Dirty Dozen (Foods to Avoid)

This post is about the top 12 foods you should NEVER EVER, NEVER eat/consume. 


Actually, I would not even call most of these foods because they are not derived from plants or animals, but rather are man made fillers and additives found everywhere.  First I will list the twelve items, then we will talk about them one by one.  I am not the one that says to avoid these, but food manufacturers, Doctors, Chemists, Dietitians, Nutritionists and sometimes even the FDA warns to avoid.  You can look all of these up on the FDA's site to see what they say, and read their reason's as to why they allow these in our foods.  I have found that most of the reasons are not good enough for me (such as: it makes food look more appetizing), so I avoid them completely.  **Remember, your skin is your largest organ, so these products can be absorbed by the skin to compromise your body.**  I believe everyone should start small and change one thing at a time.  My family started with food, then cleaners, hand soaps, shampoos...as we ran out of a consumable we replaced with a product not containing these ingredients.

I am of the school of thought that God knew what He was doing when he created our plants and animals (our food sources), so minimally processed is best!  Actually, many of the so-called 'foods' we ingest and consume daily are actually destroying our bodies.  Rather than causing ourselves illness let's learn together what to avoid in order to become the best and healthiest we can personally be. 

1 Cor 3:16-17(NIV) Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

 
You can stick with me through this entire post to get a great education, but it may be a little long and tedious; or you can simply scroll down to the items that interest you the most.  I will be doing a post in the near future about all artificial food colors, polysorbates and sicilcas, but for now I am just sticking to the top 12. 

The Dirty Dozen

Propyl Gallate
BHA (Butylated hydroxyanisole) & BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
Potassium Bromate
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
Aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet)
Acesulfame-K
Olestra (Olean)
Sodium Nitrite (Sodium Nitrate)
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Blue 1 & Blue 2
Red 3 & Red 40
Yellow 5 & Yellow 6

Propyl Gallate (E310)

What is it?
An ester formed by Gallic acid (usually plant derived) and propanol (which is similar to acetone and rubbing alcohol).
Why is it used? 
Added to foods with oils and fats to help prevent oxidation.  Or in other words it is an anti-oxidant. 
Where can it be found?
It is used in foods, hair and beauty products, adhesives and lubricants.
Concerns/Warnings: 
It can cause tummy and skin issues, allergic reactions causing constricted breathing/asthma attack.  People with asthma, allergy to aspirin, kidney or liver issues should avoid, and may cause kidney or liver damage.  May cause cancer.
Often used in conjunction with BHA or BHT
Is banned in many other countries.

BHA (E320) & BHT

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)

What is it?
Also an anti-oxidant derived from petroleum. 
Why is it used?
helps to keep foods from going rancid or producing foul odor, thus producing a longer shelf life. 
Where can it be found?
Edible fats and oils, fat- or oil-containing foods (e.g., baked goods, pork sausage), chewing gum, cosmetics, animal feed, food packaging, and in rubber and petroleum products. 
Concerns/Warnings: 
Some people may have difficulty metabolizing BHA and it's counterpart BHT that would cause health and behavior problems.
May cause cancer, and the state of California requires a warning label when used.
According to Healthy Child BHA is moderately toxic when swallowed.

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

What is it?
It is a lipohilid (dissolves in fat) also derived from phenol, and is a petroleum based food additive, and is very similar to BHA; often used in conjunction with BHA and Propyl Gallate
Why is it used?
Helps to keep foods from going rancid or producing foul odor, thus producing a longer shelf life.
Where can it be found?
Fats in foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, jet fuels, rubber, petroleum products, electrical transformer oil, and embalming fluid. 
Concerns/Warnings: 
The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for this product says the following:

• Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment.
• Combustible.
• Ingestion causes Abdominal pain. Confusion. Dizziness. Nausea. Vomiting.
• The substance may have effects on the liver.
• The substance is harmful to aquatic organisms.

It can be linked to cancer and child hyperactivity, developmental toxicity, allergies, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, biochemical or cellular level changes.

Potassium Bromate (E924)

What is it?
A bromate of potassium and takes the form of white crystals or powder.  It is produced by passing bromine into a solution of potassium hydroxide. An industrial electrolytic process is used for large scale production.  It can also be created as a by-product of potassium bromide production by absorption of bromine from ocean water into potassium carbonate.
Elemental potassium is a soft silvery-white alkali metal that oxides rapidly in air and is very reactive with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite the hydrogen emitted in the reaction.
Elemental bromine is a fuming red-brown liquid at room temperature, corrosive and toxic, with properties between those of  chlorine and iodine. 
Why is it used?
Used in baking to improve flour and strengthen dough.  If too much is added to the baking, is not baked long enough or at a high enough temperature it will not all cook out which may be harmful if consumed. 
Where can it be found?
Pesticides (methyl bromide), some bread products, Bromated vegetable oil, Citrus flavored drinks, Cleaners, Hot tub cleansers, Some asthma inhalers, Some prescription drugs, Plastic products, Antiseptics, mouthwash, gargles, Infant cough syrup, Permanent wave neutralizers, Hair dyes containing sodium bromate, Fumigant for agriculture, Toothpaste 
Concerns/Warnings:
Poisoning could cause the following symptoms: Yellowish white discoloration in the iris, Acne or rashes, Copper colored swatches on the skin, Diarrhea or digestive problems, Headache, Increased salivation, Metallic taste in mouth, Nausea, Sneezing, Fatigue, sluggishness, Loss of inhibition, Self neglect, Impaired memory and concentration, Irritability or emotional instability, depression, Sleep alterations.  And extremely sever symptoms could be Confusion, Schizophrenia, Violence increasing at night, Auditory or visual hallucinations, Stupor and coma, Tremors with slurred speech, Lack of coordination.  Yikes!  This sounds like a drug or alcohol issue to me!

