Chemical Versus Natural Additives and How to Tell the Difference

Disodium inosinate. Sodium benzoate. Acesulfame potassium. Magnesium sulfate. They may look like compounds you mixed up in Chemistry class, but these dubious-sounding chemical mixtures are actually ingredients in many of the foods you may eat every day. And, as you can imagine, they aren't good for you.

Some of the most toxic ingredients in the world are often found in our food, but the danger doesn't stop there. The fragrances or "parfum" found in many body products can contain dozens of harmful ingredients that don't even have to be listed, and what about the aluminum in your deodorant or the flouride in your toothpaste?

Without a doubt, the FDA is failing its people miserably when it comes to the regulation of preservatives and other additives that are banned in countries around the world. It is up to us to become more informed consumers to protect ourselves from the health epidemic that is an undercurrent of many an American household - chemical poisoning.

Food Additives

A good rule of thumb is that if you don't know what an ingredient is or does, you probably shouldn't eat it. Of course, there are some exceptions, and some ingredients are worse than others. Look out for these dangerous preservatives and additives the next time you go shopping:

• Sodium nitrate/nitrite. This is commonly used in processed meats to improve color and longevity. It is a known carcinogenic and can destroy the efficiency of many major organs like the liver and the pancreas. You know those super-red hot dogs you can buy for $0.80 a pack? They hold that color because they are loaded with nitrates.

• Bromates. Like nitrates, bromates are cancer-causing agents that can also cause organ damage. Any ingredient with the word "bromate" or "brominated" should be avoided. You can often find bromates in flour, breads, pasta, and in soft drinks as brominated vegetable oil (BVO). Stick with whole-wheat and naturally white flours to avoid harmful bromates. 

• Benzoates. Sodium benzoate is often used as a preservative in foods like mayonnaise and dressings, and is also linked to cancer as well as DNA damage. Benzoates can also be found in cosmetics and other body products, so keep an eye out for these everywhere. 

• Parabens. Parabens are used in foods and body products to stop yeast and bacteria from growing. They are linked to cancer, especially breast cancer, and can cause hormone imbalances and other hormonal problems. For this reason, parabens are particularly harmful to children. 

• Artificial colors and sweeteners. The only reason these colors and sweeteners are used is to increase the marketability of foods. Colors make certain foods look more appealing, while sweeteners allow manufacturers to label products "sugar-free". Artificial colors, most of which are petroleum-based, are linked to tumors, cancer, digestive problems, and ADHD in children, among other things. Sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, and even high fructose corn syrup can cause or aggravate a range of problems from cancer (yet again) to diabetes to heart disease. 

Some additives that you may already know to avoid include MSG (monosodium glutamate), carrageenan, BHA and BHT, chlorine dioxide, aluminum, and butane. Yes, the FDA even lists butane as a safe ingredient to include in food. To see a more complete list of dangerous additives to avoid, check out this page. You can also see all the additives that are approved by the FDA here. Funny how some of the most dangerous preservatives have the longest list of acceptable uses.

Body Product Preservatives

Getting rid of harmful additives in your food is the first step to a healthier lifestyle, and often one that is easier to tackle. But the preservatives found in so many petroleum-based soaps, lotions, and skin care products can be just as toxic. Petroleum jelly itself is a harmful ingredient linked to tumors, skin problems, and early aging. When you consider that petrolatum is a by-product of gasoline, you might think twice about slathering it onto your infant's diaper rash - try beeswax instead, a product of Mother Nature.

The petrolatum in your Vaseline isn't the only harmful ingredient in your products. The next time you run out of hand lotion or shampoo, check the label before you buy a replacement to avoid these harmful ingredients:

• Sulfates. Anything with the word sulfate in it should be avoided. These are most commonly found in shampoos to make them foamy but can be in other products as well. They do nothing to clean your hair, but can strip it of necessary oils and nutrients and can even be absorbed into your skin. 

• Talc. Talc is what gives deodorants and baby powder their grainy textures. It can cause cancer, and may also be related to respiratory problems. Perhaps a tiny amount of cornstarch instead of baby powder is the way to go after all. 

• Ethyls. In addition to being a rather unattractive name, ethyls are yet another group of chemical preservatives that are linked to cancer, among other health problems. 

• Fragrance or Parfum. A wide range of toxic chemicals can hide under the label "fragrances", from phthalates to parabens to any of the ingredients already listed above. You could be applying a chemical cocktail of headache-, nausea-, allergy-, and cancer-causing agents to your body without even knowing it when you see "fragrances" in the ingredients list. 

This Treehugger.com article explains these and more ingredients in greater detail, and The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics website is a great resource to use if you want to learn more about your cosmetics.

So What Can We Use?

Although a large majority of manufacturers in the US use toxic chemicals in our foods and products, there are plenty of safe and natural alternatives out there. Many acids, like citric and ascorbic acids, are plant-derived preservatives. Extracts are almost always safe, unless you are allergic to a specific one, and essential oils also work as natural preservatives. Tocopherols are tricky, because there are a few different types of them and in excessive amounts even the most natural tocopherols can be harmful. Use products that contain them sparingly, and only when they are not used in conjunction with other harmful preservatives.

Getting the bad products and foods out of your home and switching to safer alternatives can take time, but it can be done. Check your ingredients labels before you buy, and keep your product use down to a minimum. The fewer toxins you allow into your home, the healthier you and your family will be.