Vitamins that contain titanium dioxide
The titanium dioxide pigment is very popular pigment that can enhance the white colour and opacity in food and products available over the counter. This includes toothpaste, coffee creamers breakfast cereals, edible ice as well as soups and other nutritional supplements. [7]
There’s concern over the potential for titanium dioxide as carcinogen. While there is no evidence to suggest that it causes cancer, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) states that there’s not enough evidence to prove whether titanium dioxide causes cancer among humans. However, the reverse is true for animals in experiments. This is why IARC classified titanium dioxide as a group 2B carcinogen. This means that the substance is “possibly harmful to human beings.” 8.
Vitamins that contain artificial food colorings
Synthetic color additives, also known as food dyes are typically employed in prescription and over-the-counter medications to improve their appearance, create an identity for the brand and make them more appealing for customers to boost sales.
The most recent recognized as approved Food, Drug, & Cosmetic (FD&C) dyes comprise:
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Yellow No. 5 (Tartrazine)
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Yellow No. 6 (Sunset Yellow)
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Red No. 40 (Allura Red)
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Blue No. 2 (Indigo Carmine)
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Blue No. 1 (Brilliant Blue)
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Green No. 3 (Fast Green)
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Red No. 3 (Erythrosine)
But the security of these dyes has always been a subject of debate since certain studies have found them linked to health issues such as hyperactivity, allergies in children, and cancer.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest has released a report that summarizes research of food dyes conducted on animals. You can read the entire document here or browse the key findings of this document:
- Blue No. 1, Allergic reactions one abstract study identified renal tumors on mice
- Blue No. 2: Potential bladder and brain tumors in rats
- Green No. 3: Potential bladder tumors and other types in rodents
- Red No. 40: Allergy reactions with p-Cresidine being an contaminant that causes cancer. [9]
- Yellow No. 5, 6 and 7: Allergy reactions caused by Benzidine, the cancer-causing contaminant. [10]
Here are some more human-related research findings:
- A clinical study conducted in preschoolers found that removing the artificial colors from their diet led to significant reductions in their hyperactivity. [11]
- A study of 21 days revealed the tartrazine dye, also called lemon yellow, caused irritation or restlessness as well as sleep disturbances in children who have suspected hyperactivity. Additionally the effects were stronger when a higher dose of dyes was used. [12]
- In a previous study that was conducted, patients suffering from persistent the condition known as urticaria (an itchy skin condition that is allergic) were put on a diet removing any color additives or preservatives. Then, they were given tartrazine-based capsules. The results revealed that 34% of patients had improved results with the diet that did not contain artificial colors. In addition 8 percent of patients suffering from chronic urticaria, along with 20% patients with aspirin intolerance had sensitivity to tartrazine. [13]
