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Ingredient Watch

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By Lauren Birtwhistle
Bisphenol A
Bisphenol A is a chemical compound widely produced and sold in consumer products. When introduced to the body, Bisphenol A acts as an estrogen receptor agonist, meaning that it activates estrogen receptors, causing similar physiological affects as the body’s own estrogen. Bisphenol A may also be an endocrine disrupter, causing problems in the reproductive systems of mammals, including humans.
Studies testing for the presence of Bisphenol A in humans have shown that 95% of subjects tested, showed signs of the chemical, and in concentrations higher than the amount in tested laboratory animals. People are exposed to and run the risk of ingesting Bisphenol A often. It is used to line the inside of many canned foods, hard plastic water and baby bottles and even some dental fillings. It can leach out of its container, allowing it to be ingested.
Studies in laboratory rats showed an increase risk of developing breast cancer, aberrations in the chromosomes of grandchildren of rats exposed during pregnancy, and increase the susceptibility of male rats to prostate cancer, among other effects.
Despite a widespread belief that Bisphenol A poses human health risks, government regulatory agencies insist that normal use of products containing the chemical is harmless.  The City and County of San Francisco did, however, ban the production of baby bottles containing Bisphenol A in June 2006, but the ban was never enforced and was repealed in May 2007.
As more attention is focused on Bisphenol A, additional studies are being requested to verify its affects on people.  Meanwhile, prudent people might wish to avoid using products that contain the compound, and many retailers are offering alternatives.
Carrageenan
Carrageenan is extracted from seaweed to produce a gelatinous substance used in many consumer products. The sea weed is harvested from abundant forests in the Atlantic Ocean near Britain, Continental Europe and North America.
Carrageenans are made of very flexible molecules that allow it to form a variety of different, useful gels at room temperature. Because of this, it is used as a food additive, as a thickening and stabilizing agent. There are three commercial classes of carrageenan:
• Kappa — strong, rigid gels
• Iota — soft gels
• Lambda — form gels when mixed with proteins rather than water, used to thicken dairy products.
Carrageenans can be found in ice cream, sauces, beer, toothpaste, shampoo, marbling, diet soda, and pharmaceuticals to name a few.
Health risks involved in the consumption of carrageenan have been studied. Several studies have suggested that it may contribute to intestinal inflammation and gastrointestinal lesions, including possible malignancies. In 1972 the FDA determined there was sufficient evidence from animal experiments to propose limiting the type of carrageenan that could be used in food products.
In 1982, the International Agency for Research on Cancer found enough evidence in animal models linking degraded carrageenan with gastrointestinal cancers to state that it posed a carcinogenic risk to humans. Other research groups also have listed it as a known carcinogen based on animal studies.
Tricalcium Phosphate
Tricalcium Phosphate is a mineral found naturally in many foods. Other names for the mineral are calcium orthophosphate, tertiary calcium phosphate, tribasic calcium phosphate, or “bone ash”. It is commonly used in powdered spices as an anti-caking agent, a raising agent, in some cheese products, and in dental powders.
Tricalcium Phosphate is also used as a nutritional supplement. It is sometimes used to prevent and treat calcium deficiencies. Tricalcium phosphate can be a very healthy addition to your diet but may interfere with other medications and should not be taken if you are pregnant. You should consult with your healthcare provide before beginning a tricalcium phosphate supplement.
References:
http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/definitions/bisphenol-a
http://www.healthy-communications.com/carrageenan.html
http://www.qualityhealth.com/psp/hwContent.jspa?hwid=d03803a1&secid=d03803a1-whatis

By Lauren Birtwhistle |

Bisphenol A

Bisphenol A is a chemical compound widely produced and sold in consumer products. When introduced to the body, Bisphenol A acts as an estrogen receptor agonist, meaning that it activates estrogen receptors, causing similar physiological affects as the body’s own estrogen. Bisphenol A may also be an endocrine disrupter, causing problems in the reproductive systems of mammals, including humans.

Studies testing for the presence of Bisphenol A in humans have shown that 95% of subjects tested, showed signs of the chemical, and in concentrations higher than the amount in tested laboratory animals. People are exposed to and run the risk of ingesting Bisphenol A often. It is used to line the inside of many canned foods, hard plastic water and baby bottles and even some dental fillings. It can leach out of its container, allowing it to be ingested.

Studies in laboratory rats showed an increase risk of developing breast cancer, aberrations in the chromosomes of grandchildren of rats exposed during pregnancy, and increase the susceptibility of male rats to prostate cancer, among other effects.

Despite a widespread belief that Bisphenol A poses human health risks, government regulatory agencies insist that normal use of products containing the chemical is harmless.  The City and County of San Francisco did, however, ban the production of baby bottles containing Bisphenol A in June 2006, but the ban was never enforced and was repealed in May 2007.

As more attention is focused on Bisphenol A, additional studies are being requested to verify its affects on people.  Meanwhile, prudent people might wish to avoid using products that contain the compound, and many retailers are offering alternatives.

Carrageenan

Carrageenan is extracted from seaweed to produce a gelatinous substance used in many consumer products. The sea weed is harvested from abundant forests in the Atlantic Ocean near Britain, Continental Europe and North America.

Carrageenans are made of very flexible molecules that allow it to form a variety of different, useful gels at room temperature. Because of this, it is used as a food additive, as a thickening and stabilizing agent. There are three commercial classes of carrageenan:

• Kappa — strong, rigid gels

• Iota — soft gels

• Lambda — form gels when mixed with proteins rather than water, used to thicken dairy products.

Carrageenans can be found in ice cream, sauces, beer, toothpaste, shampoo, marbling, diet soda, and pharmaceuticals to name a few.

Health risks involved in the consumption of carrageenan have been studied. Several studies have suggested that it may contribute to intestinal inflammation and gastrointestinal lesions, including possible malignancies. In 1972 the FDA determined there was sufficient evidence from animal experiments to propose limiting the type of carrageenan that could be used in food products.

In 1982, the International Agency for Research on Cancer found enough evidence in animal models linking degraded carrageenan with gastrointestinal cancers to state that it posed a carcinogenic risk to humans. Other research groups also have listed it as a known carcinogen based on animal studies.

Tricalcium Phosphate

Tricalcium Phosphate is a mineral found naturally in many foods. Other names for the mineral are calcium orthophosphate, tertiary calcium phosphate, tribasic calcium phosphate, or “bone ash”. It is commonly used in powdered spices as an anti-caking agent, a raising agent, in some cheese products, and in dental powders.

Tricalcium Phosphate is also used as a nutritional supplement. It is sometimes used to prevent and treat calcium deficiencies. Tricalcium phosphate can be a very healthy addition to your diet but may interfere with other medications and should not be taken if you are pregnant. You should consult with your healthcare provide before beginning a tricalcium phosphate supplement.

References:

http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/definitions/bisphenol-a

http://www.healthy-communications.com/carrageenan.html

http://www.qualityhealth.com/psp/hwContent.jspa?hwid=d03803a1&secid=d03803a1-whatis

Filed Under: Ingredient Watch Tagged With: harmfull ingredients, toxic

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