When I think of aluminum foil, I think of my gray cat Lucy. That may sound strange, but I’ll explain. My sons and I found her abandoned in our backyard, just before a hurricane in the summer of 2004. Merely 10 days old, we nursed her back to health. And since then, she’s turned into a chubby and happy kitty, who loves to play with crushed aluminum foil balls.
But aluminum foil may not be all ‘fun and games’. A recent study has shown that heat causes aluminum from the foil to leach out into foods in significantly harmful amounts.1
Aluminum Accumulates in the Bones and in the Brain
The researchers found dangerously high levels of aluminum in foods after being cooked, reheated, and even cooled on aluminum foil. The cause for alarm is that when aluminum accumulates in the body, it can lead to osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s.
What’s more, Dr. Zubaidy, one of the study authors, comments that:
“The higher the temperature, the more the leaching. Foil is not suitable for cooking and is not suitable for using with vegetables like tomatoes, citrus juice or spices.”2
On the other hand, the researchers also noted that foil can be considered safe to wrap cold foods, since no leaching was observed without heating. They also did not find a difference if the shiny or dull side were in contact with food.
Aluminum Competes With Calcium, Weakening Bones
High aluminum levels in the body alter bone mineralization, matrix formation, as well as parathyroid and bone cell activity.3 Ironically, one of the most common signs of excessive aluminum accumulation is hypercalcemia or high calcium levels in the blood.
This happens because the presence of aluminum impedes calcium deposition in bone, thus leading to elevated blood calcium levels.3 As a result, PTH secretion, the hormone secreted by the parathyroid hormone, is greatly depressed.3 Additionally, chronic aluminum toxicity greatly reduces osteoblast population and inhibits bone mineralization, resulting in osteoporosis.3
Mounting Evidence Links Aluminum to Alzheimer’s
While the study is less adamant about the link between aluminum and Alzheimer’s than it is about the osteoporosis connection, it does point to evidence that aluminum is deposited in brain tissue. The researchers note that previous studies have found an aluminum build-up in autopsies performed on Alzheimer’s sufferers.
Protect Your Bones and Your Brain
In view of this, you really should avoid using aluminum foil or aluminum utensils for cooking. So here are a few simple steps you can take right away:
- Never cook, heat up, or place hot food on aluminum foil. Use foil only to store cold food in the refrigerator, or to wrap cold sandwiches. I use tempered glass pans. They are easily available in just about every supermarket or hardware store.
- Avoid storing tomatoes, citrus fruits, or spices in foil.
- Replace foil with wax paper if you wish to store food while still hot. Or use glass food storage containers. I keep a variety of sizes handy in my kitchen.
- Never use aluminum pots or cooking utensils. Instead, invest in stainless steel pots and pans.
As you can see, it’s easy to avoid aluminum in the kitchen.
Disobey Your Doctor and Reverse Alzheimer’s This Way
If you or someone you care about is suffering from memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer’s, then you know how cruel these diseases can be.
The emotional and physical toll they take on the patient—as well as on the entire family—can be devastating.
But right now, solutions are available and being used successfully even while most doctors still throw up their hands when it comes to memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s, using words like “hopeless” and “irreversible.”
This informative video reveals how Carolyn, an Alzheimer’s patient, reversed her disease by disobeying her doctor. It also discusses natural ways Alzheimer’s can be reversed by using a Nobel Prize-winning discovery (Tip: after a few minutes a link to a transcript will appear below the video. Click that link if you prefer to read rather than watch the video):
Click here now to learn more →
To your aluminum-free life!
References
1 Mohammad FS et al. “Effect of Aluminum Leaching Process of Cooking Wares on Food”. Int. J. Electrochem. Sci., 6(2011) 222-230.
