| As we learn more about food and the | | | | "chemical body burden" and has been |
| toxins that can often be found in our | | | | linked to developmental delays, motor |
| food, it is becoming clear that simply | | | | dysfunction, and behavioral disorders. |
| eating more fruits, vegetables, and | | | | GMOs or genetically modified organisms |
| whole grains is not the only way to | | | | can also have negative health impacts. |
| improve a diet. The purity of the food | | | | Genetic engineering in food began in |
| that you are eating also needs to be | | | | order to try to increase the benefits |
| taken into consideration. The way that | | | | that can be found in certain types of |
| food is grown or raised can have an | | | | fruits and vegetables. Beginning in |
| impact on your health. | | | | 1994, genetically engineered foods could |
| What's the difference between | | | | be found in supermarkets. The possible |
| conventional food and organic food? | | | | negative health effects associated with |
| The main difference between conventional | | | | GMOs include new or unknown allergies, |
| food and organic food is the way the | | | | decreased levels of nutrition, increased |
| food is grown and processed. | | | | levels the toxins and antibiotic |
| Conventional food can contain chemicals | | | | resistance. |
| from fertilizers and insecticides, but | | | | As concern over food-borne illness has |
| they are grown with natural fertilizers, | | | | increased, many countries have approved |
| crop rotation, and animals are given | | | | food irradiation, which is the exposure |
| space to roam freely. There are legal | | | | of food to a small amount of radiation |
| standards that need to be met in order | | | | in order to kill bacteria, such as |
| for food to be marked organic. These | | | | E.coli and Salmonella. During the |
| standards include: | | | | radiation, the food is exposed to known |
| - The food must be grown in soil that | | | | carcinogens, but the risks to the |
| does not contain chemicals including, | | | | consumer are still unknown. |
| sewage sludge, potassium chloride, or | | | | What are the benefits of eating organic |
| lead salts. The soil must be free of | | | | foods? |
| such chemicals for at least three years | | | | Not only do organic foods eliminate the |
| before the first organic harvest. | | | | dangers posed by pesticides, GMOs, and |
| - Food cannot be modified in any way. | | | | irradiation, but they also provide |
| This includes use of GMOs (genetically | | | | additional health benefits of their own. |
| modified organisms), irradiation and | | | | - They contain more antioxidants than |
| additives. | | | | conventional foods. Pesticides used in |
| - They must be kept separate from | | | | the growing of conventional food reduce |
| non-organic food through all of the | | | | the plant's chemicals that create |
| stages of growing and processing. | | | | antioxidants. |
| - Organic livestock must be fed food | | | | - They have higher levels of magnesium, |
| that is 100 percent organic. | | | | iron, calcium, and vitamin C, among |
| - The animals must have access to the | | | | other nutrients. |
| outdoors, including room for appropriate | | | | Where can I buy organic foods? |
| exercise. | | | | They can be found in most supermarkets |
| What are the negative effects of | | | | or groceries. Ask your grocer if your |
| pesticides in conventional food? | | | | store carries organic food. If not, they |
| Mount Sinai School of Medicine conducted | | | | may be able to begin to order more or |
| a study that tested for pollutants in | | | | direct you to a nearby store that does |
| the human body. An average of 84 | | | | carry organic foods. Once you start |
| chemicals was found in an individual's | | | | eating these foods, you will be well on |
| blood, some of which had been outlawed | | | | your way to an improved diet that will |
| for years. This is known as the | | | | leave you feeling healthier than ever! |