Saturday, March 23, 2013

Genetically Modified Foods May Be Cause For Concern

By Michelle Caron


Chiropractors are experts on nutrition, and are a good source for determining what foods will best fuel your body. They can also offer advice on foods to avoid, and recently leading the group of foods to avoid are Genetically Modified Organisms or (GMO's).

GMO's are known to be organisms whose genes or genetic characteristics have been changed through genetic engineering. DNA from one species can be transferred into another organism in labs, thereby developing new strains of animals, plants, bacteria and viral genes. These new organisms would not be found in nature if it weren't for this crossbreeding. And while more variety in our food sources seems like a positive, many leading nutrition experts feel that eating these newly modified organisms may not be in our best interest.

Americans are crying out to get their foods labeled, specifically to identify whether or not they contain genetically modified ingredients. There are campaigns on Facebook and other social media sites on the internet where people can sign a petition asking for labeling of GMO's. Polls show that many people would not purchase genetically modified foods, and therefore would like them labeled. Prepackaged foods in our country are estimated to contain GMO's 80% of the time, even though Americans have declared they want GMO's labeled and/or eliminated.

Bans and restrictions of GMO's in other countries are common due to the fact that they have not been proven safe. The research provided the U.S. FDA on GMO's safety has mainly been provided by the companies that produce them, which seems to be a conflict of interest. Lobbying and campaign contributions help persuade legislators to pass these laws. Many Americans are not convinced on the safety of GMO's, and have begun labeling campaigns. It should be left up to individuals to decide whether or not to consume GMO's, at least until they have a proven safety record. Many consumers aren't familiar with GMO's and the possible risks of consuming them. Labeling would bring the issue up for consideration.

If you feel overwhelmed at how to identify GMO foods and are looking for a place to start, following is a list of the 10 Worst GMO foods that you should avoid. These include: corn, soy, sugar, aspartame, papayas, canola, cotton, dairy, zucchini and yellow squash. Each of these GMO foods has a specific health issue or issues attached to their consumption. Steering clear of these foods completely may be difficult, and you should try to find other sources than big chain grocery stores, such as farmer's markets or CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture). If produce is certified USDA-organic, it's non-GMO and looking for that label is a good place to start.

It is difficult and confusing to ensure you are purchasing and consuming non-GMO foods for your family, and your chiropractor can be an excellent resource on this topic. Many chiropractors offer nutritional counseling as one of their services, and can provide you with a list of acceptable foods, and places to purchase them in your area. Non-GMO vitamins and minerals may also be available to purchase from your chiropractor, to supplement your diet and help you maintain optimal health.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment