Walk into any pharmacy, grocery store, or health food store, and the choice of health products and supplements is overwhelming. How can the average consumer figure out what they should and should not get? One of the best ways is to read the ingredient list. Many supplements contain chemical-sounding names as additives and coloring agents. One has to question whether or not these are safe, and also question the motives of a company who is using these unsafe ingredients in its products. One major additive you should be watching out for is titanium dioxide, which may contribute to the development of cancer and other health issues.
Is This Popular Additive Lurking in Your Cupboard?
Titanium dioxide is a common additive in a number of food and cosmetic products. Although titanium dioxide is found in nature, the particle is a metal that is attracted to impurities. Manufacturers process titanium dioxide through a chemical process to remove impurities and create a white powder.1 Its industrial applications are a result of its whitening effects, lack of odor, good absorbency, and anti-caking properties.2
The most significant usage for titanium dioxide is as a pigment to color and thicken paints.1, 3 It is also found in sunscreen, supplements, and medications, particularly those that come in a white tablet form. Additionally it is used as a coloring agent in foods such as the white powder on donuts and other pastries.1, 4
Here are some of the foods that may have titanium dioxide. Be sure to check the ingredient lists of foods in both your pantry and fridge:4, 5
- Condiments including mayonnaise, mustard, horseradish cream, and vinegar
- Nut spreads such as almond and peanut butter
- Confectionery sugar
- Desserts such as custard, tapioca pudding, sherbet, and sorbet
- Sausages
- Energy drinks labeled as “sport,” “energy,” or “electrolyte” beverages with a water base
- Cottage, cream, and processed cheeses
- Processed deli meats
- Canned fish products
- Dairy drinks including chocolate milk, eggnog, kefir, or whey-based drinks
- Prepared foods such as potato and macaroni salad, and foods containing battered fish or poultry
- Processed snacks such as Twinkies and powdered donuts
- Although not a food, oral supplements can also contain titanium dioxide
The FDA’s Stance on Titanium Dioxide
Many individuals question the regulations and standards that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets up when it comes to pharmaceutical medications and food based ingredients. Titanium dioxide is another confusing one as the FDA categorizes it as both a “natural coloring agent,” and a “synthetically prepared” ingredient.4,6
Research supports the idea that microscopic sized particles such as titanium dioxide may be hazardous to human health. Despite this understanding, the FDA regulates titanium dioxide as a Generally Required as Safe (GRAS) substance. The FDA has established concentration guidelines but does not require the ingredients to be listed on labels.4
Nanoparticle Exposure Creates Risks
Titanium dioxide is used as nano-particle particulate, which means that it is super small in size. This plays an important role in product manufacturing but it can also be hazardous to human health. This super small size is useful for products such as sunscreen because the larger sized particles will remain visibly white and not blend into the skin barrier.4
If you are looking at your phone or computer, you may notice a cluster of dust particles. Each of these dust particles will range in size from 3,000 to 9,000 nanometers (nm). Titanium dioxide and other nanoparticles may be utilized in products at the size of 2-5 nm. At that size the particles can have serious health consequences if digested.7
Titanium Dioxide Dangers: Do Nanoparticles Cause Cancer?
Although nano-sized titanium dioxide may be in small concentration, their presence alone may pose a significant carcinogenic hazard to human health. Animal studies using nanoparticles have shown evidence of increased risk of developing cancer both in the lungs when the nano-particles were inhaled, and in the skin when it was applied topically.3,8
The scientific community has yet to do an in depth analysis of nano-particle technology and its effects on human health. Unfortunately, these particles are being used by most individuals in western society on a daily basis despite the lack of scientific analysis on their safety.
Titanium Dioxide Particles Promote Inflammation
Titanium dioxide particles have been linked to increased oxidative stress.4 Oxidative stress is a condition characterized by free radical damage within the body that causes cellular instability and chronic inflammation. This state of high oxidative stress stimulates cellular and DNA damage and is a major player in the formation of cancer cells and other chronic disease states.
These nano-sized titanium dioxide particles are able to slip through the gut lining and into the blood stream. They are also able to escape the immune system’s natural defenses and are able to float around in the blood stream and interfere with key biological functions.
