Training & Nutrition - Carrageenan

Is this thickening substance whatever it is bad per se, or has it been associated with potential toxic things when consumed frequently? I thought I heard it wasn't good, then I thought it was fine, but now I don't think it is the best thing to have.

Please, EJ, don't go and become one of those people who never trusts anyone or anything, and believe almost everything is bad for them. THAT, if anything, is unhealthy. Worrying too much can kill.

I know how alluring conspiracy theories and other "alternative truths" can be. I was once deep down that hole. But then I grew up and came to the conclusion that the world and governments, aren't inherently evil. That no flying saucers or little green men are hidden in secret bases. That every substance that isn't 100% natural isn't inherently bad for you (and conversely, that all natural stuff can be very bad for you!).

Carrageenan is a thickening agent derived from algae or seaweed or something. Like anything, it will probably kill you if you eat too much of it. Probably takes a few pounds at the same time, but hey... :D

It's interesting how people fear things that haven't even been remotely suspected of being dangerous, while they happily drive cars, which caused the deaths of tens of thousands every year in your country.

Please, EJ, don't go and become one of those people who never trusts anyone or anything, and believe almost everything is bad for them. THAT, if anything, is unhealthy. Worrying too much can kill.

I know how alluring conspiracy theories and other "alternative truths" can be. I was once deep down that hole. But then I grew up and came to the conclusion that the world and governments, aren't inherently evil. That no flying saucers or little green men are hidden in secret bases. That every substance that isn't 100% natural isn't inherently bad for you (and conversely, that all natural stuff can be very bad for you!).

Carrageenan is a thickening agent derived from algae or seaweed or something. Like anything, it will probably kill you if you eat too much of it. Probably takes a few pounds at the same time, but hey... :D



+1 to this comment. I am a Food Scientist and work for a large food company. Carrageenan is safe and usually used at relatively low levels in many different food products.

A small amount of carrageenan isn't going to kill you but it is known to be hard to digest and it causes digestive complaints, especialy in children and those suffering from poor digestion.

This is a short excert from this article on the Weston A Price Foundation website, http://www.westonaprice.org/children/tricks.html Its talking specificaly about infant formula.


CARRAGEENAN: Extremely hard to digest. In most ready-mixed formulas, carrageenan is one of the main causes of digestive disorders in formula-fed infants, not lactose-intolerance. Caused liver problems and ******** growth in rats.

I've read that Carrageenan is a seawead that grows of Africa and is harvested by the locals for export to the big food processors but they don't actualy eat it themselves.

Regards, Anthony

Please, EJ, don't go and become one of those people who never trusts anyone or anything, and believe almost everything is bad for them. THAT, if anything, is unhealthy. Worrying too much can kill.
I'm sure there are plenty of things in our food that are unfortunately not studied enough to know potential toxicity. Is it a problem to question something? What if I asked "Is hydrogenated cottenseed oil I consume in my oreos bad for my health?" and have your imprudent response "one of those people who never trusts anyone or anything, and believe almost everything is bad for them. THAT, if anything, is unhealthy. Worrying too much can kill." Now that I shouldn't be worrying anymore, I think I'll go to my local Sonic and pick up some supersonic cheeseburgers.


I know how alluring conspiracy theories and other "alternative truths" can be. I was once deep down that hole. But then I grew up and came to the conclusion that the world and governments, aren't inherently evil. That no flying saucers or little green men are hidden in secret bases. Everyone is entitiled to their opinion :)

That every substance that isn't 100% natural isn't inherently bad for you (and conversely, that all natural stuff can be very bad for you!).
So you do agree natural things may not be good.


Carrageenan is a thickening agent derived from algae or seaweed or something. Like anything, it will probably kill you if you eat too much of it. Probably takes a few pounds at the same time, but hey... :D
Possibly.


It's interesting how people fear things that haven't even been remotely suspected of being dangerous, while they happily drive cars, which caused the deaths of tens of thousands every year in your country.
Is that statement indirectly correlating to my question, stating that I am fearing something-carrageenan?
Perhaps you may have been carried away. I only asked if there were things associated with consumption out of curiosity, and I receive a long post bashing things that have been discussed in other threads. Where do you think I heard about this substance and became interested? Let me guess, some non-credible, food consipricy website right. I actually saw a clip on the news about it with the health woman on there and they were also weary of it. Please do not make mountains out of molehills.

A small amount of carrageenan isn't going to kill you but it is known to be hard to digest and it causes digestive complaints, especialy in children and those suffering from poor digestion.

This is a short excert from this article on the Weston A Price Foundation website, http://www.westonaprice.org/children/tricks.html Its talking specificaly about infant formula.


CARRAGEENAN: Extremely hard to digest. In most ready-mixed formulas, carrageenan is one of the main causes of digestive disorders in formula-fed infants, not lactose-intolerance. Caused liver problems and ******** growth in rats.

