Is Eating And Injecting Aluminum Safe As Our Regulators Say?

Aluminum toxicity, a characteristically manmade problem, is now impossible to avoid, and has become a postmodern rite of passage. Our environment has become so polluted with the stuff, that even our crop plants are being threatened, with biotechnology firms now scrambling to genetically engineer aluminum-tolerance into them as a possible, though still desperate solution.

Not only are we being exposed, daily, through increasingly polluted water, soil and air, but many of our regulatory agencies consider it perfectly safe to intentionally consume or inject the stuff directly into our bodies.

While there is no known physiologic need or positive biological role for aluminum in the human body, the FDA is perfectly content with the population it is charged with protecting eating it as a “food grade” additive. This same “regulatory agency” promotes the mythical concept of a “safe” food grade petroleum, allowing food manufacturers to surreptitiously feed us over half a pound a year, which is likely why human autopsies have revealed that almost half of us have pathological deposits of the stuff in our livers and spleen.*

Technically, there are 8 forms of aluminum the government considers benign enough to receive GRAS, or Generally Recognized As Safe, status – a designation which basically exempts the substance from adequate safety testing.

Those 8 forms of aluminum are

• Aluminum ammonium sulfate


• Aluminum calcium silicate


• Aluminum hydroxide


• Aluminum oleate


• Aluminum palmitate


• Aluminum potassium sulfate


• Aluminum sodium sulfate


• Aluminum sulfate

If you look closer at the toxicological data on the Material Data Safety Sheet proved for aluminum sulfate, for instance, you will find that it states the following:

• “WARNING! HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.”


• “This material hydrolyzes in water to form sulfuric acid, which is responsible for the irritating effects given below.”


• “Inhalation: Causes irritation to the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath.”


• “Ingestion: Causes irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. There have been two cases of fatal human poisonings from ingestion of 30 grams of alum.”

Sound safe? It should be noted for the nay-sayers, that contrary to what appears to be modern “expert” opinion, reducing the dosage of a toxic substance does not make it non-toxic; rather, it is only less acutely toxic, and more likely to have chronic, subtle and cumulative toxicities that are harder to ascertain and/or prove clinically, but nevertheless exist.

While this is disturbing, far worse is the CDC’s claim that it is not only safe but therapeutic to inject aluminum-based vaccine adjuvants (e.g. aluminum hydroxide) directly into our bodies, including infants and children.

Here are just a few examples of how we are being continually exposed to aluminum:

1. Food: Aluminized baking powder is used in a wide range of consumer baked goods, and aluminum is added to highly-processed cheese products to “improve” melting qualities. A single serving of frozen cheese pizza has 14 mg, according to a 2005 study published in the journal Food Additives and Contaminants (sad, but telling that there has to be an entire journal dedicated to this topic).[1]


2. Vaccines: Our precious children now receive over 60 vaccines by age 6, most of which now contain aluminum hydroxide instead of the now phased out (in the developed world, but not the under- and undeveloped ones, interestingly) mercury-laden thimerosal. For more on aluminum exposure and vaccines read our recent article on the topic: Can We Continue To Justify Injecting Aluminum Into Children?


3. Airborne Exposure: According to a study published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety in 2002, at least 500 tons of aluminum-coated chaff is released annually during military training operations in the United States.[2]


4. Deodorant Antiperspirants: Aluminum, like a number of metals, is a metalloestrogen, capable of contributing to the proliferation of hormone-sensitive cells, such as breast cells. The regular application of this metal to the underarm area is likely contributing to aluminum-associated disease processes, including breast cancer.


5. Aluminum Cans: Beverages in aluminum cans have been shown to have between .1 to 74 parts per million of aluminum, especially in cola products which contain orthophosphoric acid. Unfortunately, even fruit juices in glass have been shown to accumulate aluminum.


6. Parenteral nutrition (intravenous feeding): Newborns born in hospitals are commonly given intravenous feeding. A 2010 study published in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition demonstrated that parental nutrition resulted in aluminum exposures that exceeded the FDA recommended maximum limit, which is already frightfully high, considering the fact that determining “an acceptable level of harm” is an oxymoronic task.[3]


7. Infant Formula: According to a 2010 study titled “There is (still) too much aluminum in infant formulas,” and published in the journal BMC Pediatrics, infant formulas are widely contaminated with aluminum.[4]

Aluminum exposure, as you can see, is rather difficult to avoid. Thankfully, when absolute avoidance is not possible, there are a few natural substances that have been demonstrated to have protective effects against aluminum toxicity. Of the 20 we have indexed thus far, the following we have chosen to highlight, mainly because of their availability and safety:

• Turmeric: the primary polyphenol in turmeric known as curcumin, has been shown in numerous studies to reduce the neurotoxicity of aluminum, and its associated adverse effects on brain function and overall behavior. [5] [6] [7]


• Propolis: a product of the beehive, this remarkable substance has been demonstrated to have significant protective properties against aluminum-induced damage to the liver and reproductive systems.[8]  [9]


