Monday, October 22, 2007

Another reason to try organic foods?

In a recent study, parents Michelle and Jeremiah Hammond found their children, Rowan (18 months old) and Mikaela (5 yrs old) -- had chemical exposure levels up to seven times more than they did. These sorts of chemical levels in rats tended to cause all sorts of diseases in lab studies but were inconclusive so far for humans. The children were healthy and showing no signs from the chemical level.

Dr. Trasande seems to think differently. He says - "Rates of asthma, childhood cancers, birth defects and developmental disorders have exponentially increased, and it can't be explained by changes in the human genome. So what has changed? All the chemicals we're being exposed to."

Elizabeth Whelan, president of the American Council on Science and Health, a public health advocacy group, disagrees.

"My concern about this trend about measuring chemicals in the blood is it's leading people to believe that the mere ability to detect chemicals is the same as proving a hazard, that if you have this chemical, you are at risk of a disease, and that is false," she said. Whelan contends that trace levels of industrial chemicals in our bodies do not necessarily pose health risks.

Many countries have banned PDBE's, which are flame retardants, and one of the many chemicals in the Hammond's children's bloodstream. As of now no one really knows the impact these chemicals will have on our generation and the next.. but common sense just tells you that nature never intended you to have industrial chemicals flowing through your bloodstream.

Monday, October 1, 2007

11 Items You Don't Have to Buy Organic

From Dr. Andrew Weil -

The best way to reap the health benefits of fruits and vegetables without exposing yourself to potentially harmful pesticides is to choose organic produce whenever possible, especially those varieties which are more likely to be contaminated. But if organic produce is cutting into your budget, it's okay to buy non-organic varieties of the fruits and vegetables listed below, which tend to contain the least amount of pesticides. However, make it a habit to wash them thoroughly before eating or cooking, to remove dirt and bacteria.

  1. Asparagus
  2. Avocados
  3. Bananas
  4. Broccoli
  5. Cabbage
  6. Corn (sweet, frozen)
  7. Kiwi
  8. Mangos
  9. Onions
  10. Pineapples
  11. Peas (sweet, frozen)