Food Additives

Glutamates (MSG)   Artificial Sweeteners   Colours   Preservatives   Antioxidants   Emulsifiers & Stabilisers   Anti-caking   Web sites references

Glutamates: - MSG 621

Other ways of disguising MSG is to call it a different name. Common sources of processed free glutamate (MSG) are:

Hydrolysed vegetable protein is a concentrated form of natural MSG that is often used in processed foods instead of MSG. These are usually sold as “MSG free” or “No Added MSG”. HPV is made from junk vegetables selected for their high quantity of excitotoxins. These are boiled in sulphuric acid and the acid is then neutralised with sodium hydroxide (caustic soda). The brown sludge is scraped from this, dried and powdered. This powder contains known carcinogens and dicarboxylic acid, the safety of which is unknown. MSG may be added to the powder before it is put into our food including baby food.
Symptoms from MSG include sweating, heart palpitations, sleeplessness, heartburn, asthma, rashes, nausea, migraines and stiff necks. Some people are more sensitive than others.

Artificial Sweeteners: - 951, 952, 954, 961

The sweet taste begins as carbohydrates are broken down by saliva.  This prepares our body for a carbohydrate intake by preparing the enzymes required to digest the carbohydrates.  Apart from us liking the sweet taste, sugar does not give us any essential nutrients.  Artificial sweeteners cause weight gain by many mechanisms, such as causing unstable blood sugar levels, which increases the appetite and causes cravings for carbohydrates (sweets/sugar).

Aspartame 951 (NutraSweet, Equal)

Aspartame is another excitotoxin and it took 20 years of lobbying and debate before it was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  This was despite scientific data showing a link to the development of brain tumours in rats.  One month after approval for use in soft drinks the FDA commissioner, Arthur Hayes Jr. M.D., became a senior consultant for Burson-Marsteller, the Public Relations firm that managed G.D Searle’s account.

Aspartame is made up of methanol (10%), phenylalanine (50%) and aspartic acid (40%).  Methanol breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde in the body.  Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin.  While formic acid is found in the venom of bee and ant stings.  Phenylalanine in excess can cause the serotonin levels in the brain to decrease leading to disorders such as depression.

Free methanol is created from aspartame when it is heated to above 30° C such as in a coffee or in cooked items.  This will also occur if soft drinks are not refrigerated all the time, such as during transport and during storage at the retailer.  On 27 June 1996, without public notice, the FDA removed all restrictions from aspartame allowing it to be used in everything, including all heated and baked goods.  Aspartame accounted for more than 75% of all adverse reactions reported to the US FDA's Adverse Reaction Monitoring System (ARMS).

Cyclamates 952 (Sucaryl; Sweetex

Cyclamates were banned in the USA and UK in 1969 however it is still used in Australia.  A Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) survey in 2004 determined that the average consumer exceeded the acceptable daily intake.

Saccharin 954

In 1977, after a study indicating an increased rate of bladder cancer in rats, Canada banned saccharin while the US and other countries required a warning label on all saccharin products.  In 2000 the labelling requirements were lifted. 
As the new NTP (National Toxicology Program) report explains: “Although it is impossible to absolutely conclude that it poses no threat to human health . . . saccharin is not reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen under conditions of general usage as an artificial sweetener.”

Neotame 961

Neotame has similar structure to aspartame – except that, from its structure, appears to be even more toxic than aspartame.

Aspartame Reactions

The FDA had to list notified reactions to aspartame under Freedom of Information.  Of the 92, some are:

Avoiding Hidden Aspartame & Artificial Sweeteners

Soft drinks, over-the-counter drugs & prescription drugs (very common and listed under "inactive ingredients"), vitamin & herb supplements, yogurt, instant breakfasts, lollies, breath mints, cereals, sugar-free chewing gum, cocoa mixes, coffee beverages, instant breakfasts, gelatine desserts, frozen desserts, juice beverages, laxatives, milk drinks, shake mixes, tabletop sweeteners, tea beverages, instant teas and coffees, topping mixes, wine coolers, etc.

So, when you're consuming MSG, the level of glutamate in the blood can rise as high as 20-fold. You get very high glutamate levels in the blood after eating a meal containing MSG. You're stimulating all of the glutamate receptors. That's why some people get explosive diarrhoea and dyspepsia, because it stimulates the receptors in the oesophagus and small bowel. Others may develop irritable bowel, or if they have irritable bowel, it makes it a lot worse. If they have reflux, it makes that a lot worse. The thing about the cardiac conduction system glutamate receptors is this may explain the rise in sudden cardiac death.

What you see in almost all these cases is low magnesium. When the magnesium level is low, the glutamate receptors become hypersensitive, and so people—athletes in particular, if they are not supplementing with magnesium—are prone to sudden cardiac death, because of the glutamate receptors. If they eat a meal or something that contains glutamate or drink a diet cola before practice, it will produce such intense cardiac irritability; they'll die of sudden cardiac death. We know the sudden cardiac death is due to two things: Most commonly arrhythmia and coronary artery spasm. Both of which can be produced by glutamate.

Now for the kicker; Consume aspartame WITH MSG and the problems can be amplified, much like taking certain drugs with alcohol.

Please check labels carefully and compare it against this list.  Many people make the mistake of not checking labels carefully and continue to poison themselves.

Colours: -

Colouring is added to food to make it look good and to appeal to consumers.  Many people are aware of the link between some artificial colours and hyperactivity, but did you know many are proven or suspected carcinogens?  Some natural colours are also linked to hyperactivity.  These colours are not only used in food, but may also be used in medications.  Approximately half of the available additives are banned in at least one country.

