by: Lori Alton, staff writer | February 21, 2019
Aluminum-foil, lightweight, flexible, versatile and convenient to use, aluminum foil has been a staple of countless American households for over a hundred years. But, could this trusted product be linked with the soaring rates of Alzheimer’s disease? Many natural health experts think so and the science clearly warns us about the dangers.
The numbers are staggering: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), ‘nearly 35.6 million people live with dementia – with that number expected to double by 2030 and more than triple by 2050.’
Keep in mind (no pun intended), some research suggests that cooking with aluminum foil can almost quadruple the aluminum content in food – a truly disturbing finding. Let’s take a closer look at the real risks associated with aluminum in aluminum foil and other products like, cookware and even vaccines.
Alert: Aluminum is a neurotoxic metal with an undeniable reality related to human health
While aluminum, the third most common element on the planet, exists naturally in the environment, it has no identifiable biological function in the human body. In fact, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has classified aluminum as a neurotoxin.
Although aluminum serves no purpose in the human body, it has no trouble entering the system. With literally hundreds of commercial applications, aluminum is present in health and beauty products, medications, foods – and even infant formula. And, yes, it’s also used (heavily) as an ‘additive’ in many common vaccines.
Over time, aluminum accumulates in the brain, lungs, kidney, liver and thyroid, where it causes the production of excess free radicals. These, in turn, lead to harmful oxidation, tissue damage and inflammation. In addition, aluminum can affect skeletal mineralization, and – by interfering with bone calcification and competing with fluoride – contribute to cavities.
Aluminum also impairs iron metabolism (contributing to anemia) and interferes with the neurotransmitters needed for restful sleep, stable mood and cognition – such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.
Research has shown that aluminum affects brain health by reducing the growth rate of brain cells, and animal studies have revealed that aluminum exposure is linked to cognitive problems.
Finally, aluminum exposure is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is currently nearing epidemic status in the United States.
According to Dr. Edward Group, early symptoms of aluminum exposure include depression, headaches, abnormal heartbeat, dry skin, gastrointestinal complaints and frequent colds and infections. More severe symptoms of aluminum toxicity can include paralytic muscular conditions, memory loss and confusion.
Study: Wrapping foods in aluminum foil causes aluminum concentration to skyrocket. In countless kitchens and backyards across the country, meat, fish and vegetables are routinely wrapped in aluminum foil prior to cooking or grilling. A new study, conducted by researchers in the UAE and Egypt and published in International Journal of Electrochemical Science, highlights the hazards of this common technique.
The team found that the use of aluminum foil for cooking contributes significantly to the daily intake of aluminum – with aluminum leaching out into food in levels well above the permissible limits designated by the World Health Organization.
Shockingly, the researchers found that foil cooking increased the aluminum concentration in meat by 89 to 378 percent – and in chicken by 76 to 215 percent. The temperature, cook time and fat content of the foods all affected aluminum concentrations. Cooking at higher temperatures caused higher concentrations of aluminum, with turkey and chicken breast absorbing more aluminum than less-fatty legs and wings. In addition, the team found that more acidic foods – such as lemons and tomatoes – garnered more aluminum than more alkaline foods.
The researchers concluded that aluminum foil is “not suitable for cooking” – especially where acidic and highly-spiced foods are concerned – and warned that excessive consumption of foil-baked foods may carry a “serious health risk.”
Researchers say: Aluminum is a significant cause of brain inflammation and age-related neurological disorders
Research has shown that aluminum triggers oxidative stress in the brain – and creates neurofibrillary tangles similar to those seen in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
An increasing body of evidence implicates aluminum in Alzheimer’s disease.
A 2014 review published in the peer-reviewed journal Toxicology concluded that prolonged exposure to even low levels of aluminum are associated with brain aging and neurodegeneration.
Researchers at the University School of Medicine in Belgrade concur, maintaining that it is “likely” that long-term use of drinking water with a high aluminum content is associated with higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The risk increases with a water pH equal to or less than 7.0, and with low fluoride concentration.
Note: “Acid rain” – rainfall made acidic by atmospheric pollution – can heighten aluminum levels in the water supply. Experts say that acid rain mobilizes aluminum-containing minerals into ionic aluminum – a more soluble form of the element – causing it to find its way into residential water reservoirs.
Combat aluminum exposure with natural detoxifiers
You can substantially cut your aluminum exposure by being vigilant about the products you use and consume. As a top priority, get rid of aluminum foil from your kitchen, and opt for glass, stainless steel or ceramic cookware – whenever possible.
Avoid processed & frozen foods – which tend to feature aluminum in their packaging. Choose sea salt rather than table salt.
Check labels of all health and beauty products – including antiperspirants, deodorants and facial scrubs – and of medications, particularly antacids.
Of course, in order to avoid aluminum in your drinking water, a high-quality water filter is a must.
Natural detoxifiers of aluminum include cruciferous vegetables – such as Brussels sprouts, cabbage and broccoli – and members of the allium family, such as garlic and onions. These sulfur-rich foods help to produce and recycle glutathione, the body’s ‘master antioxidant.’
Other stand-out metal detoxifiers include chlorella, cilantro, high-dose vitamin C and the amino acid N-acetyl-cysteine.
Finally, turmeric is an excellent choice for alleviating adverse effects from aluminum. This brilliant yellow spice is high in curcumin, a flavonoid which reduces oxidative stress and targets the beta-amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
To address aluminum toxicity, many integrative healthcare providers recommend performing a toxic metal cleanse. For details about how to do this safely, ask your doctor for help. (caution is required.)
While you can’t entirely eliminate aluminum from your life, you can greatly reduce your exposure, mitigate adverse effects – and help to protect yourself and your loved ones from the threat of Alzheimer’s disease plus many other neurodegenerative conditions.
Sources for this article include: NIH.gov, Who.int, GlobalHealingCenter.com, NaturalHealth365, NIH.gov, NIH.gov
At Soups On Main, we never use aluminum foil products for anything. We don’t cook in aluminum. Stainless steel, glass and ecologically sound paper products are all you’ll find here. We care. Your health and wellness depend on it. Share this with friends and family and help us be “A Voice For Change” at Soups On Main.
