Hazards of Plastic and of Cooking in microwave ovens
Cooking food in microwave ovens, alters the food by causing cross linkages between protein and carbohydrate molecules to form synthetic glycoproteins. In a significant percentage (about 30%) of people, the body is unable to break down these synthetic glycoproteins. These glycoproteins can accumulate on the absorbing surface of the intestine forming an impermeable plastic-like layer. This layer can interfere with the absorption of carbohydrate and water soluble vitamins like Vitamin B & C leading to indigestion, malabsorption, irritable bowels, malnutrition and fatigue. This also interferes with the absorption of Iodine and can lead to hypothyroidism.
This glycoprotein sticks to the lining of the colon irritating it. This chronic irritation can lead to polyps in the colon & colon cancer. The rise in colon cancer in western countries has coincided with the increasing use of microwave ovens to cook & heat food.
Fats can be absorbed through this layer so the person develops a craving for fatty foods resulting in weight gain and obesity. This layer can be removed by eating foods rich in fibre like raw vegetables, fruit, whole grain flours, oats, beans or psyllium husk.
Microwave radiation also converts amino acids into forms not found in nature and some of these are carcinogenic.
Microwaving food in plastic containers releases cancer causing substances called dioxins which often cause breast cancer. Instant noodles, soups, foods covered with cling wrap all release dioxin when heated in a microwave oven. If the foods contain fat, the dioxin is absorbed by the fat and easily absorbed in the body as dioxins are fat soluble.
A similar layer of plastic can be formed in the intestine by eating food, or drinking milk & water packed in plastic bags or bottles which are not food grade. This indigestible plastic-like residue irritates the intestine and predisposes to colon cancer, anemia and shortage of fat soluble vitamins.
Similarly the plasticizer used in Cling wrap film is carcinogenic. Hence cling wrap film should never be used in direct contact with food. The use of this film to wrap sandwiches, cut fruit and vegetables is a bad idea. If it is to be used put the food in a glass container and wrap it with the film in a way that there is no possibility for the food to touch the film.
Bottled water sold in PET bottles is generally assumed to be safer than drinking water straight from the tap. This is not necessarily true as some research has shown that water kept in PET bottles acquires antimony from the bottles. This is greatly accelerated when the PET bottles are exposed to sunlight. Antimony is used in the manufacture of the PET. To avoid this hazard, buy fresh bottled water with a manufacturing date as close as possible to the current date. This contamination with antimony increases with the length of storage and is usually significant when bottled water is stored for 3 months or more. Antimony can cause depression and a feeling of being ill.
Re-using your disposable mineral water or cola bottles, (PET bottles meant for single use) can also be dangerous. Reusing these bottles is not a good idea as the plastic (called poly ethylene tetraphthalate or PET) used to make these bottles may contain a potentially carcinogenic substance called di-ethyl hydroxyl amine or DEHA.
Bottles marked as #1 or #7 PETE contain BPA (Bis-phenol A a chemical which affects the reproductive system and predisposes to cancers of the breast, ovary and prostate. These bottles are designed for one-time use. They should not be repeatedly reused for more than a few days and should be kept away from heat. Repeated washing, rinsing and deformation of the bottle can cause the plastic to break down and the carcinogens (cancer-causing chemical agents) can contaminate the water that YOU are drinking.
It is healthier to use glass bottles or invest in bottles that are really meant for multiple use, like poly carbonate bottles. Pet bottles should also not be frozen as freezing the bottles releases dioxins which are cancer causing. Bottles made labeled at the bottom with #2 HDPE ( high density polyethylene), #4 LDPE(low density polyethylene) or #5 PP (Polypropylene) are safer alternatives to use than PET bottles.
The disposal of these plastic bottles of drinking water is a huge problem as these accumulate in the environment causing huge quantities of waste and as they degrade in sunlight and over time they release dioxins into the environment which eventually contaminates the water you are drinking. Unfortunately most methods of water purification do not remove dioxins. I recommend only use bottled water when traveling or when a clean source of drinking water is not available. I personally use a stainless steel water bottle while traveling. It is safe & reusable and does not contaminate the environment.
