These days, it seems one almost needs to be a chemist to interpret the ingredients on a package of food. In addition to the ingredients we know to avoid, like high sugar and salt content, there are a number of additives and preservatives in most food that might be harmful to us. How can we know which ingredients are ok and which can do us real harm? One way is to stay away from all packaged and pre-prepared foods. Even then, you would want to buy organic to avoid pesticides and fertilizers that can be harmful, but it would reduce a lot of the bad stuff.
For most of us though, that isn’t realistic. It’s possible of course, but there is something to be said for the convenience of packaged foods, as long as we’re not trading our health for that convenience. So the best solution is to know what the ingredients are in your food, and to know which additives and preservatives to look out for. The following list will help you make the best choices when shopping at the grocery store.
Food dyes: Recently, the UK banned 8 food dyes. This move came about as the result of a study that showed these dyes caused hyperactivity and other behavioral problems in children. The US FDA did not follow suit and take the same steps – which, given the control the food industry has on our regulatory agencies, isn’t a shock. Here are the dyes which were banned and which you should avoid:
- Blue 1 and 2
- Yellow 5 and 6
- Red 3 and 40
- Orange B
- Green 3
Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils: There has been a lot of talk about trans fats lately, and these oils are the culprits. These oils are created by adding hydrogen atoms to regular vegetable oil. This extends the shelf life of the products containing the oils, but it does so at the expense of the health of the consumer. Avoid these oils to reduce your risk of heart disease and high cholesterol.
Potassium Bromate: You will often find this additive in breads and rolls. It increases volume, so it is purely a financial decision for a company to add it. This additive has been shown to cause cancer and has been banned in every country in the world, except the US and Japan.
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate): MSG is known to trigger severe headaches, nausea and vomiting in those who are sensitive to its affects. Sudden cardiac deaths have also been linked to long term use of MSG and the other additives containing it. As it is not always labeled as MSG, be on the lookout for these ingredients that always contain MSG:
- Glutamate
- Glutamic Acid
- Gelatin
- Calcium Caseinate
- Autolyzed Yeast
- Monopotassium Glutamate
- Textured Protein
- Sodium Caseinate
Sodium Benzoate: This preservative prevents bacterial and fungal growth. Sounds like a good thing, but sodium benzoate is one of the most dangerous preservatives there is. A chemical compound known as benzene is formed when this additive is mixed with vitamin C or ascorbic acid, and benzene is a known carcinogen.
BHA and BHT: These chemicals are added to a number of foods to slow food decay. Studies show that BHA, in particular, might be a cancer causing agent. While studies of BHT are inconclusive at this time, your best bet is to avoid both of these very similarly structured compounds.
It will take you a few minutes longer at the grocery store to scan the ingredients list for the above additives, but the little extra time is a small price to pay for keeping these harmful ingredients out of the bodies of you and your family. If you have questions about following a healthy diet or natural health in general, get in touch with our San Clemente Chiropractor office. We’ll be glad to get you on the path to total health!
Obesity is described as an excess of total body fat. A person who currently weighs 20% or more above his or her normal body weight is considered obese. Why are we talking about obesity? Simple. Obesity has been proven to be one of the leading causes of back pain. In many cases, if an obese person were to reduce their weight by only 10%, it would make an unbelievable difference with their level of pain. The reason that obesity is one of the leading causes of back pain is because extra abdominal weight can actually pull the body forward. This puts a lot of strain on lower back muscles, which results in pain for the person dealing with this issue.
Who doesn’t love going to their local coffee shop to unwind in a relaxing atmosphere with a tasty beverage in-hand? Most coffee shops have really comfortable couches and chairs, free wireless Internet service, soothing music, pleasant restrooms, and all sorts of other treats that lure us in. A lot of times we end up hanging out in a coffee shop so long that we end up hungry, so we grab a snack to tide us over. Coffee shops can’t realistically be called “coffee shops” anymore. They serve all kinds of tasty treats and sometimes even full meals. So, can you frequent these places and maintain healthy living? It isn’t as easy as you might think, but having a little bit of knowledge about making right choices prior to going into the coffee shop will help you to remain focused and on track with your healthy lifestyle.
We’ve talked a lot about chiropractic care on the blog, but why should you consider chiropractic over drug therapy for much of your medical care? Chiropractic care is the largest drug-free and natural healthcare system in the entire world. More and more individuals and families are discovering that chiropractic health will benefit them by healing without the use of dangerous drugs. Due to the long lists of dangerous side-effects which can be found with prescription medications, a growing number of people are turning away from these potentially hazardous substances and are seeking a healthier, more natural approach to their healthcare issues.
