Nitrates in commercial foods more dangerous than we first thought


By Sherry Baker

According to a new study by scientists at Rhode Island Hospital, millions of Americans could be at risk of serious and even fatal diseases because of chemicals used to fertilize and to preserve food. Scientists have found a strong link between increasing levels of nitrates and nitrites in our food supply and increasing death rates from Alzheimer's, diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease.
 
The research, just published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, investigated trends in death rates due to diseases associated with advancing age. They found convincing parallels between age adjusted rises in mortality from certain illnesses -- Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and diabetes -- and the steadily increasing human exposure to nitrates, nitrites and nitrosamines through processed and preserved foods as well as fertilizers.
 
Suzanne de la Monte, MD, MPH, of Rhode Island Hospital, and her research team suggest that the exposure to these chemicals is playing a direct role in the cause, development and effects of the pandemic of these diseases. "Because of the similar trending in nearly all age groups within each disease category, this indicates that these overall trends are not due to an aging population. This relatively short time interval for such dramatic increases in death rates associated with these diseases is more consistent with exposure-related causes rather than genetic changes," Dr. de la Monte explained in a statement to the media. "Moreover, the strikingly higher and climbing mortality rates in older age brackets suggest that aging and/or longer durations of exposure have greater impacts on progression and severity of these diseases."
 
Nitrites and nitrates belong to a class of chemicals called nitrosamines that are created by a chemical reaction between nitrites or other proteins. They've long been shown to be harmful to both humans and animals. In fact, more than 90 percent of nitrosamines have been shown in tests to be carcinogens. However, they are allowed to be freely added to the US food supply. In fact, if you pick up a processed food package such as luncheon meat or bacon, certain beers and some cheese products, you are likely to find that they contain these chemicals. In addition, exposure to nitrates and nitrites are widely found in fertilizers, pesticides and cosmetics. Exposure also occurs through the manufacturing and processing of rubber and latex products.
 
Nitrosamines are problematic because they become reactive at the cellular level and that means they can alter gene expression and cause DNA damage. The new research suggests that the cellular alterations that occur as a result of nitrosamine exposure create a process much like accelerated aging in the body and that could spur on the development of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
 
"All of these diseases are associated with increased insulin resistance and DNA damage. Their prevalence rates have all increased radically over the past several decades and show no sign of plateau. Because there has been a relatively short time interval associated with the dramatic shift in disease incidence and prevalence rates, we believe this is due to exposure-related rather than genetic etiologies," Dr. de la Monte stated.
 
For the study, the researchers graphed and analyzed mortality rates and compared them with increasing age for each disease. Next the scientists looked at the growth of the US population and the annual use and consumption of nitrite-containing fertilizers, annual sales at popular fast food chains (which carry nitrate and nitrate containing foods), sales for a major meat processing company, and consumption of grain (often fertilized with nitrates). For a control, the research team also looked at statistics on the consumption of watermelon and cantaloupe -- foods that not typically associated with nitrate or nitrite exposure.
 
The results show that while nitrogen-containing fertilizer consumption increased by 230 percent between 1955 and 2005, its usage doubled between 1960 and 1980 -- and that's the time period just before the insulin-resistant epidemics of type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease began. What's more, the investigators also found fast food chain and the meat processing company sales increased more than eight fold from 1970 to 2005, and grain consumption increased five-fold. That means the US population has been exposed to dramatic increase in foods loaded with nitrates and nitrites.
 
Bottom line: the researchers think the increased prevalence rates of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes cannot be explained on the basis of gene mutations and, instead, are examples of toxin exposure-related disease. "If this hypothesis is correct, potential solutions include eliminating the use of nitrites and nitrates in food processing, preservation and agriculture; taking steps to prevent the formation of nitrosamines and employing safe and effective measures to detoxify food and water before human consumption," Dr. de la Monte, who is a professor of pathology and lab medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, said in a press statement.

Source article: www.naturalnews.com
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Previous Comments

Gemma commented on 22-Jul-2009 08:39 PM5 out of 5 stars
Does anyone know if this is the same for the UK?
Hanna commented on 22-Jul-2009 09:25 PM5 out of 5 stars
In Europe hidden in one of the E-numbers (I think E250)
It's what keeps meat from looking as old as it is (grey). Impossible to find anything in the deli section without. Better luck in the frozen department.
Joni Hofwolt commented on 23-Jul-2009 12:16 AM5 out of 5 stars
What can we as the public do to encourage our Congress to make changes in food processing?
Anonymous commented on 23-Jul-2009 12:47 AM5 out of 5 stars
"What can we as the public do to encourage our Congress to make changes in food processing?"

