Dangers of Soy Lecethin

Soy Lecithin: How It Negatively Affects
Your Health And Why You Need To Avoid It
 
Soy Lecithin has been lingering around our food supply for over a century. It is an ingredient in literally hundreds of proceesed foods, and also sold as an over the counter health food supplement. Scientists claim it benefits our cardiovascular health, metabolism, memory, cognitive function, liver function, and even physical and athletic perfomance. However, most people don't realize what soy lecithin actually is, and why the dangers of ingesting this additive far exceed its benefits.

Lecithin is an emulsifying substance that is found in the cells of all living organisms. The French scientist Maurice Gobley discovered lecithin in 1805 and named it "lekithos" after the Greek word for "egg yolk." Until it was recovered from the waste products of soybean processing in the 1930s, eggs were the primary source of commercial lecithin. Today lecithin is the generic name given to a whole class of fat-and-water soluble compounds called phospholipids. Levels of phospholipids in soybean oils range from 1.48 to 3.08 percent, which is considerably higher than the 0.5 percent typically found in vegetable oils, but far less than the 30 percent found in egg yolks.

Out of the Dumps
Soybean lecithin comes from sludge left after crude soy oil goes through a "degumming" process. It is a waste product containing solvents and pesticides and has a consistency ranging from a gummy fluid to a plastic solid. Before being bleached to a more appealing light yellow, the color of lecithin ranges from a dirty tan to reddish brown. The hexane extraction process commonly used in soybean oil manufacture today yields less lecithin than the older ethanol-benzol process, but produces a more marketable lecithin with better color, reduced odor and less bitter flavor.
Historian William Shurtleff reports that the expansion of the soybean crushing and soy oil refining industries in Europe after 1908 led to a problem disposing the increasing amounts of fermenting, foul-smelling sludge. German companies then decided to vacuum dry the sludge, patent the process and sell it as "soybean lecithin." Scientists hired to find some use for the substance cooked up more than a thousand new uses by 1939.
Today lecithin is ubiquitous in the processed food supply. It is most commonly used as an emulsifier to keep water and fats from separating in foods such as margarine, peanut butter, chocolate candies, ice cream, coffee creamers and infant formulas. Lecithin also helps prevent product spoilage, extending shelf life in the marketplace. In industry kitchens, it is used to improve mixing, speed crystallization, prevent "weeping," and stop spattering, lumping and sticking. Used in cosmetics, lecithin softens the skin and helps other ingredients penetrate the skin barrier. A more water-loving version known as "deoiled lecithin" reduces the time required to shut down and clean the extruders used in the manufacture of textured vegetable protein and other soy products.
In theory, lecithin manufacture eliminates all soy proteins, making it hypoallergenic. In reality, minute amounts of soy protein always remain in lecithin as well as in soy oil. Three components of soy protein have been identified in soy lecithin, including the Kunitz trypsin inhibitor, which has a track record of triggering severe allergic reactions even in the most minuscule quantities. The presence of lecithin in so many food and cosmetic products poses a special danger for people with soy allergies.

Genetically Modified

One of the biggest problems associated with soy lecithin comes from the origin of the soy itself. The majority of soy sources in the world are now genetically modified (GM). Researchers have clearly identified GM foods as a threat to the environment, pollution of soils and a long-term threat to human health with links to of the world with unnatural genetic material that may have unknown long-term consequences with links to decreased fertility, immunological alterations in the gut and the exacerbation and creation of allergies.

Genetically engineered soy contains high concentrations of plant toxicants. The presence of high levels of toxicants in the GM soy represent thousands of plant biochemicals many of which have been shown to have toxic effects on animals.

Subway Ingredients List

This list is for those of us that care about what's in the ingredients when purchasing our favorite sub sandwich from Subway.

BREADS

9-GRAIN WHEAT Enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamine

mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, high fructose corn syrup, whole wheat flour, contains 2% or

less of the following: wheat gluten, oat fiber, yeast, soybean oil, wheat bran, calcium blend (calcium

carbonate, vitamin D3), salt, rolled wheat, rye nuggets, dough conditioners (datem, sodium stearoyl

lactylate), yeast nutrients (calcium sulfate, ammonium sulfate), degermed yellow corn meal, rolled oats,

rye flakes, caramel color, triticale flakes, parboiled brown rice, refinery syrup, honey, barley flakes,

flaxseed, millet, sorghum flour, flavor (yeast extract, salt, natural flavor). Contains wheat.

LIGHT WHEAT ENGLISH MUFFIN Water, enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamine

mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid, enzyme), whole wheat flour, modified wheat starch, wheat gluten,

yeast, degermed yellow corn meal, contains 2% or less of: wheat fiber, salt, sugar, calcium propionate

(preservative), potassium sorbate (preservative), calcium sulfate, lactic acid, ascorbic acid. Contains:

Wheat.

FLATBREAD Enriched wheat flour (flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic

acid, malted barley flour, ascorbic acid), water, soybean oil, yeast; contains 2% or less of: nonfat dry

milk, wheat gluten, salt, dough conditioners (guar gum, Arabic gum, sodium stearoyl lactylate,

enzymes), sugar, baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch,

monocalcium phosphate), calcium propionate. Contains milk and wheat.

HEARTY ITALIAN BREAD Subway® Italian bread and yellow cornmeal. Contains wheat.

HONEY OAT BREAD Subway® Wheat Bread, honey oat topping (organic cane juice solids, rolled

oats, diced soy nuts, honey solids, wheat starch, sunflower oil, salt, caramel color, and natural flavor).

Contains soy and wheat.

ITALIAN (WHITE) BREAD Enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate,

riboflavin, folic acid), water, sugar, contains less than 2% of the following: soybean oil, yeast, wheat

gluten, calcium blend (calcium carbonate, vitamin d3), salt, dough conditioners (acetylated tartaric acid

esters of mono- and diglycerides, ammonium sulfate, calcium sulfate, ascorbic acid, azodicarbonamide,

potassium iodate, amylase [enzymes]), wheat protein isolate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, flavor ( yeast

extract, salt, natural flavor). Contains wheat.

ITALIAN HERBS & CHEESE BREAD Subway® Italian Bread, Monterey Jack cheese (cultured

pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes, artificial color), cheddar cheese (cultured pasteurized milk, salt,

enzymes, artificial color) potato starch and powdered cellulose added to prevent caking, natamycin [a

natural mold inhibitor]), garlic powder, corn maltodextrin, long grain rice powder, salt, toasted bread

crumbs (wheat flour, dextrose, modified wheat starch, sugar, salt, yeast, caramel coloring, paprika),

spice, parmesan cheese solids (milk, cheese, cultures, salt, enzymes, calcium chloride), cellulose),

modified palm oil, oregano, natural and artificial flavor (including butter extract), sunflower oil, whey,

gum arabic, citric acid, yeast extract, lactic acid, calcium lactate, disodium phosphate and not more

than 2% silicon dioxide added (as anticaking agent). Contains milk and wheat.

MONTEREY CHEDDAR BREAD Subway® Italian Bread, Monterey Jack cheese (cultured pasteurized

milk, salt, enzymes, artificial color), cheddar cheese (cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes, artificial

color) potato starch and powdered cellulose added to prevent caking, natamycin (a natural mold

inhibitor). Contains milk and wheat.

PARMESAN/OREGANO BREAD SUBWAY® Italian Bread, garlic powder, corn maltodextrin, long

grain rice powder, salt, toasted bread crumbs (wheat flour, dextrose, modified wheat starch, sugar, salt,

yeast, caramel coloring, paprika), spice, parmesan cheese solids (milk, cheese, cultures, salt,

enzymes, calcium chloride), cellulose), modified palm oil, oregano, natural and artificial flavor (including

butter extract), sunflower oil, whey, gum arabic, citric acid, yeast extract, lactic acid, calcium lactate,

disodium phosphate and not more than 2% silicon dioxide added (as anticaking agent). Contains,

milk and wheat.

ROASTED GARLIC BREAD Subway® Italian Bread, Roasted Garlic Topping (yellow cornmeal, salt,

sugar, green bell pepper, sodium diacetate, dehydrated garlic, spices, onion powder, soybean oil,

paprika, disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate, ascorbic acid, natural flavor, soy lecithin, and not

more than 2% calcium silicate (as anticaking agent). Contains soy and wheat.

SOURDOUGH BREAD Enriched flour (flour, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate,

riboflavin, folic acid), water, yeast, high fructose corn syrup, soybean oil, salt, fumaric acid, sodium

stearoyl-2-lactylate, sodium diacetate, acetylated tartaric acid esters of mono-and diglycerides, lactic

acid, ammonium sulfate, calcium sulfate, ascorbic acid, azodicarbonamide, potassium iodate, amylase,

mineral oil. Contains wheat.

WRAP Bleached enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine

mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, soybean oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil (contains one or more

of the following: cottonseed oil, soybean oil) with mono- and diglycerides added, potato starch with

monoglyceride, sugar, contains 2% or less of the following: salt, vital wheat gluten, baking powder

(sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, monocalcium phosphate),

monoglycerides and citric acid to preserve freshness, fumaric acid, sodium bicarbonate, dough

conditioner (wheat flour, calcium sulfate, sorbic acid), sodium propionate and potassium sorbate

(preservatives). Contains wheat.

MEAT, POULTRY, SEAFOOD & EGGS

BACON SLICES Pork cured with water, salt, sugar, smoke flavor, sodium phosphate, sodium

erythorbate, sodium nitrite.

BMT® MEATS: Genoa Salami: Pork, beef, salt, water, corn syrup, dextrose, sugar, wine, sodium

erythorbate, flavorings, sodium nitrate, spices, garlic, lactic acid starter culture, sodium nitrite.

Pepperoni: Pork, beef, salt, dextrose, water, spices, corn syrup, paprika, oleoresin of paprika,

flavorings, sodium erythorbate, lactic acid starter culture, sodium nitrite. Ham: ham (cured with water),

salt, dextrose, modified food starch (from corn), sodium phosphates, sodium erythorbate, smoke

flavoring, and sodium nitrite. May contain: seasoning [potassium chloride, pork stock, sugar, yeast

extract, salt, lactic acid, fructose, sunflower oil, cysteine HCL, calcium lactate, modified food starch,

flavors, grill flavor (from sunflower oil), polysorbate 80, rendered pork fat, and smoke flavor],

CHICKEN BREAST PATTY Chicken breast with rib meat, water, seasoning (corn syrup solids, vinegar

powder [maltodextrin, modified corn starch and tapioca starch, dried vinegar], brown sugar, salt,

dextrose, garlic powder, onion powder, chicken type flavor [hydrolyzed corn gluten, autolyzed yeast

extract, thiamine hydrochloride, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate]), sodium phosphates.

