 At grocery stores across America, more and more people are choosing to buy organic produce. Why? The answer is simple: pesticides. Tests conducted by the US Department of Agriculture showed nearly 70 percent of 48 conventionally grown produce samples to be contaminated with pesticides. Even more frightening is the total of 178 different pesticides found on the thousands of products sampled by the USDA—often present even after the produce was washed.1
Although higher prices may deter you from buying organic, there’s even more frightening information about conventionally grown fruits and vegetables that may change your mind. Your Choices Matter A 2015 study found that people who mostly or exclusively buy organic foods had a significantly lower level of pesticides in their urine samples—in spite of the fact that they eat 70 percent more servings of fruits and veggies every day compared to adults who rarely (or never) buy organic.2 And according to several long-term studies, the dangers of pesticides appear to be amplified for children whose brain and nervous system development may be impaired by prolonged exposure.3-5 The fact is, your everyday choices really do make a difference! The Dirty Dozen It may seem overwhelming to make the organic switch, but due to the amount of research available on pesticide contamination, it doesn’t have to be. There are 12 specific foods you should always purchase organic whenever possible, a.k.a. the Dirty Dozen:
Because more than 90 percent of samples tested positive for the presence of at least one pesticide, these foods have been singled out for containing the highest amounts of pesticide residue. Look for the USDA sticker whenever you shop for these to help you avoid exposure. The Clean Fifteen Buying organic may not always be attainable. Fortunately, there’s also a group of foods called the “Clean Fifteen,” which make the cut for containing a relatively low concentration of pesticide residue:
Some of these foods, when tested, contained no pesticides whatsoever! If you can’t always buy organic, these are the safest kinds of conventional produce—for both your health and your budget. Take Care of You Eating organic produce is well worth it when you consider the downside to conventionally grown produce that is, more often than not, completely contaminated with harmful pesticides. By choosing organic when you buy anything off the Dirty Dozen list, you’ll make a small change that can lead to monumental improvements in your health. For more information and access to both annual lists, visit the Environmental Working Group website. References:
Submitted by the Metagenics Marketing Team
2 Comments
 Your body is built to fight off anything that may harm it, from infections to injuries to toxins in the air. And when your body is in danger, your immune system to triggered to respond.1 That response is called inflammation—i.e., your body’s way of protecting and healing itself.2 Eventually, you become healthy again. But what if you don’t?
For some, inflammation can become chronic and persist; instead of becoming your ally, it becomes your worst nightmare.3 In fact, systemic inflammation is a known precursor to chronic illness.4,5 Unfortunately, chronic inflammation may be more common than you think. An otherwise healthy person can have a low to moderate amount of inflammation in his or her body and not even know it. The good news? There are plenty of foods you can eat that have been shown to help reduce chronic inflammation and can therefore promote overall health; there are also plenty of foods that have been linked to promoting inflammation which you can avoid. Keep these lists in mind at your next meal! Do eat: Leafy greens: Vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, and kale are packed with antioxidants that protect your body from foreign invaders.4,6 Berries: Varieties including blueberries, raspberries, cherries, and strawberries are high in protective compounds such as antioxidants and polyphenols.4,7 Nuts: Healthy snacks like almonds and walnuts have been associated with reduced markers of inflammation.4 Avocado: A superfood rich in monounsaturated fats as well as carotenoids and tocopherols, avocados can reduce your risk for chronic illness.9,10 Dark chocolate: A delicious treat with plenty of antioxidants to fight off inflammation. It may even lead to healthier aging.1 Green tea: Sip on this ultra-healthy drink for its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory properties, particularly its high levels of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). This substance inhibits proinflammatory cytokine production.12,13 Fatty fish: Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish (e.g., salmon) are metabolized into anti-inflammatory compounds called resolvins.4,14 Extra virgin olive oil: This kitchen staple is full of healthy monounsaturated fats and has been shown to reduce inflammatory markers.4 Turmeric: This beloved spice contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory nutrient.8 Coffee: Your favorite morning beverage contains polyphenols and other anti-inflammatory compounds. Note: Many of the foods on this list make the cut in one of the most well-researched diets in the world—the Mediterranean diet. Overall, the plant-based combination of healthy fats, carbs, and protein is shown to reduce key markers of inflammation.4,15-18 Eat less: Saturated fats: Found in virtually all processed, packaged junk foods as well as things like shortening and lard, saturated fats can throw off immune cells and trigger inflammation. Common culprits include pizza, pasta, cheese, and red meat products.19 Refined carbs: These include white flour (breads, rolls, and crackers), white potatoes (French fries), and many breakfast cereals, which contain a high glycemic index.4,21 Processed meats: Consumption of processed red meats (burgers, hot dogs, and sausage) has been associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers.4,22 Sugar: Forget anything that rhymes with gross (e.g. fructose, sucrose), as these can trigger the release of cytokines and lead to inflammation. 4,18 Omega-6 Fatty Acids Found in corn, safflower, sunflower, peanuts, soy, vegetable oils, mayonnaise and many commercial salad dressings, these fatty acids may inhibit the anti-inflammatory effects of healthy omega-3s. 20 With this information in mind, incorporating more of these plant-based foods and healthy fats into your diet while cutting out sugar and processed foods can be a powerful strategy in supporting your long-term health. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individuals should always consult with their healthcare professional for advice on medical issues. References:
 Q&A: What Should I Look for in a Hemp Oil?
It seems like hemp products are everywhere you look. With so many options to choose from, it’s more important than ever to ask the right questions when seeking a hemp product. Q. What is the composition of the product? A. The Cannabis sativa plant contains more than 80 different phytocannabinoids, which are naturally occurring plant-based bioactive compounds that can support and influence the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS promotes biological balance in many cells and tissues throughout the body. While certain phytocannabinoid compounds may be more well-known, research has indicated that several of the phytocannabinoids found in hemp may work together to produce synergistic effects on the body’s ECS. Terpenes, a group of compounds naturally present in all plants and spices including pepper, cloves, and cinnamon, are also thought to carry a wide array of health supportive properties. Terpenes work together with phytocannabinoids to enhance the overall benefit of hemp oil and support physiological health.This synergy is known in the research community as the entourage effect. Ultimately, healthcare practitioners can best advise on which compounds people might seek for their personal support needs. Q. How much information does the manufacturer provide on the product? A. This is where manufacturing transparency comes in. It’s vitally important to purchase any product from a trusted source. If you can access data from testing conducted on the product, it will provide added peace of mind. Q. What extraction methods were applied? A. Did you know there are multiple ways extracts can be obtained from plants? Conventional methods commonly using alcohol or solvents are generally more cost-effective and rapid from a manufacturing standpoint. Other more costly and time-consuming methods can include supercritical extraction. Supercritical extraction uses pressure to extract the desired compounds from a plant. The most well-known form of supercritical extraction utilizes carbon dioxide and is termed “supercritical CO2 extraction.” Unlike many conventional extraction methods, the supercritical CO2 extraction process is free of any harsh chemical solvents. CO2 extraction is also thought to be a more environmentally friendly method as compared to conventional methods. References available Submitted by the Metagenics Marketing Team |
Categories
All
Archives
August 2024
|
RSS Feed
|
Join Our Community
|
Amipro Disclaimer:
Certain persons, considered experts, may disagree with one or more of the foregoing statements, but the same are deemed, nevertheless, to be based on sound and reliable authority. No such statements shall be construed as a claim or representation as to Metagenics products, that they are offered for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of any disease. |