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Top 5 Chemical Additives in Your Food You Should Avoid Right Now

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top 5 chemicals in your food to avoid right nowFollowing a diet of wholesome foods is ideal to achieve optimum health, and stay healthy.
We all know that foods that contain more than five or six ingredients should be consumed sporadically, because anything that has a shelf life… will most likely have the same effect in your body.

The longer manufacturers use these additives, the more we learn about the impact they will have in our bodies.  While natural occurring preservatives used in foods are fine, there are certain additives that are harmful and cause everything from hives, asthma, nausea, migraine headaches, chronic diseases, change in children’s behavior to severe allergic reactions.

Here is a break down of what these chemicals are:

farmed fish dangers
Farm Fishing

1. Canthaxanthin in Farm Fishing

Almost 90-percent of salmon sold in supermarkets today come from farms. The diet of farmed salmon doesn’t include crustaceans, which contains a natural astaxanthin that causes pink flesh in wild salmon. As a result, producers add a similar substance– canthaxanthin to farm-salmon diets for that fresh-from-the-water appearance. Without these colorants, farmed salmon would be an unappealing grayish-white color.

Try instead: A great alternative to these chemical additives in farmed salmon is to buy Wild caught salmon from supermarkets or companies that care about wild life, such as sustainably harvested Alaskan salmon and Northwest Pacific seafood and of course your well being.   A company that I love and support is Tropical Traditions which exceedds the USDA standards -(and where I get my salmon/seafood at reasonable prices). 

 

chemical additives aspartame health dangers2. Aspartame

This sugar substitute is sold commercially as Equal and NutraSweet and was hailed as a savior for dieters unhappy with saccharin’s unpleasant after-taste. Unfortunately, one out of 20,000 babies is born without the ability to metabolize phenylalanine, one of the two amino acids in Aspartame. As a result, it’s not recommended for pregnant women or infants.
Try instead these healthy sugar alternatives:
  • alcohol free-stevia (Truvia isn’t really recommended. Read this article by Dr. mercola and the reasons why. 
  • local raw honey (in moderation because it is still fructose)
  • coconut sugar (not a low glycemic sweetener)
  • Swerve

Important note: Keep in mind that if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, insulin resistance (pre-diabetes), cholesterol imbalances, or if you battle with weight (like a lot of us do), you are better off without any type of sweeteners including artificial ones, because any sweetener can decrease your insulin sensitivity.

health issues associated with artificial flavors

3. Artificial Flavoring

This blanket term refers to hundreds of laboratory chemicals designed to mimic natural flavors. For example, some imitation vanilla flavorings are made from petroleum or paper-mill waste. In fact, a single artificial flavoring can be created from hundreds of individual chemicals. New studies suggest artificial-flavoring additives can cause changes in behavior. So, Why Flavor food? According to the EWG A great deal of scientific engineering and design time goes into crafting flavors for processed foods.

This specialized work is done by just 500 professional flavorists who are responsible for the majority of flavors in nearly all food processed in the U.S. How a food tastes is largely determined by the volatile chemicals in the food. Chemicals that give food a specific smell are extremely important because smell makes up 80 to 90 percent of the sense of taste. In processed food, this mixture of chemicals is called “flavor.” Read the full article on flavors here. 

Try instead: To eat wholesome foods, and enhance your foods with spices and even super spices, home made broths. As far as baking, use organic coconut oil, organic extracts (vanilla, banana, mango, pineapple etc..), and real flavors from fruits and vegetables.

 

artificial colors are harmful for your health

4. Artificial Colors

Researchers in the early 1900s developed many artificial colors from coal-tar dyes and petrochemicals. Over the years, the FDA banned many of these chemicals as proven carcinogens (cancer-exacerbating agents). Today, the FDA only allows 10 colors in foods, four of which are restricted to specific uses. (This restriction suggests some risks remain. Check out the color additives section of the FDA (www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ColorAdditives/default.htmnofollow) Web site for more information)
Try Instead:   Beets, orange, elderberry or even blueberry juice to color cupcakes icing, cake decorations, and even your favorite pops.  The frosting to these muffin’s was made with a healthier alternative to sugar — swerve (making them low carb).  Egg white from pastured eggs, then added carrot juice to make it orange for a fall theme.  I have made these fun and nutritious  “elderberry gummies’ by wellnessmama for our family in the winter.  I also make Ice pops in the summer like my healthy coconut ice pops which are gluten, dairy and no added sugars, or you can also make fruit juice ice pops, dried fruit, or fruit juice pops.

meethylcyclopropene chemical in appless

5. Methylcyclopropene

This gas is pumped into crates of apples to stop them from producing ethylene, the natural hormone that ripens fruit. Commonly known as SmartFresh, this chemical preserves apples for up to a year and bananas up to a month. Sulphur dioxide serves the same purpose when sprayed on grapes.