A growing body of evidence supports that 500 nm sized titanium dioxide particles (at least 5 times larger than the size of nano-particles also found in food) can be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and stored in organs such as the liver and spleen. Smaller particles (ranging from 80 nm to 155 nm) had detectable damage to not only neighboring organs of the digestive tract, but also to the brain.4
Findings have shown that titanium dioxide exposure increases free radical stress, reactive oxygen species formation, and chronic inflammation throughout the body.4 This process may promote cell proliferation and deactivate normal cell apoptosis processes that control cancer cell development.
The presence of a protein known as PAD (peptidylarginine deiminase) appears to be induced when in the presence of titanium dioxide particles. PAD is present in cellular conditions exhibiting increased oxidative stress and inflammation.9
Where Do You Go From Here?
Titanium dioxide is a widely used additive in food, cosmetics, medication, and supplement products that are commonly used in the western world. Based on the scientific literature and lack of proper safety analysis, you should take caution when seeing this compound listed on a product.
As always, it is important to read ingredient lists even in so called health foods, supplements and drugs to ensure your products don’t contain this potential cancer causing additive.
Manufacturers do respond to public pressure. Earlier this year the giant food chain Dunkin’ Donuts announced that it was eliminating nano-titanium dioxide from its powdered sugar donuts. This shows that some manufacturers are aware of titanium dioxide dangers and are willing to eliminate this ingredient when pushed to do so.
Very enlightening and empowering when it come to personal health. Titanium dioxide can be found in our cosmetics and in foods.
Very enlightening and empowering when it come to personal health. Titanium dioxide can be found in our cosmetics and in foods
It is in my citracal and multi-vitamin that I take every day! Thanks for the info.
http://youtu.be/qHQeEnBZiFo
dont forget flouridation and chemtrails
Regeneration USA products do not contain this awful chemical substance http://www.regenerationusa.net
We need to be vigilant in reading labels. Not buying these products forces those producers to alter their ingredients to a natural organic one. Sylvia
This is very important to read and take note of.
Is there anything left for us to eat?
Yes, Anne-Marie, please look around, in the veggie garden (for example).
We need to use common sense and open our eyes……
it is common that when some people do not want to change or revise their eating and drinking habits….
…they just lift their arms up in the air…and…do not really care to make better decisions.
And we all need help to change our ways!
Thank You for sharing.
Thank you, wonderful information!!!!!
Please share data on TiO2 causing problems–as a paint chemist I worked with this material for 45 years and am not aware of any problems associated with its use or contact.
What about titanium oxide?
Good to know.
It’s also in Colgate tooth paste, last ingredient!
Is it acid in nature? I still believe Dr Simoncini’s theory that cancer is a fungus. There are all types of fungus and all fungus needs acid and alkaline kills it. If we get enough alkaline in our system could we then neutrlize the TO to nothing? Should we all get PH strips and monitor our PH weekly and our diet! There are alkaline/acid charts of foods online.
But do not pay attention to the latest “thing” that “they” are saying = no red meat! and B12 shots! causing menory loss. Nobody says anything about sugar which is more harmful than any chemical also! It depletes our B vitamins which is needed for many nerve functions and could we not eliminate MS or other conditions that used to not be known to mankind ? Sugar is all acid by the way!!!
So is meat but we need meat which has much nutrition -we do not need sugar~! It has NO nutrition.
Thyroid medicine may have gluten/Ti/ GMO corn starch/AL coloring and more. Gluten may cause thyroid problems. Gum may have Ti in it also.
Important information!
Certainly an eye opener for those of us who wer not aware of this info.
Thank you about this health information. What about the GMO. We should talk more about it. It is harmful for the DNA and responsible for damaging the Aminoacids.
Please read this
It is also in paints and most pre,school children love painting including themselves
Is titanium dioxide derived from titanium? And i so, what are the efects of titanium plates which are used for healing broken bones?
First learned about titanium dioxide in foods when I read the ingredients list on a brand of vegan cheese named Daiya. Emailed the company about this ingredient asking if they had any info about the health effects of titanium dioxide on the human body when ingested. I did not get a reply from Daiya, and have stopped buying their products.
Titanium Dioxide, an additive linked to causing cancer brought to you by Ty Bollinger
Please clarify. Cancer is brought to you by Ty Bollinger? That’s what your message said.
This is somthing I never knew about. There are so many things that are dangerous to our health that we are not aware of, thanks for the information.
Thanks for this info!
Yes, I’m interested in that as well. My sunscreen contain titanium oxide. Is that also an item to worry about?
How about titanium dioxide in fitnessity cristal gold caviar face mask, golden night and day creams with titanium dioxide?
The article states YES. Titanium dioxide is a problem whether ingested or topical.
