7 Scary Things In Your Food
by BrandDoctorKerry
By one estimate, there are over 3,000 food additives being used with the approval of our government. Knowing which additives are safe and which ones may be toxic or carcinogenic can be a tricky proposition – even for the most seasoned label reader!
Here’s what we’ve done to make this matter easier to digest. We’ve compiled a list of the 7 worst and most commonly used junk ingredients that are found in leading brand name foods (even in many foods portrayed as healthy).
Make it a point to avoid these deadly 7 additives and you and your family will be well ahead of the health and weight loss curve!
7 Worst Junk Ingredients to Avoid
1. Sodium nitrate (also called sodium nitrite)
This is a preservative, coloring, and flavoring commonly found in processed meats like bacon, ham, hot dogs, cold cuts and smoked fish. Studies have shown that it reacts with the body’s digestive acids to form a cancer-causing agent called nitrosamines. So double-check that “healthy” turkey for carcinogens before you gobble down your sandwich!
2. Aspartame (aka NutraSweet/Equal)
In scientific terms, this is a chemical combination of two amino acids and methanol. It’s better known by the brand names NutraSweet and Equal, which are sweeteners found in countless “diet” desserts, drink mixes and soft drinks. Aspartame was once thought to be a safe artificial sweetener, but it is now believed to cause cancer and neurological problems such as dizziness and hallucinations.
3. Acesulfame-K
This artificial sweetener is 200 times sweeter than sugar and is often found in chewing gum and soft drinks. When tested in the laboratory, it caused cancer in rats. And that makes this additive a lot less sweet in our opinion!
4. Artificial food colorings
There are food colorings being used that are linked with cancer in animal testing as well as behavioral disorders in children. These include Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Orange B, Red 3 and Yellow 6. Amazingly, these colors have been banned in the United Kingdom yet remain in many American foods. They can easily be avoided by choosing natural foods that aren’t chemically or colorfully enhanced.
5. MSG
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is an amino acid used as a flavor enhancer in many soups, salad dressings, chips, frozen entrees and restaurant food. This nasty additive can tinker with the nervous system causing side effects like migraines and overeating in some individuals. MSG appears on labels under several aliases, including yeast extract and calcium caseinate. It’s even been found on the labels of organic products! Here’s a list of the common aliases for MSG.
6. Trans fats
Trans fats cause heart disease. It’s a proven fact. Before purchasing any packaged food, check the ingredients list. Even if the label boasts “0g trans fats” BEWARE… the product may still contain up to a 0.5g of trans fats per serving, if you see the words partially hydrogenated oils on the ingredients list. It’s important to avoid even the smallest amount because it can raise your bad cholesterol and lower your good cholesterol, making you susceptible to all kinds of health problems!
7. Sodium benzoate
Sodium benzoate is a preservative used in many foods and beverages. This ingredient is known to cause hives, asthma and other allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. New research shows that it may also cause behavioral disorders in children. One more reason to avoid this harmful ingredient: When used in beverages that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C) it forms benzene, a known carcinogen. Some drink manufacturers are still using this toxic duo, so you may have benzene lurking in your favorite drink!
Kerry McLeod is the founder and Chief Brand Doctor of eBrandAid.com, a bi-weekly e-newsletter that educates shoppers on how to find the healthiest and best-tasting foods at the local grocery store. McLeod has recently been featured on CBS 46 News, Martha Stewart Living Radio, Forbes.com, Diet.com, and the Vancouver Sun. She has been a contributing writer for eDiets.com, Diet-Blog.com, Atlanta Sports and Fitness and Jezebel magazines. She has also authored the popular diet and nutrition book The Last Diet Book Standing. For more information visit www.ebrandaid.com.
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January 15, 2009
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Gluten-Free: The Truth About 'Leaky Gut'
by TriciaThompsonMS/RD
Google the term “leaky gut” and many websites containing an abundance of information come up.
To help separate the accurate from the not so accurate information, Daniel Leffler, MD, MA, Director of Clinical Research at The Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston graciously agreed to answer some questions.
What exactly is meant by the term “leaky gut?”
The cells lining the intestine are linked together by a complex of proteins known as "tight junctions." These exist throughout the entire intestinal tract but cells are bound more tightly together in some areas.
These barriers are important ways that your body regulates what comes in and out of the intestinal lining. It has been suggested that if these tight junctions are not working well, proteins and even microorganisms might be able to get into the body past the intestinal lining causing disease or symptoms. This is what is referred to as "leaky gut" or increased intestinal permeability.
What causes leaky gut?
Many things have been shown to weaken tight junctions including gastrointestinal infections, medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen, systemic illnesses such as liver disease, pancreatitis or severe infections, and of course gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease and some types of irritable bowel syndrome.
What diagnostic tests are available for leaky gut?
Currently there are no clinically available proven tests for leaky gut. Testing is sometimes done as part of research studies, but there is currently no good evidence that testing clinically is reliable or helpful.
What is the treatment of leaky gut?
There is no specific treatment for leaky gut other than when possible removing the underlying cause of the dysfunction. Medications are being tested that may help tight junction function.
However, it is important to remember that it is not at all clear whether leaky gut is a cause of illness, a complication of illness or a just a result of illness. For example in celiac disease, we do not know whether a problem with tight junctions leads to the development of celiac disease and possibly other autoimmune disorders (cause of illness), occurs due to celiac disease and then causes other medical problems (complication of illness), or occurs secondary to celiac disease inflammation possibly worsening symptoms but otherwise not of primary concern.
