For the last several years, mainstream media has been flooded with the rhetoric of self-improvement. Every day brings new advice from exercise gurus, organic enthusiasts, wellness advisors and inevitably, the miraculous powers of a yet another superfood.
And legions of dedicated listeners buy the cookbook, stock the pantry with quinoa, protein powder and kale, and march off to hot yoga. We only buy organic. We scrutinize food labels for chemical additives. Short of demanding a food safety certificate, we go to the limit to ensure what we eat is pure.
Hidden Health Risks
Ironically, new test data reveals that some of the health foods we rely on most are contaminated with an unexpected invader: toxic heavy metals. Flying under the radar of mainstream media and immune to government regulation, heavy metals pose serious health risks when consumed regularly.
Check out these 3 common “health food” offenders:
1. Rice protein powder
A recent investigation led by food safety whistleblower Mike Adams (Natural News) revealed that many rice protein powders labeled organic actually contain high levels of lead, cadmium and tungsten. The presence of these toxic heavy metals is not declared on packaging even though their regular ingestion can lead to cancer and heart disease. Adams suggests steering clear of rice protein and opting instead for vegan alternatives.
2. Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is one of North America’s top selling herbs, used to treat everything from Alzheimer’s and depression to sexual dysfunction.
A recent Natural News investigation revealed that processed Gingko – commonly used to boost brain function – often contains shocking levels of lead, a toxic heavy metal linked to impaired cognition and even cancer. Imports from China were the most contaminated, released onto the open market with little to no testing, or government regulation. Starwest Botanicals were the biggest offenders, while Gaia products were virtually lead-free.
3. Cacao powder
Cacao is embraced by health enthusiasts for its flavonoid content –antioxidants believed to boost health and even extend life. In another alarming food safety training lab session, Adams found that many cacao powders contain toxic levels of cadmium. Long term exposure to cadmium causes respiratory illness, damages bones, and impairs kidney function.
How can you protect yourself?
Check the import label. Locally sourced products fared better in Adams’ forensic food safety certification tests. Asian imports, such as the rice protein powders and gingko are particularly dangerous. In fact, China recently admitted that one fifth of its soil is contaminated with industrial waste – poisons that include arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. In the absence of official regulations or in-house tests, these products have flooded the global supply chain; toxins masquerading as health boosting super foods.
Do you believe officials should enforce a total recall of foods exposed as heavy metal-toxic?