Press Release

Society of Natural Health, Malaysia

by Saroja Theavy (20 February 2007)

We refer to the news report in the Star, "Government Mulls Over Fast Food Ban", also carried in Malaysiakini on 17 February 07. As a Society campaigning for good health naturally, we strongly support the Health Ministers call to consider a ban on fast food advertisement. Besides that we strongly suggest the health Ministry concurrently runs a educational campaign against junk food.

One can easily associate fast food to refined carbohydrates, food without their natural enzymes, aspartame (artificial sweetener), artificial flavours, artificial colours, preservatives, MSG (monosodium glutamate) and hydrogenated fats(trans fatty acids). In this modern era of food culture, we have been negatively impacted by ever more chemicals, artificial ingredients and toxins in our fast food and beverages. These compounds add to the toxic burden in our body. The results are generation of weaklings with early onset of chronic diseases. We see a surge in obesity, diabetics, cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, irregular heart beat, heart attack, stroke, infertility, women`s menstrual problems.

Here are some points as food for thoughts.

1. Refined Carbohydrates
   White flour and white bread are plain carbohydrates without natural component of enzymes, minerals and vitamins. When eaten, they become glucose or sugar. The body needs to utilize enzymes within the body to digest the food. Otherwise the body is forced into fermenting process to breakdown the refined carbohydrates. Hence refined carbohydrates are acid forming and enzyme robbing.
2. Low Fat Meat
   The fast food chain usually promote meat which fats have been eliminated to capitalize on the low cholesterol fad. The fats in the meat enhances its natural taste. Hence artificial flavours and MSG are added instead.
3. Artificial Flavour
   MSG or monosodium glutamate is found in thousands of food, especially instant food, to enhance food flavours. Basically MSG contains glutamic acid and sodium. They excite and stimulate the nerve cells, and can cause damage to the nervous system.
4. Aspartame or artificial sweetener, is being used in thousands of food products, including diet drinks, sports drinks, candy bars, chewing gums, mints, ice cream, children's vitamins, creamers and packaged food. Food manufacturers use aspartame because it tastes sweet, and yet contain no extra calories. A search on the internet will provide numerous reports that aspartame is one of the most poisonous substance found in our food. The US FDA has listed 92 different symptoms that can be caused by this substance. Seizures, heart palpitation, tinnitus, insomnia, vision problem, hearing loss, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, vertigo, joints pain, are among those. It triggers strokes, triggers irregular heart rhythm, damages the heart bio-electrical system and causes sudden death. Aspartame is neurotoxin and excitotoxin. It destroys the central nervous system. It triggers multiple sclerosis and lupus. Aspartame is proven to cause brain tumours in laboratory animals. Aspartame is a very unstable chemical. In the body it breaks down into methanol, formaldehyde, and formic acid. These chemicals can damage DNA.
5. Artificial colouring. Most artificial colours are carcinogenic compounds, derived from coal tar and petroleum by products.
6. Chemical preservatives. Hundreds of chemical food preservatives are used, especially with processed food, beverages, meat, canned food. One common preservative in sodium benzoate. Sodium benzoate reacts with vitamin C to produce benzene. Benzene is a carcinogen.
7. Hydrogenated fats or trans fats. Most processed food and fat food contain hydrogenated fats. Hydrogenated fats are produced when hydrogen gas passes through the natural oil at high temperature. These types of fats are not natural. They inhibit the function of enzymes in our body for the normal metabolism of fats. Food manufacturers prefer hydrogenated oil because the oil does not turn rancid, hence it helps to extend shell life of package food. Margarine is a good example of hydrogenated fats.

Corporate profits come first for fast food companies. Providing the public with high quality and nutritious food is the last thing executives of fast food chains care about. And who cares whether revenues from fast food advertising amounting to over RM100 million annually is lost? If the amount is not spent on advertising, it most probably be spent on something else.

But we care for the health of our people, especially the young. If we err in bringing proper health education to our people today, tomorrow, generations upon generations suffer.

Warning signs are already written on the walls.

Saroja Theavy a/p Balakrishnan,
Secretary,
Society of Natural Health, Malaysia.

19 February 2007.

www.health-naturally.org

013-3635641

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