Take the time to watch

Thank you New Mommy Rant for sharing this with us. I might just be sensitive but this video made me shed some tears for our planet and our children; we really need to learn not to take the world as granted.



Video from: Momemtum Tides 2008

Unsafe Food Additives

MSG: "Children whose protective blood-brain barrier is not yet fully developed are especially susceptible to the effects of MSG. That's because MSG contains glutamic acid, a neurotransmitter, and the unregulated amounts to which kids may be exposed can have the effect of literally excitting brain cells to death. (Brain cells remember do not regenerate)"

How to avoid MSG:

1. Check labels to see if food contains MSG
2. Check labels to see if they contain hydrolyzed proteins, glutamic acid (these both contain MSG)
3. Inquire if foods contain MSG when eating out. Big culprits of this are deli counters and chinese food.
4. Avoid foods containing hydrolyzed corn gluten and hydrolyzed wheat protein as these may contain hidden MSG
5. Avoid the sweetener neotame as it has a similar effect on the body then MSG.
   

Source: Chemical Free Kids

Want help remembering what chemicals to avoid check out my quick guide to chemical additives.

Unsafe Food Additives

Brilliant Blue FCF: Artificial Coloring. Inadequate test suggest a small cancer risk.

Fast Green FCF: In 1981 studies showed hints of bladder cancer in animals, but after the FDA reanalyzed the data, it concluded it was safe.

Erythrosine: The evidence that this red dye causes thyroid tumours in rats was "convincing" according to a 1983 report requested by the US FDA.

Information Source: Nutrition Action

Want help remembering what chemicals to avoid check out my quick guide to chemical additives.

Unsafe Food Additives

Indigotine: The largest study suggested that it may cause brain cancer.

Sunset Yellow FCF: Animal test indicate that the dye causes tumors of the adrenal gland and kidney. Small amounts of several carcinogens can contaminate Sunset Yellow. The US FDA concluded that the coloring doesn't endanger humans. Also known to cause allergic reactions.

Stevia: High doses fed to rats reduced sperm production and increased cell proliferation in their testicles, could lead to infertility. Can only be sold in canada as a dietary supplement.

Information Source: Nutrition Action

Want help remembering what chemicals to avoid check out my quick guide to chemical additives.

Unsafe Food Additives

Aspartame (NutraSweet): Artificial sweetener. Italian research in animals indicate that long term consuption may increase risk of leukemia, lymphoma and breast cancer. Some people report dizziness, hallucinations, headaches after drinking diet pop. People with PKU need to avoid aspartame.

Saccharin: Animal studies indicate that it can cause cancer of the bladder, uterus, ovaries, skin and other organs. It also seems to increase the potency of other carcinogens. Can not be sold as an ingredient in foods or beverages in Canada.

Sodium Nitrate, Sodium Nitrite: Adding this to foods can cause small amounts of potential cancer-causing chemicals called nitrosamines.

Information Source: Nutrition Action

Want help remembering what chemicals to avoid check out my quick guide to chemical additives.

Unsafe Food Additives

Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA): Helps prevent rancidity in fats, oils and food containing oils. According to the US government's National Toxicology Program it is "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen", based on animal studies.

Partially Hydrogenated Oil: Oils can be made into semi-solid shortenings and margarine by chemically adding hydrogen. This process creates trans fats, which raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol.

Propyl Gallate: Preservative. The best studies hinted that it might cause cancer.

Information Source: Nutrition Action

Want help remembering what chemicals to avoid check out my quick guide to chemical additives.

Unsafe Food Additives

Each week I am going to attempt to present a few new food additive that we are trying to avoid as a family.

Acesulfame-Potassium: Artificial sweetener, Poorly done saftey test in the 1970s suggested that it may cause cancer. Is often used together with sucralose. The US Food and Drug Administration has refused to conduct better studies.

Cyclamate: Artificial sweetener. Researchers believe it doesn't cause cancer directly, but increases the potency of carcinogens and can harm the testicles. Can not be used as a food additive in Canada.

Olestra (Olean): Fat substitute. Not available in Canada. It can cause severe and incapacitating diarrhea, loose stools, abdominal cramps and flatulence.

Information Source: Nutrition Action

Want help remembering what chemicals to avoid check out my quick guide to chemical additives.