When people go to the store to buy groceries for the week and maybe picks up a bottle of Vitamin C to ward off a cold or the flu, they generally assumes that the products they are buying are safe since they are coming from a store that they trust. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
The truth is that there are many foods and supplements which contain products that are known or suspected to be toxic as well as those which are linked with serious conditions like neural problems, heart disease or diabetes. Read on to find out more about which ingredients it is better to avoid.
GMO Ingredients
The laws in the United States are heavily weighted in favor of big agribusinesses like Monsanto, who are largely responsible for the introduction of genetically modified plants into the American diet. It is therefore difficult to know whether or not a product with GMO ingredients in being purchased. Some ingredients, however, that are likely to be modified include high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, monosodium gluconate and molasses. (1)
Hydrogenated Oils
Although these ingredients are based on healthy sunflower, safflower or similar oils, by the time they have been through the highly industrialized process of hydrogenation, they are chuck-full of deadly trans fats. These trans fats are known to clog the arteries and lead to a much higher risk of heart attacks and strokes and also cause inflammation throughout the body. (2)
Artificial Colors
If something like “Red dye #2” is listed as an ingredient on the product, it is much better to shelve it right away. Artificial colors and dyes find their way into a number of products like sodas and fruit punch drinks and candies and just in and of themselves are harmful, especially for kids. They have been linked, among other things, to childhood disorders like ADD. (3)
Titanium Oxide
Even when buying vitamins and supplements, make sure to read the label carefully! Titanium oxide is a very common filler for supplements and vitamins, especially low-cost ones typically found in mainstream grocery stores. However, it is a suspected carcinogen and also has been implicated for illnesses like autoimmune disorders and allergies. (4)
So be aware when shopping, and read food labels carefully before purchasing. The best way, however, to truly avoid the ingredients listed above is to live on an organic, whole foods diet that avoids processed food products and relies instead on fresh fruits and vegetables, organic grass-fed meats and dairy products and things like whole grains, brown rice and legumes to help provide protein and fiber. This way of eating is more time-consuming, but the health benefits received more than make up for the extra effort.
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