Dimethylpolysiloxane - What's in your french fries and nuggets?

French fries and nuggets. Yummy, isn't it? Almost everyone loves french fries. The kids loves the fries, your fat ass neighbour and colleagues truly addicted to this toxic fast food. Nuggets, are quite popular amongst younger generation, from 3 years old to teenagers, this is fast becoming a 'staple' food for the young society. I have to admit, I used to eat these garbage when I was young, in my early 20's when I was clueless about health, nutrition and food toxicity. 

Let's talk about french fries. Most people now know that both these foods are loaded with trans fat, but how about other hidden nasty chemicals? An average person, will think of french fries as potatoes, oil and salt. A more knowledgable person, will realize french fries is bad and laden with trans fat. But, have you really wondered the full ingredients in your fries when you dine in fast food outlet such as McDonalds? Apart from the ones who don't care, you can stop reading as this post may not interest you. But, for whoever wants to know what these so called 'food' can do to your body, keep reading. 

I just visited a country which the population primarily based on "Western Diet". Almost everywhere I go, shopping malls, restaurants, cafes, people are eating french fries like there is no tomorrow. It is unofficial staple food for most these folks. Coffee, breads and french fries. Three of the staple foods which are very common in developed countries, especially in the western part of the world. In almost every fast food outlet, french fries are included in meals which customers would order and eat. French fries have been commercialized since vegetables cooking oil and fast food restaurants dominating almost every country in the world. 

Today, we will discuss about Dimethylpolysiloxane. I know, you can't pronounce it. That's fine, but you may want to know what it is and why this nasty chemical is included in some of the foods most people consumed. First of all, it is a silicone based anti-foaming agent used in adhesives, sealants and fillers such as breast implants. It is also an emulsifier in processed foods. The question is, why on earth would fast food industry put this stuff in french fries, nuggets and other foods? Well, it is to keep the fried oils in foods from foaming. Apart from most fast foods french fries and nuggets, soft drinks such as diet coke (fountain machine) also contain Dimethylpolysiloxane. There are also other foods such as Dominos Bread Sticks, KFC mash potatoes, chewing gums, commercial cooking oils, syrups, skimmed milk and most foods sold in fast food restaurants. This chemical, is also found in cosmetics and shampoo products too. It's crazy seriously. 

What about chicken nuggets sold in fast food outlets? Apart from Dimethylpolysiloxane, most of these nuggets contain a dangerous chemical called TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone). You just need 5 grams of this chemical to kill you! Barely half of what you eat are real chickens. Nuggets are loaded with sugars, synthetic chemicals and preservatives. Surprisingly, many people I know thought that chicken nuggets are 100% chicken meat. The truth is, more then half of the nuggets are bones, cartilage, fat and other unwanted animal body parts. It is also loaded with sugar, salt and other chemicals. 

Still enjoying your fries and nuggets? Think twice. 

Reference study:

The University of Mississippi Medical Center. Chicken nugget autopsy finds meat, bone, connective tissue, fat, and poorer health implications. (2013). Accessed October 7, 2013

Phytic Acid : The role of minerals depletion in the body

Many of us heard of minerals, micronutrient which is required in our body to enable proper bodily functions. Popular ones such as sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, and the list goes on. Most of us, know that minerals are important to our health and we need it. But how many of us know about anti-nutrients or malabsorption of these crucial minerals? My guess, not many people. 

Phytic acid, is the main discussion in today's post. This anti-nutrient is also known as phytates. If you previously read about my posts on soybean, you would came across brief explanation on phytates. But today, we will discuss much more about just soybean, as we will discuss the foods which contains high amounts of these anti-nutrient and what does it do to our body.  Should we avoid it or not? Is it dangerous to our health?

Phytic acid binds to minerals in your digestive tract and excrete them out through your bowels. There will be no cell-building with these minerals, even though the label on the grain or legume suggests you are eating mineral-rich food. Bear in mind, phytates inhibit the absorption of significant levels of minerals in the phytate-laden food. The iron in your soybean will not help rebuild your body if you do not break down the phytic acid first. If all you eat is tofu, soymilk, grains, beans and nuts, your chance of minerals absorption is very low, easily 15% only. We are talking about important minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, calcium, manganese, chromium, etc.

Vegetarians who primarily consume tofu and bean curd as source of protein ( replacement for meats and dairy products), risk severe minerals deficiency. Just by having a depleted levels of zinc in the body, the brain and nervous system will not function as you would expect, and this mineral also plays an important role in healthy reproductive system, protein synthesis and blood-sugar control mechanism. Thus, zinc deficiency is related to development of diabetes and phytic acid inhibit zinc absorption more then any other minerals.