CHICKEN BREAST STRIPS Boneless, skinless, chicken breasts with rib meat, water, soy protein

concentrate, salt, modified food starch, chicken flavor (contains salt, autolyzed yeast extract, sugar,

molasses, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, sodium phosphates), and sodium phosphates.

Contains soy.

CHICKEN STRIPS (Teriyaki glazed): Subway Chicken Breast Strips (see above), teriyaki glaze

(water, soy sauce [water, wheat, soybeans, salt and less than 0.1% sodium benzoate as a

preservative], corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, rice vinegar, modified food starch, tomato paste,

garlic puree, ginger puree, oriental spice concentrate (sautéed ginger, chili garlic sauce [chili pepper,

garlic, water, salt, sugar, rice vinegar, acetic acid, modified food starch], maltodextrin, sesame oil, salt,

sugar, canola oil, soybeans, water, cornstarch, spice, wheat, natural flavoring, brown sugar, garlic

powder, caramel color, vinegar and yeast extract), sesame oil, sesame seeds, distilled vinegar,

dehydrated green onion, salt, dehydrated red bell pepper, natural flavor, spice, dehydrated onion).

Contains soy and wheat.

COLD CUT COMBO: Turkey Bologna: Mechanically separated turkey, water, contains less than 2%

of: salt, corn syrup solids, potassium lactate, dextrose, sodium diacetate, sodium erythorbate, sodium

nitrite, flavorings. Turkey Ham: Cured turkey thigh meat, salt, contains less than 2% of: potassium

lactate, brown sugar, sodium tripolyphosphate, dextrose, sodium diacetate, sodium erythorbate, smoke

flavor, sodium nitrite, water. Turkey Salami: Dark turkey, mechanically separated turkey, water, salt,

contains less than 2% of: potassium lactate, sugar, sodium tripolyphosphate, dextrose, spice and

flavorings, sodium diacetate, sodium erythorbate, smoke flavor, sodium nitrite.

EGG OMELET PATTY (Regular): Whole Eggs, Egg Whites, Water, Nonfat Dry Milk, Premium Egg

Blend (isolated pea product, salt, citric acid, dextrose, guar gum, xanthan gum, extractive of spice,

propylene glycol and not more than 2% calcium silicate and glycerin to prevent caking), Soybean Oil,

Butter Alternative (liquid and hydrogenated soybean oil, salt, soy lecithin, natural and artificial flavors,

beta carotene (color), TBHQ and citric acid added to protect flavor, dimethylpolysiloxane (antifoaming

agent added), Salt, Beta-Carotene (color). Contains eggs, milk and soy.

EGG WHITE OMELET PATTY Egg whites, artificial butter oil (soybean oil, artificial flavor), modified

corn starch. Contains less than 2% of the following: dicalcium phosphate, salt, xanthan gum, white

pepper. Contains eggs.

HAM (Black Forest) Ham cured with: water, dextrose, salt, potassium lactate, contains 2% or less

modified food starch (derived from corn), sodium phosphates, sodium diacetate, sodium erythorbate,

smoke flavoring, sodium nitrite. May contain: seasoning [potassium chloride, pork stock, sugar, yeast

extract, salt, lactic acid, fructose, sunflower oil, cysteine HCL, calcium lactate, modified food starch,

flavors, grill flavor (from sunflower oil), polysorbate 80, rendered pork fat, and smoke flavor],

MEATBALLS Beef, water, seasoning (soy protein concentrate, breadcrumbs [bleached wheat flour,

sugar, salt, soybean oil, dried yeast], dehydrated onion and garlic, salt, spice, dehydrated parsley,

caramel color), Romano cheese (made from pasteurized cow’s milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes),

caramel color. Marinara Sauce: tomatoes, tomato puree (water, tomato paste), corn syrup, high

fructose corn syrup, soybean oil, modified food starch, salt, dehydrated onions, spices, onion powder

Contains milk, soy, and wheat.

ROAST BEEF Roast beef, water, salt, dextrose, corn syrup, sodium phosphates, and spice extractive.

Coated with: salt, dextrose, caramel color, pepper and garlic powder.

SEAFOOD SENSATION SEAFOOD SENSATION Alaskan Pollock, water, Pacific Whiting, cornstarch,

potato starch, wheat starch, sugar, sorbitol, contains 2% or less of the following: Snow crabmeat,

natural and artificial flavors, refined fish oil, egg whites, carrageenan, spices (allspice, bay, black

pepper, cardamon, cassia, celery, clove, ginger, mace, nutmeg, red pepper), salt, modified potato

starch, calcium carbonate, sodium tripolyphosphate, tetrasodium phosphate, citric acid, color (titanium

dioxide, carmine, paprika oleoresin and caramel Color). Subway® regular mayonnaise. Contains egg,

fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.

STEAK Beef, beef broth (water, beef stock), seasoning (hydrolyzed soy protein, salt, dextrose,

modified corn starch, sodium phosphates, beef extract, soy sauce powder [soy sauce (soybeans, salt,

alcohol) maltodextrin, salt], yeast extract, natural and artificial flavor, grill flavor [maltodextrin, grill flavor

(from vegetable oil), modified corn starch, corn syrup solids]), beef flavor (water, natural flavors, beef

fat, gelatin/gum arabic coacervate, xanthan gum, citric acid, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate and

soybean oil). Rubbed with: salt, maltodextrin, modified corn starch, dextrose, caramel color, beef

extract, garlic powder, onion powder, natural flavor. May contain tomato, lemon, onions, peppers,

hydrolyzed corn protein, autolyzed yeast extract, modified food starch, acacia gum, sunflower oil,

tricalcium phosphate, silicon dioxide, spices and sulfites.

