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*Nitrites* When you go to buy any packaged product please read the label and look for the words Sodium Nitrite/Nitrate! This preservative, used primarily to combat botulism, during cooking combines with the amines (amino acid building block of all cells) in meat to form a carcinogenic compound N-nitroso. These compounds have been associated with cancer of the oral cavity, urinary bladder, esophagus, stomach and brain, increased risk of brain tumors and leukemia in children from birth to age 10. Pregnant mothers can pass the nitrites/nitrates they consume into the fetus. WHAT FOODS CONTAIN NITRITES/NITRATES? Any cured meat such as bacon, ham, fish or lunch meat. Any canned meat item such as chili, potted ham, spam and salad dressings. Virtually any packaged food can contain Nitrites because it is also used to maintain an appealing color such as the rich red color of hot dogs. WHAT DO I BUY WITHOUT NITRITES? Whole Foods and other health food stores carry a broad selection of meat products that you can substitute for the bad guys. Trader Joe's has some items too. Look for roast beef slices, smoked chicken and turkey, uncured ham, hot dogs, knackwurst and other sausages many without beef and very delicious. They even have vegetarian hot dogs that are difficult to differentiate from the nasty nitrite/nitrate containing hot dogs. Remember the part about the color preservation from Nitrites/Nitrates? Expect the good dogs to be more toward a brown color. TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE AND HEALTH Ask your grocer to carry meats without Nitrites/Nitrates. Remember if Whole Foods can sell them so can Ralphs and Trader Joes. Demand that your child's school serve non-Nitrite/Nitrate hot dogs and lunch meats. Call the office for references and the Cancer Prevention Coalition (School of Public Health) to educate the school principal. McBRIDE-LOGAN WELLBEING CENTER Dr. Nancy McBride, Chiropractor |