If you are a vegan or vegetarian, and if you feel weak, pale and suffer from numerous health symptoms, it is very important you listen to your body's signs of telling you what if happening physiologically. Do NOT ignore your body's signals trying to tell you something wrong and it make sense to start listening to your body but not 'masking the symptoms' with prescription drugs. If the current plant-based diet is working for you, you will feel energetic, happy, very minimal symptoms, and having optimal brain and nervous system functionality. 

I know some may argue that phytates is also an anti-oxidant as itself in the plant/foods, but causing minerals deficiency and leading to a host of health issues is a bigger concern for all of us. Almost all plants-based foods contain phytates, from potatoes to beans, cocoa beans to grains, nuts to legumes, and corn to seeds. The goal is, having awareness on phytate-laden foods, and to consume these foods in low amounts involving soaking, sprouting and fermenting techniques. For instance, being able to enjoy organic raw chocolate every now and then would not cause severe minerals depletion in the body, but giving up this superfood is a pity, the nutritional profile of this food is way more beneficial then certain amount of phytic acid in cacao. Besides, it would be almost impossible to entirely eliminate phytates from one's diet.

It make more sense that we evolved as hunter gatherers @ caveman, and primarily thrive on animal based foods and seasonal plant based foods for countless generations. Perhaps we are not meant to eat solely plant based foods which have plant toxins or anti-nutrients? Remember, mother nature make no mistake, but we as humans, were mislead and misfed by contradicting health and diet information, thus, we suffer our own consequences.

Before I sign off this post, I would like to remind you that there are other factors which deplete the minerals in the body. Chronic stress, heavy metals toxicity, pharmaceutical drugs, non organic and poor quality foods, sugars, alcohol, etc. Phytic acid is just one of them, and it is important have awereness whenever foods are ingested at anytime.

Total amount of phytic acid per 100g (estimated)

Brazil nuts                 1719

Almond                    1138 – 1400

Hazelnuts                 1000 - 1620 (depending on sources)

Oat flakes                 1174

Brown rice               840-990

Cashews                  1866

Peanuts, toasted       933-950

Black walnuts           1977

Barley infant cereal   897

Mixed grain cereal    510

Oatmeal                   943

Wheat bran              3011

Soybeans              Very High (unable to obtain the exact amount. Fermenting soy reduces the levels to 50%)

How to reduce phytic acid in foods:

- Obviously, reduce or limit foods which has high levels of phytic acid such as soy, grains, nuts.
- Use sourdough techniques if you NEED to make breads and eat them. Although I do not recommend consuming foods which has gluten, unless it's gluten free.
- Consume fermented foods (such as soybeans) instead of raw or processed (E.g. tempeh and natto), that will cut down the phytic acid levels to a much lower levels. Storing tempeh for up to couple weeks and then fried it, that will further reduce the phytic acid levels.
- Avoid soymilk and tofu. Soymilk involve process of soaked, strained and cooked, which barely reduce any amount of phytic acid. Meanwhile, tofu involve similar process but coagulant is added.
- Soak beans in very warm water (approx 16-20 hours)
- Germinate or sprout grains

Journals:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3034044

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2998440

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14985216

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1067059/

Healthiest place to eat in - Best & Worst (Oxfam report)

A new report was published recently by Oxfam, the healthiest places to eat, and of course, the worst places too. I managed to grab raw data excel from Oxfam, which has the complete list of all the ratings for most countries in the world. From the chart, Netherlands ranked the highest, and it is the healthiest nation in terms of food, where France and Switzerland are both tied 2nd place. Countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Austria and Beigium are 3rd in the chart. Meanwhile, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Luxembourg and Australia have 3rd highest points scored. 

If you analyse the top rankings in the chart, it is obvious that the healthiest nations primarily from Europe with exception of Australia. United States couldn't even make it into the top 15 in the list. As for Malaysia, it is ranked 44th place, reasonably poor, from my point of view. For ASIA region, the healthiest place to eat in is Japan, ranked 21st. If you see the 3rd screenshot chart below, Malaysia, scored the worst in rankings of Diabetes and Obesity. Malaysia claimed its' Hall of Shame for the fattest nation in South East Asia, and currently facing diabetes epidemic as health status is becoming from bad to a record-high in history of this country.  

Anyone with common sense will know that whatever conventional medical treatments, diet protocols and even exercise regimes, clearly not effective for easing the rates of obesity and diabetes in Malaysia. Conventional wisdom no longer work in terms of health and long term sustainable fat loss, we are ballooning ourselves from fat, fatter to fattest.  

Malaysia, as highlighted in RED, scored the worst in Diabetes and Obesity amongst most Asian countries. 