Centrum Silver / multivitamin for adults 50 and over contains titanium dioxide.
I have recently found out that I have the MTHFR gene mutation and I was told not to take vitamins with folic acid in them. Folic acid does not get used by my body. I need metholated folate. Supposedly 1/3 of our population have this gene mutation. Your multivitamin has folic acid in it. Do you know anything about this gene mutation?
Newer thyroid medication Tirosint is gluten free and allergen free
I switched to Tirosint recently, in hopes of change for the better in my thyroid…..It didn’t foe me, and my co pay went from $7 for Synthroid to $168 for Tirosint……ask ahead!!
What about silicon dioxide ?
Thank you for this information. We do need to be careful
Thank you for this. We do need to be careful
Thank you that made great sense – no more sugar.!!!!
Great article. Thank you so much for doing this work, Ty and Dr. Jockers. My family and I appreciate it!!!
looking at all my prod, Thank you 🙂
Anne-Marie Hunt
Kale. But only if you grow it yourself.
lol
I agree with your comment. It’s discouraging.
It is over-welming all the don’t and why. Where is the list of what IS safe to use and eat? What are the brand names? What stores carry them or how do we get them?
I could really use some help and checklists. It is exhausting trying to live an average busy life while at the same time trying to overhaul all that we eat and use and clean with. ?
Absolutely. ……I agree!! 🙂
Ti maybe in tooth implants and in hip replacements/in gum also which may hurt if it builds up in people if they don’t detox. Conventional medicine may not teach people how to detox and that detoxing is needed. Avoiding Ti may help health greatly.
huge difference between titanium metal and titanium dioxide. the metal is unreactive, that is why it is used within the body. so no problem with it.
Thanks so much. I have three dental implants and was worried about the titanium in them after reading this article on titanium dioxide.
Hi, I wonder how many other names titanium dioxide may be hidden under, like so many other ingredients – does anyone know please? Thanks and let’s have a good and healthy 2017 🙂 I’m in the UK.
Thanks for a great article. What are we to do about sunscreen? I’ve made an effort to avoid sunscreen containing chemicals, so usually buy those with a combo of titanium and zinc oxides…are those not safe?
And it is in many vegan cheeses
I heard that Daya cheese Doesnt habe it anymore
I have been complaining about titanium dioxide for years. It is in Suzanne Somer’s makeup. I called Bausch & Lomb to complain about it being in AREDS 2 which my Ophthalmologist prescribes to stave off macular degeneration. And nobody can give me a good reason why a carcinogen, per WHO, needs to be in all these products.
Phyllis, you do not need meat or other animal foods to be healthy. Do a search for vegan athlete or vegan body builder to see. Also, someone else asked about titanium screws and plates and such. These are safe, titanium is not toxic at all.
This article is not really about titanium dioxide, but about nanoparticles. Nano sized particles of any substance have been shown to cause problems.
Couldn’t agree more. This misconception that your going to die of “protein deficiency” or waste away if you don’t eat meat has caused humans to cut down huge swaths of the greatest pharmacy in existence. All to farm more cattle or grow more gmo corn to feed these poor unhealthy creatures. One of the most effective natural cancer therapys the Gerson Therapy is a vegan diet.
“A” you mentioned that “titanium screws and plates” not being toxic. Our son-in-law’s injured foot was held together with titanium screws and caused him to become deathly ill and his doctors had to replace them. So, apparently for some people titanium can be very toxic.
The article suggest that we check whether this ingredients (dioxide titanium) is listed on the products we buy but, at the same time, it says “The FDA has established concentration guidelines but does not require the ingredients to be listed on labels.” So we can never be sure.
Exactly! Checking and being aware won’t make any difference until they will be legally stopped poisoning us.
So what are you saying, that you believe that the FDA has our best interests in mind? Like all big corporations, they have their bottom line in mind. If there have been studies showing negative results in humans or animals, it is definitely not worth taking a chance on, and that’s the bottom line as the body was made to ingest whole foods that their cells haven’t been manipulated by man. Depending on your body, how strong your immune system is, your DNA, or how many toxins are laying in your fat cells due to bad diet etc., you don’t know how many more toxins your body can take before the straw the broke the camels back comes lurking at your doorstep. What you need to get out of this, is not to put anything in your body has any negative drawbacks and that’s what this site is all about. Play Russian Roulette with only yourself, and if you want to help yourself, read and take heed.
