“Hidden” Food Ingredient THREATENS Your Health
I’m sure you’ve heard the advice to shop the “outside aisles” at the grocery store.
It’s GOOD advice. In fact, most of the processed foods in the center aisles should come with WARNING labels.
A steady diet of that stuff contributes to disease, illness, and disability.
And now scientists say “hidden” nanoparticles in many of them are wreaking havoc on the health of countless Americans.
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) made headlines a couple of years ago when a major candy company was sued for including this creepy nanoparticle chemical in their fruit-flavored candies.
The lawsuit claimed that the popular rainbow-colored candies were “unfit for human consumption” due to the presence of titanium dioxide.
I’m inclined to agree.
Studies of TiO2 nanoparticles show they’re poorly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. Instead, they get deposited in multiple organs where they can bioaccumulate over time.
TiO2 primarily builds up in the liver. But in animal studies, it’s also been found in the gastrointestinal tract, heart, spleen, kidney, and central nervous system.
TiO2 causes DIRECT and INDIRECT damage to cell structures by activating oxidative stress and inflammation.
Animal studies link titanium dioxide to increased intestinal inflammation and cancer risk. And additional studies have linked it to inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer.
TiO2 induces changes to the microbiotic flora of the gut, which can lead to systemic damage.
Recent research reveals that nanoparticles of TiO2 can cause DNA double-strand breaks in the cell. While this research found that the nanoparticles didn’t appear to penetrate the cell’s nucleus, this finding raises plenty of red flags for me.
After all, the DNA of your energy engines—the mitochondria—are less protected than nuclear DNA, but are just as critical for optimal health.
Studies show nanoparticles can disturb digestion and food absorption, leading to deficiencies of macro- and microelements in the body.
They can have a genotoxic effect leading to apoptosis (cell suicide) or chromosomal instability.
And due to their small size, nanoparticles can also cross the blood-brain barrier.
The science against titanium dioxide nanoparticles is SO STRONG that the European Food Safety Authority and the European Union have BANNED using TiO2 as a food additive.
Their logic is that the science has not shown that it’s safe.
And here again, I tend to agree.
Meanwhile, in the US, not only is it allowed—but the FDA doesn’t even require manufacturers to put it on the label.
Even if you don’t eat fruit-flavored candies, chances are you’re still getting a good dose of TiO2.
It’s hidden in baked goods, sandwich spreads, salad dressings, ice cream, coffee creamers, and more.
I’m highly concerned that nanotechnology has been widely introduced into multitudes of products we use daily without definite evidence of its safety.
I’d like to see the FDA follow the lead of the European Food Safety Authority and the European Union in banning the use of TiO2 as a food additive.
In the meantime, you’ll have to enact your own personal ban.
It’s difficult to completely avoid exposure to TiO2 because of its widespread use. The best way to reduce your intake is to eat whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible and to purchase organic food whenever feasible.
Shop the perimeter of the grocery store and choose foods (seafood, meat, poultry, dairy, fruits, nuts, vegetables, grains) that come in their own natural containers.
I do believe that nanoparticles hold tremendous hope for future technologies. But until they’re proven safe, I don’t want to put them IN my body. And I also encourage you to avoid them as much as possible.
P.S. FDA finally bans 6 DEADLY food additives.
Source:
Baranowska-Wójcik E, et al. “Effects of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Exposure on Human Health—a Review.” Biol Trace Elem Res. 2020;193, 118–129
