Should we eat Organic foods?
- Dr. Alicia Miller, ND
- May 21, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 1, 2021
Some people think eating Organic food is a trend or a fad. Or they see how much more expensive it is compared to conventional food. What does Organic really mean? Overall, it is food grown and harvested without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents. When it comes to packaged foods that are made with Organic ingredients, it only has to be 70% Organic, according to USDA.
Why are pesticides and herbicides harmful to human and animal health? Glyphosate is one of the most widely used pesticides in the world. Glyphosate is a potent chelator that binds minerals (Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, iron) in the soil where the plant is being grown. Humans and animals rely on these essential minerals (as does the plant) for many biological processes required for good health. Glyphosate creates oxidative stress, disrupts hormones, and disrupts gut microbiome. If you’re having health issues, consider nutrient testing and possibly testing for levels of Glyphosate. My favorite lab is Great Plains Laboratory-Tox Profile which is a urine test. If the levels of glyphosate come back elevated, the best thing to do is avoidance of the chemical. Depending on the person, detoxification pathways may need additional support, especially if there are underlying medical conditions present. This can safely be evaluated by a Naturopathic Doctor or Functional Medicine Doctor.
Unfortunately, just having this chemical sprayed onto the plant isn’t the end of the story. It will seep into the soil, groundwater, and it is carried by the wind and which spreads onto other neighboring farms. Say you wanted to have some Organic Strawberries, but you noticed in the grocery store that there was a conventional Strawberry and Organic Strawberry by the same farm. What do you do, knowing that the Glyphosate has drifted from the Conventional Strawberries onto the Organic strawberries? I’d skip it all together.
Fortunately, every year there is an updated list about the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen pertaining to which fruits and vegetables should always be consumed Organic and which ones you can get away with eating conventional (although I would still wash it). For 2021, the Dirty Dozen (ones that are a hard pass unless they’re Organic) are Strawberries, Spinach, Kale [collard & mustard greens], Nectarines, Apples, Grapes, Cherries, Peaches, Pears, Bell & Hot peppers, Celery, and Tomatoes! These are the ones that you need to spend the extra money for Organic. If the label starts with a “9”, then it’s fine.
Keep in mind that if a fruit or vegetable is being imported from another country, it will be sprayed down at customs. This is to avoid the introduction of unwanted species being introduced here. Therefore, I’d avoid any Organic produce from the Dirty Dozen list if it is coming from another country.
#Eatorganic #dirtydozen #cleanfifteen #glyphosatekills #functionalmedicineworks #naturopathicmedicine
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