Boost Your Body's Natural Defenses With Organic Food

Once found only at patchouli-scented health food stores, organic foods are now a regular feature in supermarket produce aisles. However, is there any evidence that organic foods actually provide significant health benefits?

Certified organic foods are grown and processed without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, artificial preservatives, dyes or sweeteners. They also can't contain genetically modified seeds or have been treated with sewage sludge.

Strengthens the Immune System

Many people choose to buy organic food to avoid pesticides, especially if they are pregnant or breastfeeding. Studies have found that children and fetuses are particularly sensitive to the toxic effects of some pesticides. This is because their bodies, brains, and immune systems are still developing.

Eating a variety of healthy foods can help to strengthen the immune system. Organic fruits and vegetables have been shown to contain more nutrients than conventionally grown produce. For example, one study found that organic apples had higher levels of natural phytochemicals than conventional apples.

Vitamins and minerals also play a role in boosting immunity. Organic foods may be higher in certain vitamins and minerals, such as folic acid and zinc. They are also generally lower in calories than non-organic foods. Organic produce is often richer in antioxidants, which are important for preventing diseases like cancer.

Lowers Homocysteine Levels

Getting enough natural folate (not synthetic folic acid) in your diet can lower homocysteine levels. Folate is found in leafy vegetables, legumes, fruits, eggs, ancient grains, fish and organ meats like liver. Eating organic foods can ensure you get these nutrients in their natural forms.

Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that your body produces from the breakdown of another amino acid, methionine. Your body converts homocysteine into other biochemicals that your cells need to function properly, including cystathionine, an important antioxidant that reduces inflammation and increases communication among immune cells.

High levels of homocysteine are linked to a number of health problems, including heart disease. You can help keep your homocysteine levels low by eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise and avoiding harmful substances like smoking and excessive alcohol use.

Lowers the Risk of Heart Disease

Although organic foods are considered healthier, they shouldn't be viewed as a replacement for a heart-healthy diet. In fact, some products with the organic label have more than a fair share of sugar, salt and saturated fat. Organic juices, for instance, often contain a lot of sugar, some approaching the daily limit. Similarly, some organic meats may have more than the recommended amount of saturated fat.

The organic trend is certainly a positive one, especially since conventional foods have been linked to various diseases and health conditions. Organic food is also believed to have higher levels of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, both of which are heart-healthy. But the question remains: Is it really worth paying extra for organic food? Until recently, there has been little evidence that organic foods are actually healthier than their conventional counterparts. However, a recent study has found that people who regularly consume organic produce have a lower risk of obesity.

Boosts Natural Killer Cells

Researchers have found that organic foods can boost the activity of a special type of immune cell called natural killer cells (NK cells). These are the body's first line of defense against pathogens, like viruses and bacteria, and against cancer.

NK cells are part of your innate immune system, which includes physical barriers, such as skin and mucous membranes, that keep germs out, and select immune system cells, such as cytotoxic T-cells, that destroy threats that make it past these defences. Unlike other lymphocytes, NK cells have the ability to kill stressed or diseased cells without prior exposure to a pathogen.

NK cells patrol the body, scanning cells for markers that indicate if they are healthy or damaged. When they detect such signs, they release proteins that can cause the death of the cell. They also communicate with other immune system cells to direct them to attack diseased or infected cells. These cells help protect the body against cancer, viral infections, inflammatory conditions and solid organ transplant rejection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are organic foods?

Organic produce is free from synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, sewage sludge and confinement feeding. There are no growth hormones used and animal testing is not performed. These crops are allowed natural growth, so farmers don't use chemicals to kill pests and weeds.

Organic farming practices also maintain soil quality by reducing erosion and conserving water resources. In addition, organics are better for our health because they contain more nutrients than conventional food. Organic products are typically higher in fiber and lower in fat and calories than conventionally produced ones.

How can you tell if food is organic?

Any chef will tell you fresh ingredients are more important than any other ingredient. We feel better when our food is good.

The same is true of our food. Organics can be traced back to their source and whereabouts. We also know that it wasn't treated with harmful chemicals.

Organic food is produced without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. These substances are not allowed for organic farmers.

Organic farming doesn't have to be difficult. There are many ways to safely grow organic crops.

Many people refer to organic agriculture as sustainable agriculture. This means that organic farming does not use as many resources as conventional methods, but it still provides the essential nutrients needed to sustain life.

Organic farming methods include crop rotations, composting manure and cover cropping. These techniques help prevent soil erosion and improve water quality.

They also reduce chemical contamination of waterways. Local farms can be found in cities that raise organic produce.

