Preservatives added to cured meats, bacon and ground beef have been linked to dementia diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. This is for my brother and partner Yusuf, enjoy the information!Sodium nitrite, which is added to meat and fish to destroy toxins, reacts with proteins in the meat, damaging human DNA cells similar to aging. 

The problem is compounded by an increase in human exposure to nitrogen-containing fertilisers from soil run-off and water contamination.

More than 20,000 people in WA suffer from dementia - this number increases 10-fold nationally.

Until this point there has been a lot of focus on defective genes but now it is becoming clear that really represents a small proportion of the total community who are at risk of getting Alzheimer's.

"This study is important because it points to the environmental factors that can play a role in Alzheimer's disease.

Processed food sales coincided with an increased prevalence of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's' and type 2 diabetes in the US.

We have become a 'nitrosamine generation

``The relatively short time interval for such dramatic increases in death rates associated with these diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and type 2 diabetes) is more consistent with exposure-related causes rather than genetic changes.''

Fertiliser in WA contains nitrogen.

But the Department of Agriculture was unable to provide information on whether consumption has increased here.

WA researchers are studying the link between Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes.

Nitrites and nitrates are found in many food products including fried bacon, cured meats, cheese products and beer.

``In essence, we have moved to a diet that is rich in amines and nitrates, which lead to increased nitrosamine production. Nitrites and nitrates belong to a class of chemical compounds that have been found to be harmful to humans and animals.

At the moment high-fat diet and low-exercise lifestyles are key factors thought to play a role in the onset of dementia.

Heavy metals such as copper and zinc are also being blamed.

Courtesy of Healthy Cooking Tips

Chef Tim Johnson

Remember...Grace is upon you so eat to live!