2 http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/aluminium-foil-linked-to-osteoporosis-and-alzheimers
3 Cannata Andia JB. “Aluminum toxicity: its relationship with bone and iron metabolism.” Nephrol Dial Transplant (1996) II (Suppl 3): 69-73
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June 9, 2013
my grany is suffering from huge constipation 3-4 days and now doctor has told a medicine named dulolex and eleesa. eleesa medicine is a kind of stick of glycerine which is to be coated with a cream ‘duloloex;. but the eleesa stick is wrapped with aluminium foil and by mistake my mom hadn’t took it out from the wrapper and inserted the stick as it is which was wrapped. please tell the solution how to extract it from the body. it can be very hazardous. can it be extracted manually by excreatery system. please reply.
May 22, 2013
We have come to a point where we have forgotten the older method of preparing our meals and this seems to affect our well being. Not only aluminum foil but also the use of cling film in microvave oven may also be harmful
May 16, 2013
you have more to fear from the aluminum in your body deodorant than you do in cooking foil, and I doubt you’ll be giving that up any time soon unless you switch to all natural deodorant. additionally, every restaurant I have ever worked in uses foil to help prepare most dishes, so unless you plan on avoiding dining out, you will be consuming a ‘significant’ amount of aluminum in the future regardless. I wouldn’t worry about aluminum poisoning, you are more likely to cause deficiencies in your body from eating the genetically modified foods themselves. have a good day ladies!
January 17, 2013
good article. was sort of an eye opener for my ignorance on aluminium leaching into food.
However, the question arises: virtually every family has a table oven and every oven comes with 2-3 aluminium trays which are used to cook, heat or reheat food.
should the government not ban the oven manufacturers from selling aluminium trays or put some warning on them?
is this one of the reasons of a higher incidence of alzheimer’s in North America?
January 2, 2013
QUESTION: I sometimes use those aluminum cooking “nails” when baking potatoes since it gets the insides done so much faster. Do you know if there is a problem with this since it’s such a small amount of aluminum touching the inside of the potato?… also, the inside of the potato, where it is in immediate contact with the “nail” is pulled out with the nail. Thank you.
October 4, 2012
Have been using Rock Crystal for years – supposedly free from Aluminium.
August 23, 2012
When you’re baking a casserole and it needs to be covered in the oven, the recipes always say to cover with aluminum foil. What can be used instead?
August 24, 2012
I cover my casserole with ‘food parchment’ before I wrap it with the foil.
I have also used ‘wax free’ wax paper (costco carries that). The food parchment is a bit heavier which I prefer.
August 17, 2012
Dear Vivian,
Thanks for all the informative information! Keep these great posts coming.
August 17, 2012
Dear Vivian,
Thanks for all the informative information that helped me carve out my lifestyle for the better.
August 15, 2012
I have known the aluminun many years, thank you for your helping us – everything relates to osteoperosis.
August 12, 2012
Thank you so much for all your help,especially liked that I was unaware of aluminum foil.will never wrap my Thanksgiving turkey again with that.
August 11, 2012
I don’t perspire a lot and I am happy to rub a dab of baking soda in my underarms. Dr. Oz has said that it is bacteria that causes the odor. Keeping our armpits clean and dry is important, but we need to figure out if we need to put something on on, then it needs to be safe. When at home by myself, I don’t use anything. Who said we need to smell like a flower which we have trained our noses. What was it like before deodorant and anti-persperants were invented? I have heard that Neosporin is like deodorant without the scent, and I tried that when I had an irritation in the armpit after shaving.
June 4, 2013
For deodorant I use 3 T each coconut oil, and zinc oxide powder, a few drops of essential oils and vitamin e. Mix and put in old washed out deodorant container. Put in fridge to harden. This is also good for sunscreen. A little goes a long way. It will turn your underarm white so put it on at night and usually it’s gone by morning. One application lasts on me for about 4 days. You can also use vodka and zinc oxide powder, or vitamin C powder-dab some vodka under the arm with a cotton-ball and sprinkle the zinc oxide on top. These all control bacteria and although you sweat you won’t stink! I’ve been doing this for about 12 years. God bless!
