Food Additives: Sulfites

Weekly Scripture:
"...If any man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book " Revelation 22:18

Weekly Quote:
"The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease." Thomas A. Edison

Sulfites

In many of the health and nutrition books I have read, they often mention that eating dried fruits is good, especially if they are soaked overnight in water first and also if they have not been preserved with sulfites. They never explained exactly why sulfites are bad and so I decided to do a little internet research on the subject. I learned a lot more about them, but my curiosity has not been completely satisfied yet.

What are Sulfites Used for?

Sulfites are used mainly as antioxidants to prevent light-colored fruits and vegetables from discoloring, such as apricots, apples, and potatoes. But they are also used in wine-making to inhibit bacterial growth, in bleaching food starches, as preventives against rust and scale in boiler water used in making steam that will come in contact with food, and some are even used in the production of cellophane for food packaging. Sulfites are found in almost everything including baked goods, dairy products, luncheon meats,concentrated fruit juices (including lemon juice), dried fruits, prepackaged foods, molasses, wine and beer. (http://www.nettally.com/prusty/foodpres.htm).

Forms of Sulfites
I was astonished to find this out because I had no idea how rampantly they were used! I felt like producing all my own foods and never going to the grocery store again!. Sulfites are used in several different forms and their names will appear on food labels as:
Sulfur dioxide
Sodium sulfite
Sodium & Potassium bisulfite
Sodium & Potassium metabisulfites

Effects of Sulfites on the Body
In searching for the effects sulfites have on the human body, I discovered several things. First of all, sulfites destroy Vitamin B1 (thiamine). Whether this happens in the body or just in the foods they are preserving, I don't know. I do know that they have been banned from foods that are sources of this vitamin. I'm not sure exactly what foods this ban includes, but I do know that sources of B1 are meats, beans, peas, peanuts, fish, whole wheat, wheat germ, and enriched flour, so I assume sulfites have been banned in foods such as these.

Another thing I discovered is that some people may have violent, allergic reactions to sulfites, especially those who already have asthma. Sulfites may be associated with hayfever, trigger an asthma attack, anaphylactic shock, or even death. In 1985, sulfites were banned from being used on fresh fruits and vegies because of these problems. However, they may still be used on potatoes, so beware of any potatoes (especially french fries) that come from a restaurant.

Most of the information about sulfites focused on these allergic reactions to sulfites, but since I don't have those problems, I wanted to know what they do to someone without allergies? What happens in the long run? Do they build up in the body eventually causing problems or are they broken down or what? As my research continued I found out several more things. In an article on sulfites in wine, it was noted that sulfur dioxide is produced by the human body at about 1 gram/day, although nothing was said about where or how or for what purpose it produced. It was also mentioned that some people are deficient in the natural enzyme to break this down, so I assume most people can break it down in their bodies. I really need to review my biology!.(http://www.waterhouse.ucdavis.edu/winecomp/so2.htm.)

Several other interesting things this article mentioned are that all wines contain sulfites because yeasts naturally produce them in the fermenting process; sulfites can be removed, in theory, by hydrogen peroxide (although little is known about this procedure); and that sulfites do not cause headaches.

Nutritional Help for Detoxifying Sulfites
Two nutritional factors that help the body in breaking down sulfites are Vitamin B12 and a trace mineral called molybdenum. B12 seems to help detox sulfites from the body, and molybdenum is a component of the enzyme sulfite oxidase, which also helps detoxify sulfites from the body. Sources of B12 (which I listed in my last article) are mainly meats, dairy products, and supplemented foods like cold cereals. Sources of molybdenum include beans, whole grains, cereals, milk, and dark green leafy vegetables.

Conclusion on Sulfites
Sulfites seem to not be as great a health threat as I first thought they were, although I still do not know anything about their long-term effects and do not want to find out the hard way. I am still suspicious of them and feel it is best to avoid them as much as possible. This may be difficult because they are in so many, many foods, (especially processed foods), but by reading labels I can avoid these foods and by including in my diet as many whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegies as I can, I will be protecting my health and not leaving it in the hands of those commercial producers who don't care much about anything but my money.

Other articles you may want to read:
http://www.whfoods.com
http://www.vitalearth.org/nutrient_robbers.htm
http://www.healthychristianliving.com/asthma.htm

Vitamin B12

Weekly Scripture:
"Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;" Doctrine and Covenants 89:12

Weekly Quote:
"The first wealth is health." Emerson

I was talking to my mom a few weeks ago and she mentioned something about wanting to know more about Vitamin B12. I believe my grandma had to get monthly shots of this vitamin in the last years of her life, and my mom was worried that maybe she, herself, has a deficiency of it. I wanted to know more about this vitamin, and when I overheard my brother-in-law mention that he was getting his vitamin B12 for the day as he loaded his plate up with meat at a restaurant buffet, my curiostiy was peaked.

So I turned to the internet and found a couple of good resources: http://www.vegsoc.org and http://ods.od.nih.gov. They were simple, easy to understand, and answered many of my questions about the vitamin.

What is Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is one of the B-complex vitamins necessary for maintaining good health. It is also known as cobalamin because it contains cobalt. It is needed in the body for synthesis of DNA and red blood cells, for maintenance of the nervous system, and for the growth and development of children.