Contains soy.

TUNA Tuna, Subway regular mayonnaise, water, salt. Contains eggs and fish.

(* Tuna in Minnesota and Florida may contain hydrolyzed vegetable protein.)

TURKEY BREAST Turkey breast, turkey broth, contains 2% or less of: carrageenan, dextrose,

modified food starch (derived from corn), salt, seasoned salt (salt, sodium diacetate, flavoring), sodium

lactate, sodium phosphate. * Browned in soybean oil. May contain: seasonings (modified corn starch,

dextrose, salt, carrageenan, sodium diacetate, flavorings), potassium lactate.

CHEESE

AMERICAN CHEESE (processed) Cultured milk and skim milk, water, cream, sodium citrate, salt,

sodium phosphate, sorbic acid (preservative), citric acid, acetic acid, enzymes, lecithin. Contains soy

and milk.

CHEDDAR CHEESE Cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes, artificial color. Contains milk.

MONTEREY CHEESE BLEND (shredded) Monterey Jack cheese (cultured pasteurized milk, salt,

enzymes, artificial color), cheddar cheese (cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes, artificial color)

potato starch and powdered cellulose added to prevent caking, natamycin (a natural mold inhibitor).

Contains milk.

PARMESAN CHEESE Cultured part-skim milk, salt, enzymes, powdered cellulose to prevent caking.

Contains milk.

PEPPERJACK CHEESE Cultured pasteurized milk, jalapeno peppers, salt, calcium chloride and

enzymes. Contains milk.

PROVOLONE CHEESE Cultured pasteurized milk, salt, calcium chloride, enzymes. Contains milk.

SWISS CHEESE (sliced) Cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes. Contains milk.

VEGETABLES

AVOCADO PUREE 100% pure avocado.

BANANA PEPPERS Banana peppers, water, distilled vinegar, salt, calcium chloride, sodium benzoate

(preservative), sodium metabisulfite (preservative), yellow #5, natural flavors, polysorbate 80.

CUCUMBERS Fresh ripe cucumbers

GREEN PEPPERS Fresh green bell peppers

JALAPEÑO PEPPER SLICES Jalapeno peppers, water, distilled vinegar, salt, natural flavorings,

calcium chloride, sodium benzoate (preservative).

PICKLES Cucumbers, water, distilled vinegar, salt, calcium chloride, sodium benzoate (preservative),

alum, natural flavors, polysorbate 80, FD&C yellow no. 5.

LETTUCE Fresh iceberg variety

OLIVES Ripe olives, water, salt, ferrous gluconate

ONIONS Jumbo red onions

TOMATOES Fresh red ripe tomatoes

CONDIMENTS

BUFFALO SAUCE Distilled vinegar, aged cayenne red peppers, salt, water, modified food starch,

canola oil, paprika, vegetable fiber, xanthan gum, sodium benzoate (as a preservative), natural butter

type flavor and garlic powder.

CHIPOTLE SOUTHWEST Soybean oil, water, buttermilk (cultured pasteurized skim milk and milk,

sodium citrate, salt), chipotle pepper sauce concentrate (red jalapeno peppers, distilled vinegar, sugar,

salt and onions), high fructose corn syrup, egg yolks, distilled vinegar, corn syrup, contains less than

2% of non-fat milk solids, salt, dehydrated onion, phosphoric acid, autolyzed yeast extract, xanthan

gum, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (as preservatives), dehydrated garlic, torula yeast, lactic

acid, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate, dehydrated parsley, Oleoresin paprika, polysorbate

60, propylene glycol alginate, calcium disodium EDTA added to protect flavor. Contains eggs and

milk.

FAT FREE HONEY MUSTARD High Fructose corn syrup, water, prepared mustard (distilled vinegar,

water, mustard seed, salt), Dijon mustard (distilled vinegar, water, mustard seed, salt, white wine, citric

acid, turmeric, spices, tartaric acid), country Dijon mustard (distilled vinegar, water, mustard seed, salt,

white wine, spice), distilled vinegar, honey, food starch-modified, cider vinegar, contains less than 2%

of lemon juice concentrate, salt, phosphoric acid, artificial color (titanium dioxide), sodium benzoate and

potassium sorbate (as preservatives), xanthan gum, dehydrated onion, egg yolks, dehydrated garlic,

caramel color. Contains eggs.

FAT FREE SWEET ONION Sugar, water, corn vinegar, contains less than 2% of corn starch, food

starch-modified, spices, salt, toasted onion, dehydrated onion, poppy seeds, onion juice, sodium

benzoate and potassium sorbate (as preservatives), dehydrated red bell pepper, caramel color,

cucumber juice, calcium disodium EDTA added to protect flavor, celery seed.

MAYONNAISE, LIGHT Water, soybean oil, food starch-modified*, distilled vinegar, egg yolks, contains

less than 2% of eggs, salt, spice, potassium sorbate* (a preservative), phosphoric acid*, calcium

disodium EDTA added to protect flavor, DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), extractive of paprika,

soy lecithin*, phylloquinone (Vitamin K1).* Ingredient not normally found in mayonnaise. Contains

eggs.

MAYONNAISE, REGULAR Soybean oil, water, eggs, egg yolks, vinegar, contains less than 2% of salt,

mustard flour, lemon juice concentrate, dried onions, dried garlic, calcium disodium EDTA (to protect

flavor), paprika, natural flavor. Contains eggs.

