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The Food We Eat:

A Tug of War Between Tasty Treats and Hidden Threats

by Svetlana Kogan, M.D.

n a world where processed foods beckon us Then, there is also the issue of the Genetically Modified
with their convenience and fresh produce Organisms (GMOs) - these were created in the labs to be prettier, to
Ipromises health and vitality, it is easy to yield bigger crops, to be able to withstand extreme temperatures and
forget that our plates sometimes carry more other growing conditions. Veggies, which are most affected by the
than just nutrients and flavors. Beneath the GMO process are: corn, soybeans, tomatoes, and potatoes.
delicious facade of our favorite snacks lies a While the direct effect of GMO on our health is still being
hidden battleground: the fight against toxic researched, there have been links with allergies, asthma, and
chemicals. From pesticides in our produce, immune dysregulation in mice studies. In addition, GMO foods are
and antibiotics in our chicken and turkey, to associated with a wide variety of toxic pesticides such as Glyphosate
food coloring in our cereals – the list of toxic (trade name Roundup), the most widely applied herbicide in both
chemicals is vast. Research shows that many of the United States and abroad. Unfortunately, Glyphosate is officially
the synthetic food additives and preservatives classified as Class 2B (a “probable human carcinogen”). GMO
contribute to higher risk of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, liver and has also been associated with antibiotic resistance and hormone-
heart disease, and immune system imbalance, to name just a few. disrupting activity in humans and more studies are underway to test
Take processed foods for instance. These pose significant threats these links.
to our health as I have already written in my book Diet Slave No But fret not; it is not all doom and gloom. There is a growing
More! back in 2016. Processed foods are chock full of chemicals to trend toward organic farming, where fewer synthetic pesticides
improve their smell, color, taste, and crunchy mouth feel. And to are used. Foods labeled “USDA Organic” are not allowed to have
make things even more complicated, we also must watch out for been genetically engineered so they are automatically non-GMO.
the containers which these foods are stored in. These containers can Another great trend is an improved availability of non-GMO foods.
release toxic chemicals such as BPA, vinyl chloride, or styrene into Foods labeled "Non-GMO project verified” - do not contain GMO
the food itself. but may have still been grown with conventional pesticides. Still,
Now, let us switch gears to the fresher side of our plates – buying at least non-GMO is already a huge step towards your safety.
fruits and vegetables. These colorful gems are often touted as Of course, buying USDA Organic is the best option, but we all
nature's health boosters, but there is a catch. The pesticides used in understand that this is not always available or feasible for everyone.
agriculture to protect these crops are mostly toxic. I often get asked So, we just act smart and do our best, according to the current
if buying organic food is therapeutic or just a fad. As a Functional circumstances.
doctor, my answer is: organic is safer for your health. Consider this: For those people who believe that they have symptoms related to
while there are more than 900 synthetic pesticides allowed by the environmental food toxicity – there are state-of the art functional lab
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in conventional tests available from your functional medical doctor, to confirm and
farming, only 25 of those are allowed for use in organic farming. assess the extent of the exposure to the toxins. Based on the results of
Most of these latter 25 are less toxic chemicals such as calcium those tests and every person’s unique health–related circumstances, a
hypochlorite, boric acid, and hydrogen peroxide, but even these detoxifying plan is implemented and carried out under the watchful
behoove us to wash even our organic produce thoroughly before eye of the functional doctor. Stay tuned to the next issue of the
use. magazine as I will try to highlight some useful tips for identifying
and avoiding toxic chemicals in our foods.

The author of ‘Diet Slave No More!’, Svetlana Kogan, M.D. IFMCP is a Board-Certified Internal Medicine,
Holistic & Functional Medical Doctor with 25 years of experience.
Her website is CustomLongevity.com Office Phone: 239-676-6883

32 www.LifeInNaples.net