• N-acetyl cysteine (NAC): known for its ability to increase the production of glutathione, an endogenously produced antioxidant fundamental to cellular health. NAC has been shown to reduce aluminum-induced cognitive dysfunction and injury to the heart. [10]  [11]


• Ginger: this spice has been shown to protect against aluminum chloride-induced reproductive damage.[12]


• Vitamin E: this fat-soluble antioxidant has been shown to reduce aluminum-induced liver damage. [13] [14]


• Vitamin C: this vitamin has been shown to reduce aluminum-induced damage to the reproductive system,[15] as well as broadly reducing oxidative stress in the body. [16]

Related Article

*Crude Awakening: Mineral Oil Contaminates Everyone’s Bodies

[1] Aluminium content of some foods and food products in the USA, with aluminium food additives. Food Addit Contam. 2005 Mar ;22(3):234-44. PMID: 16019791

[2] Radio frequency chaff: the effects of its use in training on the environment. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2002 Sep ;53(1):1-11. PMID: 12481850

[3] Aluminum content of parenteral nutrition in neonates: measured versus calculated levels. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2010 Feb;50(2):208-11. PMID: 20038851

[4] There is (still) too much aluminium in infant formulas. BMC Pediatr. 2010;10:63. Epub 2010 Aug 31. PMID: 20807425

[5] Curcumin attenuates aluminium-induced functional neurotoxicity in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2009 Jul;93(1):31-9. Epub 2009 Apr 17. PMID: 19376155

[6] Curcumin counteracts the aluminium-induced ageing-related alterations in oxidative stress, Na+, K+ ATPase and protein kinase C in adult and old rat brain regions. Biogerontology. 2009 Aug;10(4):489-502. Epub 2008 Nov 20. PMID: 19020987

[7] Protective effect of curcumin (Curcuma longa), against aluminium toxicity: Possible behavioral and biochemical alterations in rats. Behav Brain Res. 2009 Jul 16. PMID: 19616038

[8] Propolis prevents aluminium-induced genetic and hepatic damages in rat liver. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2008 Oct 9. PMID: 20637254

[9] Propolis protection from reproductive toxicity caused by aluminium chloride in male rats. Food Chem Toxicol. 2009 Feb 10. Epub 2009 Feb 10. PMID: 19425234

[10] Effect of N-acetyl cysteine against aluminium-induced cognitive dysfunction and oxidative damage in rats. Zhonghua Er Ke Za Zhi. 2003 Nov;41(11):822-6. PMID: 19389043

[11] Effect of N-acetylcysteine and L-NAME on aluminium phosphide induced cardiovascular toxicity in rats. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2001 Apr;22(4):298-304. PMID: 11742581

[12] Role of Ginger Against the Reproductive Toxicity of Aluminium Chloride in Albino Male Rats. Reprod Domest Anim. 2011 Jul 26. Epub 2011 Jul 26. PMID: 21790801

[13] Amelioration of aluminium-induced liver damage by vitamin E. Saudi Med J. 2007 Feb;28(2):197-200. PMID: 17268696

[14] Aluminium administration is associated with enhanced hepatic oxidant stress that may be offset by dietary vitamin E in the rat. Int J Exp Pathol. 2003 Feb;84(1):49-54. PMID: 12694486

[15] Aluminium-induced deterioration in reproductive performance and seminal plasma biochemistry of male rabbits: protective role of ascorbic acid. Toxicology. 2005 Nov 5;215(1-2):97-107. Epub 2005 Aug 10. PMID: 16098653

[16] Aluminium-induced changes in hemato-biochemical parameters, lipid peroxidation and enzyme activities of male rabbits: protective role of ascorbic acid. J Dent Res. 2007 Sep;86(9):848-51. PMID: 15125998

© February 24, 2018 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.

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Does It Matter How Late We Eat?

Some may reason that it shouldn’t matter how late we eat just as long as the calories we consume are within range of what our bodies need. However, eating late affects the body in a different way than eating a larger meal at mid-day. Calories that are consumed at night are usually not processed as efficiently as those during the day.

Think about it, unless you work the night shift, most people’s activities wind down as the day does. Settling in after dinner isn’t uncommon. Unfortunately, if we lie down after a huge meal, it can be a strain and lead to a feeling of lethargy in the morning. Disrupted sleep is also common when the body is working hard to digest what was eaten recently.

Meat takes longer than any other food item to digest. I recommend avoiding eating meat late at night, as it tends to stay in the digestive tract longer than grains, fruits, or vegetables.

Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine believe the late evening and early morning hours are the time for cleansing and healing the body from the day before.

If we are using the body’s energy to digest food (which should have occurred during the active day-time hours), we are not giving the body that precious cleansing time that it needs to help fight off disease, as well as help heal ourselves naturally.

Research Into Late Night Eating

Studies by Dr. Louis J. Aronne, director of a weight control program for the Weill Cornell Medical Center, have shown that people who eat late, eat more than they would during a day-time meal ^[1].

