“WARNING: Your Cookware Could Be Making You Sick!”  Dr. Joseph Mercola

If you were going to purchase new cookware, what would you buy?

For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  (Prov. 2:6; NIV)

Since I wrote about the perils of PFOA in the 2/21/08 Daily Gram, I’ve had several readers ask further questions about cookware.  They’ve asked if all non-stick cookware contains Teflon, and if all non-stick cookware is hazardous to our health.  I’ve also been asked for alternatives to use instead of Teflon. 

Since I’ve not used any non-stick cookware in many a year, I needed to do some research on the subject.  From what I’ve gleaned, all non-stick cookware contains either PFOA or PTFE.  PTFE is polytetrafluoroethylene and is extremely deadly to birds.  Several different sources gave numerous examples of birds being killed just by people using non-stick cookware.  One has to wonder if the chemicals are that toxic to birds, what are they doing to humans?  (Remember the canaries that miners used to carry into the mines as an early warning system for toxic gasses?)

So, I would have to say that any brand of cookware, which states “non-stick,” should immediately send up a warning flag as it probably contains one of those known toxic chemicals.  Unless the manufacturer states in writing that it does not, and then explains exactly how it is non-stick, assume it does contains PFOA or PTFE.

One more note on what NOT to use for cookware.  I would not recommend using any aluminum pans for cooking if you want to enjoy your golden years. Aluminum is a strongly suspected causal factor in Alzheimer’s disease. People dread Alzheimer’s disease more than cancer and heart disease, and for good reason.  According to Dr. Mercola, aluminum is considered a “reactive” metal, meaning that it reacts with salty or acidic foods to release itself into the food. You can also be exposed to aluminum when Teflon chips off a coated aluminum pan.

So, by now you’re probably asking what cookware CAN you use.  Enamel coated cast iron is some of the best cookware available.  Today’s first two links give sources for those.  If you’re not ready for that type of investment, but you want to get rid of your Teflon, then look for stainless steel cookware.  I went to Sears last evening to see what they had available.  Most everything was non-stick!  There were two sets of stainless steel pans that were very nice and very reasonably priced.  If you can only begin with one pan, I have seen nice, heavy, stainless steel pans at K-Mart and Walmart.  Start there.

Today’s third link is a story about Mike Adams and his experience with deceptive marketing.  Very interesting read.

Prayer Power
Lord, thank You that You offer Your wisdom to us freely.  May we tune our ears to continually hear Your voice.

Links of the Day
Range Kleen
WARNING: Your Cookware Could be Making You Sick!
Consumer Fraud Alert

Blessings on you as you seek to educate yourself and your family about healthy living.