There is simply no hope for our human race as we will have nothing left to eat while others are making money killing us slowly and legally… No one is stopping them! Our self-education doesn’t make any difference until governments will step in with some very strict and tough rules. People keep sneaking chemicals and poisons into all our foods right front of our eyes and no one punishes them or puts them to jail for “mass killings of humans”. Think about it!
Titanium dioxide is also in soups. The other day I was served some New England clam chowder that really seemed unnaturally white. I’m sure titanium dioxide was the culprit. The NE clam chowder I usually buy has more of an off-white color because, you know, cream is cream-colored, not white, and the cream is what’s really supposed to be coloring the soup. I don’t understand why bright white soup is apparently attractive…. it’s not paint!
What about silicon dioxide?
Back in 2015 Dr. Mercola published an article regarding the dangers of titanium dioxide, and indicated particularly the nano-particle is the most damaging, especially to the digestive tract, as well as nerve and brain tissues. The problem consumers face is that this additive is not always listed, so we cannot decisively know for certain it is not present in many processed foods or supplements, or in a number of personal care products. The only way to try to eliminate exposure to titanium dioxide is to avoid processed foods and hope the ingredients used when making your own soaps or shampoos or sun screens have none already present. For those who have digestive issues or neurological conditions, titanium dioxide can be a major problem.
If Titanium Dioxide is considered GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe)…doesn’t that usually mean that it may not even be on the label (even if it is in the supplement)? Or do all GRAS ingredients have to be labeled on products?
Thanks..I’m very eager to know more about this
Is it usually in it’s nano form when in sunscreen and makeup? Here I am purchasing natural sunscreen and makeup in an attempt to reduce chemical exposure for my family, and now it’s just as bad? I don’t think there is a natural makeup out there that doesn’t contain it- and the majority of natural sunscreens do to. Is it just as bad topically as it is ingested? I am so upset about this knowledge! 🙁
We do not even know what to put in our mouths anymore. We assume that the food that we are eating is good for us and we do not realize with the titanium dioxide, it is actually causing us to be ill.
I know exactly what you mean, it can be quite depressing when we keep hearing about yet another cancer/sickness causing substance in our food and supplements etc. They shouldn’t be in there in the first place, it’s all about the money,they don’t care how they make it!
is there a sunscreen without Titanium Dioxide that doesnt make one white as a ghost? I have very light skin burn and freckle easily and have the family melanoma gene. Please reply if you know of one.
I’ve seen TD in sunscreens, makeup and personal care products but I wasn’t aware of it being an ingredient in foods.
I carefully scrutinise the labels of everything that I buy because we “ingest” everything we wear, eat or breathe in.
Is it listed on food labels? Has anyone seen it?
I would like that answered, too!
Exactly my thoughts too Anne -Marie Hunte. Only fresh fruit and vegetables that has not got pesticides on it. As much as I love knowing what is in the food and producers should only use fresh produce with no additives. It is becoming quite stressful to know that all we eat in a Western society today is really “poision.”. Let’s go back to only grow our own produce and support only fresh produce and farmers and shop locally direct from the farm . A barter system.
I am bit tired of this now. It seems not possible to not get cancer . Everything is not right! I feel sad and more stressed the more I get to know.
OH my gosh, yet another ingredient to avoid. I am so disillusioned over this. Now I will need to find another calcium source since Citracal +D has it on the ingredient list just before the D3 source.
Great heads up. Thanks You! Checked all my supplements and still need to research NaturThroid but all supps and whey I use have no titanium dioxide. Two have silicon dioxide tho…any worry there? Again Thank You!
If the FDA says it’s safe(GRAS) and does not legally have to be listed on the label, then you can read labels til your eyes fall out of your head and still be consuming this poison.
nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! everyday you read some new that we shouldn’t be eating, you wonder who to believe
They were right about our government wanting to kill us all for the sake of money. We can’t trust the FDA or the EPA, I hope Trump gets started on his house cleaning very soon.
Please comment on chemtrails. They are destroying the environment.
Hi Paulette,
We have a few articles that mention chemtrails. Here is the link: https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/?s=chemtrails
Thanks very much for this awesome health information.
Please is there any difference between Titanium dioxide and Selenium. I have a multivitamin containing Selenium. Do I continue using it, I take a capsule a day.
Thanks.
Martin’s.
