List of top 10 toxic chemicals, preservatives and harmful additives in supplements and foods
Did you know GMO ingredients, harmful chemicals and toxic additives are hidden in many food items as well as a large number of multivitamins and supplement products? Although the vitamin and food industry have learned to label their foods as “natural”, the truth is that more and more consumers are becoming aware that the word natural doesn’t mean anything.
Here are also the lists of top toxic ingredients that you should avoid in both processed foods and supplements
1. Invisible GMO ingredients:
With the anti-GMO labeling policies in US, it’s very challenging to know if what you are buying is made from GM ingredients. According to Non-GMO project, here are the lists ingredients (in foods or supplements) that more likely made from GMOs:
Amino Acids, Aspartame, Ascorbic Acid (also called vitamin C, but it’s not real vitamin C and it is driven from GM corn), Sodium Ascorbate, Vitamin C (usually derived from corn), Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ethanol, Flavorings (“natural” and “artificial”), Lactic Acid, Maltodextrins (unless it says non-GMO, all Maltodextrins come from GM sources—corn derivative), Molasses, Monosodium Glutamate, Sucrose (mostly seen in children’s supplements), High-Fructose Corn Syrup, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), Xanthan Gum, Vitamins, Yeast Products.
2. Hydrogenated Oils:
Did you know that besides medications, big pharma manufactures vitamins and supplements? So it’s very likely that your supplements are not real and contain toxic chemicals and harmful ingredients such as hydrogenated oils.
Hydrogenated oils are also used in many processed foods and baking products. Hydrogenated vegetable oil is made by reacting vegetable oil with hydrogen. When this occurs, the level of polyunsaturated oils (good fat) is reduced and trans fats are created. For example Hydrogenated soy bean oil is used in many vitamin products as filler. Hydrogenated oils can cause cardiovascular problems, nervous system problems and diabetes and can block absorption of essential fatty acids.
3. Artificial colors:
Artificial colors are added to supplements and foods to make the appearance of processed foods or supplements more appealing for consumers. Some of the artificial coloring are driven from toxic coal tar that is also used inside the exterior paints and roofing. Artificial colors have been linked to many health problems such as autism, ADHD and cancer.
4. Magnesium Stearate:
You probably are wondering what Magnesium Stearate is doing in your supplement? Well, Magnesium Stearate is used as a lubricant in vitamins to prevent pills and capsules from sticking into the machineries. Stearic acid is also used to stick the pill or capsules together. Both Magnesium Stearate and stearic acid have been linked to many health problems including lower immune system.
5. Titanium oxide:
Titanium oxide is widely used in vitamins as well as cosmetics as filler. Titanium oxide has been classified in list of carcinogens that can cause cancer, allergies, auto immune disorder and organ toxicity.
6. Carrageenan:
Carrageenan is another toxic filler found in many supplements and food products including milk chocolate, milk products, frozen dinner, soups, yogurt and ice cream. Carrageenan is driven from red seaweed and have been linked to cancer, gastrointestinal problems, inflammation and leaky gut.
7. Heavy metals like lead, fluoride and arsenic:
You will be surprised to know that many detox products, protein shakes, cosmetics, processed foods, conventional foods and supplements contain toxins and heavy metals. As a matter of fact, high levels of aluminum even exist in detox products (especially the products that offer magical results in a short period of time). Many herbs imported from China have also high levels of aluminum, lead and arsenic. Even green tea (not real ones) with so many health benefits are known to be contaminated with high levels of fluoride.
As a matter of fact, many protein shakes and cosmetics are filled with heavy metals and toxins and you should know that arsenic is added on purpose to the diet of conventionally grown chickens to make the chickens meat look more appealing.
8. Acrylamides:
Acrylamides is created when foods high in carbohydrate are cooked, roasted, grilled or fried in high temperatures. Your favorite potato chips or fries (cooked or fried) above 250 F/120 C can contain acrylamide. Acrylamides mainly found in plant-based foods (like grains and potatoes) is a cancerous neurotoxic chemical that has been linked to ovarian and breast cancer. Research studies show that real vitamin C (not the ones driven from GM corn) can block harmful effects of acrylamide on the body. Keep in mind that a bag of organic potato chips has as much as acrylamide as the conventional ones so add green detox superfoods such as chlorella, kale and spirulina to your diet. If you eat fries or potato chips, having servings of fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C (before or after eating fried foods) can help to reduce the harmful effects of acrylamide.
9. Sodium benzoate and BHT:
Sodium benzoate and BHT are cancerous preservatives added to soft drinks, processed foods or many supplements in order to keep them fresh and prevent harmful bacteria from growing. Both Sodium benzoate and BHT can damage human DNA and cause gastric and bladder cancer, DNA damage and liver problems. Milk Thistle is known to be a great herb for detoxing the body from harmful ingredients in sodas.
10. Cupric sulfate and boric acid:
Both Cupric sulfate and boric acid can be present in many best selling supplements and they can cause DNA damage and birth defects. They can also cause inflammation, headaches and depression.
Common synthetic vitamins to avoid:
One of the best ways to know if your supplements are real or not, is to read the products’ label very carefully, avoid the 9 items above and find if the ingredients in supplements are synthetic or made from real foods and herbs.
According to foodmatters.tv here are the common synthetic vitamins to avoid:
- >> Vitamin A: Acetate and Palmitate
- >> Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Thiamine Mononitrate, Thiamine Hydrochloride
- >> Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Riboflavin
- >> Pantothenic Acid: Calcium D-Pantothenate
- >> Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
- >> Vitamin B12: Cobalamin
- >> PABA (Para-aminobenzoic Acid): Aminobenzoic Acid
- >> Folic Acid: Pteroylglutamic Acid
- >> Choline: Choline Chloride, Choline Bitartrate
- >> Biotin: d-Biotin
- >> Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): Ascorbic Acid
- >> Vitamin D: Irradiated Ergosteral, Calciferol
- >> Vitamin E: dl-alpha tocopherol, dl-alpha tocopherol acetate or succinate (The “dl” form of any vitamin is synthetic.)
Sources:
http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/brands/invisible-gm-ingredients.html
http://www.draxe.com/4-dangerous-and-common-vitamin-fillers-you-must-avoid/
http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/how-to-tell-if-a-vitamin-is-natural-or-synthetic
http://www.naturalnews.com/039638_toxins_ingredients_nutritional_supplements.html
