Hi,
An article by Shane on aging using hormone replacement and an attack on my dairy post by r4revolution spurred me to write this.

Lay people often blame the chemicals we use for our health problems and now researchers, July 2009, have associated nitrites and nitrates with aging diseases. Nitrites and nitrates are found in fertilisers, preservatives, cheese, beer, our water supply for food manufacture, irrigation as well as drinking, sodium nitrite is used to colour meat and stop toxins forming in meat and fish. Nitrates and nitrites react readily with protein to form nitrosamines in a heavily acidic environment like the stomach, or from high temperatures such as frying or flame broiling. Exposure also comes from the manufacture of rubber and latex, cosmetics, pesticides and fertilisers.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/200...l-rfp070109.php

We have become a nitrosamine nation. Nitrates and nitrites belong to a class of chemicals that have been proven to harm humans and animals. More than 90% of these chemicals have been shown to cause cancer in various organs. At the cellular level they alter gene expression that causes damage to DNA.

Diseases like diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s are considered diseases of aging, they are increasing in frequency with no sign of levelling out and because this dramatic increase is only over a couple of decades it is more likely to be exposure rather than genetic. Several of the aging diseases such as cerebrovascular disease and cardiovascular disease did not show the same increase over the same period. The researchers believe that all of these diseases involve insulin resistance and DNA damage comparable to the cellular damage seen with nitrosamine exposure.

Nitrogen containing fertiliser’s usage increased by 230% between 1955 – 2005, and doubling between 1960 – 1980, which just precedes the insulin resistant, epidemic. Figures from a major food processing company and popular fast food chains showed sales of more than 8 fold between 1970 – 2005, and grain consumption increased by 5 fold.

We all know that one sparrow does not make a summer but this is a serious link and it could easily be the start of something big. We should look for other researchers to run with this and see if it holds up under more scrutiny, everything starts with the first step.

Cheers

Hi Everyone,
They have been warning us for two years.

Killer sandwich: ham linked to cancer

By Bronwyn Herbert for The World Today



Posted 2 hours 30 minutes ago
Updated 1 hour 52 minutes ago


Cancer fears... Ms Cooney says the dangers may lie in the processing stage. (www.sxc.hu : Robbie Owen-Wahl)

They might seem a harmless lunchtime filler but ham, salami and devon are on the World Cancer Research Fund's hit list.

The cancer charity says eating processed meat is linked to bowel cancer in adults and it is now calling on parents to teach healthy food habits early.

The charity's Lisa Cooney says it is recommending parents do not give their children more than 70 grams of processed meat a week.

That is the equivalent of two ham sandwiches, or three thin rashers of bacon.

"There's convincing scientific evidence linking the consumption of processed meats like ham, salami and bacon to an increase in bowel cancer risk," Ms Cooney said.

"And we also know that the habits we develop during childhood can follow us through to adulthood. So parents have a really wonderful opportunity to help promote really healthy habits in their children."

Ms Cooney says the dangers may lie in the processing stage.

"Researchers aren't yet entirely sure themselves and are still trying to figure out the actual mechanisms, but ... what we think is the process of processing and the things that are added to typically red meat, say for example when things are cured or salted or with the addition of chemical preservatives, lead to the development of cancer," she said.

"But what we are clear on is that people who consume processed meat are at a greater risk of developing bowel cancer."

Meating the addiction

Nutritionist Dr Rosemary Stanton says processed meats can become addictive.

"If you are going to start looking at what you put on sandwiches, most people put about 35 grams or so on a sandwich," she said.

"So two ham sandwiches a week, if you didn't have any other processed meat, wouldn't be such a big problem.

"But if your kids or anyone else gets addicted to ham sandwiches every day they're going to go way over that by the end of the week."

Dr Stanton says there does appear to be a link between bowel cancer and increased consumption of processed meat.

"The link is actually convincing and it comes from lots of studies on lots of people," she said.

