How much do you know about chemicals?

Chemicals are everywhere. In fact, they make up our food, bodies and environment. If it consists of matter, it contains chemicals. Zinc and oxygen are chemicals, as are salt and that apple you’re eating – albeit, a complex assortment of.

However, the word ‘chemical’ has become synonymous with something artificial or harmful to health. Terms like ‘chemical free’ and ‘no nasty chemicals’ have confused the true meaning of ‘chemical’, which is really just a simple scientific description of… just about everything!

There are certainly undesirable chemicals – both natural and artificial – and today we’ll help you identify them. But for now, when your friends say: But, it contains chemicals…! You can respond with: …a substance made up of two or more elements? Sounds delicious!

What makes a chemical toxic?

Often, it’s the dose.

Water is a chemical necessary for life, but can be toxic in large amounts.

Similarly, all vitamins are chemicals. When taking vitamin B, A, C or D at the right dose, you might feel better. Taken to excess, these chemicals become toxic.

Interestingly, plant chemicals that are famous for boosting health and wellbeing – such as those in herbal medicines and superfoods – are often slightly poisonous. The reason they’re beneficial is due to something called hormesis. This is when a small, positive stress prompts the body to become stronger; which is how exercise works, too.

Oh, and let’s not forget solanine in green potatoes, amygdalin in apple seeds, and small amounts of formaldehyde in the humble pear – all natural chemicals, but ones you definitely don’t want to eat in excess.

Alcohol, nicotine and caffeine are legal drugs (chemicals) that are pretty bad news – especially with long-term, repeated exposure.

And then there are artificial chemicals which have become abundant in our environment: sprays, pesticides, preservatives, chemicals in personal products, industrial by-products in our water and food chain – these chemicals are not natural, and are often problematic.

How do chemicals work?

Some chemicals are vital to the body’s performance. They act as signals, nutrients, the very building blocks of tissues.

Others negatively impact health, from interrupting vital cellular processes and damaging organs, to attacking the central nervous system.

Wondering which chemicals to look out for? Read on.

Bad news food chemicals

As we now know, all food is made up of chemicals – but it’s the harmful, artificial ones you should look out for.

It’s a good idea to stick to simple, whole foods that don’t need packaging or labels. Generally, choosing fresh produce from around the perimeter of the supermarket will help you avoid a majority of synthetic chemicals (and lose weight, have more energy, and feel better to boot!).

Going one step further and opting for organic, local produce – such as that from the farmer’s market – helps you sidestep pesticides and preservatives. Some of these have been linked to chronic disease and cancer.

If you are buying food with a label, here are undesirable chemicals and ingredients to watch out for:

Carrageenan – a naturally-derived but potentially harmful thickener

Sodium nitrate & sodium nitrate – found in preserved meats

Hydrogenated vegetable oil – found in everything from biscuits to frozen meals

Most food colourings and numbers – especially blues, yellows and reds

Acesulfame-potassium – an artificial sweetener often found in protein powders and supplements

Aspartame – see above

MSG – monosodium glutamate can be both naturally occurring and artificial – and problematic for sensitive people

BHA & BHT – are artificial preservatives, best avoided

Sodium phosphate – found in fast foods and pre-prepared meats

Hydrolysed vegetable protein – HVP is found in savoury packaged foods

Caramel colouring – sounds harmless, but has been proven to cause cancer in rats

The ugly side of beauty products

Personal and beauty products are some of the worst offenders for harmful chemicals. Often made with a cocktail of unintelligible ingredients, it’s easy to turn a blind eye to what’s inside. Unfortunately, toxic chemicals are easily inhaled or absorbed across the skin, so it’s just as important to seek natural alternatives to what you put on your body as what you put in it.

The most harmful include phthalates, parabens, talcum powder, nanoparticles, formaldehyde, lead acetate, coal tar, UV filters, toluene, triclosan and BHA. Check the label, and seek handmade or simple products that have ingredients you could eat!

This article from Choice is super informative if you’d like to learn more.  

And elsewhere…

You might be surprised to learn that there are toxic chemicals lurking on furniture, clothing and in household products. These chemicals don’t get as much press because we’re not directly ingesting them, however research has shown that they can leach into our environment – and our bloodstream.

Keep an eye out for:

Plastic drink bottles or containers that leach plastic (don’t expose them to heat – or better yet, avoid them altogether)

Scented candles and air fresheners

Harsh household cleaning products, especially those you may inhale

BPA, which is a plastic-like lining in cans and some cartons

Flame retardants on new furniture and clothing

These chemicals are invisible, but nasty. Steering clear of heavily scented items, while embracing hand-me-down clothes, second hand furniture or natural fibers helps lessen the load.

Oh, and one more biggie

Stress! Stress itself is not a chemical, but the stress response is made up of them.

Whether it’s physical, emotional, nutritional or environmental, ongoing exposure to stress hormones is a silent factor in most big-name diseases. These complex chemical structures play an important role in our fight-or-flight response, but long-term exposure can cause everything from immune dysregulation and stubborn weight gain to cardiovascular disease.

The chiropractic connection

As chiropractors, we’re interested in whole people.

What you eat, drink, think and feel; what you’re exposed to, and what’s compromising your true health potential – these are all relevant to a holistic chiropractic approach.

The great thing is, chiropractic adjustments can help your body perform better and cope with everyday chemical stressors. Combined with a greater awareness of which chemicals to avoid, and where they’re commonly found, you’ll improve your health from all angles.