August 27, 2012
Laura, about under arm deoderant – I saw a woman guest on Dr Oz say she and her family use a raw lemon, cut in half, and rub it on their arm pits as deoderant. I loved the idea, because I don’t use aluminum chlorhydrate anti-perspirants; I believe the aluminum leaches into our lymph glands through our under arms and causes breast cancer and Alzheimers… So I tried the lemon, and IT WORKED GREAT! I can’t help but wonder if the natural Vitamin C in the lemon is also penetrating the skin under the arms, an antioxidant actually helping protect against disease. This lady said she uses the same lemon for about a week. My experience agrees with that.
August 11, 2012
HI’, Vivian
Thank you for let us know the dangers of Aluminum Foil, now I will be more careful to used. About the Save Our Bones Program I have reading the Book and I will follow step by step your Program. Thank you for sharing Valuable knowledge Informations with us. But first I am going to start with Rapid Cleanse.
God Bless You.
Lucia.
August 11, 2012
To your new-found bone health, Lucia!
August 10, 2012
Hi! Vivian,
Thank You VERY MUCH FOR LETTING US KNOW The DANGERS Of ALUMINUM FOIL TO OUR BONE HEALTH! And Also The Fact That Aluminum May Cause Osteoporosis And Alzheimers As Well!
LOVE, MS. L. (LESLIE)
August 11, 2012
You’re very welcome, Ms L.!
August 10, 2012
Here is an interesting site!!!! Lots of great glass/steel products for food storage & children.
http://lifewithoutplastic.com/?lang=en
August 10, 2012
Thanks for your vivid presentation.The adverse effects of Aluminum foil in our food items is a dangerous sign of health problem..People are not aware of the fact that Aluminum accumulates in the body by way of leaching out—it can lead to Osteoporosis and AlZheimer.Citrus food items can make more harmful effects on human body.
August 10, 2012
I don’t think that aluminum foil not touching food is any safer than if the food is wrapped in it. One of the reasons that foil is used in cooking is to prevent the loss of water from the food your cooking, this collects on the foil and drips back into the container and onto the food.
Now, water is an extremely active chemical, it vigorously reacts with many metals including aluminum carrying some of that in solution back into the food, so find another way of covering your food while cooking or even storing in the fridge as until the food dries out completely water will condense on the inside of your foil wrapper, react with the aluminum and soak back into the food; until the surface of the foil oxidizes, then it’s less likely to be a problem. Eventually water will attack that too.
Jonathan.
August 10, 2012
I have known about aluminium for 50 years. A friend of my late parents died of aluminium poisoning. Why do they still make it?
August 10, 2012
How about using aluminum in your hair? My hairstylist uses aluminum sheets when she highlights my hair to wrap around each piece that’s being highlighted. Any problem with this?
August 13, 2012
this a great question Vickie, all hair stylist use aluminum foil when adding colour to the hair
August 10, 2012
The same thing applies even more so to eating canned foods.
August 10, 2012
Bless you, Vivian, for sharing valuable knowledge/information with us all.
I had a bone scan done some 3 weeks ago. Will be receiving my results end of August.
Until then, my best regards.
Puteri
August 9, 2012
Vivian,
For all those who are getting away from commercial deodorant, you might like this recipe. I have used it for years and love it. 1/4 c. soda, 1/4 c. organic cornstarch, 5 T coconut oil. Mix well
and store in glass jar. Sometimes I use a little more coconut oil…depends on how warm your house is. It just takes a little bit.
August 11, 2012
That’s a great recipe, Patsy! Thanks for sharing!
August 9, 2012
Do your comments about aluminum also pertain to the aluminum in Baking Powder?
What do you suggest to use for wrapping baked potatoes ? The foil keeps the skins tender.
December 22, 2012
I have shaved with a Braun for 15+ years. I find this new sahevr to be an improvement over previous Braun sahevrs. Positives: Big improvement is in design. The pulsonic is slimmer and easier to hold when shaving. After 3+ weeks I can honestly say that it shaves better/closer. One can flush the sahevr clean with tap water when traveling or away from the cleaning/charging unit. Negatives: It is noisier when shaving and when cleaning. Also the side trimmer is not user friendly as in past models. The past models let you use the side trimmer to cut neck hairs when needed. This is not possible now. Overall better.