Try instead: Organic apples preferably from your local farms but if that isn’t possibly definitely go to the organic section in your super market and buy three apples vs six conventional apples that will potentially go bad in your fruit drawer.   Also, if you can’t find organic, try low sprayed local apples.

 

Question: Were you aware of any of these quemicals in your food and have you taken any steps to remove them from your diet?

 

Other Great sources of information:

Sugar Substitutes—What’s Safe and What’s Not

 

 

Image Source Fish Farming

Beware! These Rx Meds Can Cause Deadly Side Effects to Your Body

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  • August 24, 2017
You have your morning routine on lockdown — you get up, get dressed, and sit down with your coffee before thinking about what you need to do for the day. But does your routine also include popping a prescription med or two? If so, you’re in good company. Prescription drug use has been on the rise over the years. The Jama Network reports in 2012 nearly 60% of U.S. adults were on an Rx med. Also in 2012, the Network found 15% of adults were actually taking over five prescriptions at once. This is especially true for adults over the age of 50, AARP notes.

So, what are most people taking, anyway? Meds for treating high cholesterol, depression, and high blood pressure were quite common. And if you’re taking one of these prescriptions, you expect them to be more helpful than harmful. Unfortunately, that’s not always true. Watch out for these dangerous Rx meds that can cause serious harm to your body.

1. Vasotec

man reaching inside of a pill bottle to get his pills

It’s very common to be on a heart medication like Vasotec. | Joe Raedle/Getty Images

High blood pressure is an extremely common condition for many U.S. adults, and medications like Vasotec help by relaxing the arteries. It’s not all good, though. Because Vasotec lowers your blood pressure, you might start to feel like you’re going to pass out while on this medication, eMedicineHealth notes. It’s also possible to have fast or uneven heartbeats, jaundice, or swelling accompanied with rapid weight gain. Even the less serious side effects can cause undesirable issues like insomnia or nausea.

Next: Yes, this anti-anxiety medication really is as dangerous as you’ve heard. 

2. Xanax

senior couple walking outdoors together

With Xanax, a happier life is possible — just know there’s the possibility of severe side effects. | iStock.com/monkeybusinessimages

Anxiety can be seriously debilitating when left untreated. Thankfully, Xanax is an anti-anxiety prescription med that’s ideal for a lot of people with this chronic condition. You’ve probably heard of a few adverse side effects caused by Xanax, such as a lack of energy. But WebMD notes you could also develop involuntary muscle movements, trouble breathing, or even liver failure from this med. And there’s also the threat of addiction, as Xanax is one of the most addictive meds of its kind. Overdosing on this prescription often leads to death.

Next: Have high cholesterol? You’re probably taking this medication.

3. Lipitor

male patient talking to a doctor in his office

Lipitor helps your cholesterol, but it can have serious side effects. | iStock.com/monkeybusinessimages

As stated before, there are a lot of Americans taking prescription meds to lower their cholesterol levels. Lipitor is prescribed for this reason, and it also helps to raise levels of good cholesterol for optimum heart health. Unfortunately, that’s not all it can do for your body. RxList says Lipitor can actually break down your muscle or cause kidney failure. It can also lead to issues with memory, confusion, or a fever. There have even been lawsuitsagainst the makers of this med claiming its effects caused serious and long-lasting nerve problems.

These are the more severe side effects of course, but even if you don’t experience those issues, you can still expect heartburn and muscle pain. Not fun at all.

Next: Who knew sleep aids could be deadly?

4. Ambien

person with their head under a pillow trying to sleep

Ambien is good for sleeping, but is it good for your health? | iStock.com/kasinv

Many sleepless nights call for a prescription-strength sleep aid like Ambien. While this med will help you get the shut-eye you’ve always wanted, it’s not all good. You might also experience severe drowsiness, light-headedness, and a loss of coordination, Drugs.com notes. While you might expect those sort of side effects, you could also experience a stuffy nose, muscle pains, and constipation. And before you take Ambien, you must tell your doctor if you’re taking any other medications, especially muscle relaxers or antidepressants. The combination can slow your breathing to a life-threatening degree.

Next: Many Americans with type-2 diabetes are on this drug. 

