The Hidden Toxins Lurking in Your Food and How You Can Avoid Them for Lifelong Health
By: Mike Adams
ISBN: 9781940363288
Publisher: BenBella
Publication Date: 7/26/2016
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 5 Stars What’s really in our food? Award-winning investigative journalist and activist Mike Adams, the “Health Ranger,” is founder and editor of NaturalNews.com, the number one most visited natural health website in the world. With more than 5 million unique visitors a month, NaturalNews.com is the trusted source for health information for countless readers. Now, in an industry first, Adams and his team put the things we eat every day under the microscope to expose the hidden truth about the contaminants in our foods. Through incredible high-resolution microscope images, Food Forensics shows us what we can’t see on our own and test levels of lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and more in common foods and additives, from cereals, soups, and other pre-packaged meals to fast food and medicinal herbs. Adams’s tests reveal the differences between organic and non-organic foods, GMO and non-GMO certified foods, and more, plus which foods and brands are the cleanest. All test results adhere to EPA-approved lab protocols, exceeding even Consumer Reports levels of accountability, and have been verified by a third-party university lab. Food Forensics discloses how food contamination happens and why it matters, and provides valuable information on how you can protect yourself. If the FDA and the USDA won’t safeguard us from food contamination, the Health Ranger will.
My Review
A special thank you to BenBella and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. FOOD FORENSICS: The Health Ranger's Guide to Foods that Harm and Foods that Heal is an essential book by Mike Adams. The Hidden Toxins Lurking in Your Food and How You Can Avoid Them for Lifelong Health. An important message for every woman, man, teen, boy, and girl. No matter your age. It is time to take control, folks! I am a huge fan and supporter. The hidden truths exposed. The research, and proof. Our food is slowly killing us. Food Forensics discloses how food contamination happens and why it matters. Providing consumers valuable information on how you can protect yourself. Deception and consumer fraud, from Whole Foods, and many others; from organic, natural, superfoods, and dietary companies. Many companies, food suppliers, markets, and restaurants sell products that are poisoning us, with toxic heavy metals and many other hidden additives and preservatives. It is time to get your heads out of the sand. When these food companies are made aware of these toxins, they invoke denial and offer willfully ambiguous communication, rather than transparency. Just like drug companies, weapons manufacturers, and Wall Street--many natural product companies seem to be run by people who place profits over consumer safety. We saw what the tobacco industry did. Sometimes it is too late and the damage has been done. The sad situation people are lazy; they do not want to make costly changes, just like the consumers who hide behind their ignorance. Some people will not take control of their own health, bodies, and make the necessary changes. The companies do not want the cost. It cannot be done with only a small number of people. It takes everyone to take a stand, refusing to buy these products to enforce accountability and changes. If you discontinue buying, they are forced to make changes, accordingly. Consumers cannot continue to buy the processed foods which contain additives and preservatives, filled with chemicals, poisons, and toxins. While they continue to wonder why they are gaining weight and spend thousands of dollars with numerous health issues. Running to the doctors who prescribe more unnecessary drugs, further complicating their health. In our busy world, today, many families and parents are subjecting their children and themselves with poison, and do not take the matter seriously. As a huge advocate for accountability, in the corporate world (a SOX whistleblower), as well as the food and health industry, this book contains scientific truths. Everyone needs to take notice, buy the book, and take our food shopping and health more seriously. What are you putting in your bodies? Trust me, I did so, over thirteen years ago and continue this fight for better food. At that time, there was not a lot was published, and had to do my own research. I wish this book had been around. Food Forensics: The unleashing. Hidden truths. Nothing held back. Documentation of these products with data acquired from 2013 to 2016. I liked the fact it also spurs widespread denials and even a few lawsuit threats—plus efforts to silence this work, which is not surprising. These companies are training their employees to lie. It is sad to know our food is grown on lands where industrial waste is intentionally dumped and used as fertilizer, plus more. Consumers cannot hide behind “if the FDA approves” it – it must be OK. Wrong! I believe nothing they say. No accountability. From the food manufacturers, FDA, media, food advertising – colluding to ignore this