But I don’t want my patients and readers to wait another three decades for the FDA to get with the program. Here are more common additives you should avoid…
- Potassium Bromate: This is a popular dough conditioner used in baked goods to improve texture and elasticity. It’s also a potential trainwreck for your health. Studies have linked potassium bromate to kidney and thyroid cancers.[sup]5[/sup] Like red dye no. 3, it’s been banned in the European Union, but remains legal for manufacturers in the U.S.
- Propylparaben: This is a very common preservative found not just in food, but also in over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and many popular cosmetic products. In cosmetics, it’s been known to cause irritation in the skin, and even allergic reactions. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Other studies have linked propylparaben to low testosterone, poor fertility, and even breast cancer.[sup]6[/sup]
- Titanium Dioxide: Manufacturers use titanium dioxide as a whitening agent for packaged foods like cadies, coffee creamers, and baking decorations. Researchers have identified it as a possible carcinogen and have even linked it to DNA damage in studies on animals.[sup]7[/sup]
