Preservatives/additives
Many chemicals are added to our foods to preserve the food and extend its shelf life, or to enhance flavor, thicken, emulsify (keep oil and water mixed together), pickle, or color. These are all chemicals that are not natural to the body. They have to be broken down by the liver and increase the toxic load and eventual buildup of toxins in the body. Your white blood cells have to remove them from your bloodstream by digesting them. This poses a major health threat, because if your white blood cells are wasting energy and effort eating your dinner or the preservatives and additives in your dinner, they cannot fight bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and cancer. This opens your body up to all kinds of diseases, especially cancer formation. Here are a few to give you an idea of their effect on your health.
BHA
This additive is used to preserve food containing oil; it slows rancidity. In 1982 it was found to induce tumors in the stomach of rats. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organization, considers BHA to be possibly carcinogenic to humans, and the State of California has listed it as a carcinogen.

BHT
This preservative is similar to BHA. Reports also show increased incidence of tumors with its use.
Artificial colorings
Synthetic food dyes have long been suspected of being a potential health hazard. Red Dye No. 3 has been banned for some purposes because it caused thyroid tumors in male rats. Yellow No. 5 is associated with allergic reactions in some people including hives, running or stuffy noses, and, occasionally, severe breathing difficulties. The Federal Drug Administration has estimated that between 47,000 and 94,000 Americans are sensitive to Yellow No. 5.

Aspartame (Nutrasweet, Equal)
Aspartame is dangerous to phenylketonurics (PKU), or people who don’t metabolize phenylalanine (which is in aspartame). High levels of this amino acid can lead to mental retardation.
Other studies have shown other possible effects from aspartame use. They include altered brain function, behavior changes, dizziness, headaches, epileptic-like seizures, and menstrual problems. Even more alarming is the study that showed an increased risk of brain tumors.

Nitrites and nitrates
Sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate are used to preserve meat and keep its red color. Nitrates are not harmful until they are converted into nitrites in the body; then the nitrites combine with another compound in the body called secondary amines to form nitrosamines, extremely potent cancer-causing chemicals. Philip Hartman, Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins University has stated that nitrites have long been a significant cause of stomach cancer.

Additives and hyperactivity
In 1989, a study looked at children’s behavior after making several dietary changes. The study involved 24 hyperactive boys between the ages of 31⁄2 and six. All had sleep problems or physical symptoms such as stuffy noses or stomachaches. In the study, the children were fed a vitamin-rich diet including special food that was low in sugar, and food devoid of colorings, flavorings, MSG, caffeine, preservatives, chocolate, dairy products, and other substances that parents said might affect their child. After four weeks on the diet, 10 of the boys averaged a 45% improvement in behavior, and more than half showed some improvement.

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