MUSTARD (yellow) Distilled vinegar, water, mustard seed, salt, turmeric, paprika, spice, natural flavor,

garlic powder.

MUSTARD (deli brown) Distilled vinegar, mustard seed, water, salt, spices, turmeric, natural flavor.

OIL Canola oil, extra virgin olive oil.

RED WINE VINAIGRETTE Water, corn syrup, red wine vinegar, sugar, parmesan cheese (partially

skimmed milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, anti-caking agent), salt, distilled vinegar, contains less

than 2% of food starch-modified, dehydrated red bell pepper, xanthan gum, spices, dehydrated onion,

dehydrated garlic, sodium benzoate (a preservative), natural flavor, color red #40 and blue #1.

Contains: milk, sulfites.

RED WINE VINEGAR Red wine vinegar (5% acidity), sulfiting agent.

SALAD DRESSINGS & TOPPINGS

CROUTONS Ingredients: Enriched Flour (flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid),

canola oil, sugar, salt, natural and artificial butter flavor with other natural flavors, yeast, dehydrated

garlic, whey, spices, nonfat dry milk, dehydrated parsley, romano cheese (cow’s milk, cultures, salt,

enzymes), lactic acid, ascorbic acid. Contains milk and wheat.

FAT FREE ITALIAN DRESSING Water, vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, salt, contains

less than 2% of Parmesan cheese (part-skim milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), garlic, onion juice,

whey, phosphoric acid, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate and calcium disodium EDTA as preservatives,

yeast extract, spice, dried bell peppers, lemon juice concentrate, dried garlic, dried buttermilk, caramel

color, sodium phosphates, enzymes, oleoresin paprika. Contains milk.

RANCH DRESSING Soybean oil, water, sugar, egg yolks, vinegar, salt, contains less than 2% of whey,

onions*, buttermilk, xanthan gum, phosphoric acid, with sorbic acid and calcium disodium EDTA as

preservatives, garlic*, polysorbate 60, parsley*, spice, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, natural

flavor. *Dried. Contains milk and eggs.

PIZZA

CHEESE PIZZA CRUST: Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate,

riboflavin, folic acid), water, bread crumbs (bleached wheat flour, yeast, sugar, salt), soybean oil, sugar,

yeast, salt, non-fat dry milk, garlic. MOZZARELLA CHEESE: Pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt,

enzymes. SAUCE: Tomato puree (vine ripened tomatoes, salt, citric acid), water, tomato paste,

soybean oil, salt, spices, garlic powder, Romano cheese (pasteurized part-skim cow’s milk, cheese

culture, salt, enzymes). PARMESAN AND ROMANO CHEESE BLEND: Parmesan cheese (pasteurized

part skim milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), Romano cheese (pasteurized cows milk, cheese

cultures, salt, enzymes). OREGANO. GARLIC. BASIL. Contains: Milk and Wheat

COOKIES & DESSERTS

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES Enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced

iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), sugar, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened

chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla), margarine (palm oil, butter, water, salt, mono- and

diglycerides, natural flavor, vitamin A palmitate, beta carotene), eggs, water, molasses, baking soda,

natural and artificial flavors, potassium chloride, salt. CONTAINS: Wheat, milk, eggs and soybeans.

(Due to the nature of how these cookies are displayed they may come in contact with other peanut or

tree nut-containing cookies.)

CHOCOLATE CHUNK CONTAINS: Enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin,

reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), sugar, chocolate chunks (sugar, unsweetened

chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose, soy lecithin, natural and artificial flavors), palm oil, eggs, high

fructose corn syrup, water, molasses, baking soda, salt, whey, natural and artificial flavor. CONTAINS:

Wheat, milk, eggs and soybeans. (Due to the nature of how these cookies are displayed they may

come in contact with other peanut or tree nut-containing cookies.)

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP Sugar, enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin,

reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), margarine (palm oil, butter, water, salt, monoand

diglycerides, natural flavor, vitamin A palmitate, beta carotene), white chips (sugar, palm kernel

and palm oil, nonfat dry milk, soy lecithin, vanilla), semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened

chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla), eggs, cocoa processed with alkali, molasses, water, natural

and artificial flavors, potassium chloride, baking soda, salt. CONTAINS: Wheat, milk, eggs and

soybeans. (Due to the nature of how these cookies are displayed they may come in contact with other

peanut or tree nut-containing cookies.)

M&M® Enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin

mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), sugar, palm oil, chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate,

cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla), candy pieces (milk chocolate [sugar, chocolate, milk, cocoa butter,

lactose, soy lecithin, salt, artificial flavors] sugar, corn starch, corn syrup, gum acacia, coloring [includes

red 40 lake, yellow 5, yellow 6, blue 2 lake, red 40, blue 1 lake, blue 1, blue 2, yellow 5 lake, yellow 6

lake], dextrin), eggs, water, molasses, baking soda, salt, whey, natural and artificial flavor. CONTAINS:

Wheat, Milk, Eggs and Soybeans. May Contain: Peanuts Due to the nature of how these cookies

are displayed they may come in contact with other tree nut-containing cookies.)

OATMEAL RAISIN Sugar, enriched flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin

mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), raisins, palm oil, oats, eggs, water, molasses, whey, baking soda,

salt, natural flavor, potassium chloride, cinnamon. CONTAINS: Wheat, milk and eggs. (Due to the

nature of how these cookies are displayed they may come in contact with other peanut or tree nutcontaining

cookies.)