August 9, 2012
Try rubbing the baked potato skin with olive oil and place it in a glass dish of just on the oven rack and bake it.
August 9, 2012
Hola Vivian,
I just finished reading your suggested review on the book “Awakening Alzheimer’s.” OMG, you have put me into something that may be of significant help in my wife’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Thank you Vivian for enlightening me and everything you do our bones and general health!
August 9, 2012
If I cover a dish with foil to be heated in the oven, I place a sheet of parchment paper between the foil and the food in the glass dish. But is this adequate? Will parchment paper prevent the aluminum foil from leaching into the food when it’s heated? I would love to know.
August 10, 2012
Question:
I use baking paper for cooking and it’s great!
But… can I still use alluminum foil just to cover
the pan if it doesn’t touch the food while being cooked/baked in the oven?
Thanks,
Daphna
August 9, 2012
Weleeda makes a spray deoderant that Works. It comes in a glass bottle. (Sometimes we add some liquid grapefruitseed extract to it for extra protection if we’re down South or in high humidity.) I like the Citrus scent best. It can be found or ordered through most health food stores.
August 9, 2012
What about the use of foil trays to catch drips at the bottom of the oven ? I wonder if that is safe enough as it does not come into direct contact with the food.
Does anyone have an answer to this question?
Thank you,
Monique
August 9, 2012
Yep, I do! So long as it doesn’t touch the food, it’s OK, according to this latest study.
August 9, 2012
Thanks for another valuable tip. Can we use plastic food storage containers to store leftovers (warm) and then re-heat in a microwavable glass or ceramic dish? I have loads of plastic food storage containers that I use every day for leftovers — both cold and warm.
August 9, 2012
That’s a whole other story, Sue. Plastic has its own issues,as well as using the microwave. If you wish to use plastic for food storage, make sure it’s BPA free
August 9, 2012
I dont know if it had anything to do with her getting Alzheimers, but my mother who had that terrible disease, used Mum deodorant every day of her adult life. I”m told that the product has an aluminum base. She lived to the age of 94, and the last 12 years were miserable for her and her family
August 9, 2012
Vivian, is there a temperature level to avoid or is it any heat? I can see the example of the baked potatoes on a grill where temperatures can be very high, but what about when you line a rimmed baking sheet to with foil to keep it clean, then bake on it? For example when you start ribs in the oven at 350, or roast chicken at 375.
One other aluminum product that raises concerns – aluminum take out or home meal replacement containers. Same concern? When you start thinking about it, aluminum is used a lot of places. Also disposable pans for catering, also for cookouts, picnics, available at the grocery store. Really, it’s in use in a lot more places than just thinking about foil.
I do use parchment a lot and will re-think my use of foil, but I would appreciate more details.
Thanks
August 9, 2012
The study doesn’t give exact temperatures, but it does say that even cooling foods on foil leeched aluminum into the foods…
August 9, 2012
Oh, Vivian. If you only knew how important your work is. I want to give you a hug. I have avoided aluminum for many years. Can’t imagine cooking in it or going back to the old deodorants. Actually since going all raw I haven’t needed antismell agents. It’s ok to sweat, just a bit anti social to smell. With all the greens on my raw food plan, no more smell..problem solved. Those times I broke down and fell off the wagon and ate any animal products, Oooops! Fell onto the smell wagon again too. It doesn’t even work for me when I eat things that are prepared foods, like breads…well, who knows..could have been the cheese and/or the peanut butter too. Well back on the healthy food again and definitely avoiding any aluminum.
I am afraid to say that most restaurants use aluminum pots, even the so called healthy ones. I have seen it for myself. For me..raw is the best so far. Thanks again for the great research. It’s a lot of work, I know!
August 9, 2012
And a hug back to you, Lynn!
August 9, 2012
Or even better than waxed paper, use baking parchment paper!!
August 9, 2012
I have been aware of many of the hazards of using aluminum
foil for many years–I use parchment paper in many ways
instead, and glass bowls. However, check out where glass
bowls are made before you buy any for storage purposes.
Much glassware contains lead, which comes with it’s own
hazards.