I've read that Carrageenan is a seawead that grows of Africa and is harvested by the locals for export to the big food processors but they don't actualy eat it themselves.

Regards, Anthony

Finally a credible response, thanks.

I'm sure there are plenty of things in our food that are unfortunately not studied enough to know potential toxicity.

I agree but additives are extensively studied. If anything worry about what compounds are in natural products that for some reason automatically get labeled "healthy."

Finally a credible response, thanks.

You mean the answer you wanted to hear.

I agree but additives are extensively studied. If anything worry about what compounds are in natural products that for some reason automatically get labeled "healthy."
Yeah that seems to be a big problem too.

You mean the answer you wanted to hear.

Heh no not necessarily. I just want to hear any opinions on it, and his is just one side of it, but it involves infants and not adults, but it's still good.

Finally a credible response, thanks.


You're joking right???

Do a search on www.pubmed.com and let us know what you find.

You're joking right???

What is your point?

What is your point?


Have you ever wondered what PEI fishermen do for money when they are not fishing?

Something with algae heh?

What is your point?


I asked you a question.

Carageenan: Unsafe Rumors Unfounded for Natural Additive
Q , I've seen carrageenan listed as an
ingredient in several foods, but I've read
that it might not be safe. What exactly is
it and is it safe to eat?





A.. Relax, there's little to worry about.
Carrageenan is a gum extracted fi'om
red seaweed or algae. It's used as a food
thickener, einulsifier and fat replac'e"
ment in products like chocolate milk, ice
cream, frozen yogurt, processed meats,
condensed milk, puddings, salad dressings,
cottage cheese and some soy milks.
It's also found in some toothpastes, dog
foods and cosmetics.


Carrageenan has been used as a
food additive in the U.S. since the
1930s and was officially granted Generally
Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status
by the Food and Drug Administration
in 1959. In 2001, a joint committee
of the Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO) and the World Health Organization
(WHO) reviewed the research
and reaffirmed carrageenan as a safe
additive.


Cause for Concern? Despite being
given a clean bill of health by the FDA,
the FAO and the WHO, there is still controversy
and confiision over the safety
of carrageenan. Much of it stems from
a University of Iowa review published
in Environmental Health Perspectives
in 2001 that is ofien referenced. The
website' of Afidrew Weil, M.D.,'the alternative
health proponent, cites the Iowa
research, which showed that carrageenan
could cause ulcerations of the colon and
possibly cancer, based on animal and
laboratory studies. However, most experts
disagree with that assessment and argue
that only one type of carrageenan can be
blamed for negative effects.
Reason for Carrageenan Confusion.
There are two main types of carrageenan,
only one of which is classified as acceptable
for use in foods.

The negative
findings have dealt with the other kind,
known as degraded carrageenan, formed
when carrageenan is treated with acid
and broken down into smaller chemical
components. Degraded carrageenan is a
known carcinogen and is not permitted
to be used in food.

There has been concern voiced about
the possibility that stomach acid could
cause the safe form of carrageenan in
foods to become degraded. But scientists
say carrageenan is not broken
down in the saime way in the stomach
and has no effect on the intestinal tract.
Bottom Line. The evidence overwhelmingly
suggests carrageenan is safe.
Rest assured that the form of carrageenan
found to cause health problems in animals
is not the same form that's in foods.

Write to us if you have a question. We'llanswer those of most interest to our readers.
We regret, however, that we cannot
personally respond. Send to:
Environmental Nutrition
P.O. Box 5656
Norwalk, CT 06856-5656
Phone: 800-424-7887 Fax: 203-857-3103
e-mail: customer service@belvoir.com
www. environmentalnutrition. com
(click on "Contact Us")
www.environmentalnutrition.com ENVIRONMENTALNUTRITION 7
September 2005

Cool, thanks.

When it comes to assessing whether a paticular food is safe for consumption there is a realy easy and simple first step. Do traditional people eat it?

With Carrageenan the answer is NO. They do not eat it. Now this may not be the end of the story but its a very important start.

I had a quick look at the Environmental Nutrition website. They are claiming to be independent and publishing scientific research but they are promoting low fat and there is NO scientific evidence to support low fat diets so that's an alarm bell to start with.

The other question is why do you realy wan't to use Carrageenan anyway?

My experience with it is that its used as an emulsifier in Coconut Cream/Milk. Coconut Cream/Milk settles in the tin after packaging so they use Carrageenan to keep it mixed. The best Coconut milk I've found on the market is Ayam brand and they do NOT use any emulsifiers. It settles in the can but so what! When you cook with it you can mix it up. I tried some organic coconut milk but they all use carrageenan an emulsifier and you know what? They all taste horrible anyway.

So the issue sorted itself out anyway. Carrageenan is only used in poor quality products anyway so if its in a product that's as good a reason as any to find a better product . Mindyou you do need some food experience to start with. Emulsfiers are used to give the impression of a BETTER quality food product to those who don't know better. Buyer beware.

Regards, Anthony