Thursday, April 11, 2013

Genetically Modified Foods May Be Cause For Concern

By Michelle Caron


Many chiropractors specialize in nutrition, and specifically what is good for you body, but also what foods you should avoid. Doctors of chiropractic have recently called for the labeling of GMO's or Genetially Modified Organisms in our food supply. This would allow people to make good choices on what they are putting in their body, and also allow them to make a choice to not consume a potentially harmful source of food.

GMO's are defined as organisms whose genetic characteristics have been altered by the insertion of a modified gene or a gene from another organism, by the technique of genetic engineering. This somewhat new science allows DNA from one species to be injected into another species in a lab, creating combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and viral genes that do not occur naturally or through traditional crossbreeding methods. Now this variety might sound like a good thing, but most experts agree that consuming genetically modified foods may be cause for concern.

Many Americans are calling for labeling of GMO foods. There are numerous campaigns on Facebook. Polls consistently show that the vast majority of Americans would like to have GMO's labeled, and that people would not buy food that has been genetically modified. Yet despite the majority wanting GMO's labeled, or even restricted from our food supply, it is now estimated that over 80% of prepackaged foods in our country have GMO's present!

The companies providing the research to the U.S. FDA on GMO's safety are often conducted by the very same companies that produce them. Campaign contributions and political lobbying are effective in getting laws passed that allow GMO's to stay in our food supply unlabeled. GMO labeling campaigns have been started by organizations and states to prevent this. Other countries have restricted or even banned GMO's until they are proven safe. Many Americans want the same bans and restrictions to allow individuals the opportunity to decide whether or not to feed these genetically modified foods to their families. Many people do not want to consume these GMO's until they are proven safe. There are also many Americans who do not know what a GMO is, and therefore are unaware of the potential threat in their food supply.

If reading labels for GMO's is new to you, an easy way to begin is to start with identifying and potentially avoiding these 10 foods: aspartame, canola, corn, cotton, dairy, papayas, soy, sugar, yellow squash and zucchini. It is believed that consuming the GMO variety of these foods could be harmful to your health. These foods are prevalent in big chain grocery stores, so purchasing them at farmer's markets and CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture) could make it easier to find the non-GMO variety. Searching for the label non-GMO or USDA-organic also ensures the product is free of GMO's.

It may feel overwhelming to identify and eliminate GMO foods in your diet. Your local chiropractor can help you identify safe foods, and can suggest local places to purchase non-GMO foods. Chiropractors can also help you support your healthy diet with proper supplements to keep you looking and feeling your best.




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