Lesson 3: Processed Kids

To improve shelf life To improve flavor Keep their color As a way to make a profit – may own ingredients

 Consumer Advocacy Group  Watchdog of the food industry  Deemed some artificial additives and preservatives as unsafe  Many once considered safe now known to cause allergies and even cancer

How Many Cells Does Your Brain Have? 100 BILLION

 Neurons  Neuralgia or glia (means glue)

 Cells within the brain consisting of: Cell body - Dendrites - Axon

 Cell Body  Enlarged part of the cell  Houses the nucleus  Nutritional hub  Contains macromolecules (VERY LARGE)  Dendrites  Pick up electrical impulses from neighboring cells  Transmits these impulses to the cell body

 Large branching cell structure  Carries electrical impulses away from the cell body to other cells  Transmission called a synapse  Triggers the release of chemicals called neurotransmitters

 Peptide  Regulate appetite, mood and feelings of pain  Biogenic Amine  Improves memory and ability to learn  Regulates happiness  Helps control impulses  Dendrites  Induces excitement in the brain or fast signaling between neurons

These chemicals have neurotoxin* properties *A substance that can injure or cause problems with the neurons in the brain

 They are not food  Artificial colorings made from coal-tar  Liver detoxifies chemicals  Affect the balance of neurotransmitters leading to aggression, asthma, eczema and headaches  Connected to ADHD

 No solid evidence either way  Individuals eat a variety of these chemicals everyday  Difficult to pinpoint  Environmental factors can also contribute to brain cell damage

 BHA and BHT  Found in cookies, crackers and chips  Same chemicals found in embalming fluid

 Keeps oil from going rancid  Found in cereals, chewing gums, potato chips and vegetable oils  US Dept. of Health and Human Services – “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen”  FDA still allows it

 Used as a flavor enhancer  Found in potato chips, snack foods, soups, salad dressings, restaurant foods, boxed foods and more!  Known to cause “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome”  Not allowed in baby foods

 Heating sugars with ammonium compounds, acids or alkalis  Found in colas, baked goods, pre- cooked meats, soy sauce and chocolate flavored foods  California Public Health – “known carcinogen”  CSPI is asking for ban

 Artificial Sweetener  Found in diet foods, soft drinks, drink mixes, gelatin desserts, low-calorie foods and sugar-free packets  Causes cancer, neurological issues, hallucinations or dizziness and digestive distress  Long-term effects not known  CSPI recommends against

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