The docs: Avoid these food additives that cause “leaky gut”

ESPN’s Fantasy Football had to create The Undroppable Players List: Players who can’t be sent to waivers/free agency. The goal of the regulation? To prevent out-of-contention fantasy owners from dropping star players so a buddy could pick them up and improve his or her team’s chances.

Well, the woefully under-regulated processed-food industry has been allowed to come up with its own version; we call it the Unpalatable Players List, and its effect is just the opposite. Instead of preserving the integrity of processed food, it makes a roster of products that are seriously health-damaging.

In a recent study, researchers laid out evidence that the increase in autoimmune diseases (Type 1 diabetes, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory joint diseases, primary biliary cirrhosis, etc.) is a result of the consumption of food additives that cause “leaky gut.” They compromise the integrity of the intestine’s walls and allow bad guys to sneak into the bloodstream, where they set off immune system alarms triggering an autoimmune response.

Among the culprits are emulsifiers, organic solvents, nanoparticles and microbial transglutaminase. Emulsifiers keep ingredients in processed foods well-blended. One organic solvent, hexane, is used to extract about 60 million tons of oils (mostly soy) annually. Microbial transglutaminase improves texture and appearance in meats and baked goods. Nanoemulsions protect oils and oil-soluble flavors, vitamins and nutraceuticals. These guys are everywhere and virtually invisible.

Clearly, here’s another reason to cook using fresh produce; vegetable proteins like nuts, seeds, beans and quinoa; trout and wild salmon; and 100 percent whole grains. Do you have the guts for it?

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 4:24 PM with the headline "The docs: Avoid these food additives that cause “leaky gut”."