I have ME/CFS and had Breast Cancer. I am seeing a medical doctor of environmental and nutritional medicine who recommended testing for a number of chemicals. Titanium Dioxide was found at a high level in my system and I am now chelating this and eliminating the products which caused this, namely I think cosmetics. The cosmetics companies I wrote to concerning this were in the main unhelpful or reticent in their response. I found too that companies who sell “organic” cosmetic products also contain Titanium Dioxide. A supplement CoEnzyme Q10 also contained it. I will be giving all my current evidence to my cancer specialist at my next check up.
“A” you mentioned that we dont need meat to be healthy i disagree with that, also scripture tells us which meats are ok to eat and which are not if we stay away from the forbidden meats we can stay healthy eating meats i would suggest that we be careful where are meat comes from today though, my husband and i only eat grass fed beef no grains from a certified organic farm.
Does it have to be labelled? It’s not on any of my products, yet I have many of those on the list. Including white tablets such as vitamin d, aspirin and a few others. Maybe they don’t have to label it at smaller amounts.
Good information. I don’t eat processed foods but needed to check my supplements. Thankfully mine are clean.
Thanks so much. I have 3 dental implants, and was worried about the titanium in them when I read this article.
Thank you very much for this information. I have bought a multivitamin for pregnancy and Titanium Dioxide is not listed until this day on the ingredients list even though on the actual packaging it says that there is TD in the coating. So the company selling this supplement online is withholding information. I wish to know what I can do in this particular situation. On the one hand I have gone through 54 tablets (1-2 each day) and have 36 left. And on the other hand I have paid for those. I am not going to consume them anymore but I feel just throwing them away is not enough.
Look forward to your reply.
I make my own sunscreen. Used it for the first time last year and lived it! Never burned once and SPF is about 40.
Interesting ……good question.
I will be facing this in several months.
what about silicon dioxide?
Thank you for posting about Daiya! I recently started using their non dairy products, believing the vegan version would be healthy. I just read the labels on all their proudicts I have in my kitchen; you are correct and I am disappointed, it is in every one! I will dispose of the products and be more vigilant in purchasing. My health, and the health of my loved ones is more precious than the taste of cheese. After all, there is a reason for becoming a vegan.
I heard that Daya cheese Doesnt habe it anymore
Patricia, that would be wonderful because I enjoy the taste of their “cheeses.” But the ones I purchased this week had it listed on the ingredients.
It is simple to avoid titanium dioxide in food–just stop purchasing and eating anything processed. And, no, titanium implants in the body are not safe either. My husband almost lost the use of his dominant arm after a dental implant. Use returned after the implant was removed when I realized the tooth was on the same meridian as the arm. I once contacted a manufacturer of alternative (i.e. pretending to be healthy) coffee creamer (back in the day when I used crap like that) to complain about their use of titanium dioxide. Their response was that it was totally safe. Yeah, right. So, coffee creamers should be added to the list of contaminated foods.
Thanks for your interesting comment. I have root canals I may get out, but need a good implant that will not hurt. Root canals can be bacteria factories.They are learning how to grow new teeth from stem cells. Yes…I can’t eat anything with a label even from the Health food store. Even Tide for clothes with a label has bad ingredients. I brush my teeth with water. Even root canals may affect meridians or pierced ears. People need to learn to prevent toxins and learn how to detox. Many people never detox since Conventional medicine doesn’t mention it. I also need no gluten which helps me absorb more nutrients in my intestines and helps my liver work better to detox.
omg I will stop using it immediately!
It doesn’t matter what food you buy’what is on the label does not mean that it is what is in it, and most of the ingredients means nothing to us. So we are still in the dark; if someone prepares it it is not safe to eat.
thank you for the info what a world we live in not even safe for our children stricter rules must be imposed on these companies they are making easy money and not being investigated at the expense of innocent people
It is better to buy no food with a label even from a health food store. Eating just pure organic food may help a person’s health more than it being made into a chip and put in a bag/box with other ingredients and maybe contaminated with GMO/gluten etc. Eat as natural as you can get. I saw a pregnant women today…fish/fruit/vegetables in her cart…very health. She will have a smart baby. Gluten may hurt intestines so less nutrients absorb so even if you take a supplement or eat a food it may not digest/absorb and help the brain/body. 100% no gluten/GMO may help heal intestines, but contamination is in factory air etc. Skipping food with a label may help avoid Ti etc. I chewed a gum that said it didn’t have Ti and my hair test showed high levels of it. Don’t trust labels…just eat as natural as you can.
Very interesting Phyllis thanks for that