"The link is also there for fresh meat.

"These are big important studies. This is not somebody looking at 200 people, these are millions of people when you add up all of the studies and they're all showing the same thing."

But Meat and Livestock Australia general manager David Thomason says other studies refute such findings.

"There are some studies that show that there is a slight, and I emphasise the word slight, increase in cancer risk associated with that, but then other studies don't' support that," he said.

"The most recent work which has been done by a research in the United States, Dr Dominic Alexander, has found in fact there is no statistical association between the two."

He says it is important to take the World Cancer Fund's warning in context.

"This report, which came out of the United Kingdom, is based on European food consumption patterns," he said.

"Australians eat meat and processed meat very differently and in very different quantities to people in Europe.

"Most meat consumption in mainland Europe is based around preserved pork products. In Australia we do consume ham and bacon and what have you, but it's in far more modest quantities."

Defending devon

Consumers are not so sure about the latest warnings.

"I'm not sure about kids but I know that I like more than two serves a week, so I'm going to have to think about that," one woman said.

"You know, protecting the children from meats isn't really going to stop anything happening to them," another customer said.

"We all grew up eating processed meats, microwave food."

Another consumer maintains eating processed meats, which she has eaten since she was young, has never harmed her.

"I mean pigs in blankets, is that right? Where they had the mash potato in the middle? Fantastic!"

"You know you don't see people dropping dead all over the place in Italy. They're going for the salami, there's no national crisis there," another said.

Tags: health, diseases-and-disorders, cancer, bowel-and-rectal-cancer, rural, livestock, research, australia, united-kingdom, england

Cheers

Interesting article John Bobbin BNat. I heard about the toxic effect of MSG or Monosodium Glutamate can you tell me more about this toxic ingredient?

Hi Kim Robin,
I don't know much about MSG, as nothing seems to effect me much and I love Asian foods, so I probably eat it and like it's taste. The Mayo Clinic normally offers pretty good advice, and HealthCastle probably has a good article archived here somewhere, anyway here is what the Mayo Clinic says.

Diseases and ConditionsSymptomsDrugs and SupplementsTests and ProceduresHealthy LifestyleFirst AidHomeFood & NutritionNutrition and healthy eatingExpert AnswersMonosodium glutamate (MSG): Is it harmful?
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With Mayo Clinic nutritionist
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
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Biography of
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
As a specialty editor for the Food & Nutrition Center, Katherine Zeratsky helps you sort through the facts and figures, the fads and the hype to learn more about nutrition and diet.

A Marinette, Wis., native, she is certified in dietetics by the state of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association. She has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999.

She is active in nutrition-related curriculum and course development in pediatrics at Mayo Clinic Rochester and nutrition education related to the physiology and recommended intakes for premature infants.

Other areas of interest include breast milk and formula safety, neonatal feeding, and nutrition for breast-feeding mothers.

She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, served a dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and worked as a registered dietitian and health risk counselor at ThedaCare of Appleton, Wis., before joining the Mayo Clinic staff.

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Question
Monosodium glutamate (MSG): Is it harmful?
Every Chinese restaurant I go to has a sign that says "No MSG." What is MSG? Is it bad for you?

Answer
from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer commonly added to Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups and processed meats. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified MSG as a food ingredient that is "generally recognized as safe," the use of MSG remains controversial.

MSG has been used as a food additive for decades. Over the years, the FDA has received many anecdotal reports of adverse reactions to foods containing MSG. But subsequent research found no definitive evidence of a link between MSG and the symptoms that some people described after eating food containing MSG. As a result, MSG is still added to some foods.