science and preventing consumers from learning the truths you need to know. Natural News Forensic Food Lab looks at the industry closely, by randomly purchasing products who make claims and do not comply with the levels published. It is very important if you have not done your research as I have done over the years. The book explains the way in which humans absorb these contaminants and the resulting health effects. (plus why they are so difficult to get rid of). As I have told my son which lives in another state with a family of his own. They wonder why they have so much inflammation, digestive disorders, and sickness in their twenties, thirties, and forties. Others suffer from neurological damage, organ failure, heart, lung, cancer, and other serious diseases and conditions; Alzheimer’s and dementia- the list goes on and on. Increased toxins in everyday foods. We all are walking time bombs from toxic metals, chemicals, and routine consumption of contaminated foods, personal care products, and environmental exposure. The FDA should be doing what these folks are doing. From arsenic, pesticides, leads, and other toxins - even in our drinking water. Our bodies are not made for repeated exposure to arsenic. Why I gave up meats; another story.Look at their conditions and what animals are eating. It is critical we take control of what we eat and what environmental toxins we subject ourselves to. I am very passionate about these critical subjects. No one will do it for you. By not accepting what others say is passable. It is critical to take a stand. Not many of us genuinely care. Some are in denial, or not educated. Learn the facts. Read labels, and find the hidden things. Like myself and others, the urgency is life-threatening. On a personal note: I have always had allergies; however, about thirteen years ago I started my journey. I began experiencing all sort of serious allergic issues, from chemicals, medications, environmental, and mostly serious food allergies. It became so serious with emergency rooms visits, an array of allergy specialists, physicians, and cardiologist, etc. With full blown anaphylaxis, many times with foods; always carry an Epi-Pen, ongoing sinus infections, ear infections, heart palpitations, tachycardia, PVCs, PACs, headaches, digestive issue, thyroid problems, etc. Even a drop of cream with preservative will send me into anaphylaxis. I have to be extremely careful of everything I put on my body or ingest. It is life-threatening. This was very serious and began keeping a food journal of everything I was eating from morning until evening, any snacks, and noted the date, time, symptoms, ingredients, as well as a recording of blood pressure, heart rate, and exercise. (I even developed extensive excel spreadsheets for two years). It was well worth the time and effort. The food additives, preservatives, and toxins were causing many of my heart problems and other reactions. I had always been pretty healthy; however, over the course of five years, I began eliminating foods and seeing a big difference. I have an entire list of additives which create havoc. Some of these foods may take up to 12 hrs. after ingesting to notice symptoms, some sooner; the aftermath- some may last up to days or a week. I saw proof of this with heart tests and 24 hr Holter heart monitor. When you graph and chart, what you see is astounding. You see the heart rate changes, insomnia, and blood pressure. Totally out of control. I am also unable to take any medications, vitamins, and highly sensitive to environmental toxins. In addition to my food research, I have to stay abreast with my environment. I live in a high-rise apartment building and property management. From toxins, fumes, mold, cleaning supplies, ventilation systems, etc. (an advocate) forcing them to eliminate air fresheners, perfumes, smoke, and certain cleaning products, as well as other toxins. Showing proof of the seriousness and health hazards- take your complaints to local and state levels. You cannot sit back idly. It takes everyone working together. Let your voice be heard. You only have one life. Live it toxic free, or as close as you can. I have been vegan for the last eight years. (No dairy, bread, grains, or meats). No sugars, flours, or processed foods, preservatives, or additives. Nothing in a can, box, or freezer. No alcohol, caffeine, or fruit juices. Wine is full of sulfites (horrible). If you eat correctly, the food cravings for the bad stuff will go away. Fresh organic vegetables. However, even with these, you have to be cautious. I do eat some fruits, as well. I stay away from some which cause inflammation. Not only did the heart problems cease, no more anaphylaxis reactions, and other disorders. I felt great, and continue to maintain the size 4-6 with no weight gain. You feel lighter. It is worth the extra effort. It is a lifestyle choice and one I am glad I made. I take my foods very seriously and dedicated to maintaining my health. I do not dine out (do not trust foods) and carry my own food when traveling. If I go out with others, I do not eat or drink. BTW, I stopped shopping at Whole Foods over five years ago. I literally could throw out