kidney stones. In addition, sugar is pro-flammatory, damages skin collagen and promotes wrinkles, increases your appetite, depletes your body of B vitamins, causes joint degeneration, ADHD and other behavior disorders, stimulates cholesterol synthesis and weight gain.
SODIUM CHLORIDE: Commercial table salt is highly processed and full of aluminum, chemicals and additives which are toxic. Opt for a healthier version such as Bragg’s amino acids or Celtic sea salt (light pink, grey or beige color).
ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS – ASPARTAME, SPLENDA, SWEET N LOW, EQUAL: Aspartame is an artificial, chemical sweetener found in many foods and beverages including desserts, gelatins, protein powder, low calorie foods, drink mixes and sodas. It may cause cancer or neurological problems, such as dizziness, migraine headaches, weight gain, increased appetite, bloating, rashes or hallucinations. Aspartame poisoning mimics symptoms of MS. NutraSweet is in over 7,000 foods! Artificial sweeteners should come with a warning label!
Side effects:
– Heart disease
– Bloating and edema
– Brain seizures
– Cancer
– Cravings
– Headaches
– Predispose you to Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s Disease
– Rashes and hives
– Weight gain – results in obesity
FOOD COLORINGS: (Blue 1, 2; Red 3, 40; Green 3; Yellow 5, 6) There are food colorings still on the market linked to cancer in animal testing. There is evidence that food coloring and food additives contribute to behavioral problems in children, lead to lower IQ, hyperactivity, ADHD, depression, hormonal dysfunction, migraines and cancer.
Red 40 is found in soda pop, candy, gelatin desserts, pastries, pet food and sausage. It is linked to hyperactivity disorders and migraines.
Red 3 is used to dye cherries and found in fruit cocktail, ice cream candy and baked goods. It has been shown to cause thyroid tumors in rats. This harmful artificial color causes cancer and changes in brain chemistry. Read the list of ingredients in your child’s cough syrup (artificial color).
Green 3 is a potential allergen and has been linked to bladder cancer. Green 3 is added to candy, mint jelly, cereals and beverages.
Blue 1 and 2 are found in beverages, candy, baked goods, cereals and pet food have been linked to allergies and cancer.
Yellow 5 is the most notable artificial color because it causes the most immediate allergic reaction in people sensitive to salicylates such as aspirin.
Yellow 6 has been linked to tumors of the adrenal gland and kidney. Yellow 6 is added to beverages, sausage, gelatin, baked goods and candy.
Take home message – Stay away from any product listing an ingredient with a color plus a number.
PROCESSED/REFINED WHEAT AND GLUTEN: Refined grains are void of nutrients and disrupt insulin levels. Wheat and gluten have adverse health affects for approximately 80% of the population. Gluten is a protein found combined with starch in the endosperm of grains, notably wheat, rye and barley.
Gluten intolerance/sensitivity is severely misdiagnosed or under-diagnosed – one estimate says that 97% of all sufferers don’t know they have the disease due to unfamiliarity with it among U.S. physicians.
Signs and symptoms of gluten intolerance: The ultimate effect of this hidden wear and tear is the slow destruction of the healthy mucosa, or lining tissue of the small intestine causing an auto-immune response that’s similar to an allergic reaction. In some cases there may be symptoms in childhood such as allergies, asthma, anemia, reoccurring infections, a constant upset stomach or milk intolerance.
Other symptoms are nasal and throat mucous, feeling of food sitting in stomach, bloating, gas, diarrhea with periodic constipation, mental fogginess and skin rashes. In severe cases, as with Celiac disease, there can be seizures, psychosis, violent behavior and withdrawal from self.
Eliminate gluten-products for 3-4 weeks and tell me how great you feel.
SOY: Processed, unfermented soy is found in products such as soy protein, soy burgers, a variety of snack bars, soy hot dogs, etc. Soy is loaded with hormone-like substances. Soy inhibits the thyroid, is estrogenic, deficient in amino acids, depletes minerals from the body and shrinks the brain.
Whole soybeans (edamame) and traditional forms of fermented soy is a healthy option.
It’s important to form a habit of reading the list of ingredients on ALL products! Focus on eating whole, fresh foods. This is the best way to stay away from toxic, harmful ingredients. Choose to shop at Farmer’s Markets and natural foods stores that offer a large selection of foods free of the controversial chemicals.
Paula Owens is the author of THE POWER OF 4. She is a natural health practitioner, nutritionist, fitness expert and weight loss coach with over 20 years of experience known for helping people look good, feel great and attain results faster – naturally. She holds a Masters degree in Holistic Nutrition, a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology and numerous professional health and fitness certifications. She is the creator of “21 Days to a Leaner, Healthier You,” an online weight loss and exercise program. Visit Paula at PaulaOwens.com
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