A comprehensive review of all available scientific data on glutamate safety sponsored by the FDA in 1995 reaffirmed the safety of MSG when consumed at levels typically used in cooking and food manufacturing. The report found no evidence to suggest that MSG contributes to any long-term health problems, such as Alzheimer's disease. But it did acknowledge that some people may have short-term reactions to MSG. These reactions — known as MSG symptom complex — may include:

Headache, sometimes called MSG headache
Flushing
Sweating
Sense of facial pressure or tightness
Numbness, tingling or burning in or around the mouth
Rapid, fluttering heartbeats (heart palpitations)
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Nausea
Weakness
Symptoms are usually mild and don't require treatment. However, some people report more severe reactions. The only way to prevent a reaction is to avoid foods containing MSG. When MSG is added to food, the FDA requires that "monosodium glutamate" be listed on the label — or on the menu, in restaurants.

I knew there would be an article on HealthCastle - here you are.


MSG and Your Weight
Written by Gloria Tsang, RD and Lauren Girdler
Published in September 2008

(HealthCastle.com) Researchers from the University of North Carolina recently observed MSG (monosodium glutamate) use in otherwise healthy individuals to investigate a potential connection between those who use the additive and weight gain. They studied 752 Chinese men and women (aged 40-59) randomly chosen from three rural villages in the north and south of China, and found that the number of overweight individuals was significantly higher for MSG users than nonusers. The results of this study were published in the scientific journal Obesity in August 2008.

This is the first human study to look at the link between MSG and weight. Previous studies on MSG and obesity have only been conducted on mice. In those studies, weight gain was significantly greater in MSG-treated mice compared with the control group, even when they were given similar portions of food. A possible explanation for this is that MSG alters the regulatory mechanisms that affect fat metabolism.

What's MSG?
MSG is the sodium salt of glutamate and is simply made up of glutamate, water and sodium. Glutamate is an amino acid, an important component of protein and peptides. Bound glutamate is not responsible for the flavor property; it's the free form of glutamate that provides the flavor-enhancing effect in foods.

Contrary to popular belief, MSG is not high in sodium content. According to the International Food Information Council Foundation, MSG only contains 1/3 the amount of sodium as table salt.

Which foods contain MSG?

Natural Foods: Glutamate occurs naturally in almost all foods, including meat, fish, poultry, breast milk, and vegetables. In general, protein-rich foods such as meat and dairy contain large amounts of bound glutamate. On the other hand, vegetables and fruits (especially peas, tomatoes, and potatoes), mushrooms, and certain cheeses (eg. parmesan) usually contain high levels of free glutamate.
Processed Foods: Processed and prepared foods, such as traditional seasonings, stocks, sauces, and canned soups, can contain significant levels of free glutamate, both from natural sources and from added MSG.
Restaurants: Asian restaurants may add MSG to their cooking.
The Bottom Line
It is too early to conclude that MSG use leads to weight gain based on just one study. However, if you are sensitive to MSG, or simply try to avoid it, always check the ingredient list. The FDA requires labeling of all ingredients on processed and packaged foods. When MSG is added to a food, it must be included on the ingredient list, as "monosodium glutamate." Glutamate-containing food ingredients, such as hydrolyzed protein and autolyzed yeast extract, also must be listed on food labels. Also, if you dine out in an Asian restaurant, simply ask if they prepare foods with MSG. Responsible restaurants will always honor your request to prepare foods without MSG.

Cheers

So those symptoms that has been mentioned are indication that you are sensitive to MSG?

I found an article regarding MSG. It's all about Autism and ADHD Linked to Addictive Food Additive.

http://www.naturalworldhealing.com/Dentali...xin-dangers.htm

Hi Kim Robin,
Do you believe it??

Most of these articles are wildly exaggerated and very thin on scientific facts, they have to shock/expose/ exaggerate these stories in order to sell their books.

Conspiracy theories exist in all forms from vaccination cover ups to people claiming to have cures for some fatal affliction, but they are prevented from using them in some bizarre way, unless scientific proof is offered I tend to ignore it, sensationalism sells books, but not text books.

Cheers

I was alarmed the first time I read it but then I think you are right those are all exaggerated and has only few scientific facts. Glad that you clarified it. Thanks!