Health Issues Related to Non Organic Products
By Clifford H Woods
Many patients ask their physicians if eating organic food, which costs much more, better for them? Are their health problems related to non-organic produce? Not certain, Stamford University physicians went through piles of research to find out. The evidence is not in large number, but still there is evidence that organic products are much healthier because of two major reasons related to pesticides and germ resistant antibiotics. The problems with both are usually most harmful in babies, toddlers, small children, individuals with allergies and the elderly.
Small Exposure to Pesticides They advise that eating organic vegetables and fruits will lower exposure to pesticides, especially in children, but the amounts that have been measured from produce that was both organically and inorganically grown, are still most of the time considered safe. At least, that is what Stamford researchers have reported. The amount of nutrients do prove to be more in foods that are organically grown, but not as much as it was first believed to be.
Non Organic produce has a 30 percent higher risk of containing any detectable levels of pesticides. In two studies, urine testing showed much lower levels of pesticide in those on organic diets. Also, one conclusion suggested that the insecticide in the urine could be due to insecticide used in our homes and might be more to blame than in the food.
But there are some researchers who do suggest that even small exposures to pesticide might be a risk for most children, so it is probably safer for children to eat organic products (vegetables and fruits that are organically grown).
Difference in Problems with Health Needless to say, most physicians at Stamford were very surprised. There are numerous reasons why somebody might select organic foods over conventional foods from the concern for the environment to taste preferences. But with health problems, there only seem to be just the two - more pesticides and problems with antibiotic-germ resistance.
Antibiotic-Resistant Germs The largest problem found is with bacteria that are antibiotic-resistant, which is already a public health concern, since these are the bacteria that are more difficult to treat when a person gets any form of food poisoning and can often lead to death.
Experts have said for a long time that when chemically treated or in non-organic manner, the odds of contamination by bacteria can be a problem and the Stamford study did agree. Often bacteria that is found, for example in pork or chicken, that are grown with chemicals producing non-organic meats, have a 33% higher rate of bacteria with antibiotic resistant to multiple antibiotics, which has been reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine a prestigious medical journal.
Debate over Antibiotics Given to Animals This finding comes in the middle of an already occurring debate over antibiotics being fed to animals not due to sickness, but rather to further fatten them up. Farmers maintain that this is necessary in order to meet the demand for meat that is cheaper.
Advocates for public health say it is a major contributor to the nation’s growing problem with germs that are becoming harder and harder to treat. Between the years 2000 to 2010, there have been 24 outbreaks linked to germs in food that are multi-drug-resistant. The government has begun taking steps to stop the non-medical use of antibiotics on large poultry farms.
Organic Food Markets The business of organic products is currently booming. Approximately 70% of Americans buy food that is organic occasionally and nearly one-quarter say they buy it every week. The reason most of them gave was that they wanted natural food that is better for them and for the environment. But buying organic food can cost you up to 50% more, so it is important that you buy these foods from markets or farmers that have food that is clearly marked organic.
Health wise; with the amount of antibiotics being used in non-organically grown chicken, pork and beef - before you decide which is better it is important to understand that if a child or elderly person gets food poisoning from drug resistant bacteria it can often lead to death. And these types of bacteria are most often found in non-organic food.
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