Organic vs Conventional
There is a lot of hype surrounding organic vs. inorganic foods, but is there a big difference? Let’s dive into this controversial topic, and you will have a better understanding.
It’s undeniable that conventional agriculture is harmful to the earth. The chemicals used in non-organic farming contaminate and destroy the soil depleting it of all its minerals, our water, and the air we breathe. Pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides used in conventional agriculture are known to cause cancer, disrupt our hormones, cause allergies, and affect our nervous systems causing ADHD and cognitive dysfunction.
Although we wash our fruit and vegetables with water, unfortunately, this does little as the harmful chemicals have already penetrated the skin and flesh. Once ingested, our body has to work hard to detoxify and eliminate these chemicals. Alternatively, removing the outer layer of the leaves or skin may be all you need to do to reduce pesticide levels. The downside of this is that many of the nutritional benefits are concentrated in the skin.
When it comes to organic produce, farmers have to follow very strict regulations for their produce to be labeled as Certified Organic. From the seeding, growing, transportation, packaging, and labeling the produce is inspected throughout the entire process. Additionally, GMO’s (genetically modified organisms) are not allowed in organic farming.
How can you make it more affordable to buy organic?
– Purchase fresh produce that is in season. You may also freeze some for later.
– In the summer, it’s a great time to buy from local farmer’s markets. Many organic farms offer subscriptions to weekly food boxes. This is not only good for you, but also helps local farmers as they are not subsidized by our government.
– Buy frozen organic fruits and vegetables when not in growing season
– Try growing your own when possible, you can ferment some of the veggies which are incredibly beneficial to your gut
– Stick to the Clean Fifteen, and avoid the Dirty Dozen list of produce provided by The Environmental Working Group which is updated yearly on their website.
See Clean Fifteen
See Dirty Dozen
Is the nutritional content that much higher in organic vs. conventional?
Although scientific evidence is still scarce, organic agriculture seems to contribute to maintaining an optimal health status and decreases the risk of developing chronic diseases. This may be due to the higher content of bioactive compounds and lower content of unhealthy substances. (PubMed)
Thinking of detoxifying from all the chemicals? Your liver will thank you. Here at the Nutrition Dispensary, we offer one on one consultations and can help you with a detoxification program. For more information, click here.
Looking to do something at home that can help with Detoxification?
Here are a few suggestions:
Diet:
– Dark, leafy greens like spinach, collard greens, swiss chard, and kale
– Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower
– Berries like blueberries, and blackberries
Supplement Suggestions:
–Detox Antiox It combats free radicals and helps detoxify chemicals and heavy metals from the body
– Genestra C-1000 Vitamin C is essential for the detoxification in the body, particularly in the liver as antioxidants help cells neutralize free radicals that cause cellular damage
– Sylmarin (Milk Thistle) acts as a powerful liver cleanser by rebuilding liver cells, reducing liver damage, and removing toxins from the body that are processed through the liver*
– Glutathione the most powerful antioxidant, protects the body cells against damage caused by harmful chemical substances
– Fibre As your body eliminates toxins in the liver they are excreted into your intestines to pass out in your stool
– BCAA. (Branched chain amino acids) Studies have shown that BCAAs help protect the liver of those who eat high-fat diets by providing support to gut flora that prevent fat accumulation in the liver. It even has beneficial effect for those with cirrhosis, a liver disease.
References
Hurtado-Barroso S, Tresserra-Rimbau A, Vallverdú-Queralt A, Lamuela-Raventós RM. Organic food and the impact on human health. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(4):704-714. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2017.1394815. Epub 2017 Nov 30. PMID: 29190113.
*Note: Please contact your Medical Doctor, Naturopathic Doctor, or our experts here at Nutrition Dispensary before taking Milk Thistle. If you have been diagnosed with breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer, or have a hormone-sensitive condition, there may be contraindications and adverse effects.
Blog Written By: Kacia Mongeau
for more information or to order any of these products, click on the product links in this blog or contact us at info@nutritiondispensary.ca