PEANUT BUTTER Enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin

mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), sugar, peanut butter (peanuts, sugar, palm oil, salt), peanut butter

chips (sugar, palm kernel oil, peanuts, partially defatted peanut flour, lactose, whey, anhydrous milkfat,

nonfat milk, sodium caseinate, buttermilk, soy lecithin, salt, artificial flavor), margarine (palm oil, butter,

water, salt, mono- and diglycerides, natural flavor, vitamin A palmitate, beta carotene), eggs, molasses,

high fructose corn syrup, palm oil, water, natural flavor, potassium chloride, baking soda. CONTAINS:

Wheat, peanuts, milk, eggs and soybeans. Due to the nature of how these cookies are displayed

they may come in contact with other tree nut-containing cookies.)

RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE Enriched bleached flour (flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron,

thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), sugar, margarine (palm oil, water, soybean oil, salt, monoand

diglycerides, natural flavor, vitamin A palmitate, beta carotene), white chips (sugar, palm kernel

and palm oil, nonfat dry milk, soy lecithin, vanilla), eggs, raspberry bits (dextrose, palm oil, sugar, corn

flour, raspberry powder, natural flavor, citric acid, blueberry and carrot extracts), neufchatel cheese

(pasteurized milk and cream, cheese culture, salt, stabilizer [carob bean and/or guar and/or xanthan

gums]), invert sugar, maltodextrin, natural and artificial flavors, baking soda, potassium chloride, yellow

5. Contains: Wheat, milk, soybeans, eggs and yellow 5. (Due to the nature of how these cookies

are displayed they may come in contact with other tree nut-containing cookies.)

SUGAR Enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin

mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), sugar, palm oil, eggs, natural butter flavor, water, whey, baking soda,

salt. CONTAINS: Wheat, milk, and eggs. (Due to the nature of how these cookies are displayed they

may come in contact with other peanut or tree nut-containing cookies.)

WHITE CHIP MACADAMIA NUT Enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin,

reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), sugar, margarine (palm oil, butter, water, salt,

mono and diglycerides, natural flavor, vitamin A palmitate, beta carotene), white chips (sugar, palm

kernel and palm oil, nonfat dry milk, soy lecithin, vanilla), macadamia nuts, eggs, molasses, water,

natural and artificial flavors, potassium chloride, baking soda, salt. Contains: Macadamia Nuts, Wheat,

Milk, Eggs and Soybeans (Due to the nature of how these cookies are displayed they may come in

contact with other peanut-containing cookies.)

YOGURT PARFAIT Vanilla yogurt (cultured pasteurized grade A low fat milk, sugar, modified food

starch, whey protein concentrate, vanilla extract, carrageenan, pectin, potassium sorbate (to maintain

freshness)), strawberries, blueberries, granola (whole rolled oats, sugar, wheat flakes, corn syrup, soy

oil, whey, molasses, natural flavor, mixed tocopherols (used to preserve freshness)). Contains: Wheat,

milk and soy. Granola may contain tree nuts.

5 Facts about the Farm Bill

The Farm Bill Is Not Just About Farms

The 2008 Farm Bill, much of which is set to expire in 2012, contains 15 titles. According to the National Agriculture Law Center (pdf), those titles cover support for "commodity crops, horticulture and livestock, conservation, nutrition, trade and food aid, agricultural research, farm credit, rural development, energy, forestry, and other related programs."

This is the reason why many experts have pushed for a renaming of the bill—to something such as "The Farm and Food Bill" or "The Food Bill"—to reflect the bill's impact on the many facets of the food industry.

Subsidy Spending Is Wonky

A common misperception is that agricultural subsidies provided by the federal government help small farm owners. While some small farms do receive aid, the Environmental Working Groupreports that between 1995 and 2010, 10 percent of farms in the U.S. got 70 percent of subsidies. Many of these farms are large-scale, industrial farms. To illustrate just how drastic that is, compare the difference in payments:

• Top 10%: $30,751 average per year between 1995 and 2010.

• Bottom 80%: $587 average per year between 1995 and 2010.

Federal Nutrition Guidelines Don't Match With Federal Subsidies

Though the Obama Administration—spearheaded by First Lady Michelle Obama—has advocated for Americans upping their intake of fruits and veggies, federal subsidies don't make those types of food affordable.

From 1995-2010, for example, apple farms received $261,540,987 in subsidies while cotton received more than $31 billion. The majority of subsidies (90 percent) go to five main crops: corn, wheat, cotton, soy, and rice (see pdf).

These five specialty crops make their way into a number of processed foods (as high fructose corn syrup, for example), making those foods cheaper to buy than healthier items that are not government subsidized.

Some experts, like Dr. Loel Solomon, Vice President of Community Health at Kaiser Permanente, believe there is a direct correlation between farm bill subsidies and public health.

“By 2018 obesity is going to consume 350 billion dollars. One in five dollars is going to be spent dealing with health care costs of obesity-related illnesses," he told The Center for Urban Education About Sustainable Agriculture (CUEAS). “If we start to think about the farm bill as a barrier to American competitiveness and the ability to grow our economy,” he added, “that really changes the constituency that wants to see a different kind of food system.”

Not Everyone Who Collects Subsidies Actually Farms

In 2010, about 90,000 people living in cities collected $394 million in U.S. farm subsidies. These "absentee owners" own the farm land they're being subsidized for, but do not actively work the land. People are eligible for payments if they provide land, equipment or capital, or labor and management, Acting Undersecretary Michael Scuse told Reuters in June of 2011. But regulations to determine if landowners are actively working the land are lax.

