Titanium dioxide, a common ingredient found in sunscreens, paints and plastics, is also a food additive lurking in a host of supermarket foods, including everything from bread to chewing gum. A study has found that long-term ingestion of this chemical impairs the small intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients and serve as a barrier to pathogenic microbes.
Researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York tested the effects of titanium dioxide on a small intestinal cell culture model. They subjected the cells to a meal’s worth of the chemical’s nanoparticles for four hours to ascertain the response to acute exposure, as well as three meals’ worth for five days to determine the response to chronic exposure.
While the acute exposure didn’t produce an adverse effect, the chronic exposure “significantly decreased” the number of microvilli, which are absorptive projections on the surface of intestinal cells. This structure is essential to intestinal function, as the reduced amount resulted in slowed metabolism, a weakened intestinal barrier and lowered absorption of zinc, iron and fatty acids. In addition, inflammation increased and enzyme functions deteriorated.
“There has been previous work on how titanium oxide nanoparticles affects microvilli, but we are looking at much lower concentrations,” said study coauthor Gretchen Mahler, Biomedical Engineering Assistant Professor. “We also extended previous work to show that these nanoparticles alter intestinal function.”
Titanium Dioxide Is Hard to Avoid
Because the FDA has recognized titanium dioxide as safe, it is present in many food products. It imparts a smooth texture to some chocolates, gives a brighter appearance to skimmed milk and prevents caking in white sauces, along with providing color to donuts and adding abrasiveness to toothpastes.
Moreover, in a 2012 Arizona State University study that analyzed 89 food products, all were found to contain the chemical. The list included common supermarket items such as mayonnaise, Twinkies and gum.
“To avoid foods rich in titanium oxide nanoparticles, you should avoid processed foods, and especially candy. That is where you see a lot of nanoparticles,” Mahler said.
The research was published in NanoImpact.
Titanium Dioxide Initiates Early Stage of Cancer
Earlier this year, a study by the French National Institute for Agricultural Research found a link between exposure to titanium dioxide and cancer. Forty percent of the animals who took a regular oral dose of the chemical for 100 days developed carcinogenesis, the process of normal cells transforming into cancerous cells. In response, at least four food companies in France announced that they’ll remove the chemical from their products. The research was published in the journal Nature.
Titanium Dioxide May Lead to Neurological Disorders
Adding to the bad news about titanium dioxide, natural health practitioner Dr. Joseph Mercola reports that it may lead to genetic disorders and neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Aside from the concern about the chemical in food, he says it’s now used more often in personal care products, which presents the possibility of exposure through the skin.
As the researcher in the current study recommended, Mercola says to eat real food to minimize your exposure. He also advises limiting your use of sunscreen and making your own toothpaste out of coconut oil.
Sources:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452074816301185
http://www.binghamton.edu/us/story/417/food-additive-found-in-candy-chewing-gum-could-alter-digestive-cell-structu
http://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/titanium-dioxide-food-additive-under-review-after-study-finds-cancer-links-20170127-gu03ao.html
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/01/20/titanium-dioxide-nanoparticles-health-risks.aspx
Mary West is a natural health enthusiast, as she believes this area can profoundly enhance wellness. She is the creator of a natural healing website where she focuses on solutions to health problems that work without side effects. You can visit her site and learn more at http://www.alternativemedicinetruth.com. Ms. West is also the author of Fight Cancer Through Powerful Natural Strategies.
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