Why Eat Organic?
 In order for food to be certified as organic it must be produced under specific legally-regulated standards and be subject to testing to retain the proper certification. On the farm the crops must be grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, sewage sludge and processed without food additives (like chemical preservatives). The animals must be raised without the routine use of antibiotics or growth hormones and fed a diet consisting of organic foods only.Let’s face it, organic food tastes better and is much healthier than conventionally grown products. They have fought their way all on their own to get to where they are without the use of harsh chemicals to help them grow or fight off the bugs. Their strength is apparent in their color and flavor, and more importantly they have higher levels of vitamins, antioxidants and essential minerals. As a result it makes them free of synthetic additives. These synthetic additives have been suspected of contributing to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, migraines, ADHD, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. They are also without residue from some of the 500 chemicals that are used regularly in conventional farming; these chemicals have been linked to endocrine problems, neurotoxins and reproductive abnormalities. Meanwhile conventional farms are finding that the bugs and weeds are becoming resistant to the chemicals, so they need to either increase the dosage or introduce new chemicals to try and fight the “problem”. Eating fewer animal products is the best choice for the environment, but if they are a part of your meal, choosing organic will make a significant difference, not only on your health but also the environment. Organic raised animals are not treated with antibiotics, hormones and growth promoters. They are also raised in more humane and ethical ways. Factory farms treat animals like cargo and are kept in tightly confined pens and often never move more than a few feet their entire lives. Organic farming is much better for the environment and wildlife. Groundwater contamination caused by pesticides has spread pollutants to rivers, lakes and oceans, killing fish, wildlife, and aquatic plants. Organic farms produce less carbon dioxide and other wastes, therefore cause much less pollution than conventional farms. Fifty years ago this was not a concern because organic was the only way. We have demanded more and the farmers started to use chemicals to increase yield, bringing in more produce and more profit. Now our health is paying the price. It is up to us to turn this around. Support farms that use organic methods and begin to reap the healthy benefits mentally, physically and spiritually. ~Alisha Welch is a student at Clayton College of Natural Health pursuing a master’s degree in Holistic Nutrition |