There Is Some Good News

The 2008 bill, while not a huge step forward, did include some meaningful advancements for small farmers and sustainable food activists. CUEAS reports:

There was a rural microenterprise program, support for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers, grants for value-added agriculture, and several strong conservation programs (incentives for farmers to be good stewards of the land, water and air).

However, these programs depend on an annual vote by House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee of Congress, which means the programs are often contending for funding against much bigger programs.

Want to see a fairer Farm Bill? Visit Food & Water Watch's petition for an improved Farm Bill in 2012, including leveling the playing field for farmers, making healthy food accessible for all, and supporting new sustainble farming programs.

via: takepart.com

The truth about MSG

MSG Lurks As A Slow Poison In Common Food Items Without Your Knowledge

The food additive "MSG" is a slow poison which hides behind dozens of names, such as natural flavouring and yeast extract. Currently, labeling standards do not require MSG to be listed in the ingredient list of thousands of foods.

MSG is not a nutrient, vitamin, or mineral and has no health benefits. The part of MSG that negatively affects the human body is the "glutamate", not the sodium. The breakdown of MSG typically consists of 78% glutamate, 12% sodium, and about 10% water. Any glutamate added to a processed food is not and can not be considered naturally occurring. Natural glutamate in plants and animals is known as L-glutamic acid. Our normal digestive process slowly breaks down this natural or "bound" glutamic acid and it is then delivered to glutamate receptors in our body and brain. Broken down this way, it is harmless. In a factory, however, the bound glutamic acid in certain foods (corn, molasses, wheat) is broken down or made "free" by various processes (hydrolyzed, autolyzed, modified or fermented with strong chemicals, bacteria, or enzymes) and refined to a white crystal that resembles sugar. 

Since free glutamate can be a component part of certain food additives, such as autolyzed yeast or hydrolyzed protein, it is essentially unregulated when it comes to labeling standards. This allows it to go into food unlabeled as MSG. A label may say "yeast extract", "calcium caseinate", or "beef flavoring", but the product still contains varying amounts of "free" glutamic acid. This makes it very difficult for consumers who are trying to avoid it. It is also very dangerous for those who suffer severe reactions to it. Many people who are very sensitive to MSG experience respiratory, neurological, muscular, skin, urological and even cardiac symptoms. 

So why is MSG even allowed into our food supply? Because they can get us to eat almost anything. There is such an incredible amount of disinformation in the powers that regulate and control food, that they can get us to consume things with absolutely no nutritional value at all. As long as manufacturing costs are minimized, and we keep buying their food, they'll keep making it regardless of the detriments to our health. MSG has been proven to act as an excitotoxin which stimulates the reward system of the brain, so we think it tastes better (than it actually does) and consequently consume more. 

There are a growing number of Clinicians and Scientists who are convinced that excitotoxins play a critical role in the development of several neurological disorders, including migraines, seizures, infections, abnormal neural development, certain endocrine disorders, specific types of obesity, and especially the neurodegenerative diseases; a group of diseases which includes: ALS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and olivopontocerebellar degeneration.

The amount of these neurotoxins added to our food has increased enormously since their first introduction. For example, since 1948 the amount of MSG added to foods has doubled every decade. By 1972, 262,000 metric tons were being added to foods. 

How Excitotoxins Destroy Our Health

So, what is exactly is an excitotoxin? These are substances, usually amino acids, that react with specialized receptors in the brain in such a way as to lead to destruction of certain types of brain cells. Glutamate is a normal neurotransmitter in the brain. In fact, it is the most commonly used neurotransmitter by the brain. Defenders of MSG and aspartame use, often say: “How could a substance that is used normally by the brain cause harm?” This is because, glutamate, as a neurotransmitter, is used by the brain only in very, very small concentrations - no more than 8 to 12ug. When the concentration of this transmitter rises above this level the neurons begin to fire abnormally. At higher concentrations, the cells undergo a specialized process of cell death.

The brain has several elaborate mechanisms to prevent accumulation of MSG in the brain. First is the blood-brain barrier, a system that impedes glutamate entry into the area of the brain cells. But, this system was intended to protect the brain against occasional elevation of glutamate of a moderate degree, as would be found with un-processed food consumption. It was not designed to eliminate very high concentrations of glutamate consumed daily, several times a day, as we see in modern society. Several experiments have demonstrated that under such conditions, glutamate can by-pass this barrier system and enter the brain in toxic concentrations. In fact, there is some evidence that it may actually be concentrated within the brain with prolonged exposures. There are also several conditions under which the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is made incompetent. Before birth, the BBB is incompetent and will allow glutamate to enter the brain. It may be that for a considerable period after birth the barrier may also incompletely developed as well. Hypertension, diabetes, head trauma, brain tumors, strokes, certain drugs, Alzheimer's disease, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, severe hypoglycemia, heat stroke, electromagnetic radiation, ionizing radiation, multiple sclerosis, and certain infections can all cause the barrier to fail. In fact, as we age the barrier system becomes more porous, allowing excitotoxins in the blood to enter the brain. So there are numerous instances under which excitotoxin food additives can enter and damage the brain.