everything in my son’s pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. They see what I eat, which is vegan fresh organic vegetables and water. It works for me. However, they choose to stay with the same bad processed foods and sugars. From dining out to home meals, and snacks. They like convenience. I am still working on them. I also work with hotel groups and these properties are in tune with natural foods, special diets, vegans, and healthy food choices. When traveling shop, and demand what you need, or go elsewhere. It takes education, and wise shopping and determination to take control over your food choices. Make changes. This should carry through to our children, and grandchildren. It amazes me how many people are not aware of the dangers of foods and how they can damage your body and health. If they read about them, they disregard and do not take it seriously, until they are hit with health problems. The detrimental health effects triggered by gradually accumulating minuscule concentrations of toxins through repeated dietary or environmental exposure. In addition, our dietary exposure to toxic heavy metals through foods is a far greater problem than most people suppose. From the lack of exercise and no sweating, heavy metals accumulate in bodies of the obese. This book is an excellent source. I really enjoy Mike Adams, The Health Ranger and NaturalNews.com. A fabulous team, doing great work to expose and take initiatives to help promote the road to more accountability of the food industry. Awareness. Highly support anyone or cause, who helps expose and educate consumers of our food industry. A "must read" book and source for everyone! Protect yourself. Your health. Take control of what you eat and your body. Join the fight! Get serious. Buy the book, and take the journey to a better life and world.
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Advance Praise
"Food Forensics definitely is a 'must have' book for serious-minded researchers, healthcare practitioners and consumers, plus everyone who eats. . . . It’s a virtual 'encyclopedia' about toxins we don’t know about in our foods." —Activist Post “Food Forensics definitely is a ‘must-have’ book for serious-minded researchers, healthcare practitioners and consumers, plus everyone who eats! I highly recommend it! It's a virtual ‘encyclopedia’ about toxins we don't know about in our foods.” —Catherine J. Frompovich, author of Eat To Beat Disease, Foods Medicinal Qualities “Food Forensics is an incredible, ground-breaking book. Just buy it. And read it. You won't be sorry. It might be the best decision of your life.” —Ty Bollinger, author and documentary film producer, TheTruthAboutCancer.com “Mike Adams has done a great service for all those who are concerned about the quality of what goes into their body. Food Forensics is an essential reality guide to food and water in the 21st century.” —Robert Scott Bell, D.A. Hom. "Radical, irreverent, always provocative. Mike Adams new book, Food Forensics, should be required reading for all the Big Food, Big Biotech apologists who continue to poison and mislead us, as well as for activists and concerned consumers." —Ronnie Cummins, cofounder and international director of the Organic Consumers Association "I emphatically agree that this book is an important public record of scientific truth. An amazing job on so many levels and an absolute must-read." —Michael T. Murray, N.D., coauthor of The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine “Mike Adams has done a real public service by exposing the deceit and arming consumers with the knowledge to make informed decisions about the food they eat. Food Forensics is a must read for anyone wanting not only to avoid disease, but to achieve optimal health and wellbeing.” —Gretchen DuBeau, executive and legal director of the Alliance for Natural Health “It's not enough to just read the labels these days. In this book, Mike exposes some of the most prevalent, hidden dangers in your food that he's identified through years of research and scientific testing—you won't find any of these listed in the ingredients. But he doesn't just expose these toxic chemicals, he gives you roadmap to help you and your family avoid them to confidently live a healthy and happy life.” —Kevin Gianni, author of Kale and Coffee: A Renegade's Approach to Health, Happiness and Longevity
About the Author
Mike Adams, known as the "Health Ranger," is an outspoken consumer health advocate, award-winning investigative journalist, internet activist, and science lab director. He is the founder and editor of NaturalNews.com, the internet's most-trafficked natural health news website. He is also the creator of CounterThink.com, FoodInvestigations.com, HealingFoodReference.com, HonestFoodGuide.org, and several other websites covering natural health topics. Adams is a prolific writer and has been called "the best health and natural products writer on the scene today,” by Ronnie Cummins, founder, Organic Consumers Association. He has received accolades and testimonials from several key influencers in the natural health space, including Dr. Michael T. Murray and raw food pioneer David Wolfe. Read More