Furthermore, these studies found a link between larger evening meals and an increase in triglyceride levels associated with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and overall weight gain ^[2].

When triglyceride levels are high, our body thinks it needs to store fat from excessive night-time eating for later use. Eating large meals at night, in essence, informs the body that there will be a shortage of food soon and it should store fat!

Some people find they are able to eat healthy meals during the day, but crave sweets and heavier foods at night. Often times this involves an emotional component to eating, perhaps even a minor one. Are you stressed? Exhausted? What emotional comfort are you seeking from large amounts of late night food? Try taking a warm bath with essential oils to comfort yourself.

Tips to Avoid Eating Late At Night

• Eat a moderate breakfast and a heavier lunch.


• Have a larger dinner before 6 PM.


• When you feel like eating late at night, drink a cup of warm lemon water or an herbal tea with raw honey. Hot liquids are soothing and warming.


• If eating late is a habit of yours, you will have to break that habit. Start by reducing your portion sizes and choosing healthier meals.


• Trade in junk food, white sugar, processes foods and white flour for whole grains, soups, fruits and vegetables.


• Brush your teeth earlier! It may sound too simple, but some people find that if they just brush their teeth, they are less likely to indulge in late-night eating patterns.


• Turn off the TV. Studies have shown that television can subconsciously trigger desires for more food.


• Take a warm bath. Turn on some soothing music. Read a book. Create new night-time rituals that don’t involve heavy eating.


• Go on a brisk walk after dinner. Ayurvedic medicine says that we should eat no later than six o’ clock, and afterwards take a walk of at least 108 steps!

These are just some tips; please share your methods in the comments below!

References:

1. C. Claiborne Ray. Where do those late-night calories go? Chicago Tribune. 2008 March 04.


2. C. Claiborne Ray. Midnight meals. The New York Times. 2008 February 26.

The post Does It Matter How Late We Eat? appeared first on The Sleuth Journal.

Cooking With Non-Stick Pans? You May Want To Read This

Pans with a non-stick coating are convenient but new research suggests that the chemical used for the coating is extremely toxic and exposure on any level could prove dangerous to brain health, the reproductive system, and immune system.

The Dangers of Non-Stick Coating

DuPont, the chemical engineering giant, is responsible for the perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) used to make Teflon coating. Federal regulators linked the chemical to birth defects and cancer, and these regulators also accused DuPont of hiding these hazard reports for decades. This caused an uproar and forced DuPont to phase out production of the chemical in 2006. Regardless, PFOA has already infiltrated millions of homes; resulting in detectable amounts of the compound in the blood of nearly every American. It’s even been found in polar bears in the Arctic.

An Environmental Working Group (EWG) report suggests that there is no safe level of exposure to the chemical in non-stick coatings, categorizing PFOA in the same league as asbestos and lead. This new report is supported by studies from the University of Massachusetts (UMASS) and Harvard University — studies that suggest blood levels of PFOA 400 times lower than the EPA’s current level could still cause adverse effects.

The Solution

There are some natural, safer alternatives to Teflon that you should be aware of. If you currently own a non-stick pan, throw them out immediately. Replace all non-stick bakeware with glass, and choose steel and cast iron for other cooking needs. Rely on healthy fats, like olive oil and coconut oil, to provide a natural non-stick surface for your cookware. Ideally, the majority of your diet should be uncooked and raw, meaning you shouldn’t have to worry too much about whether or not your food is sticking to cookware.

How do you avoid food sticking to your cookware? Please let us know in the comments!

The post Cooking With Non-Stick Pans? You May Want To Read This appeared first on The Sleuth Journal.

Why It Was Easier to Be Skinny in the 1980s

You can eat less and exercise more—but you’ll still probably gain more weight (about 10 percent more) than someone your age would have gained 20 – 30 years ago, eating and exercising the same amount.

So says a new study published in the journal Obesity Research & Clinical Practice. The study found, as reported in The Atlantic, that someone, in 2006, eating the same amount of calories, taking in the same quantities of macronutrients like protein and fat, and exercising the same amount as a person of the same age did in 1988, would have a BMI (Body Mass Index) that was about 2.3 points higher.

The study’s authors posited three possible explanations for their findings:

1. Today we’re exposed to more chemicals—pesticides, flame retardants, the substances in food packaging—that may be messing with our hormones.

2. We’re taking more drugs, especially antidepressants, many of which are linked to weight gain.

3. Our gut bacteria are changing, possibly because we’re eating more meat—and that meat is now being treated with growth-promoting hormones and antibiotics.

It all makes sense. Except the statement by one of the study’s authors, who told The Atlantic that the body weights of Americans today are influenced by “factors beyond their control.”

Noooooo . . . we can control our own exposure to pesticides, antidepressants, and factory farm meat. By going organic. And staying off drugs. What’s more, we must continue to fight the corporate control of our food system that’s led to this mess.

And we better hurry up. Because according to another new study, 107 million children and 603 million adults are now obese.

Read the study

Learn more

h/t: Organic Consumers Organization