Two types of organic product certification programs exist. One is certified under the USDA National Organic Program. The other is certified independently by certifying authorities. Both require strict compliance with organic standards.

USDA seals, or O Seals, may be attached to certified organic products. These symbols indicate that the product meets federal requirements.

What should I be looking out for when shopping organic products

USDA-certified organic labels are desirable. This certification means that the product is certified organic by USDA. Look out for the USDA Organic seal on boxes, cartons cans and jars.

When shopping for meat ensure it comes only from cows that are fed 100% organic feed. Cattle are ruminants. This means they chew the cud. Ruminant cattle have 4 stomach compartments: Rumen, reticulum and omasum. To be labeled '100% organic, all animal parts must be organically nourished.

Buy chicken from only organic chickens that have been fed 100% organic food and are not given antibiotics. Omnivore chickens can eat both plants as well as animals. The digestive tract of an omnivorous chicken is composed of a crop and proventriculus, gizzard as well as small intestine, large intestinale, and anus.

Buy only dairy products from cows that have been fed organically grown feed. Just like ruminants have four stomachs, dairy cows have four. The fourth stomach compartment, the udder, is where milk comes from.

When purchasing other types of livestock, check the label to see what percentage of the diet the animals were fed. One example is pork that may be labeled '95% Organic'. This means that 95 percent came from organic sources.

What is organic beef?

Organic meat is organic food that has been grown naturally without the use of pesticides, artificial fertilizers or hormones. It also means the animals were not fed any genetically modified foods. This makes it safe for human consumption because there aren't any harmful chemicals in the meat.

Organic meats are healthier for our environment. When we eat organic foods, we reduce the pollution in landfills, rivers, lakes, etc. Organic farmers don't use harmful chemicals to kill birds and insects, which helps wildlife.

Locally purchasing organic meats is the best way to make sure you are eating healthy and organic meats. Local buying helps to keep money in the community, rather than moving out of state. Local businesses often offer discounts to their customers by shopping locally. In addition, buying local keeps jobs right here in America instead of sending them overseas.

Is organic a guarantee that the product is pesticide-free

Organic food is free from pesticides and chemical fertilizers. This means organic food is free from pesticides and fertilizers.

Organic produce also contains more nutrients than conventionally produced foods because it contains no harmful additives.

The USDA National Organic Program (NOP), requires that farmers follow strict guidelines when growing organic crops.

These guidelines include soil preparation, crop rotating, pest control and water conservation.

Organic farming also promotes healthy ecosystems which are beneficial to wildlife and natural habitats.

Statistics

• Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids were up to 50 percent higher in organic meats and milk than in conventionally raised products.[3] (en.wikipedia.org)
• Popular clothing brands, like Patagonia, are labelled as organic by using 100 percent organic cotton for many of their styles. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Once certified by the USDA, it can fall into one of four categories: "100 percent organic", "organic," "made with organic ingredients," or "made with less than 70 percent organic ingredients. (en.wikipedia.org)
• As for organic meat, regulations require that animals be raised in living conditions that accommodate their natural behaviours (like the ability to graze on pasture), fed 100% organic feed and forage, and not administered antibiotics or hormones. (usda.gov)

External Links

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• eCFR Home

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• USDA

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• The impact of organic food on human health: Assessment of the status quo, prospects for research - ScienceDirect


• Technical note: Simultaneous analysis of vitamin and carotenoid content in milk from cows fed total mixed rations. Xanthophyll detection is possible - ScienceDirect

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• OTA


• U.S. organic sales soared to a new high of nearly $62 billion in 2020

How To

What happens to your body when you switch to organic products?

Organic products are produced without the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. They are free-range and come from clean water sources. The term "organic", which means they don't contain additives or chemicals, refers to their non-containing any. This product was produced by nature and therefore contains no harmful substances.

The term "natural" refers to how food is grown. It's usually used to describe foods not processed into their final form (such as fruits). Natural foods are often fresher than others because they haven't been treated with heat, radiation, or chemical preservatives. Some people think natural does not necessarily mean healthy. Experts aren't sure if there is much to be different between organic and traditional foods. Both types have been tested for quality and safety. Organic produce is less likely to contain pesticide residues and pollutants than conventionally grown produce.

Most grocery shops now carry organic options. If you are looking for organic meat, poultry and eggs, check with your local grocery store. Some companies sell only organic products; others have separate sections for them. Look for USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Biodynamic Association Certified, Rainforest Alliance Certified, etc.

If you are pregnant, or nursing, these products should not be eaten. Pesticides have been shown to harm infants and unborn babies.

Resources:

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