Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) February 16, 2009

We have all heard of High Fructose Corn Syrup and it just sounds like a sugar additive right? So what’s the big deal? Well, let me ask you something. How would you feel if I told you that many of the products that you may be consuming and buying for your family are tainted with mercury? A very common ingredient in processed foods is High Fructose Corn Syrup. In the United States, several manufacturing plants where High Fructose Corn Syrup is made are using a mercury-grade caustic soda for the purpose of separating corn starch from the corn kernel in the process of making HFCS.

Some top name brands that you probably purchase in your local market that contain HFCS as the first or second ingredient are; Coca-Cola, Quaker, Hunt’s, Hershey’s, Kraft, General Mills, Smuckers, Yoplait and Nutri-Grain to name a few. Take a look at the list;

http://www.healthobservatory.org/library.cfm?refID=105040.

Mercury is an extremely high neurotoxin. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Mercury in all of its forms is toxic to the fetus and children, and efforts should be made to reduce exposure to the extent possible to pregnant women and children as well as the general population”.

Currently in the United States, we still have 4 plants that continue to utilize mercury-grade processes in their plants. These facilities are located in Georgia, Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia. What is concerning is that the general public has no way to know whether or not an item containing HFCS is coming from a plant that uses mercury cell processes. Until our government begins to regulate the way our manufacturing plants process high fructose corn syrup you are at risk to mercury exposure foods and beverages.

The best practice to avoid the possibility of exposure is to read the ingredients. If you see that the first or second ingredient listed is High Fructose Corn Syrup, you may want to reconsider your purchase.

Interesting Reads:

American Academy of Pediatrics: Mercury in the Environment

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;108/1/197

The Washington Post, January 26, 2009 – Study Finds HFCS Contains Mercury

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/26/AR2009012601831.html

WebMD, January 27, 2009 – Mercury in High Fructose Corn Syrup

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20090127/mercury-in-high-fructose-corn-syrup

Flu Shots January 22, 2009

I hear so many Mom’s, Dad’s, family members and friends talk about getting a flu shot. I try so hard sometime to keep my opinion to myself but at the same time have such an overwhelming urge to inform those who may not be aware of what they are putting into their bodies.  Pregnant women are warned against eating seafood during pregnancy because of the levels of mercury they may contain and the fact that it can cause birth defects. At the same time, the government recommends pregnant women, young children and elderly get a flu shot each year.  What is so bothersome to me is that same flu shot they are recommending contains Thimerosal which is a mercury containing preservative in many vaccines and flu shots.  Now maybe one flu shot of mercury might not affect you or appear to harm you but you have to wonder if it’s doing you any good either. So many times the flu shot that they give out at the beginning of flu season doesn’t even properly prevent you from getting the flu.  The government often finds that the flu strain is different and is not effective and then recommends a new flu shot. Each time someone gets another flu shot you are putting more mercury into your body.  Over years of exposure you are slowly poisoning your body.  Mercury is #3 most hazordous substance according to ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry).  Mercury concentrations have been found in patients with Alzeimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s, Autism and many other neurological disorders and diseases.  The good news is there are flu vaccines available today that do not contain mercury.  So why do we continue to offer a flu shot with a toxic ingredient?  I don’t have a clue but here is some information that you may find useful. Talk to your healthcare provider about the ingredients in your flu shot. Ask your provider to have one of the following types of vaccine avalaible to you and don’t forget to ask for the package insert when you go to get your shot. 

1. FluMist MedImmune – does not contain mercury and comes in a nasal spray vaccine approved for children 2 years and older.

2. Fluarix GlaxoSmithKline – does not contain mercury.

3. Fluzone Sanofi Pasteur – offers a mercury-free version. Ask your healthcare provider.

4. Fluzone prefilled syringe – does not contain mercury.

5. Afluria CSL Limited – offers a mercury-free version. Ask your healthcare provider.

6. Afluria prefilled syringe – does not contain mercury.

 

 

 

I obtained this flu shot information from http://www.safeminds.com which is a non-profit organization founded to investigate and raise awareness of the risks of exposure of mercury.

 

 

 

If you would like to see what ingredients are in your flu shots and vaccines, check out http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/additives.htm.

 

 

Flu shot second opinion article: http://secure.secondopinionnewsletter.com/scripts/previewArchive.aspx?AID=12

 

And for an interesting read, here is a story from 2005 out of Rolling Stone Magazine.

“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. investigates the government cover-up of a mercury/autism scandal “

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/7395411/deadly_immunity