CAN YOUR FOOD MAKE YOU SICK?

CHANGE YOUR FOOD CHANGE YOUR LIFE 

To many people’s lives are in jeopardy from an unhealthy fast food diet, excessive consumption of alcohol, pesticides, herbicides, genetically engineered and artificial foods masking as nourishment.

Many of the genetically engineered foods have some form of nonfood ingredients masking as food; such as citric acid, (true citric acid is from the citrus family, lemons, limes, grapefruit, pineapple, etc. However today and in many years past citric acid is not been extracted from lemon or pineapple juice but is prepared by the fermentation of genetically engineered sugar infused with black mold, which was developed in 1917 by a chemist James Currie; Pfizer popular name in manufacturing that we know has been the producer of mold derived citric acid since 1919). Citric acid acts as a preservation that prevents food deterioration and color depletion.

Here is a short list of foods that will most likely be contaminated with added citric acid: Ice cream and sorbets, caramel, sodas, canned and bottle juices, cider, beer and wine, some cheeses, some canned and jarred foods (preserves, canned fruits and vegetables and some sauces), baked goods (breads, cakes, cake mixes, etc.), frozen fish (herring very high on the chain list, shrimp and crab); candy (sweets and chocolates), pre-cut and packaged frozen and canned fruits and vegetables and for me the most disheartening of them all baby food. Is there any wonder so many children are diagnosed with acid reflux disease, skin eruptions, asthma, learning disorders and a slew of other health challenges; because of the decisions made by loving parents who have been duped into thinking the substances they are feeding their babies and children is food. 

Citric acid is a natural component of lemons, limes, oranges, pineapple, tomatoes, gooseberries, redcurrant and some vegetables such as Jerusalem artichoke and even some lettuce. If this is the citric that is added to your food there would be no need for this article; however I am here to share you that the citric acid in your food is most likely produced in a laboratory with artificial ingredients.

Citric acid is in most prepared foods whether frozen, canned, boxed or packaged.You may purchase these foods in an attempt to help save you time and even quite often money. However more often than not these ingredients are designed supposedly to enhance, preserve and some might even say supply the nourishment that your body needs. However it is time to examine this model of food preservation, Health and Wellness and then make the changes necessary to heal your family and bring your body’s wellness to its optimal healthy environment. 

There are many other nonfoods masking as food that are genetically modified and maybe prevalent in your kitchen cupboards; here is a list that through research has been labeled the most popular additives to your food.

Amino Acids - (the building blocks of twenty amino acids used in the processing of proteins in your body and even energy while others are the building blocks of hormones and neurotransmitters. Nine of these are essential amino acids which cannot be reproduced by the body and must be obtained from the foods you eat. 

The nine essential amino acids not produced by the body but must be obtained from foods are: Histidine (essential only in babies may be found in grains such as wheat, rye and rice or dairy products), Isoleucine (egg whites, fish, nuts, peas and seeds), Leucine needed to build strong muscles (whole wheat, egg whites, nuts, beans and brown rice), Lysine (builds the immune system, maintains healthy bones and hormone production. Available in potatoes, yeast, cheeses, fish, milk and eggs); Methionine (supports the body with the elimination of toxins, amino acids available in beans, lentils, onions and garlic); Phenylalanine (helps to lessen the symptoms of depression, found in poultry and pulses such as lentils), Threonine (supports a healthy liver, may be obtained from mushrooms, leafy green vegetables, whole grains); Tryptophan (excellent for relaxation, lowering blood pressure and enhance complete rest found in turkey (which puts you to sleep) however vegetarian sources such as lentils, oats and beans are easily available); and Valine (sources are in egg whites, peanuts). These amino acids must be replenished daily to maintain your essential building blocks.

The remaining eleven are termed nonessential amino acids but are quite necessary for our daily optimal functions and wellness. These are produced in your body; but production may become compromised when you are ill or stressfully challenged.

These nonessential conditional amino acids are: arginine, glutamine, tyrosine, cysteine, glycine, proline, serine and ornithine. The remaining three nonessential amino acids, which are not considered conditional but are also very important nutrients to your wellness, are: alanine, asparagine and aspartate.  