Food Safety Standards in Malaysia : A quick overview

Malaysians, are one of the most overweight population in Asia. In fact, Malaysians are the fattest nation in South East Asia. The population is also one of the most diabetic amongst asians. Well, making headlines for the wrong reasons, in terms of health and lifestyle. The question is, with such advancement in technology, why are we still trailing behind in terms of weight management, disease and health status? Shouldn't disease rates dropped to a fraction and health status amongst general population improved with minimal symptoms? Obviously, most of us know this is not the case, and our health status has decline since the last couple of decades, and disease rates have set record high, in history of mankind. 

While we reap what we sow, we are facing the consequences in terms of health and quality of life. From mental disorders to fertility issues, long list of symptoms such as insomnia, mood swings, brain fog, memory loss and depression, to erectile dsyfunction, low libido, irregular menstrual cycles and inability to conceive for women, we are on the verge of hitting rock bottom, in human evolution. As I've always tell people, "We are a dying breed, from a healthy, strong reproductive species, we've become sick, toxic, and weak". 

All of us, including me, put faith and trust in our own govenrment to ensure our food supplies are safe. Most of us, still think that the food, agriculture and health departments in this country have food safety standards which are the same quality with other nations such as Europe and Australia. A wishful thinking and a naive thought, the last few years of disease rates including obesity and diabetes, have blown off the roof. What have our government done for the last 5-10 years, to improve the health status of Malaysians? The answer is virtually NONE. From the disastrous food pyramid guide (which is almost identical to USA version) to allowing some of the banned chemical or substances (in most countries), the last few years of disease rates have been alarming and conventional medicine have scored low points in terms of diagnosis and treatment. The 'lobbying power' is very influential with pharmaceutical companies and food manufacturers, and who can we trust to ensure our food supplies passed safety standard as the same guidelines as other countries such as Europe, Australia, New Zealand and even Singapore? 

In this brief review of food safety standards in Malaysia, I will focus more on pesticides limits in foods, certain chemical/substances which are banned in most countries. This data obtained below, includes foods entering Malaysia and what is allowed to be added in our food supplies.  When I analyse the so called safety standards guideline, I was shocked to see some of the banned ingredients still allowed in this country? There are easily more then 170 different types of pesticides allowed in our foods and almost all of the crops in non-organic farming. Yes, you read it right, more then 170!

We have been told that low contamination of pesticides in our food supply is safe, as long as it is within safety limit. That is one BIG lie! Wonder why more people are suffering from fertility issues and cancer then ever before? These toxins can accumulate in our body especially fat cells binding to these substances. It can wreck havoc to our endocrine system and cause all sorts of health complications including hormonal imbalances, reproductive disorders, toxicity and others. 

Now, for most foods (including whole foods) which are non-organic, there are multiple pesticides been sprayed on them. Some fruits or vegetables have up to 10-12 different types of pesticides contamination. We are ingesting these toxic chemical day in day out, for months and years, for most people, even since they were born. That's the reason why it is so important, we are eating organic whole foods. Either you pay for the farmers or the hospitals. Eating like how our ancestors ate for countless generations, is the only way of holistic approach towards optimum health and disease free. Our great great grandparents (and generations before that)  do not know about gym, they do not know about calories, and they don't even need dieticians to tell them what and how to eat. It's virtually chemical-free foods and there is no such thing as organic foods back in those days. They were simply eating real whole foods.Well, in the end, the money you spent will determine how the food manufacturers perform financially. If there is no demand, there is no supply. Every cent you pay for what you eat, is very empowering and it all start with one individual, who can influence and advocate others, that's where the 'tipping point' will occur, will that day becomes reality? It's your choice, vote with your money on the foods you pay and eat. Never under estimated what one person can do to change the world.

Now, I present to you, some of the key highlights of the food safety standard guideline in Malaysia. It's time to vote with our money on the foods we buy and eat! 

Pesticides residue limits in foods

Total pesticides allowed in crops/foods - More then 175! (I calculated the entire list)

Why is endosulfan still allowed in Malaysia food chain? It is banned in China, E.U and 144 other countries. It has been linked to fertility issues and harm unborn babies. If you are still drinking commercial non-organic tea products, you should be very concern about it. 

Carrageenan, an emulsifier, thickener and has excitotoxic effect, is commonly used in ice-cream, canned foods, microwavable diners, yogurt, soy milk, cheese and processed foods. It is prohibited in European Union and has no nutritional value. It has been shown in studies to cause gastrointestinal disease in animals. It is no surprise if your child or you yourself is suffering from inflammation in the gut or GI disorders.

Azodicarbonamide (In our food supply, seriously??)

