Dr. Mercola April 12 2003 1,117 views
Feeding children mostly organic produce as opposed to conventionally farmed produce could reduce a child’s pesticide exposure, according to a study.
Researchers interviewed families with children 2 to 5 years old. Children who ate at least 75 percent organic produce and juice were classified as organic while those who ate at least 75 percent conventional produce were classified as conventional.
The study found that children who ate primarily organic produce and juice had one-sixth the level of pesticide byproducts in their urine compared with children who ate non-organic food.
The health risk, if any, posed by such exposure is not known. Researchers noted that this lack of knowledge about the health risks of eating foods treated with pesticides is a real problem.
Some people believe that trace elements of pesticides in the diet are dangerous, while others say there is no evidence to prove this assumption.
However, most health experts say that the advantages of fruits and vegetables in the diet are likely to far outweigh any adverse effects from pesticides. Additionally, plants produce pesticides in their leaves for protection, so it is impossible to eliminate all pesticide exposure when eating fruits and vegetables, according to experts.
Environmental Health Perspectives March 2003;111(3):377-82
This study makes it quite clear. If you eat organic foods you will have fewer pesticides in your body.
The central question is just how much of a problem are pesticides?
I am beginning to believe that pesticides may not be as significant a factor as other things that we do to damage our health. There are very few people who are eating at high levels of health.
Most Americans are not eating healthy foods. They are spending over 90 percent of their money on processed foods and indulging in plenty of sugar, trans fats and grains.
It is important to have a proper perspective. If you haven’t got your act together in the basics of food selection, choosing organic foods or produce will likely have very little influence on your health.
Many of my patients struggle to obtain organic foods because of their finances or time constraints. I generally reassure them that while organic is always preferred if practical, they should avoid becoming distressed because they are choosing commercially raised produce.
I tell them it is better to eat non-organic vegetables than no vegetables. Also, nearly all of my patients are confused about milk. They typically believe if milk is organic it is OK, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Raw milk from traditionally raised cows will beat pasteurized milk from organically grass-fed cows any day of the week.
So by all means seek organic produce and foods. They are better for you for many other reasons other than their lack of pesticides.
However, please get your perspective in place and eat the raw (or slightly steamed) vegetables appropriate for your Metabolic Type rather than organic vegetables that have been cooked to death.
Related Articles:
Major Confusion Between Organic and Healthy Options to Organic Produce US Government Finally Establishes New Federal Organic Standards
Major Confusion Between Organic and Healthy
Options to Organic Produce
US Government Finally Establishes New Federal Organic Standards