Potassium bromate has been banned from use in food products in the EU, Canada, Nigeria, Brazil, Peru, Sri Lanka, and China.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG or E621)

What is it?
A combination of water, sodium and glutamate used as a food additive.
Why is it used?
It balances, blends and rounds the total perception of other tastes.
Where can it be found?
Meat, fish, poultry, many vegetables, sauces, soups and marinades.
Concerns/Warnings:
May cause headaches, facial pressure, sweating and flushing, chest pain with shortness of breath and heart palpitations. Some patients report an overall feeling of weakness.

Aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet, E951)

What is it?
A methyl ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalanine dipeptide. 
A Methyl group is an alkyl derived from methane.
Too much aspartame or glutamate in the brain kills certain neurons.
Why is it used?
Artificial sweetener.
Where can it be found?
Low-fat and diet products. (ie: diet soda, low fat yogurt)
Concerns/Warnings:
Because its breakdown products include phenylalanine, aspartame must be avoided by people with the genetic condition phenylketonuria.
Seizures, death, headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain.

Acesulfame-K (Acesulfame potassium, Ace K, E950)

What is it?
A very sweet chemical compound...Sorry, but this is a huge research project.  It was accidentally discovered when a chemist dipped his finger in his project then accidentally licked his finger to pick up a piece of paper.
Why is it used?
Calorie-free, Artificial Sweetener.  200 times sweeter than table sugar.
Where can it be found?
Sunett and Sweet One trade names.  Chewing gum, desserts, alcoholic beverages, syrups, candies, sauces, and yogurt. It is found in Hershey's Lite Syrup and Fat Free Dutch Chocolate Hot Cocoa, Trident gum and sugar free Jell-O.
Concerns/Warnings:
In animals it has shown to stimulates insulin secretion, lung tumors, breast tumors, rare types of tumors of other organs (such as the thymus gland), several forms of leukemia and chronic respiratory disease.

Olestra (Olean)

What is it?
Fat substitute that adds no fat, calories, or cholesterol to products.   Made by chemically combining sugar with the fatty acids obtained from vegetable oils.
Why is it used?
Lower fat content of food.
Where can it be found?
Potato Chips, other high fat foods to make low fat.
Concerns/Warnings:
FDA-mandated health warning label "This Product Contains Olestra. Olestra may cause abdominal cramping and loose stools. Olestra inhibits the absorption of some vitamins and other nutrients. Vitamins A, D, E, and K have been added (particular issue to those taking blood-thinning medications).  This warning label has since been removed.
Olestra reportedly flushes carotenoids from the body as well. Carotenoids are the plant pigments that make fruits and vegetables red, yellow or orange, and they're also found in green leafy vegetables. Research shows that carotenoids protect the body against diseases such as cancer, heart disease and macular degeneration, a form of blindness.     

Sodium Nitrite (Sodium Nitrate) (do not add to foods)

What is it?
The salt is prepared by treating sodium hydroxide with mixtures of nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide. 

Nitrates are not harmful, but can easily be converted to nitrites. This conversion occurs at high temperatures e.g. frying cured meat at high temperatures.

It is well known that nitrites combine with amines to form nitrosoamines which are known to be dangerous cancer-causing compounds.

Why is it used?
Without sodium nitrite, these products’ shelf life would be shortened substantially.  Preventing botulism.  Prevent the growth of Listeria monocytogenes.  Used as a color fixative and to manufacture certain dyes.   
Where can it be found?
Cured meats like ham, bacon and hot dogs.
Concerns/Warnings:
Sodium nitrite is a strong oxidizer, so it should not come into contact with any organic chemicals. Contact with other chemicals may cause an explosion or violent decomposition.
nitrites form nitrosamines and increase your risk of cancer whether or not you're pregnant, eating nitrite-containing foods is particularly dangerous during pregnancy, because nitrites can cross the placenta. When they do, they result in the potential for damage to the developing fetus. For instance, a 1999 study published in the "International Journal of Cancer" notes that consuming nitrate- or nitrite-preserved meats during pregnancy increases a child's risk of brain tumors.

1. Brain tumour in Children:Children born by mothers who consume high quantities of cured meat (cured with nitrites) during pregnancy have 2-3 time risk of developing brain tumour than those born by mothers who do not consume cured meat.
2. Cancer: Nitrites have been shown to contribute to a number of cancers. These include: Stomach cancer, Pancreatic cancer and Colo rectal Cancer
3. DNA mutations: Consumption of cured hot dogs have been shown to have compounds that cause DNA-mutation. If DNA mutations occur, they can cause cancer.

