Oh no, not another food we have to worry about. When Dr. Fuhrman spoke in Carbondale on April 6, he mentioned concerns about arsenic in rice. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element in the earth\u2019s crust and is present in our water and our atmosphere. Low levels occur in all animals, fish and plants.<\/p>\n
Arsenic is present in higher levels in the vicinity of coal-fired power plants, fracking and mining sites, and treated lumber. Arsenic was used years ago in pesticides to kill boll weevils that damaged crops such as cotton in the Southeast U.S. and Texas \u2014 many of these fields are now used to grow rice. It is still used in food and medications given to chickens in factory farms, and is present in chicken manure \u2014 often used in fertilizer applied to crops.<\/p>\n
In the environment, arsenic combines with oxygen, chlorine and sulfur to form inorganic arsenic compounds. In plants and animals it combines with hydrogen and oxygen to form organic (a chemical term in this case) arsenic compounds. The inorganic arsenic compounds are the ones that we worry about.<\/p>\n
Very low levels of this natural element in humans \u2014 especially the \u201corganic\u201d form \u2014 do not cause harm, but high levels do. Women with high levels of arsenic are more apt to have miscarriages and infants with low birth rates and lower IQs. High arsenic levels in adults are associated with DNA damage, leading to increased rates of lung, liver, skin and bladder cancer. Higher rates of diabetes and kidney and cardiovascular disease occur as well. Symptoms of high arsenic levels include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headache, insomnia, loss of appetite, abnormal taste, decreased short term memory and difficulty concentrating.<\/p>\n
The FDA has set a maximum level of 1 ppb (part per billion) for arsenic in the water we drink, but has not set a level for arsenic in food \u2014 due to pressure from the rice industry (money often wins out over human health). Unfortunately, rice has worrisome levels of arsenic, even if it is raised by organic methods. <\/p>\n
Rice, other than white rice \u2014 which is processed \u2014 is a whole grain, and therefore has several health benefits. Black rice has the most nutrients, followed by red rice, and then brown rice. Most \u2014 but not all \u2014 of the arsenic in rice is in the part that is removed in processing to white, so white rice has less arsenic than the other varieties. Arsenic dissolves in water, and most rice is grown in fields with standing water. Rice grown in Texas and the Southeast U.S. has significantly higher levels of arsenic than that grown in California. Arsenic content can be lowered by cooking rice with 10 parts water to 1 part rice, and removing the remaining water after cooking.<\/p>\n
Here are the take-home messages about rice:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Other grains such as quinoa, rye and barley have much lower arsenic levels than rice, so consider eating them instead.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Pregnant women should avoid rice.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Infants and young children (less than 6 or so) should avoid all rice products, including rice cereal, rice-based toddler formula, and rice-based snacks.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Consumer Reports recommends that adults should not eat more than two servings of rice a week.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Stick to black, red or brown rice, where you are at least getting some nutrients, that seem to cancel out the harmful effects of the arsenic.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Only buy rice raised in California.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Avoid items containing brown rice syrup (it\u2019s mainly sugar anyway).<\/p>\n
\u2022 Avoid rice products such a Rice Krispies, rice-containing breakfast bars, rice milk.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Avoid other products known to have high arsenic content, such as hijiki seaweed and apple and grape juice (avoid fruit juices anyway, because they are basically sugar water).<\/p>\n
It\u2019s frustrating to learn that in our polluted world, there are concerns about rice \u2014 a staple for over 50 percent of people in the world. Rice grown in high-arsenic fields doesn\u2019t grow well \u2014 rather than taking measure to reduce the arsenic in the fields and in the rice, the rice industry has responded to the arsenic problem by developing arsenic-resistant rice plants. Take out your frustration by putting pressure on elected officials to tighten regulations on industries that contribute to high arsenic levels. For more information, go to Dr. Greger\u2019s nutritionfacts.org and search \u201carsenic in rice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Retired physician Greg Feinsinger, M.D., is author of new book \u201cEnjoy Optimal Health, 98 Health Tips From a Family Doctor,\u201d available on Amazon and in local bookstores. Profits go towards an endowment to the University of Colorado School of Medicine to add prevention and nutrition to the curriculum. He is available for free consultations about heart attack prevention, diabetes reversal, nutrition, and other health issues. Call 379-5718 for an appointment. For questions about his column, email gfeinsinger@comcast.net.<\/p>\n