August 9, 2012
Any ideas on what to use instead of foil on BBQ for bkd potatoes etc?
August 9, 2012
Hi !Fo potatoes I use special pot …put it on the gas kitchen ( only !)and potatos are like from fire !
August 9, 2012
What is the maximum Vit D we can take per day without risks of getting toxic substances?
I heard some saying one can take as high as 5000 mg – is this too much?
And we can take only 500 mg (which is the absorbable amounr) calcium at a time, right?
Please send reply to email my address.
Thank you
August 9, 2012
I have taken 5000 D3 per day for several years now, because my annual blood work revealed I was critically low. Something to keep watch on. Low levels of D3 have been linked to cancer and many people are low in D3. Talk with your doctor. If a conventional doctor won’t help, is not interested, find an alternative or functional medicine doctor in your area.
August 9, 2012
Never touch it i read a book 0nce on how to heal your life by Louise Hay she had a piece in it about aluminium so i have to thank her for that would not touch it for cooking ever again thanks Vivian for up dating that.
August 9, 2012
The best is LAVILIN. aPPLY ONCE PER WEEK.
August 9, 2012
I was using a non-metallic deodorant when I had radiation after breast cancer surgery: Alra. To be honest, I did not find it very effective, but later discovered that just plain old milk of magnesia is quite effective as a deodorant. Of course, it’s not non-metallic, but it does not contain aluminum. Several of us are awaiting some answers from Vivian re safe deodorants, and she’ll perhaps be gracious enough to clue us in, even though I think it’s beyond her area of interest.
Having said all that, I must say I’m somewhat put off by all the promos of books and health care products that “you can get only here” or “they don’t want you to know” which then require the use of charge cards on the web (which I don’t do). If I’d signed on for everything thus promoted I’d be out hundreds of $$ a year; not good on a fixed income!
Nevertheless, thanks Vivian for sharing your expertise!
August 9, 2012
Regarding aluminum —
I have seen this question asked previously, but have not seen that you have answered it — What about underarm anti-perspirants that contain aluminum? Does that type of aluminum accumulate in the brain and cause Alzheimer’s Disease, too? Would it be better to just use “deodorant” and not “anti perspirant?” If so, which brand is the best as I don’t like wasting my money by buying brands that don’t work! Please address this concern in a Life Style news article… Thank you.
August 27, 2012
Hi Judy, about under arm deodorant – as I was telling Laura on this site, I saw a woman guest of Dr Oz say she and her family use a raw lemon, cut in half, and rub it on their arm pits as deodorant. I loved the idea, because I don’t use aluminum chlorhydrate anti-perspirants; I believe the aluminum leaches into our lymph glands through our under arms and causes breast cancer and Alzheimers… So I tried the lemon, and IT WORKED GREAT! I can’t help but wonder if the natural Vitamin C in the lemon is also penetrating the skin under the arms, an antioxidant actually helping protect against disease. This lady said she uses the same lemon for about a week. My experience agrees with that.
I also have the solid salt crystal product; it works ok, but the lemon works better for me.
August 13, 2012
using anti- persperant if you think about it for a second, it stops you from sweeting, it`s like putting a plastic bag over your skin. it`s usually the ant-persperants that have the nicest smells and thats what most people go for not realising what they are doing.
August 9, 2012
After soaping up during a shower, I use baking soda to rub my armpit and wait awhile before rinsing it with water, then dry up, no commercially made deodorant for me and the baking soda works very well.
September 8, 2012
Just plain white vinegar is suppose to be good for sweat smell. If no one wants to use deodorants, try rinsing your arm pits with white vinegar. It does work and how much cheaper can you get? Also fantastic for your hair. No need for expensive cream rinse when you have vinegar around.
For a plus, vinegar is a desinfectant. By the way it also is a good weed killer. Just check it out on the internet. I have been using it for 3 years now and it works great. What do you pay for weed killers? I use a one gallon bottle, and add 1 cup of table salt, with a few drops of dish detergentn shake it until all salt is disolved put in a spray bottle and voila, go kill those weeds. I actually bought a small pump at the hardware store and it fits right on my vinegar bottle, put the batteries and go to town. Do not use on grass…it will kill it too. And no pollution.
