A fruit or vegetable stand may look like the healthiest thing in the world, however keep in mind that looks can sometimes be greatly deceiving. When produce are not organically grown, they contain so many different toxic substances such as insecticides, pesticides and fumigants. Your body, in particular your liver and kidneys, have a difficult time dealing with all these unhealthy chemicals. If you regularly consume foods which are not organically grown, the two organs may eventually become overloaded.
Americans consume an estimated 13 to 20 different pesticides, insecticides or fumigants on a daily basis. Children and pregnant women are particularly at risk. To help you better understand the toxic substances in fresh produce, we are providing you with a list of some of the pesticides farmers use on traditionally grown fruits and vegetables as well as their side-effects. The details are included below:
1. Insecticides such as thiodan, orthene, and durshaban can cause nausea, headaches, diarrhea, excessive tearing and salivation, muscle twitching tract, and possible seizures.
2. Fungicides such as manxozeb, captan, and azoxystrobin can irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
3. Herbicides such as mecoprop and 2,4 ?D Barrage can cause vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, confusion; increase bizarre or aggressive behavior; and irritate mucous membranes and skin.
4. Iprodione can cause cancer in both humans and animals.
5. Phosmet is a cancer-causing agent which can interfere with hormones and damage the reproductive system.
6. Benomyl and carbaryl are known carcinogens; both can cause birth defects, damage the nervous system and the brain; they can also cause vomiting and diarrhea.
7. Hexchlorocyclohexane high exposure can cause blood disorders, seizures, headaches, and dizziness; hormones can be affected as well.
8. Paraquat can cause headaches, cracked hands, and burning sensations in the mouth, throat and chest; it can make one feel lethargic, giddy or feverish.
9. Azinphos can interfere with hormones.
The list above contains just some of the toxic chemicals used on farm produce. Needless to say, if you continually eat traditionally grown foods, your health will suffer sooner or later.
These harmful substances are by no means limited to fresh produce. Poultry and meat products also contain them. Because cattle, pigs and chicken which are grown in huge commercial farms are more prone to diseases, they are given antibiotics. It is highly possible that people who regularly consume poultry and meat products from these commercial farms can develop a resistance to antibiotics. When the time comes that they really need to take antibiotics to fight infection, they may have developed a resistance to the medication and this can cause a serious problem.
In many farms cattle are given hormones to fatten them up. Unfortunately, the effect does not end with the animal. People who consume the meat products taken from cattle fattened by hormones likewise experience the same effect. In Europe, cattle are not allowed to be given the hormone rBGH but it is not the case in the US because approximately 90% of the livestock are still given the said hormone.
Finally, there is the ongoing debate on how hormones in food may be the reason for the occurrence of early puberty in young girls. According to Dr. Samuel Epstein who is the founder of the Cancer Prevention Coalition and professor of occupational and environmental medicine at the University of Illinois Medical Center, children have normally low sex hormones thus even a small increase may result in harmful effects.
Toxins are all around us. They can be found in the water we drink and the food we eat. It is important that we reduce the amount of harmful chemicals that enter our bodies and the most logical solution is to switch to organic foods. When you eat organically nurtured livestock and farm produce, you need not fear that you may be ingesting poisons as well. A system free of toxins is definitely a healthier one.
When it comes to matters that affect your health, take full responsibility. Organic foods are the best for you. Isn't it about time you make a lifestyle change and go organic as well?
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