The greatest wealth is health.
—Virgil
CHAPTER 13
Why Organic?
After you learn how to choose the right foods, the next step is going organic. Until the twentieth century, there was no need to talk about “organic” food. All food was organic, and pesticide residue and artificial preservatives were unknown. People didn’t have to think about what might be in the bread they bought from the town baker, or if their greens might be doing more harm than good. Food was food.
Some people in my life may say I am a bit anal about what I eat. They might be right. I still get eye rolls from loved ones for refusing gum with fake sugar or a drink mixed with Coke. But I have very good reasons for wanting my food and supplements to be as clean as possible. I realize getting all of your food—or even some of it—organic might not be an option, either because of money constraints or because it’s just not available where you live. So do your best!
Why go organic? Nonorganic means genetically modified, antibiotics, growth hormones, and/or pesticides and herbicides, none of which are safe for consumption. The term genetically modified organism (GMO) means that foreign DNA has been forced into a plant or seed. Genetic engineering even transfers genes across natural species barriers. One company tried to get the US Food and Drug Administration’s approval to sell a tomato that included genes from a winter flounder. Yes, fish DNA forced into a tomato. But most, if not all, GMOs contain microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast, as well as insects, plants, fish, and mammals.
The most common genetically modified foods are corn, soy, cottonseed, alfalfa (fed to dairy cows), canola, and sugar beets. Studies prove that GMOs increase breast cancer risk, tumor growth and instances of food allergies, especially to soy and gluten. I had a big “aha” moment about GMOs and allergies while doing my residency. A French patient of mine commented that whenever she went to visit family in France, eating baguettes and croissants didn’t upset her stomach. But in the States, she felt gassy and sluggish every time she ate a sandwich. This is most likely because France has some of the strictest laws about limiting and banning GMO crops.
To add to the frustration about food safety, there are chemical pesticides and herbicides. More than seventeen thousand pesticide products are currently on the market in the US. The average American consumes three pounds of pesticides per year. This is particularly scary when you consider that your brain weighs about three pounds. If you limit or completely eliminate nonorganic food from your grocery basket, your exposure to chemicals will be limited as well.
Concern about pesticides has driven many people to go organic. Pesticides can have quite a few negative consequences on your health. I’m always surprised that most pesticides are even legal. Many of the illnesses we consider unavoidable and part of the norm can be traced back to being subjected to pesticides. The human health impacts linked to pesticide exposure range from birth defects and childhood brain cancer in the very young to Parkinson’s disease in the elderly. In between are a variety of other cancers, developmental and neurological disorders, reproductive and hormonal system disruptions, and more. Pesticides are suspected as a possible contributing factor to autism, ADD/ADHD, hormonal imbalances, gestational diabetes, infertility, thyroid disorders, obesity, and delayed puberty in boys.
When it comes to produce, some nonorganic options are safer than others because certain fruits and vegetables absorb more pesticides. So just washing them well isn’t really enough to get rid of any residue. Please use this list when doing your shopping.
The Twelve Most Polluted types of Produce (aka the Dirty Dozen)
The twelve Least Polluted types of produce
Just as important for better health is avoiding plastic. You’re probably saying to yourself, “Avoid using plastic? Why? I recycle, and it’s so convenient! And how? It’s everywhere!” If you went through every room and every cabinet, closet, and drawer, you would find plastic. It’s in our clothes. It’s the packaging for almost everything we buy. It’s in our cars. Our toothbrushes and brushes are made of plastic. We can’t get away from it.
Besides polluting our oceans and killing sea creatures and birds, plastic has been suspected as a cause of brain damage, increased fat formation and obesity risk, hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, learning impairment, autoimmune disorders, early puberty, thyroid disorders, prostate enlargement, low sperm count, and various cancers. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, it may from your exposure and use of plastic.
I know these side effects might seem scary and overwhelming. I also know that it’s almost impossible to avoid using all plastics. But doing regular detoxes, sweating, getting plenty of clean water, eating nutritious foods, and taking the proper supplements can help prevent, eliminate, and reduce the chance of having any of the above health issues.
To minimize your exposure to plastics, store your food in glass containers, use cooking oils in glass bottles, drink filtered water in a metal container, do not microwave foods that are in plastic containers or covered by plastic (ideally do not microwave at all), and make sure to take reusable bags each time you go to the grocery store. And please recycle!
I don’t want to scare you—but at the same time I do. Minimizing exposure to pesticides, plastics, and GMOs is something we can all do. Ask your grocery store to carry more organic options. Any time you eat out, let the restaurant staff know you’re interested in organic fare. Bring your own utensils to picnics and potlucks and refuse to drink out of a plastic straw at restaurants. Tell your elected representatives you demand safe food choices. Your voice will be heard. And this will benefit all of us.