(Special Detox Series Report)

GMO’s were quietly introduced into our food chain in the ’90s with little fuss. Most of us didn’t even know what a GMO was back then, let alone be concerned about the health implications.

Fast forward to 2014 where 94% of the soy, 89% of our domestic corn, and other crops like canola, sugar beets, cotton, and now wheat, have been genetically altered to be “Roundup Ready”. This means they can withstand the sprays of Monsanto’s herbicide Roundup, which is used to both wipeout weeds and “desiccate” or dry crops prior to harvest.

In ’96 seeds were again engineered to include an insecticidal toxin, called “BT- Toxin”, which puts a fast end to pesky insects by punching holes in the lining of their guts. Yep, bugs have digestive systems too.

Today, seeds are “stacked” to include both of these genetic modifications.

Good for the producers and Monsanto. Not so good for us!

 

Weed Killer in our Food?

 

Seeds engineered to withstand herbicides and kill bugs, grow into plants that we eat. And these particular plants are used in virtually all of the processed foods you will find on your grocery store shelf.

And the most troubling part… traces of the active ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, are now being found in many of our foods: crackers, cereals, oatmeal, and most everything and anything made of corn. Even our wines now come with a dose (which is why I opt for organic wines as much as possible.)

Internal FDA documents acquired by one investigative group indicate that the FDA has had trouble finding any food that does not carry traces of glyphosate.

 

Constant daily exposure to toxins overwhelms our natural detox system

 

Our bodies are equipped with a natural and brilliant detoxification system that shuttles toxins and harmful things out of the body, but the constant daily exposure and the steadily increasing load to which we are exposed has tipped the scales of our health.

Toxins are now linked to everything from cancer, to autism, neurocognitive disorders, among other chronic ailments. And glyphosate, also a potent antibiotic, damages the gut and triggers autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s, arthritis, colitis, and lupus – all of which have become prolific in recent years.

 

What can you do?

 

Here are a few simple steps you can follow to decrease your toxic load:

  • Purchase “NonGMO” whenever possible – We know GMO products come with a heavier dose of toxins so, why even go there? Avoid them when you can.

 

 

  • Opt for organic – By definition organic is non-GMO. So when you purchase organic, you cut your pesticide intake. Keep in mind, however, organic products are also sprayed (with organic herbicides), so you need to wash them too. A short soak in a bath of water with a teaspoon of baking soda removes most chemical sprays.

 

  • Purchase grass-fed, organic or wild meats & fish when possible – Factory farmed animals are fed GMO corn and grains, so you get second-hand doses of weed killer from these meat sources. If possible, go wild. If not, go organic. More and more these sources are showing up online and now in our grocery stores. (Butcher Box, Vital Choice)

 

  • Diminish your intake of processed foods – Foods that come in boxes with long lists of ingredients are the leading culprits and carriers of GMO crops. Switch your choices to whole foods that look and taste like real food.

 

There are heated arguments on both sides of this debate. For me, if there’s any question or hint that something may be harmful and I can avoid it, it gets scratched from my food plan.

The best defense against toxins is knowledge and action. Start paying attention to the major sources of toxins to which you may be exposed, and little by little move them out of your environment. ♥