Tartrazine – 102 – Skin rashes, wakefulness in small children, breathing problems Banned in Norway, Austria and Finland

Alkanet – 103 – Banned in Europe in 1984 and the US 1988.  It was listed for use in Australia in 1992

Quinoline – 104 – (Yellow) Hyperactivity in children, asthmatic reaction Banned in the USA and Norway

Sunset Yellow – 110 – Serious digestive disturbance, swelling of blood vessels Banned in Norway

Carminic Acid – 120 – (Cochineal) Hyperactivity, urticaria, rhinitis, diarrhoea, and anaphylaxis Banned in USA.

Carmoisine – 122 – Swelling, skin rashes and asthma attacks Banned in Sweden, USA, Austria and Norway

Amaranth – 123 – Provokes asthma, eczema, hyperactivity.  Carcinogenic Banned in the USA, Russia, Austria and Norway and other countries

Ponceau – 124 – Very bad for asthma sufferers or aspirin sensitive types, Carcinogenic in animals Banned in the USA and Norway

Erythrosine – 127 – Cause of overactive thyroid gland, visual disturbance Banned in the USA in 1990 and Norway

Brilliant Blue – 133 – Hypertension in children people with any allergy history Banned in Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Norway

Lissamine Green – 142 – Some evidence suggesting carcinogen Banned in Sweden, USA and Norway

Black PN – 151 – Hyperactivity in small children Banned in Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, USA, Norway

Brown FK – 154 – Affects asthma skin rash & aspirin sensitivity sufferers Banned in USA

Brown HT – 155 – ADD, affects asthma skin rash & aspirin sensitivity sufferers Banned in Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, USA, and Norway

Annatto extract – 160b – Asthma, hyperactivity, skin irritations, allergies, possibly cancer

Aluminium – 173 – New to Australia.  Banned in some countries

Silver – 174 – New to Australia.  Banned in some countries

Gold – 175 – New to Australia.  Banned in some countries

Preservatives

Sorbates – 200-203 – Allergic reactions in chemical-sensitive people, asthma, skin rashes, hyperactivity

Benzoates – 210-219 – Liver, kidney and neurotoxicity, asthma, gastric burning, hyperactivity, allergic reactions in aspirin and chemical-sensitive people.  Some numbers banned in some countries

Sulphites – 220-228 – Asthma, anaphylaxis, nettle rash, swelling, diarrhoea, gastric irritation, nausea, hyperactivity, destroys vitamin B contents in foods.  Calcium variations banned in some countries.

Formaldehyde – 240 – Possible cancer hazard.  Mutagen.May cause damage to kidneys.May cause allergic reactions.May cause sensitisation. May cause inheritable genetic damage.

Nitrates, Nitrites – 249-252 – Asthma, cancer, headache, destroys red blood cells, breathing difficulties, dizziness, vomiting.  Potential carcinogen

Propionates – 280-283 – Hyperactivity, learning difficulties, aggression, fatigue, migraine

Of the 50 or so available preservatives, only those listed below are considered safe.

Antioxidants

Gallates – 310-312 – May cause gastric or skin irritation. These are not permitted in foods for infants and small children because of their known tendency to cause the blood disorder, methemoglobinemia

Butylates – 319-321 – Petroleum based.  Not permitted in infant foods, can provoke an allergic reaction in some people, may trigger hyperactivity and other intolerances; serious concerns over carcinogenicity and estrogenic effects.  Stimulates production of cholesterol.  May cause reproductive defects.

Citric acid – 330 – May cause reactions in MSG-sensitive people.

Emulsifiers & Stabilisers

Propylene glycol alginate – 405 – derived from petroleum

Carrageenan – 407 – linked with cancer because it may become contaminated when ethylene oxide degraded carrageenan, which is not a permitted additive; however, native carrageenan, which is used, may become degraded in the gut.  Asthma, skin rashes, colon ulcers, cancer (when degraded), do not give to infants and young children

Mannitol – 421 – Hyperactivity, nausea, vomiting diarrhoea, kidney dysfunction, on the National Institutes of Health hazards list ot permitted in infant foods

Polyoxyethylene – 430-436 – Some numbers banned in some countries

Methyl cellulose – 461 – Another name for wood alcohol or methanol (see aspartame)

Carboxymethyl cellulose – 466 – Known to cause cancer when ingested by test animals.

Anti-caking agents

Sodium sulphates – 514 – May upset the body's water balance

Sodium aluminium phosphate – 541 – Acidic avoid it, banned in some countries, Parkinson’s, Dementia

Talc – 553b – Cancers (stomach and ovarian), respiratory problems

Sodium aluminium silicate – 554 – Used in salt, dried milk substitutes and flours; aluminium is known to cause placental problems in pregnancy and has been linked to Alzheimer's

Asthma was rare in the 1960’s and ADD/ADHA was not heard of.  Ritalin (Speed) is now given to around half of our school age children. 

Ever hear of Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?  These are modern day waste-basket diseases.  When, because of aspartame, MSG and/or milk and dairy the doctor has NO CLUE to a patients problem... They all to often misdiagnose a victim with one of those diseases... and then make matters worse by giving them inappropriate (but powerful and expensive) drugs.

Web sites references and books

http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodmatters/foodadditives.cfm

http://www.fedup.com.au/

http://www.additivealert.com.au/

http://www.truthinlabeling.org/

http://www.aspartamekills.com/symptoms.htm

http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/

http://mbm.net.au/health/guide.htm

http://www.foodreactions.org/allergy/additives/index.html

http://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/education/DLiT/2006/food%20additives/theyare/avoid.htm

http://www.notmilk.com/milkinfo.html

http://www.truthpublishing.com

Additive Alert by Julie Eady ISBN 0-9775176-1-6

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