Sources of Vitamin B12

B12 is synthesized by bacteria and is found mainly in meats, eggs, and dairy products. Researchers are unsure if there are any vegetable sources of it, so these cannot be relied upon. According to 2 suveys taken 10 years or so ago, most people in the US consumme recommended amounts of vitamin B12. However, there is a concern for vegetarians who avoid all animal products. They must take extra care in their food choices to ensure they are getting the recommended amounts of B12, especially those who are pregnant or nursing. There are many food products that are supplemented with B12, such as breakfast cereals, soy milks, textured vegetable protein, some margarines, and vegie burger mixes.

Bacteria in the colon produce B12 in our bodies, but it is thought that this is not a good source because the large intestine does not absorb many nutrients. However, in less developed countries that use human feces as fertilizer, vegetables grown in these soils and are faecally contaminated are responsible for a good supply of B12.

Vitamin B12 Deficiencies

Deficiencies of Vitamin B12 show general symptoms which could be signs of other problems, so evaluation by a doctor is required before diagnosing B12 deficiency. Symptoms include anemia, fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, difficulty maintaining balance, depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory, and soreness of mouth and tongue. In infants, signs may include failure to thrive, movement disorders, delayed development, and megablastic anemia.

How Vitamin B12 Works

Vitamin B12 is bound to protein in food, which is released in the stomach by hydrochloric acid. It then combines with a substance the body makes called Intrinsic Factor (IF). It is then able to be absorbed in the small intestine and put to use by the body.

Problems arise sometimes in older people who are no longer able to produce enough hydorchloric acid because of a gastric inflammatory disease (atrophic gastritis). By taking vitamin supplements or eating Vitamin B fortified foods, these people can get their full amount of the vitamin, as this form is more easily absorbable.

Some medications also interfere with the absorption of Vitamin B12. These include some drugs used to treat gastoesophageal reflux disease, some used to treat peptic ulcer disease, and Metformin, a drug used to treat diabetes.

There are also individuals who cannot produce the IF, and therefore, cannot absorb Vitamin B12 at all. These people must be given injections of B12 initially to replenish their bodies stores of it.

There is much more detailed information in the websites from which I have taken this information, but these were some of the main points. There is still much research being done on this vitamin as to its sources and deficiency problems, especially it's play in the disease of dementia. I look forward to learning results of these studies in the future.

What's Important In Life?

Weekly Scripture:
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." Matthew 6:19

The Purpose of Life

I believe each of us has many purposes in this life. I also believe that this life was not the beginning of us, nor will it be the end. We lived before we were born on earth and when we die, we will still be living, but in a different realm and temporarily without our physical bodies. We are here to gain experiences and to learn, grow, and be tested and tried. These are all wonderful and good purposes, but how does this relate to everyday life?

Setting Goals

One of the most important things we can do for ourselves is to set goals so that we know where we're going and what we're trying to achieve. It's very important to have those goals before us at all times so that we don't get distracted. My biggest goal in life is to live so that one day I will obtain eternal life. This affects the small and the big decisions I make every day. Sometimes, I must admit, it is easy to lose sight of this goal by getting caught up in other smaller goals such as making, saving, and spending money. Daily decisions such as what to eat, what to wear, and how to spend my time, also clutter my mind. Every once in a while, the question comes to me, "When I'm old and gray sitting in my rocking chair and looking back on my life, what things will bring joy to my soul? What things will I regret?"

What Really Matters in Life?

I happened to read a quote this week that brought this question again to my mind. It is by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. He said, "Let us not live a life...that would bring regret....It is not going to matter very much how much money you made, what kind of a house you lived in, what kind of a car you drove, the size of your bank account - any of those things. What is going to matter is that dear woman who has walked with you side by side as your companion through all of the years of life and those children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren and their faithfulness and their looking to you...with respect and love and deference and kindness...
"The only things you will take with you, when all is said and done, are your family relationships...God bless us to be good fathers, ...good parents, and good husbands to our good wives."

Pres. Hinckley is right! When we die, we can't take any material possessions with us and ultimately they won't or shouldn't matter. The most important thing is to cultivate our relationships with our families and friends because these can last forever, even after death.

In the Bible

My husband and I have been reading a chapter in the New Testament every night, and last night we happened to read a passage where Christ himself discussed this subject. In Luke 12:16-23 Christ gives a parable of a man who's land made him very prosperous. He became so prosperous that he decided he needed bigger barns to store everything and he felt at ease and content that his worldly goods were so abundant. He went to bed, not knowing that his life would end that night and then who would possess all his goods? Not he! Jesus said, "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Becoming rich toward God involves selflessness, putting others before yourself, obeying the commandments, serving, doing unto others as you would have done unto you, being a good parent and spouse, and just being nice. When I look back, will I regret not spending more hours at work? Will I regret not washing my car more often? Will I regret not spending more time watching TV? I don't think so. I think I will wish I had spent more time with my family, that I'd called my parents more often, and that we'd had more family get-togethers. I feel that developing good relationships with others is really what it's all about, and now is the time to do something about it so that that old gray lady will have more thoughts of joy than of regret when she looks back.