Health Care-FOR GOOD HEALTH–ORGANIC FOOD
There has been quite a bit of controversy surrounding Organic foods with the big questions being, “What does organic mean?”
Organic foods avoid the use of most synthetic chemical inputs (e.g. fertilizers, pesticides antibiotics, food additives etc), genetically modified organisms, irradiation, and the use of sewage sludge.
Fertilizers used are generally natural (manure). Only 7 of the 450 pesticides allowed in non-organic farming are permitted according to one expert.
The pesticides permitted degrade quickly and leave little or no residue.
No antibiotics or hormones are given to the animals used for organic meat and the animals are given only organic feed. There are no preservatives, artificial colors or artificial flavors in organic foods.
There are no genetically modified organisms used in organic farming. These are generally plants that have been genetically altered by having their DNA combined with another organisms DNA. As well, the organic foods will not be irradiated to kill any living organisms that may be on or in the food.
Lastly, there is no sewage sludge used on the organic plants. This means treated waste water that contains PCB’s, dioxin and brominates flame retardants. In other words, the organic foods are quite similar to the foods that were produced in this country about 150 years ago or in your little backyard garden.
Recent studies have proved conclusively that organic foods are higher in nutrient content than conventional foods. Research in the USA and Denmark has revealed that organic foods have an 87% higher nutrient content, specifically magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron and copper, than chemically grown food, although these benefits are lost when organic foods starts to decay.
As well, being free of pesticide residues, additives and preservatives does seem to reduce the risk of some cancers. Extremely toxic multiple residues can be found on many non-organic fruits and vegetables, and pesticide residues rank among the top three environmental cancer risks, as well as being linked with birth defects and a multitude of other less serious symptoms.
Organic foods are healthier for you and have less risk involved in the way of chronic diseases.
Organic greens are great but it is nice to finish with some organic ice cream. It will be up to you to decide if this is worth the extra cost.
If you are going to buy organic make sure that it is certified organic by the USDA or some other state agency.
Link:- http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080702/FERNLEY03/807020347/1045/BIZ01
