Did You Know? Health and Wellness Info

What Are GMOs (and Why Should We Care)?

You have probably heard some buzz about GMOs, which stands for Genetically Modified Organisms. Recently, Whole Foods mandated its suppliers must label all products containing GMOs by 2018, and the Girl Scouts are petitioning the makers of their cookies to ban GMO ingredients from their products. So what exactly are GMOs, and why should we care?

Genetically modified organisms have been manipulated by genetic engineering to change their fundamental DNA structure. Foods are often modified to enhance taste, improve resistance to pests and disease, withstand the rigors of shipping, and increase shelf life. GMOs  are widely prevalent in our food supply, and have invaded every genre of crop, dairy product and animal. Almost all processed foods, unless otherwise labeled, have ingredients that are genetically modified. Ranchers and dairy farmers feed their livestock GMOs, which are passed on to you when you eat them. Fresh produce, fish and poultry are not immune from GMOs.

So why should we avoid GMO foods? In 2009, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) stated that, "Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with genetically modified food...". Risks to human health include infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. To learn more about health risks to humans, you can download a free brochure from the Institute for Responsible Technology.

In Europe genetically modified foods must be labeled, and are easy to avoid. But in the United States and Canada, labeling of GMOs is not required. Here are some pointers on avoiding GMO foods:

• Educate yourself on which products are most likely to be genetically modified. Soybeans, corn, wheat, sugar, canola, papayas, zuchini and baked goods typically contain GMOs.
• Buy only foods that are labeled 100 percent organic.
• Buy local, from local farmers who do not mass-produce huge crops.
• Grow your own, using organic seeds and organic soil. 
• Eat only organic free range grass-fed beef and poultry.
• Eat only wild-caught fish. 

If you want more information about avoiding GMO foods, you can download a free copy of the GMO Shoppers Guide from theCenter for Food Safety.

What's Up with Gluten-Free?

OK, so even if you don't keep up with the latest "health food" trends, you have probably seen an increasing number of products labeled "gluten-free" on your supermarket shelves. So what's the deal?
Well, it turns out that excessive consumption of gluten found in products made from wheat, barley and rye can lead to "wheat belly", a distant cousin to beer belly, but without the suds (or the fun!). In some cases, gluten can cause celiac disease, leaky gut syndrome and inflammation.

God love American ingenuity! Rather than simply forsaking foods made from wheat, rye and barley, food manufacturers have cashed in on the insanity by offering an array of products that masquerade as the original (bread, pasta, muffins, cake..you name it), and Americans are literally gobbling it up!

But, as the above video indicates, ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby!

So if you want to cut back on gluten (and if you're overweight, have high blood pressure or are type II diabetic it's a good idea), here are some helpful tips:

• Increase your consumption of fresh whole natural organic vegetables and fruits.
• Eat lean grass-fed organic meats, fish, poultry and eggs. 
• Limit your intake of grain-based products to one or two servings per week.
• Shop the perimeter of the grocery store (but bypass the ice cream and pizza cases!), and leave the processed food alone (if it comes in a box, can or bag, it's processed). 
• Stop drinking soft drinks and juices of any kind. 
• Drink plain filtered water and a daily glass of red wine (mine is a really large glass!)
• Exercise outdoors daily (a daily walk will do).
• And whatever you do, avoid products that try to imitate the real thing! Oat milk? Really?