Give them as much money in campaign contributions as Big Agri-business & Big Pharma do.
Anonymous commented on 23-Jul-2009 08:51 AM5 out of 5 stars
Gemma, it doesn't matter where in the world it is. It stands to reason, if we are putting chemicals and poisons into our bodies, then of course people get sick. Maybe when the Monsanto's of the world are taken to task and made to pay for the harm their products are causing, and when common sense prevails in the farming sector (ie stop growing GM products and the terminator gene seed production) and in the food processing industries, then the cost of sickness in the community will come down and people will be healthier. Organically grown food is the only and best way to go.
Anonymous commented on 24-Jul-2009 10:48 AM5 out of 5 stars
Christine. Gods way is best. Read your Bible and find out for your self. As Gemma said, organically grown is the best.
Barbara Scott commented on 25-Jul-2009 12:57 AM5 out of 5 stars
Now is the time here in the States to talk about the effect of chemicals on our health. Health care reform should not be limited to how to pay for hospital/medical/pharmaceutical intervention. Teaching and practicing good healthy nutrition is the only way to get us out of the mess we're in. Tell Obama & your reps.
Healthpioner commented on 25-Jul-2009 07:07 PM5 out of 5 stars
@Hanna commented on 22-Jul-2009 09:2
Hello Hanna in Holland the AH supermarket hase a wide range of biological products.
One of these products is Cow Ham without these E250.
The label talkes about biological Natriumnitriet.
Anonymous commented on 28-Jul-2009 01:56 AM5 out of 5 stars
I've been saying this for YEARS.. I eliminated all processed food chemicals in 2002. This was back when it was really hard to find alternatives. Thankfully, there are many more processed food products on the market now, that are free of this junk.

I'm glad to see public awareness raising.
BJ commented on 28-Jul-2009 03:33 PM4 out of 5 stars
Big pharma and governments make more money from sick people than they do from healthy people, If you want to do something, choose carefully the food you eat, and products you put on your skin. Buy organic, non-processed, non-GMO, fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy. Don't buy monsanto products, this includes products containing aspertame, not just herbicides and pesticides. Letters of complaint, protests, or speaking to your government representatives don't work. Hit them in their pocket book and they might just listen.
Janet commented on 17-Nov-2009 10:29 AM5 out of 5 stars
As a Naturopath, I have learnt about this food contamination from the 70's, and watched the people get sicker and less intelligent since. Governments want you to eat these poisons, be less educated and decrease your living standards.
They then increase your taxes, take more control and ruin the environment. ie. global warming conspiracy..
The pharma companies increase profits and the medical increase there profits and client base, which they need to ensure a future market....
WHAT ARE YOU DOING
1/ HELPING VIA EATING POISONS
2/ REGULAR DATES WITH YOUR GP
3/ PAYING PRIVATE HAELTH FUNDS YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY
4/ BUYING DRUGS FROM LEGAL DRUG PEDDLERS (PAHRMACY)

If you answered yes to one or more of the above..reasses how you live..
Go see a Naturopath who is old school and take control of your body. Remember if you ruin your body where are you going to live?
Anonymous commented on 16-Jan-2012 01:15 AM5 out of 5 stars
I starting eating like this since 2009, wish I had much sooner. Hopefully I dodged the bullet. Everyday I am an advocate for my family and friends to read labels and buy organic .... I feel the difference!
shaun mcfarlin commented on 16-Jan-2012 01:16 AM5 out of 5 stars
I really am shocked to find out how dangerous the food i have been eating is. Need suggestions on what healty food products that are good for me at walmart. Is their tuna fish safe?What products can i buy as snacks that are safe at wal mart also safe micro
meals?
Eat Outside the Bag commented on 16-Jan-2012 10:31 PM5 out of 5 stars
You also have to worry about nitrates in your water, especially if you live in an area of heavy agriculture. A great reason to grow your own, buy organic local, avoid processed foods and filter you water!
Melissa T commented on 23-Jan-2012 12:35 PM5 out of 5 stars
@ Shaun, I would first ask why Walmart is your go-to for healthy food choices? Second, if you must shop there, read labels. Third, do some reading on tuna. It's mass-fished, packaged, and being a larger fish is heavy on toxins, and chemicals because of
its place in the food chain. If everyone ate as a pregnant woman should, I think we would all be healthier. Google 'nutrition during pregnancy'. Anything a pregnant woman should avoid, should be avoided by the whole in my opinion.
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