Finally, recent experiments have shown that glutamate can open the barrier itself. Another system used to protect the brain against environmental excitotoxins, is a system within the brain that binds the glutamate molecule (called the glutamate transporter) and transports it to a special storage cell (the astrocyte) within a fraction of a second after it is used as a neurotransmitter. This system can be overwhelmed by high intakes of MSG, aspartame and other food excitotoxins. It is also known that excitotoxins themselves can cause the generation of numerous amounts of free radicals and that during the process of lipid peroxidation (oxidation of membrane fats) a substance is produced called 4-hydroxynonenal. This chemical inhibits the glutamate transporter, thus allowing glutamate to accumulate in the brain. Excitotoxins destroy neurons partly by stimulating the generation of large numbers of free radicals. Recently, it has been shown that this occurs not only within the brain, but also within other tissues and organs as well (liver and red blood cells). This could, from all available evidence, increase all sorts of degenerative diseases such asarthritis, coronary heart disease, and atherosclerosis, as well as induce cancer formation. Certainly, we would not want to do something that would significantly increase free radical production in the body. It is known that all of the neurodegenerative disease, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and ALS, are associated with free radical injury of the nervous system.

It should also be appreciated that the effects of excitotoxin food additives generally are not dramatic. Some individuals may be especially sensitive and develop severe symptoms and even sudden death from cardiac irritability, but in most instances the effects are subtle and develop over a long period of time. While MSG is probably not the direct cause of the neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's dementia, Parkinson's disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, it may well precipitate these disorders and certainly worsen their effects. It may be that many people with a propensity for developing one of these diseases would never develop a full blown disorder had it not been for their exposure to high levels of food borne excitotoxin additives. Some may have had a very mild form of the disease had it not been for the exposure.

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein should not be confused with hydrolyzed vegetable oil. The oil does not contain appreciable concentration of glutamate, it is an oil. Hydrolyzed vegetable protein is made by a chemical process that breaks down the vegetable's protein structure to purposefully free the glutamate. This brown powdery substance is used to enhance the flavor of foods, especially meat dishes, soups, and sauces. Despite the fact that some health food manufacturers have attempted to sell the idea that this flavor enhancer is " all natural" and "safe" because it is made from vegetables, it is not. It is the same substance added to processed foods. Experimentally, one can produce the same brain lesions using hydrolyzed vegetable protein as by using MSG. A growing list of excitotoxins is being discovered, including several that are found naturally. For example, L- cysteine is a very powerful excitotoxin. Recently, it has been added to certain bread dough and is sold in health food stores as a supplement. Homocysteine, a metabolic derivative, is also an excitotoxin. Interestingly, elevated blood levels of homocysteine has recently been shown to be a major, if not the major, indicator of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Equally interesting, is the finding that elevated levels have also been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders, especially anencephaly and spinal dysraphism (neural tube defects). It is thought that this is the protective mechanism of action of the prenatal vitamins B12, B6, and folate when used in combination. It remains to be seen if the toxic effect is excitatory or by some other mechanism. If it is excitatory, then unborn infants would be endangered as well by glutamate and the other excitotoxins. 

Recently, several studies have been done in which it was found that all Alzheimer's patients examined had elevated levels of homocysteine. Recent studies have shown that persons affected by Alzheimer's disease also have widespread destruction of their retinal ganglion cells. Interestingly, this is the area found to be affected when researchers first discovered the excitotoxicity of MSG. While this does not prove that dietary glutamate and other excitotoxins cause or aggravate Alzheimer's disease, it makes one very suspicious. One could argue a common intrinsic etiology for central nervous system neuronal damage and retinal ganglion cell damage, but these findings are disconcerting enough to warrant further investigations.

Ingredients To Avoid

ALWAYS Contain MSG

OFTEN Contain MSG

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Glutamate anything Glutamic Acid Hydrolyzed anything Hydrolyzed Corn Gluten Hydrolyzed Pea Protein Plant Protein Textured Protein Autolyzed anything Autolyzed Yeast Extract Autolyzed Plant Protein Yeast Extract Yeast Nutrient Caseinate anything Calcium Caseinate Sodium Caseinate Gelatin Aspartame (any artificial sugar) The next ingredients listed do not contain MSG, but are added to activate MSG already contained in the food product. These two chemicals are very expensive and have no other function. If you find them on the label you can be assured that MSG is present. Disodium Guanylate Disodium Inosinate

Carrageenan (ingredient in Chocolate Milk) Xanthum Gum (ingredient in Salad Dressings) Maltodextrin (ingredient in Splenda) Flavor(s) and Flavoring(s) anything Malt Flavoring Natural Flavor(s) & Flavoring(s)anything beef, pork, chicken, etc Bouillon and Broth anything Barley Malt Malt Extract Soy Sauce Extract Soy Protein Isolate Ultra-pasteurized Soy Sauce Whey Protein Concentrate Soy Protein Concentrate Pectin Soy Protein Whey Protein Isolate Whey Protein Protease Protease Enzymes Protein Fortified anything Enzyme Modified anything Enzymes anything Fermented anything Citric Acid Seasoning(s) (the actual word) Spice(s) (the actual word)

ALWAYS Contain MSG	OFTEN Contain MSG
Ranch Salad Dressing (Most salad dressings are of concern, but Ranch is the worst.) Vegetable Dips All Flavored Chips Sun Chips Doritos Flavored Potato Chips Bouillon (including those that claim MSG Free) Meat and Vegetable Stock and Broth (including those that claim MSG Free) Baby Formulas and Foods	Hair Care Products Hair Shampoo Hair Conditioner Toothpaste Teeth Whitening Agents Fluoride Treatments Teeth Cleaning Pumice at the Dentist Medication Gel Capsules (contains Gelatin) Children's Cough Syrup

Dr. Bellonzi Explains The Truth about 
MSG Monosodium Glutamate and Excitotoxins

courtesy of: www.preventdisease.com