Common Food Additives May Be Linked To Crohn's Disease
Most of the foods that the average American eats have some sort of additive – chemicals used to color products, extend their shelf life, or change the texture of a food. Processed foods are where most additives are found, but are often in products like ice cream and packaged bread as well. Many of these additives have been under the microscope lately, as some have been found to be dangerous. A new study suggests that certain commonplace food additives may lead to painful bowel diseases Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, as well as some obesity-related conditions.
The study focused on the additive group called emulsifiers, which are found in many common food products. During mouse experiments, the researchers discovered that the emulsifiers could actually change the species composition of bacteria in the gut, which can induce inflammation of the intestines. This inflammation is associated with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, both of which can be extremely debilitating. It is also linked to metabolic syndrome, which consists of several conditions that increase risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
The number of people suffering from these inflammatory and metabolic conditions started rising in the mid-20th century, right around the same time that food makers began to use these emulsifiers across the board. Scientists looking for a cause and cure for these terrible illnesses figured that there must be an environmental factor to explain the increase in these conditions. And it seems as though they may have more evidence to support this theory than ever.
Immunologist Andrew Gewitz thought that the emulsifiers would be good candidates to test this theory. He said the use has basically paralleled the increase in chronic inflammatory disease. Still, Gewitz was surprised by how strong the effects and evidence turned out to be. However, it is hoped that more testing can be conducted on these additives in order to get a more definitive answer. With that, the millions of people suffering from these debilitating disorders may receive new information that could finally give them relief.
Chiropractic care may also help with severe inflammation. Misalignments within the spine and the joints can lead to blockages and ultimately mean that the blood is unable to properly circulate a certain area of the body. With regular chiropractic care, you are not only doing your part tor prevent inflammation, but also ensuing that the rest of your body is in good health, and equipping the body with the right tools to remain healthy.