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil

What is it?

A solid fat that does not go rancid easily and doesn't have any real taste.  Hydrogenation is a complicated process. Vegetable seeds are cleaned and bleached to remove all color, taste, smells and impurities. The liquid vegetable oil is then heated to high temperatures and a catalyst (commonly nickel, but could be palladium, platinum or rhodium) is added. Hydrogen is bubbled through the liquid. The mixture is then filtered to remove the metal, leaving hydrogenated vegetable oil. 

Why is it used?

Gives a uniform product that is solid at room temperature and has a long shelf life.

Where can it be found?
Commercially prepared baked foods, snack foods and processed foods.  Often in deep fried foods and desserts in restaurants.
Concerns/Warnings:

The hydrogenation process changes the nature of some of the fats into a form that is not easily recognised by the body (trans fatty acids).

Shown to increase cholesterol levels, which can lead to cardiovascular problems.
Can increase blood pressure, cause cancer, high cholesterol.

Blue 1 & Blue 2 (Brilliant Blue)

What is it?

Petroleum-derived triphenylmethane used as an artificial coloring found in beverages, candy, baked goods, icing, liquid antibiotics and more. 

Why is it used?

To provide a brilliant blue color and to make food look more appetizing/appealing.

Where can it be found?
Beverages, candy, icing, baked goods, canned peas, liquid antibiotics, shampoos, soaps and much more.
Concerns/Warnings:

There is no allergy test for food dyes, and because they are not IgE reactions they are often known as food intolerance instead of allergies.  I just call them poison since they are not food and are derived from petroleum.

Can cause eczema, hives, swollen eyelids, dry skin, sneezing, ear infections (often recurring), congestion, wheezing, anaphylaxis, constipation, vomiting, bloating, tummy pains, diarrhea.

Headaches, migraines, anxiety, crying, fatigue, hyperactivity and behavior problems are common in children. 

The Feingold Association of the United States states that Blue 1 can also cause chromosomal damage which changes or breaks chromosomes of cells.

Symptoms may not show up immediately, but can often show up days later.  For some, a small amount is a huge issue, but for others they may not see a problem until days after eating an entire bag of candy containing Blue dyes.

Red 3 & Red 40 (Allura Red)

What is it?

Originally manufactured from coal tar, but is now mostly made from petroleum.

Why is it used?

To color foods and other products.  To make food more appealing looking.

Where can it be found?
Kool-aid, orange and other flavored sodas, cheetos and dorito chips, strawberry pop-tarts, any candy with red coloring to it including m&m's, skittles, many chewing gums, etc. Also many children's vitamins and pain relievers/cold medicine. Make up, soaps, shampoos and more.
Concerns/Warnings:

In children it has been known to cause temper tantrums, hyperactivity, aggressive behavior, uncontrollable crying and screaming, kicking, nervousness, dizziness, inability to concentrate and sit still.  In adults it can cause frequent headaches or migraines, upset stomach.

In Europe, Allura Red AC is not recommended for consumption by children. It is banned in Denmark , Belgium, France and Switzerland.

Yellow 5 & Yellow 6 (Tartrazine, E102) 

What is it?

Originally manufactured from coal tar, but is now mostly made from petroleum (runoff from industrial waste).

Why is it used?

To color foods and other products. To make food more appealing looking.

Where can it be found?
Candies, cotton candy, soft drinks (Mountain Dew), energy drinks, instant pudding, corn chips, Doritos, nachos, cereal, cake mixes, pastries, popcorn, soup, sauces, sports drinks, ice cream, pop sickles, Gummy Bears, Peeps, chewing gum, jam, jellies, mustard, yogurt, noodles, pickles, tartare sauce.  Make up, soaps, shampoos and more.
Concerns/Warnings:

Appears to cause the most intollerance and reaction out of all the food dyes; especially to asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.

Indigestion, anxiety, migraines, clinical depression, blurred vision, itching, general weakness, heatwaves, feeling of suffocation, purple skin patches, and sleep disturbance, asthma attacks and hives, gastric upset, diarrhea, vomiting, nettle rash (urticaria), swelling of the skin, with links to thyroid tumours, chromosomal damage, and hyperactivity.

Again symptoms can show up within minutes to even days later, and can last for several weeks.

Banned in Norway, Austria, and Germany.

Resources I used: All of the infomation above can be found in the links and sites below.
http://www.fda.gov/
http://www.wikipedia.org/
http://healthychild.org/
http://thegoodhuman.com/
http://www.iodine-resource.com/potassium-bromate.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/
http://articles.mercola.com/
http://www.elmhurst.edu/
http://www.essortment.com/olestra-41333.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/344031-sodium-nitrite-pregnancy/
http://www.healthandgoodness.com/article/hydrogenated-vegetable-oil-and-your-health.html
http://www.ehow.com/info_7843461_blue-1-side-effects.html
http://voices.yahoo.com/is-red-40-food-dye-additive-having-negative-180784.html
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110522153918AAjSb6C