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Go Organic!
By Sarah Manners
The term, organic farming refers to an environmentally friendly and health-supportive method of farming and processing foods. Weeds and pests are controlled using environmentally sound practices that sustain our personal health and the health of our planet.
The term "organic" applies to both animal and plant foods. The production of organic foods does not use pesticides or synthetic (or sewage-based) fertilizers for plant materials and hormones and antibiotics for animals, does not allow genetic engineering or the use of radiation, and emphasizes the utilization of renewable resources as well as conservation of land and water.
Organic Farming Methods
As organic farmers do not use chemicals in an environmentally harmful manner they need to farm using a blend of old and new technologies and scientific advancements to improve upon their craft. Where commercial farmers use pesticides and soil additives organic farmers use techniques such as rotating crops between fields, which prevents pests from building up and improves soil fertility, and planting certain flowers and bushes, which attract certain insects and ward off unwanted pests.
Organic farming prohibits the use of many substances present in commercial farming, including most synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, genetic engineering, growth hormones, and artificial ingredients.
Organic production is managed with the intent to integrate cultural, biological and mechanical practices to promote ecological balance and biodiversity. Practices help to protect the soil, groundwater, provide health promoting conditions for animals and ultimately help promote the health of the consumer.
Why organic foods are considered better for our health?
Research into organic foods is still in its infancy, while there have been many tests, trials and studies the health benefits of organic compared to commercial foods are still considered questionable by the scientific community as a whole. The research that has been conducted has convinced thousands of people that an organic lifestyle is far better for us in the long run. Common sense more than scientific proof tells us that pesticides, hormones and artificial additives are indeed bad for us. If the old adage "you are what you eat" is true most would prefer to go organic than to be consuming substances that are undoubtedly highly unnatural and harmful to our bodies if taken in large quantities. There is certainly a need for more quality research into the nutritional content of organic food and its effect on consumers. With more research the food industry can make more confident statements about organic food.
What we do know is that organic foods contain higher levels of certain vitamins and nutrients and lower levels of toxins. Research has confirmed that conventional produce has only 83 percent of the nutrients of organic produce. Studies have found significantly higher levels of nutrients such as vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus. Certain essential nutrients have been found to be more prevalent in organic foods such as Chromium, a chromium deficiency is associated with adult diabetes as well as the hardening of arteries, and Selenium, which protects us against certain cancers and heart disease, was found to be an astounding 390% in organic foods. Lithium, which is used to treat depression, and Boron, which has been proved to help prevent osteoporosis are more prevalent in organic compared to commercially farmed produce. With all of this information it is easy to see why people are of the opinion that certain diseases can be prevented by eating certain types of food. Apart from all of these benefits of organically grown food the pesticides in commercially grown produce can have many negative healthy effects including disruptions of the endocrine system, immune system suppression and carcinogenicity (cancer-causing). Pesticide exposure has been linked to malfunctions of the reproductive system as well as miscarriages.
The health benefits of an organic lifestyle are more than sufficient to prove that organic foods promote your body's well being for the rest of its life span – why not take preventative steps today than suffer in years to come?
A New Era
There are a variety of reasons people choose from organic foods. Many are concerned with the ill treatment of the environment and animal welfare which organic foods promote. Others believe that is safer in the long run because of the absence of chemical residues, whilst others believe that it tastes better and has a higher nutritional content which makes for improved health. Whatever the reasoning it is undeniable that organic foods are making a huge impact on the food industry. Farmers markets and organic stores are beginning to see a surge in business and food retailers are beginning to stock more and more organic produce.
We live in an era where environmental and health consciousness is the name of the game and organic is the buzz word!
About the Author
The ground breaking Channel 4 TV show, You Are What You Eathosted by acclaimed holistic nutritionist Gillian McKeith, is taking Britain by storm. Advocating the benefits of healthy foods, especially of the organic variety, the show is educating viewers on the necessary steps to take in order to live a happier and healthier lifestyle.
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