I had finally come to a place in my life where I was concerned about my health and that of my family. After all, it's not the quantity, but the quality of life right? And if you can increase both, all the better! We started exercising, eating healthier and taking vitamins. Then one day while I was getting my daily dosage of web surfing in, I came across an article about the hidden dangers of chemicals and how using organic products and food reduces those risks. Now, I'm not one to blindly believe everything I read, so I started searching for some answers on my own. If I was putting myself or my family at risk for serious health problems, I wanted to know!
It was quite a daunting task to get through all the articles, scientific studies and pages upon pages of information! What I have learned has really helped me to make some decisions about my life though, and I hope you find it helpful as well.
First, what does Organic mean?
Simply, that the ingredients used are free from any harmful pesticides, insecticides, growth hormones, antibiotics and a whole host of other artificial additives, flavorings, colorings and preservatives. The harvest and milling of organics is also considerate towards the land and environment.
Why is Organic so expensive?
Prices for organic foods and products include costs of growing, harvesting, transportation and storage. In the case of processed foods, processing and packaging costs are also included. Organically produced foods and products must meet stricter regulations governing all these steps than conventional foods and products. The intensive management and labor used in organic production are frequently (though not always) more expensive than the chemicals routinely used on conventional farms.
The law of supply and demand also plays a part. There are more buyers than crops yields. Why is this? Production yields are often, but not always, lower on organic farms because organic food production does not involve the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides and other technological aids. Also, growers who go through the 3-year transition period from conventional to organic management usually experience an initial decrease in yields, until soil microbes are re-established and nutrient cycling is in place.
And the most important question of them all?
Is Organic really better for you?
I have searched long and hard to find the answer to this question! I couldn't find any scientific studies to prove or disprove that organic is better. Why? Mainly because of the multitude of variables involved in making a fair comparison between organically grown and conventionally grown food. These include crop variety, time after harvest, post-harvest handling, and even soil type and climate, which can have significant effects on nutritional quality. After hitting that road-block, I decided to review the facts. Organic products are organic because they are free from the chemicals used on conventionally grown products. So, I turned my attention to these chemicals and whether they are really harmful to humans? Most reports claim that these chemicals if handled properly and used in small amounts, are not dangerous to humans. Although, the Environmental Protection Agency had this to say ? "Although pesticides can be beneficial to society, they can also pose risks to human health and the environment if improperly handled. The risk to human health can come from a number of sources: direct exposure through improper use, residual pesticides on food and release into the environment from improper storage or disposal. Children are particularly susceptible to pesticide exposure. The effects of exposure to pesticides include poisoning, eye damage, disruption of the endocrine system, and respiratory ailments."
So, what I found is that there is no proof these chemicals when handled properly are causing serious health problems. There is also no proof that they are not. Even the EPA says there is some risk. So what now? Now it comes down to a personal decision. Is the risk we are taking worth it? Can we be comfortable bringing these chemicals into our home when they might cause serious health problems to us and our children? When the alternative is paying a bit more for organic foods and products, I'm just not willing to take the risk. You have to make that decision for yourself and your own family.
Author: Shelly Platt
http://www.naturallygood.net - products, articles, and links supporting a more natural, healthy lifestyle.
When it comes to the topic of sports nutrition there... Read More
A green and lush oasis in the middle of a... Read More
The proliferation of fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and vending... Read More
Because I believe diet and exercise are so important, I'm... Read More
Cholesterol has been around for thousands of years. It's a... Read More
In parts 1-6 of this series of articles titled "Take... Read More
The word cholesterol has become synonymous with poor health. Indeed,... Read More
When it comes to food, we can't ignore the facts... Read More
Since the beginning of time, everyday fruits have been known... Read More
Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for... Read More
Some experts consider carbohydrate craving and addiction as something more... Read More
What are Glyconutritionals?The Greek word "Glyco" means "Sugar". Most people... Read More
Approximately 30 years ago, food manufacturers were competing against the... Read More
In this fast paced world, good nutrition may sound very... Read More
Enzymes are the workers in our body that make everything... Read More
Some of the things you think you know that just... Read More
I don't understand people sometimes. You know, there is a... Read More
How well do you know about vitamin K? This vitamin... Read More
Okay, before we start, let me explain the purpose of... Read More
After we have eaten a meal -- and often we... Read More
Nutrition usually only comes up when people are finally deciding... Read More
Can a child thrive on a vegan diet? The answer... Read More
Strict "no carb" phases of low carb diets have developed... Read More
THE RISKThe primary symptom of acid reflux is obvious to... Read More
Recently I found the book : "Eating and health according... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Glenview ..Proper hydration is extremely important during exercise. Adequate fluid intake... Read More
Oats (botanical name Avena sativa)An oat is a grass that... Read More
Do you know your ph? By getting ph strips at... Read More
Are you sick and tired of the confusion about our... Read More
The first place that we cut corners when we are... Read More
The makers of Bumble Bee Tuna generated some buzz today... Read More
I confess: I'm completely addicted to Pringles. My determination weakens... Read More
You may have noticed an ever-expanding choice of oils at... Read More
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed.... Read More
All carbohydrates are not the same. Generally it is assumed... Read More
Whether you're concerned about cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or simply... Read More
THE RISKThe primary symptom of acid reflux is obvious to... Read More
The most dreaded word in many dieter's vocabulary is 'fat'.... Read More
The above foods contain high antioxidant capacity. These foods were... Read More
1. Look for high quality, crystalline, free-form, amino acids (AAs)... Read More
Have you ever thought about where your drinking water comes... Read More
Many people experience unpleasant reactions to foods they have eaten... Read More
Before we get to honey we have a question from... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
If you're suffering from constipation, you are no doubt looking... Read More
The latest tallies show that over three million people in... Read More
With the array of different diets and diet foods available... Read More
Cholesterol. What images come to mind when you see this... Read More
Can we really stop the aging process, slow it down,... Read More
How Can... Read More
Nutrition |