The great increase of colon and other cancers in "developed countries" is directly related to the increasing use of plastic, carcinogenic substances like pesticides, preservatives, colorings & microwave ovens. Fifty years ago colon cancer in the US was 0.5% of all cancers. Today it is estimated that one in seven Americans will get colon cancer. The increasing consumption of highly processed foods, and the lack of fibre in western diets with more consumption of junk foods has contributed to this trend. Eating organically grown foods and eating more high fibre foods like unrefined cereal, raw or semi cooked vegetables and fruit can help reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Cooking food in microwave ovens, alters the food by causing cross linkages between protein and carbohydrate molecules to form synthetic glycoproteins. In a significant percentage (about 30%) of people, the body is unable to break down these synthetic glycoproteins. These glycoproteins can accumulate on the absorbing surface of the intestine forming an impermeable plastic-like layer. This layer can interfere with the absorption of carbohydrate and water soluble vitamins like Vitamin B & C leading to indigestion, malabsorption, irritable bowels, malnutrition and fatigue. This also interferes with the absorption of Iodine and can lead to hypothyroidism.
This glycoprotein sticks to the lining of the colon irritating it. This chronic irritation can lead to polyps in the colon & colon cancer. The rise in colon cancer in western countries has coincided with the increasing use of microwave ovens to cook & heat food.
Fats can be absorbed through this layer so the person develops a craving for fatty foods resulting in weight gain and obesity. This layer can be removed by eating foods rich in fibre like raw vegetables, fruit, whole grain flours, oats, beans or psyllium husk.
Microwave radiation also converts amino acids into forms not found in nature and some of these are carcinogenic.
Microwaving food in plastic containers releases cancer causing substances called dioxins which often cause breast cancer. Instant noodles, soups, foods covered with cling wrap all release dioxin when heated in a microwave oven. If the foods contain fat, the dioxin is absorbed by the fat and easily absorbed in the body as dioxins are fat soluble.
A similar layer of plastic can be formed in the intestine by eating food, or drinking milk & water packed in plastic bags or bottles which are not food grade. This indigestible plastic-like residue irritates the intestine and predisposes to colon cancer, anemia and shortage of fat soluble vitamins.
Similarly the plasticizer used in Cling wrap film is carcinogenic. Hence cling wrap film should never be used in direct contact with food. The use of this film to wrap sandwiches, cut fruit and vegetables is a bad idea. If it is to be used put the food in a glass container and wrap it with the film in a way that there is no possibility for the food to touch the film.
Bottled water sold in PET bottles is generally assumed to be safer than drinking water straight from the tap. This is not necessarily true as some research has shown that water kept in PET bottles acquires antimony from the bottles. This is greatly accelerated when the PET bottles are exposed to sunlight. Antimony is used in the manufacture of the PET. To avoid this hazard, buy fresh bottled water with a manufacturing date as close as possible to the current date. This contamination with antimony increases with the length of storage and is usually significant when bottled water is stored for 3 months or more. Antimony can cause depression and a feeling of being ill.
Re-using your disposable mineral water or cola bottles, (PET bottles meant for single use) can also be dangerous. Reusing these bottles is not a good idea as the plastic (called poly ethylene tetraphthalate or PET) used to make these bottles may contain a potentially carcinogenic substance called di-ethyl hydroxyl amine or DEHA.
Bottles marked as #1 or #7 PETE contain BPA (Bis-phenol A a chemical which affects the reproductive system and predisposes to cancers of the breast, ovary and prostate. These bottles are designed for one-time use. They should not be repeatedly reused for more than a few days and should be kept away from heat. Repeated washing, rinsing and deformation of the bottle can cause the plastic to break down and the carcinogens (cancer-causing chemical agents) can contaminate the water that YOU are drinking.
It is healthier to use glass bottles or invest in bottles that are really meant for multiple use, like poly carbonate bottles. Pet bottles should also not be frozen as freezing the bottles releases dioxins which are cancer causing. Bottles made labeled at the bottom with #2 HDPE ( high density polyethylene), #4 LDPE(low density polyethylene) or #5 PP (Polypropylene) are safer alternatives to use than PET bottles.
The disposal of these plastic bottles of drinking water is a huge problem as these accumulate in the environment causing huge quantities of waste and as they degrade in sunlight and over time they release dioxins into the environment which eventually contaminates the water you are drinking. Unfortunately most methods of water purification do not remove dioxins. I recommend only use bottled water when traveling or when a clean source of drinking water is not available. I personally use a stainless steel water bottle while traveling. It is safe & reusable and does not contaminate the environment.
The great increase of colon and other cancers in "developed countries" is directly related to the increasing use of plastic, carcinogenic substances like pesticides, preservatives, colorings & microwave ovens. Fifty years ago colon cancer in the US was 0.5% of all cancers. Today it is estimated that one in seven Americans will get colon cancer. The increasing consumption of highly processed foods, and the lack of fibre in western diets with more consumption of junk foods has contributed to this trend. Eating organically grown foods and eating more high fibre foods like unrefined cereal, raw or semi cooked vegetables and fruit can help reduce the risk of colon cancer.