Azodicarbonamide, a hazardous chemical, a flour bleaching agent, commonly used in shoes, yoga mat and floor mats. It's primary use to make breads bigger and faster food processing, thus more $$$.  Why on earth is Malaysia still permitting this dangerous chemical to be used in food products? Although I'm not 100% sure if Malaysia has taken any measures to ban Azodicarbonamide in food supplies. I seriously hope the department of agriculture and health ministry is looking into this harmful chemical. It it banned in Singapore and you will be fined and jailed 15 years if caught using this substance. It is also banned in Australia and Europe including U.K. It has been recognized as a potential cause of asthma, allergic reactions, lungs damage if inhaled. Imagine ingesting into our gut? If anyone remember the incident when truck overturned on Chicago highway in 2001, city officials have to issue the highest hazardous materials alert and evacuate people within a half mile radius!

Foods which commonly contain Azodicarbonamide

- McDonald's Muffins and breads

- Subway breads (contains 40-50 processed ingredients!) Still think Subway is healthy?

- Wendy's breads

- KFC breads

- Burger King

- Other fast food outlets' breads

The Key Players??

Dangerous artificial butter in Microwave Popcorn - Lungs & Brain Damage

Butter is good and beneficial for health and the body. But how about artificial or fake butter? Are both the same? One is loaded with fats, and the latter is fat and cholesterol free. Don't the artificial butter sounds better and healthier? I mean cholesterol and fat free right? Let's find out.

Today, we are going to talk a bit about butter, fake butter and popcorn, particularly the microwaveable ones. These days, we have a long list of artificial food substances. From artificial sweeteners to flavouring, artificial butter is not as well-known as  other artificial toxic ingredients. Not many people heard of artificial butter flavouring but they have no idea why queuing up for the cinema popcorn is almost a MUST before the showtime. Tons of movie-goers consume cinema popcorn during the show, but few know the hidden ingredients of this movie snack which could be devastating and harmful to our body and health. I know, you must be thinking, "Who cares?" Popcorn is a popcorn. 

Apart from sugars, transfat and perhaps MSG and soybean found in commercial microwavable popcorn products, a hidden ingredient called diacetyl is lurking in your cinema snack. Most of the microwavable popcorn products contain this chemical, which is actually a byproduct found in fermentation of beer and butter. It gives one an addictive buttery taste and flavor, and you keep coming back for more every single time. With diacetyl combined with sugars and transfat in commercial popcorn, it would be hard to resist. This substance is not only found in cinema popcorn, but also in most microwavable popcorn products, margarines, snack foods, pet foods and some cardonnay wines as well.  

Diacetyl, can in fact pass through the blood brain barrier and cause some serious damage to the brain. The blood brain barrier primarily meant to protect the brain from toxins, doesn't seem to be able to keep away this  substance. Remember MSG and Aspartame? We all have been told that those chemicals are safe for human consumption by the FDA, but guess what happen? More people are realizing that these excitotoxins are dangerous and should be avoided at all cost. We have been lied again and again by the food industries and the one administration which suppose to protect us, the FDA.

For whoever consume microwavable popcorn regularly, take note, unless you are trying to get respiratory problems and Alzheimer's disease? Food flavoring and microwave popcorn factory workers suffered respiratory and other health problems as diacetyl has been strongly linked. Diacetyl also shown to increase beta-Amyloid clumping, as it directly associated with Alzheimer's disease. Lungs and brain damage, this is seriously bad. Not only commercial popcorn are most likely GMOs, but they are laden with other nasty chemicals too. Once you pop a corn, the blood sugar roller coaster kicks in. 

How can I make healthier popcorn? 

First of all, healthy foods or meals, come from self preparation and made in your own kitchen. Below is how you can make your own popcorn snacks, a much safer yet nutritious way of eating it. Make your own popcorn when you go to cinema. It's so simple, 10 mins of preparation time is all you need! 

1) Organic corn kernels (doesn't matter how much, depends on your appetite and cravings)

2) Organic coconut oil ( you can use organic butter too)

3) Sea salt 

4) Organic red palm oil (do not use the highly processed commercial palm oil!) (optional)

Instructions:

Add 2 tablespoon of coconut oil or butter and mix it with corn kernels in pot. Stir well and close the lid. Heat them up with high temperature and the kernels should pop like firecrackers. Once kernels are done with popping, pour them into a bowl. Add a few pinch of sea salt into the ready to eat popcorn. If you desire, add half teaspoon of red palm oil and mix it well with the popcorn. It's done! 

P/S: By using coconut oil or butter, it will change the glycemic load and lower the glycemic index of popcorn. 

Diacetyl (Chemical Research in Toxicology)

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/tx3001016