August 9, 2012
I would definitely not use wax paper on hot foods! The “wax” is petroleum -based and easily leaches into foods. Glass is best, and soy wax paper is safer than petro based. For the reader using the “crystal” deodorant, a splash of peroxide is cheap and safe. Somewhere I read that those crystal deodorants have toxins, sorry I can’t remember where but I got a nasty rash that took about a year to go away from that stuff. unbleached parchment paper can be used instead of aluminum foil, but you can’t let it get too hot or it burns.
August 9, 2012
I suppose this would include the “non-stick” aluminum foil which I use on my boiler pan or line baking dishes for meats and fish. Is this correct?
Can you cover a casserole dish with aluminum foil if it doesn’t touch the food when baking?
August 9, 2012
Marilyn, the problem occurs when foil touches the hot food.
August 9, 2012
There is so much we don’t know that is usually kept from us by Commercial Enterprise. It’s wonderful that Vivian keeps delving into these matters and willingly shares them with all of us who are seeking to improve bone health and general health. Vivian, you are a Star, keep up the good work, your rewards will be a thousandfold.
August 9, 2012
Thanks so much for this information. Is there a way to get the aluminium back out of the body?
September 6, 2012
Several options to this:
——
1) Magnesium rich foods. The ‘gatekeeper’ of toxins.
2) Coriander, also known as cilantro.
3) Bananas, they have Aluminium in them but in the negative (-)ion form, safe for animals. Aluminium foils and cookware are the positive [inorganic] (+)ion form. The body will replace the toxic (+) form with the [organic] (-) ion form.
4) Chlorella, tablets, or powder sprinkled on the foods. Acts as a ‘binder’ to carry it out. Must not be cooked or heated!
Further info: forget the foils/paper etc., buy either a glass or ceramic dish with a matching LID.
Cheers,
Jeff.
August 9, 2012
Get yourself tested for metal toxicity (urine testing protocol), then depending on the results you may look into chelation. I’ve been through it when I tested out off the chart high for heavy metals. No more metals now, but I am going to be retested soon as an update.
August 9, 2012
I was wondering the same thing. Is there a way to get the aluminum out of your body, since obviously we have all be exposed to it for many years.
August 9, 2012
I bought in CVS Pharmacy, but others will also, a DEODORANT made of Crystal salt. It comes in either a liquid or a solid. The solid is what i bought. You get the tip of it moist & rub under that arms. IT works! My friends have used Tom’s but say they did not have luck with it.
About ALuminum foil, can you use wax paper in the oven, like you would use foil? ALso I have been using the product you once suggested. IT is a WHOLE FOOD Calcium with the minerals in it, made by NEW CHAPTER. IT is the Best!
thanks, Joyce Anne k.S.
August 9, 2012
I used Tom’s for years. It doesn’t seem to work at first, but the ingredients are such that the effect is accumulative. Keep using it and it is amazing.
August 9, 2012
Thanks for the update on this; I have always thought this might be the case. Most restaurants cook with aluminum pots and pans. My son is a trained chef and that is what is used in commercial kitchens. Was conflicted about the use of aluminum foil and now you have confirmed my fears. Thanks again for the great information.
August 9, 2012
I always wrap my food in oven bake paper & the in foil is this safer than directly in foil or just as bad??
August 9, 2012
Can you, pleas, provide the full literature reference to the mentioned Nobel Priz wwinner paper?
August 9, 2012
I heard about the aluminun long tme ago. But you have a better
explantion. Thanks and God Bless.
August 9, 2012
Thank you very much for the information! I used a lot of aluminuim foil even for heating foods! and from today i will learn not to do to have a healthy bones and for my family too! chiao and God bless you always!
August 9, 2012
Aluminum, Wow, people have used this product for years and yet its only now the danger it causes is discovered so late after countless have suffered and died. What a shame that scientists use man to make money.
Thanks Vivian for enlightening me.
Mary.