5. Avandia

Male Diabetic Checking Blood Sugar

Avandia helps with diabetes, but it’s not side effect-free. | iStock.com/monkeybusinessimages

Type-2 diabetes is another disease that’s quite common, and those who have it need to monitor their blood-sugar levels. Avandia is often prescribed to diabetics to help out with this, which is great news. However, Everyday Health notes Avandia comes with a black box warning indicating it can cause or worsen congestive heart failure. Because of this, it’s super important to tell your doctor if you’ve had a stroke or are at risk of heart disease before going on this med.

Even if you’re not concerned about Avandia affecting your heart, you could also experience vision changes or jaundice while taking it. You’ve been warned.

Next: Dealing with heartburn? This med can help — well, maybe. 

6. Nexium

close-up of a man clutching his chest to show a heart attack

Heartburn’s bad, but is Nexium the answer? | iStock.com

Nothing ruins that burger and fries you had for lunch like heartburn. If you frequently deal with excess acid production, then you’re probably familiar with Nexium. This med is great for treating acid reflux and preventing stomach ulcers, but it can leave behind some seriously undesirable side effects. Healthline notes you might get severe diarrhea or even inflammation in your kidneys from Nexium. Or, your risk of fracturing a bone can increase, and you can develop vitamin deficiencies without even knowing. Taking the drug for long periods of time can make it harder for your body to absorb vitamin B-12, so daily supplements won’t be helping too much either.

Next: Coughing up blood is just one side effect possible with this med. 

7. Plavix

doctor talking to a male patient in an exam room

If your doctor recommends Plavix, ask about the risks. | iStock.com

After you have a heart attack or stroke, it’s a serious wake-up call that your body needs help functioning. Thanks to meds like Plavix, you can prevent blood clots if you’ve recently had an attack or have been diagnosed with a heart or blood vessel disorder. Because this prescription prevents clotting, it can also lead to alarming side effects like coughing up blood or blood in the urine. Easy bruising, weakness, and chest pain that spreads through the arms and the shoulders can also happen, eMedicineHealth reports.

You should contact your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms, but it’s of the utmost importance to tell your doctor if you’re coughing up blood that looks like coffee grounds. This could mean you’re bleeding in your digestive tract, which can be a serious problem.

Next: This med for high cholesterol can give you a common skin condition. 

8. Zocor

man taking medication and holding his chest

This medication can cause some strange side effects. | iStock.com

Here’s another med that helps with high cholesterol levels. Zocor is necessary in preventing heart disease for many, but the side effects can be serious and rather strange. Drugs.com says it’s common to get eczema — you know, the itchy, inflammatory skin condition. On the more severe end, you can also develop bloody urine, vision issues, breathing difficulties, or you might even have a hard time with any bodily movements at all. They’re uncommon, but they’re just a few from the long list of possible side effects that may affect you while you’re on Zocor.

Next: This medication saves lives, but it can be seriously dangerous.

9. Methadone

Senior woman in a hospital bed

Methadone addiction is a very real issue. | iStock.com/shironosov

This medication is a true life saver for those dealing with opioid dependence. Everyday Health explains it’s a narcotic that actually changes the way your nervous system responds to pain, making withdrawal symptoms much more bearable. But Methadone also carries a black box warning because it can cause breathing problems that can be potentially life-threatening. It can also cause a rare heart condition that results in an irregular heartbeat or even sudden death. And on top of all this, Methadone is highly addictive. If you’ve taken this med for several weeks, you have to gradually come off of it as to not experience withdrawal symptoms like muscle pain, restlessness, and anxiety.

Read the full article from the original source here. 

Circus Lion Freed From Cage Feels Earth Beneath His Paws for First Time

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circus-lion-freed-feels-earth-in-his-paws-first-time

 

Lions are majestic and, sadly, exceedingly rare creatures. According to Defenders of Wildlife, their numbers have dropped by half since the 1950s, so that today fewer than 21,000 remain in Africa. Due to habitat destruction, poaching and climate change, lions could become extinct by 2020.

Lions have become prized possessions with the rise of trophy hunting and circuses, which have come under repeated fire for animal abuse. Big Cat Rescue, the largest big cat sanctuary in the world, says circuses should be banned for their cruelty to animals. “Often the cats are beaten, starved and confined for long periods of time in order to get them to cooperate with what the trainers want,” says Big Cat Rescue. “And life on the road means that most of a cat’s life is spent in a circus wagon in the back of a semi-truck or in a crowded, stinking box car on a train or barge.”

Watch this circus lion’s elation when he is released from his cage:

 

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