With the cost of food being what it is today, you may be asking yourself if buying organic is really worth the price. Will it be that much better for you? You have, after all, made it this far without it. My hope is that after you read this article you will change your mind forever.
As your eyes take you on a journey through this informative article, you will begin to realise just how much has been missing (or added!) in your day to day diet. The difference in farming practices alone is enough to set organic food into a league of its own. Let me give you a run-down of three major points:
1. Organic food uses no chemically synthesized fertilizers, pesticides or insecticides; industrial farming uses all three.
2. Organic food has no growth hormones or antibiotics and is not genetically modified; once again, industrial farming usually has all three.
3. Organic farming practices, by their very nature enrich the soil and improve the health of our planet; industrial farming practices rape the soil of its nutrients.
Once you relate these three points to your own health, I am sure you will begin to agree that the ramifications and consequences are apparent to your health. Shall I take you deeper?
Chemicals and Your Body
Do you remember the scare that was put into the public about DDT (Dichlorodiphenyl-Trichloroacetic Acid)? Evidence suggests it causes abnormalities of liver function, skin and the nervous system. DDT was used on our crops from 1945 to 1972 and is still used today as a deterrent for malaria. Here is a list of some other modern day chemicals used in industrial farming:
1. Alachlor: This herbicide is used for weed control on soybeans, corn and peanuts since 1969. It has been shown to lead How To Find Suppliers For Online Store to eye problems, liver problems, anemia, kidney or spleen problems and a better chance of cancer (Gustafson, 1993).
2. Atrazine: Atrazine is an herbicide they use on corn and have for decades. When ingested it can cause cardiovascular and reproductive problems.
3. Endothall: They have been using this herbicide on spinach, sugar Industry Trends Analysis beets and potatoes. It can lead to stomach and intestinal problems.
4. Lindane: This is an insecticide the use on cattle! Ingesting Lindane can cause liver or kidney problems.
5. Methoxychlor: They use this insecticide for fruits, vegetables and livestock. It can cause reproductive problems.
Keep in mind that this is only 5 of the approximately 70,000 man-made chemicals that are affecting us in our daily lives. If you haven’t been sickened enough, dig a little on The History of Water Filters.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
In order for you to understand the disastrous effects of genetically modified food, you have to dig very deep indeed. Morgellons Disease has been discredited by doctors as being a figment of our imagination, but how can they when there is physical proof? Victims of Morgellons have given us this proof in the form of what can only be considered as foreign material coming out of sores on their skin. When these fibres have been examined, they were found to have a cellulose-like structure. Plastic growing out of humans is definitely not normal! Somebody please explain this to me; if there are diseases like this now in the world, why is it GMOs don’t go through the same rigorous testing that pesticides, herbicides and fungicides do?
One more thing I would like to bring to your attention in regards to GMOs is the reason why they create them in the first place. They do this so they can use chemicals to control the pests. Don’t believe the truth; know the truth. Look up my references, please!
Organic Farming Practices
Organic farming practice is an eco-friendly way to produce crops without the use of synthetic insecticides, chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The reasoning behind organic farming is simple; if you sustain the land naturally, it will sustain you permanently. When you look a little closer, there are basically three steps to organic farming: cultivation, fertilisation and pest control.
1. Cultivation: There are two practices involved in cultivation. Polyculture, which is the method of using a variety of crops to attract different soil microbes which in turn act as pest repellents for other crops. Monoculture, which is the method of growing one crop over and over to cut down on the cost of fertilizers, pesticides and seeds; unfortunately, this also strips the soil of its nutrients and creates disastrous effects such as the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Which method makes more sense to you?
2. Fertilization: The differences between the two farming practices in this category are just as great. Organic fertilization uses solid composting as well as a process called, “Green Manuring”. This entails growing plants like Clover or Alfalfa and ploughing them into the soil to further ad nutrients. Regular industrial fertilization techniques include chemical fertilization as well as regular animal manure. The better choice for the soil is again clear.
3. Pest Control: Organic pest control is attained partially by having the right microbes in the soil as well as growing plants that attract predatory insects which in turn prey on the harmful insects. Additionally, companion crops are also grown to give more aid in pest control. Industrial farming practices are relatively simple in comparison. They spray chemical products on their monoculture crops which are absorbed into the plant itself.
I have researched the issue of organics versus GMO’s for one specific reason. Five years ago I had the opportunity to switch my diet to organics; consequently, I noticed 2 extremely important facts. My energy levels increased dramatically and for that I am eternally grateful! The second fact is that I had to eat less to be satisfied. On top of these two revelations, my food tastes divine!
References
The Human Health Effects of DDT and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and An Overview of Organochlorines In Public Health. MP Longnecker, WJ Rogan, G Lucier Annual Review of Public Health 18, 211-244, 1997.
GMO and Morgellons Disease by Barbara H Peterson,
, Intelligent life on the web.
‘The Concious Earth’, a Blogspot blog developed by Kori B., the Communications Director of Ecojustice.
Int J Biol Sci 2009; 5:438-443 A�Ivyspring International Publisher