What role does leaky gut play in celiac disease?
Although not entirely clear, it is most likely that tight junctions in celiac disease are damaged secondary to the general intestinal inflammation. Once damaged, they may allow fluid to leak out worsening diarrhea and abdominal symptoms. It is also theorized that in some patients an initial injury to the tight junctions from an infection might allow enough gluten in to cause celiac disease in the first place.
Do all persons with celiac disease by definition have leaky gut?
All patients with active celiac disease will have some degree of leaky gut.
Among persons with celiac disease, does strict adherence to a gluten-free diet improve leaky gut?
Yes, this should return tight junctions nearly to normal.
Are persons with leaky gut, including those with celiac disease more prone to develop food allergies and sensitivities?
This is possible and reasonable to suggest but has not been proven at this time.
Do the proteins gluten and casein promote the development of leaky gut?
There is no evidence that these proteins promote disease outside of individuals with celiac disease or allergies to these proteins.
If a person has leaky gut should they avoid gluten and casein regardless of whether they have celiac disease or milk allergy?
There is no evidence to avoid these or other proteins unless celiac disease or allergy has been documented.
In addition to celiac disease, what other conditions are associated with leaky gut?
Chronic liver disease, type 1 diabetes, gastrointestinal infections, severe systemic infections, severe burns or trauma, pancreatitis, asthma, diarrhea predominant IBS, crohn’s disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis.
What role if any does leaky gut play in autism spectrum disorders?
Leaky gut has been postulated as a predisposing or even causative factor in autism however data on this is minimal and conflicting. I believe a great deal of further research on this subject is necessary before coming to any conclusions.
Thank you Dr. Leffler!
Tricia Thompson, M.S., RD is a nutrition consultant, author and speaker specializing in celiac disease and the gluten-free diet. She is the author of The Gluten-Free Nutrition Guide (McGraw-Hill) and co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Gluten-Free Eating (Penguin Group). For more information, visit www.glutenfreedietitian.com.
GLUTEN-FREE IS A GOOD START! But to get a weight loss plan perfectly catered to your personal needs, click here and becomes a Diet.com Premium Member!
For a copy of The Gluten-Free Nutrition Guide click here. |
October 21, 2008
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Restaurant Chains With Gluten-Free Menus
by TriciaThompsonMS/RD
When you are gluten free, there is something incredibly fabulous about being handed a menu that caters to your dietary needs.
I recently ordered off a gluten-free menu at Legal Sea Foods in downtown Boston and it was so liberating! If you ever have a chance to eat at this chain, I highly recommend it. Not only is the gluten-free menu great but the food is good as well.
Legal Sea Foods has locations in Washington DC, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Their website has an online restaurant locator service that includes location specific menu options.
Legal Sea Foods isn’t the only chain with a gluten-free menu.
Others include Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and Outback Steakhouse. The gluten-free menus available in these three chains have been developed in cooperation with the Gluten Intolerance Group and their Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program.
According to Cynthia Kupper, RD, executive director of the Gluten Intolerance Group, the Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program was developed to “support restaurants to identify their menu items that are gluten free, and to provide education and training materials. The program has expanded to include some swab testing in restaurants to reinforce issues of contamination control.”
Bonefish Grill has a menu with bold GF next to the gluten-free options. This menu is available on line. Go to www.bonefishgrill.com and click on “our menu.” Under “other menus” click on “gluten-free.” Bonefish Grill is currently located in 32 states. An online restaurant locator service is available.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill has a separate gluten-free menu that is available online. Go to www.carrabbas.com and click on “menu.” Scroll down until you see “gluten-free menu.” Carrabba’s is presently located in 33 states. An online restaurant locator service is available.
Outback Steakhouse also has a separate gluten-free menu that is available online. Go to www.outback.com and click on “food and menu” and then “gluten-free menu.” Outback also has an online restaurant locator service.
On those (hopefully rare) occasions when fast food is the only option, Wendy’s may be one of your better bets. A printer ready listing of “menu items without gluten” is available online. If you periodically find yourself in line at a fast food restaurant, you might want to print out this menu and keep it in the car. Go to www.wendys.com and click on “food.” Click on “nutrition facts” and then “menu items without gluten.” What I find nice about Wendy’s is that I can actually order something healthy -- a baked potato topped with broccoli -- at the take-out window!
For more restaurant options that are gluten-free friendly, visit the web site of the Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program at www.glutenfreerestaurants.org. Publications that you may find useful in your quest to dine gluten free are The Essential Gluten-Free Restaurant Guide published by Triumph Dining and the Let’s Eat Out! series published by Gluten Free Passport.
Tricia Thompson, M.S., RD is a nutrition consultant, author and speaker specializing in celiac disease and the gluten-free diet. She is the author of The Gluten-Free Nutrition Guide (McGraw-Hill) and co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Gluten-Free Eating (Penguin Group). For more information, visit www.glutenfreedietitian.com.
GLUTEN-FREE IS A GOOD START! But to get a weight loss plan perfectly catered to your personal needs, click here and becomes a Diet.com Premium Member!
For a copy of The Gluten-Free Nutrition Guide click here. |
October 14, 2008
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