You can easily remove a caterpillar from your lettuce and then wash the leaves to remove all traces of the insect. But it is nearly impossible to remove all pesticide residues because they penetrate into the cellular structure of the fruits, grains and vegetables. Washing can remove some residues, but these chemicals are made to penetrate. If they were not, then every time the plant was watered they would come off and need to be reapplied. Peeling cannot remove all residues either because of the penetration factor, and the body needs the valuable fiber and nutrients lost in peeling. Is a peeled apple a whole food the way God intended it to be eaten? I believe that a peeled apple is much better than no apple at all, but not as good as an unpeeled organic one because many foods have the bulk of the nutrients closest to the skin.
Pesticides have a negative effect on our immune system by decreasing T-cells (immune cells) in the blood.
Some foods have been genetically modified to have the pesticide actually growing in the fibers of the plant! No pests will eat it; would you? Corn is notorious for this. The only way to be sure that the food you are eating is free of these chemicals is to buy organic.
Meat is not the answer. Most consumers still don't realize that meat, unless organic, has much larger amounts of pesticides than produce. The grains the animals are fed are very high in these chemicals and are concentrated and stored in the fatty tissue of the animals. If we eat the flesh of these creatures, we are not only ingesting a higher amount of pesticides than in produce but also ingesting other chemicals such as antibiotics, anthelmintics (used to control worms) and growth-promoting hormones—a chemical cocktail indeed! "Fat-soluble petrochemicals such as PCB'S and dioxin, as well as other toxic elements such as mercury, are transferred to humans predominantly via the fatty portions of fish, dairy, meat, and poultry, and in that order." (Fuhrman pg. 155)
What are the worst foods to eat if we wish to avoid pesticides? Animal products such as beef and chicken are at the top of the list. Far beneath that come strawberries, bell pepper, spinach, cherries, peaches, cantaloupes, celery, apples, apricots, green beans and grapes. At the very bottom of the list, meaning the least sprayed food is avocados. (FDA and EPA data).
One of the most ridiculous facts about pesticides is that the notorious poison DDT, which has been outlawed for use in the USA, is still manufactured in the USA. It is then shipped to Mexico and other countries for use, after which the sprayed food is allowed back into the USA for consumption. This is an example of the power of big business over the people. We lose!
Samuel Epstein, M.D., has done extensive research and written a book called, "The Politics of Cancer Revisited". He explains that Florida oranges have had their skins dyed with 'Citrus Red No. 2' to conceal color variations that would turn the average consumer "off" or toward California oranges, which have a naturally consistent color without dye. He goes on to say that 'Citrus Red No. 2' is carcinogenic (cancer causing) as are FD&C colors, Blue #1, Green #3, Red #4, Red #40, Yellow #5 & Yellow #6. Citrus skins are not impermeable and the consumer of the dyed fruit is bound to ingest some of the chemical.
Dr. Epstein explains that the waxes used on nonorganic fruits and vegetables can also be problematic because they contain fungicides such as benomyl and sodium orthophenyl, both of which are carcinogenic. Some common fruits and vegetables that might contain these carcinogenic waxes are; apples, cucumbers, squashes, peppers, parsnips, eggplants, rutabagas, sweet potatoes, grapefruits, lemons and oranges.
Senator Don Regal, who was chairman of the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, authored a 343-page report on Gulf War Syndrome entitled, The Regal Report. All of the information therein is available in the public domain. It states that thousands of American service men and women are suffering from memory loss, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, rashes, sores, intestinal and heart problems, and runny noses as a result of service in the Gulf War and that they had probable exposure to low-level chemical warfare agents (nerve agents). In the conclusion of this report is a telling statement. "Non-lethal exposure to pesticides can result in memory loss, and nerve agents are chemically related to pesticides."
In my experience almost everyone can use improved memory. It is necessary to consume the raw materials needed for proper memory function and to avoid lifestyle factors such as stress that can impair memory. Doesn't it also seem logical to avoid chemicals that are known to undermine our memory function and cause disease?
The following two ideas are not considered when so-called "safe" chemical levels are set for humans.
• Exposure to one compound may compromise the body's ability to detoxify another.
• When chemicals and pesticides combine in the body, making new compounds, how can safe chemical levels be set?
We just don't have the answers to these questions and avoidance is the
key.
Another factor to consider is that organic produce has been repeatedly shown to be of higher nutritional value than conventionally grown produce. Consumer Reports on Health, January 2005 issue states; "...organic produce may possibly pack more vitamin C, calcium, iron, and magnesium as well as various disease-fighting substances called phytonutrients." I will explain why.
Conventional farmers use the cheapest fertilizers which contain only three minerals - nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. The plants need a wide array of minerals for a healthy defense system against pests. Since they don't receive those minerals, the farmers are forced to spray poisonous chemicals (pesticides) on the plants to keep the bugs and other pests from destroying their crops.
Organic farmers will fertilize their crops with more expensive fertilizers that contain a wide array of minerals. The organically fertilized plants grow strong defense systems and are not prone to disease like the conventionally grown plants. Pests might eat some of the crop, thus they achieve a smaller harvest, but a superior product is achieved. Those are two of the many reasons why it costs more for the farmer to produce organic produce.
My advice to you is not to be penny wise and pound foolish. Organic foods supply superior nutrition and are free from the pesticides and other chemicals that can lead to horrible diseases in humans.
No comments:
Post a Comment