Is organic food really better for you?
* In the wake of agricultural industrialization in the 1940’s chemical use skyrocketed. Prior to this all food was “organic”. Organic food has been shown to contain more nutritional value and be better for the environment since no pesticides are contaminating the soil and water
* Testing by Mother Earth News in 2007 found that eggs from free-range hens may contain 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids, 3 times more vitamin E, 7 times more beta carotene, 2/3 more vitamin A, 1/3 less cholesterol, and 1/4 less saturated fat. Not to mention they taste alot better too!
* Research in 2005 found that milk from cows raised organically had 75% higher levels of beta-carotene, 50% higher levels of vitamin E, and was two to three times richer in antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthine.
Pesticide toxicity in children
* Scientists in Washington tested children’s exposure to pesticides in diet and found the concentration was approximately six times higher for children with conventional diets than those with organic diets
* Recent research shows that many children experience continuous exposure to low doses of pesticides over time that can cause serious health issues
* Approximately 12 million children in the USA suffer from developmental disabilities and about 25% of these can be linked in part to environmental toxins such as pesticides, as per the National Academy of Sciences in July 2000
* There is mounting evidence that some pesticides (organochlorine) may cause hormonal problems in children. Studies show that they disrupt the effects of hormones on human cells
* Preliminary research suspects that recent increases in testicular cancer among boys and early onset of puberty in girls can be attributed to environmental toxins including pesticides
* Only 43% of synthetic chemicals that are made in large quantities have been tested for human toxicity and only 7% in children, according to research from the Center for Children’s Health
*Many pesticides have been linked to brain damage, cancer, immune disorders, birth defects, learning disorders, and hyperactivity
* The FDA and EPA are not doing their job at protecting our families and if anything are dragging their feet at monitoring and testing these pesticides and chemicals. There is mounting evidence that even those they have tested and set “acceptable” levels on are inaccurate and pose serious health risks
For more info on this topic and great receipes for organic cooking, please look at the book Fresh Choices by David Joachim and Rochelle Davis
Why choose rBGH-free (organic) milk?
* Milk from cows treated with rBGH contains hormones that have been linked to elevated cancer risks. Studies show increased risk for breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers
* Cows treated with rBGH are more likely to receive antibiotics which can make humans resistant to antibiotics when they need them
* Its better for the cows. Cows treated with rBGH suffer from higher rates of udder inflamation, birth disorders, hoof problems, and diarrhea just to name a few
* rBGH is prohibited in most industrialized nations including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most European nations
Cancer on the rise?
* There are strong links between increased cancer rates and the industrialized world where chemicals are used frequently
* One half the world’s cancers occur among people in industrialized countries even though that is only 1/5 the population
* The International Agency for Research on Cancer has concluded that up to 80% of all cancer can be linked to environmental influences and exposure to chemicals
* During our lifetime 40% of all Americans will get some form of cancer
Info documented from Sandra Steingraber’s book Living Downstream
What you should know about the beef industry…
* The industrialization process reduces the nutritional value of the meat, stresses the animals, increases the risk of bacterial contamination, pollutes the environment and exposes consumers to many chemicals
* Regular meat may look fresh because it is injected with gases to keep it looking red longer
* There is nothing natural about conventional beef. Many cows are treated with hormones that regulate the timing of conception to control when calves will be born so as to increase efficiency. In many ranches bulls have been replaced by artificial insemination. Many say that in under 10 years ranchers will be using cloned cattle and there is a good chance the FDA will not require it to be labeled as such
* The cows are treated inhumanely. After they are 9 months old they are shipped to feedlots which can take up to a week. Upon arrival at the feedlot the already stressed animal can have a number of procedures done which can include dehorning, castration, branding and tagging. Antibiotics are mixed with their feed even if they are not showing signs of illness
* Research shows that growth hormones approved by the FDA for cattle even in trace amounts can promote tumor growth. Ohio State University mixed human breast cells with trace amounts of Zeranol (an approved FDA hormone) and it caused a significant spurt in tumor growth. This was at levels 30 times lower than levels the FDA have said are safe
* Research shows that hormone implants may cause birth defects and changes in sexual development in children
* Many cattle are fed “byproduct feedstuff” which can include stale bread, candy, or heat treated garbage. In NY state chewing gum has been used as a cheap feed supplement
Do you really need any more reasons to buy hormone and antibiotic free meats???? If you can stomach more then you might want to read Mother Earth News article “what you need to know about the beef you eat”
What labels really mean
USDA Organic: Organic farming avoids the use of most artificial inputs, like synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and bans the use of animal by-products, antibiotics and sewage sludge among other practices. Any food product (except fish) using the word organic must be certified as such by an official USDA accredited certifier. 95% of the product must contain organic ingredients to have this label
Made with Organic Ingredients: Must contain at least 70% organic ingredients, not counting water and salt
Certified Organic Beef: No growth-promoting hormones or antibiotics are allowed. The feed cannot be made from animal byproducts
Free Range: The USDA defines this as “allowed access to the outside”. Producers can label their eggs “free range” even if all they do is leave a small door open. This is regardless of if the hens go outside at all and if they have access to a pasture. There is no set amount of time they are required to be outdoors.
USDA grass fed: Cattle must be fed only mother’s milk and forage on grass or other greens during their lifetime. Also, cattle must have access to pasture “during the growing season”. They can still be given hormones and a steady diet of antibiotics. For more info you can go to www.eatwild.com
Fair Trade: Come from farms that have been certified to provide fair wages and safe working conditions. Farmers must obey internationally monitored environmental standards and giving financial incentives for organic conservation, reforestation, water conservation and environmental education. For more info visit www.transfairusa.org
