This seems like a simple question, but it’s actually quite complex. To start, there are ingredients which have been widely reported as being toxic for the body such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) and artificial flavors. Then there are a wide variety of ingredients that most people have no idea what they actually are, such as autolyzed yeast extract and hydrolyzed protein. These are called hidden additives. Both autolyzed yeast extract and hydrolyzed protein are hidden sources of MSG! Recently, I saw a can of Campbell’s soup, and it said “no MSG” on the label. I had a suspicion, and sure enough there was autolyzed yeast extract on the label. MSG is in most processed foods, and it has many names including ”natural” flavors.

MSG is particularly dangerous since it is an excitotoxin. This means that it overstimulates your brain cells, causing them to over-fire and die. Many common issues such as migraine headaches, nausea,  rashes, and brain fog have been linked to MSG consumption. More serious issues such as burning, tingling, and numbness–due to MSG being toxic to the central nervous system–often get misdiagnosed as other disorders. This can even lead to medications being prescribed for conditions that may be avoided by simply eliminating this harmful toxin.

Then we have the word artificial. This is not so hidden, yet these toxic substances such as sweeteners, colors, and flavors get consumed on a regular basis by a large number of people. If you see the word artificial, it is indeed not natural, and most likely has been made in a lab. Food is something that is best found growing in the ground. Dirty marketing is another problem. Those pretty pink, yellow, and blue packets are actually quite deadly. Take sucralose (Splenda), the “it’s safe because it’s made from sugar” artificial sweetener. The part they forgot to mention is that it is made from one sucrose (sugar) molecule, and four chlorine molecules. What happens to the chlorine when you ingest it?  Like any poison it has to be processed by your liver and kidneys. The damage occurs over time. Aspartame (Nutrasweet)  has been linked to headaches, memory loss, blindness, tumors, and even death. The ironic part about these “diet” sweeteners is that they cause your body to crave carbohydrates. The body thinks you consumed sugar, and releases insulin to lower your blood sugar. When this happens, you become hungry and reach for carbohydrates as a quick-fix. 

Then there are fillers, isolates, emulsifiers, flavorings, and stabilizers such as maltodextrin, modified starch, soy protein isolate, and malt flavors. These additives often come from corn, soy, or wheat, and are typically genetically-modified. Since they are in everything from supplements to packaged foods, our bodies become overloaded with these highly-refined ingredients. When our liver and immune system become saturated, antibodies to common foods such as corn, soy, and wheat are produced. Suddenly people find themselves unable to eat these foods. Isolates such as whey and soy protein are in protein powders, energy bars, and baked goods. Chemicals, heat, and pressure are used to remove the protein from the original source. These isolates have been refined and processed so much that they are no longer recognizable by the body as food. 

Most of the additives I have discussed are found in dried, processed foods. In the next several weeks I will get into refined ingredients found in meat, poultry, and dairy products such as hormones, nitrates, and more. The topics of preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, and fat are so huge that they will have their own postings. In the meantime, remember that the best solution is to eat food in its most natural form, and when eating boxed foods, READ ALL LABELS! 

To end this post on a sweet (but not too sweet) note, try this recipe for raw chocolate nut brownies. It’s quick, simple, and best of all it’s made with whole, unprocessed ingredients. 

no-baking-required chocolate nut brownies

1/2 cup raw almond nuts ****

1/2 cup raw walnuts ****

1/2 cup raw hazelnuts ****

****soaking nuts in sea/Himalyan salt makes them more digestible

1 cup medjool dates, pitted

1/2 cup almond butter

5 tbsp organic unsweetened cocoa powder

4 tbsp shredded coconut, raw and unsweetened

directions: Put all nuts in the food processor until finely ground. Add dates, almond butter, and cocoa powder until completely mixed. Press mixture into an 8 x 8-inch square pan. To make more pie-like, use a round pan. Sprinkle with coconut. Cut into squares, and it’s ready to eat! It also tastes delicious chilled.  

Enjoy!