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My wife and I have always been very focused on nutrition and are passionate about trying to eat organically grown foods as much as possible. This was the case even before the arrival of little Esmee, but doubly so now. We know that what we both eat will ultimately have an
effect on the health of our daughter, both directly and indirectly. The direct is obvious, as Esmee is breastfeeding and eating organic limits Esmee's exposure to pesticide and herbicide residues. The indirect, though, is not so obvious. We know that we feel better eating foods that were grown organically and meat that is from animals raised free-range and naturally. If we feel better we know that our daughter will ultimately "feel better." We consider this to be part of the culture of our family, like cooking and eating together. There are many reasons for eating organic, but in an effort to be somewhat economical with words I have chosen our top five for your review:
- Organic foods are grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides, in-organic fertilizers and other toxic chemicals. As an example, the average conventionally-grown apple has 20-30 artificial compounds on its skin, even after rinsing. There is a demonstrable link between certain types of cancer and the consumption of these chemicals.
- This astounded us, but fresh organic produce contains on average 50% more vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other micro-nutrients than intensively farmed produce. Factory farming actually eliminates important nutrients from our foods.
- Meat and dairy products are affected as well. "Factory farm" dairy cows and farm animals are fed a combination of anti-biotics, growth inducing hormones, anti-parasite drugs and many other "medicines" on a daily basis in order to force them to grow bigger faster. These anti-biotics and hormones are passed directly to us when we eat meat or dairy products from these animals. There are numerous studies underway, but it is clear that this is linked to a whole raft of health problems and hormone related maladies - including anti-biotic resistant diseases. The most alarming, though, is the link between hormones used in the dairy industry and the increasing trend of children entering puberty prematurely.
- Organic farms support and nurture the environment. Over the last thirty years, intensive factory style farming has led to dramatic erosion of the soil and a disasterous effect on wildlife including the extinction of some species of butterflies, frogs, snakes and wild mammals.
- Factory farming can seriously damage the health of farm workers and those who live near these farms. There are much higher instances of cancer, respiratory problems and other major diseases in farm workers from non-organic farms. This is particularly true in developing countries where there are few regulations regarding the use of chemicals in farming.
(May 2006) (
