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