These necessary amino acids are synthesized in adults only and are in every cell in the body. Essential amino acids are generally found in foods such as animal proteins beef, poultry, fish and sea food and also in vegan foods such as quinoa and do I dear say the word soy? However; the amino acids added to prepared foods are most likely made from genetically engineered products. Unfortunately the soy bean a food that is very high in protein comes under this heading, creating another important reason for advocating organically grown foods. An article written by doctors at the University of Maryland School of Medicine states,
“However, gluten sensitivity remains undertreated and underrecognized as a contributing factor to psychiatric and neurologic manifestations.”

There are quite a few other manipulated nonfoods on the list Aspartame, Ascorbic Acid a synthetically produced vitamin C perhaps made from you guessed it genetically engineered corn or another popular one known as sodium ascorbate also another corn derivative, added to the already popular Citric acid, described above are other flavor enhancers called Sodium Citrate (can be made from lemons, oranges or pineapple) and Ethanol both artificial and natural flavorings; Lactic Acid, Maltodextrins, Molasses (which many of us assume is a product made from sugar cane but is it also being artificially produced), Monosodium Glutamate, Sucrose a sugar derivative mostly in found in children’s vitamins, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Textured Vegetable Protein or TVP, Xanthan Gum, many yeast products including nutritional yeast and vitamins. 

It seems important to interject here, that most of these products can be cheaply produced and therefore are probably cheaper on the store shelves than natural organically produced foods. The University of Maryland in an article states "Side Effects "The Food and Drug Administration regulates production and labeling of genetically engineered foods. Some people have raised concerns that the genes from one food that are inserted into another food may cause an allergic reaction
allergy For instance if peanut genes are in tomatoes, could someone with a peanut allergy react to tomatoes? In January 2001, the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition proposed that developers of bioengineered foods submit scientific and safety information to the FDA at least 120 days before the food is sold." 

But, I would like you to consider the exorbitant cost you the consumer will pay in the long run. Eventually paying an exorbitant price for the many, many health challenges and diseases you may face, from carcinogens obtained not only in your food but also in your environment. Take a look at the rising cost of medical care, health insurance, hospitalization, the amputation of vital parts of your body, so that you can have some semblance of a life worth living; not to mention the cost of hospices and funerals. And what part do these genetically engineered foods play with our mental health? This has not even been factored in to the equation yet. Who would want to die or become ill prematurely when life can be so sweet?

Today I challenge you to begin making the necessary changes to rejuvenate and enhance your life and that of your family. Read the labels to know what food is made of. My favorite saying is if the name is too long, has too many syllables, or you don’t know the meaning of it, place it back on the shelf until you can investigate what that product is. Stick to whole organic foods, they are exceptionally high with vital nutrients. Add raw fruits and vegetables and soaked seeds, nuts and grains like quinoa. Add fermented foods such as kimchee, raw kraut, rejuvelac, Kombucha, plain yogurt. Add healing spices like cayenne, turmeric, cinnamon and nutmeg all available in medicinal potency at your health food store. Drink a hot cup of tea after each meal to support your digestion.

Hydrate every day. Drink eight to ten glasses of water throughout the day and watch the transformation of your skin as it shifts from dull to glowing. Sweat every day, it is both cleansing and healing and you will probably get a good nights’ rest because of your activity and movement. 

Next this is one of the least talked about recovery modalities we have SLEEP. Resting helps your digestion, rejuvenates your energy, helps your brain to work more efficiently and enhances a slew of supportive aids throughout your day.  

Watch how your body responds to your home environment. Are you happy, sad, angry or just don’t give a damn? Make the changes that you need. Anger and sadness contribute to illness, complacency leaves you stagnant. Do your research, learn about other cultures and learn about holistic wellness. Learn the effectiveness or the burden that modern medicine places on your body.       

 Allow your stomach to rest at least one day per month and at least once a year give yourself of good cleanse drinking raw vegetable juices and smoothies. 

Jazz Up Your Life Now offers seasonal cleansing and detoxification Programs. Our next detox program begins on November 2, 2015 with orientation on October 31, 2015, just in time to prepare for the holiday season. It is a program designed to support you on shifting from summer to winter season and to increase your vitality and most importantly to boost your wellness.

Jazz Fenton

Integrative Nutrition Health and Wellness Coach

https://www.facebook.com/JazzUpYourLifeNow

References:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21877216

Genetically engineered foods | University of Maryland Medical Center http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/genetically-engineered-foods#ixzz3oilbsVTB 

University of Maryland Medical Center 

FDA - www.fda.gov