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The Food We Eat:

A Tug of War Between Tasty Treats and Hidden Threats

by Svetlana Kogan, M.D. IFMCP

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. While the
delicious facade of our favorite snacks lies a direct effect of GMO on our health is still being researched, there
hidden battleground: the fight against toxic have been links with allergies, asthma, and immune dysregulation
chemicals. From pesticides in our produce, in mice studies. In addition, GMO foods are associated with a wide
antibiotics in our chicken and turkey, to food variety of toxic pesticides such as Glyphosate (trade name Roundup),
coloring in our cereals – the list of toxic chemicals is vast. Research the most widely applied herbicide in both the United States and
shows that many of the synthetic food additives and preservatives abroad. Unfortunately, Glyphosate is officially classified as Class 2B
contribute to higher risk of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, liver (a “probable human carcinogen”). GMO has also been associated
and heart disease, and immune system imbalance, to name just a with antibiotic resistance and hormone disrupting activity in humans
few. and more studies are underway to test these links.
Take processed foods for instance. These pose significant threats But fret not; it is not all doom and gloom. There is a growing
to our health as I have already written in my book Diet Slave No trend toward organic farming, where fewer synthetic pesticides
More! back in 2016. Processed foods are chock full of chemicals to are used. Foods labeled “USDA Organic” are not allowed to have
improve their smell, color, taste, and crunchy mouth feel. And to been genetically engineered so they are automatically non-GMO.
make things even more complicated, we also must watch out for Another great trend is an improved availability of non-GMO foods.
the containers which these foods are stored in. These containers can Foods labeled “Non-GMO project verified” – do not contain GMO
release toxic chemicals such as BPA, vinyl chloride, or styrene into but may have still been grown with conventional pesticides. Still,
the food itself. buying at least non-GMO is already a huge step towards your safety.
Now, let us switch gears to the fresher side of our plates – Of course, buying USDA Organic is the best option, but we all
fruits and vegetables. These colorful gems are often touted as understand that this is not always available or feasible for everyone.
nature’s health boosters, but there is a catch. The pesticides used in So, we just act smart and do our best, according to the current
agriculture to protect these crops are mostly toxic. I often get asked circumstances.
if buying organic food is therapeutic or just a fad. As a Functional For those people who believe that they have symptoms related to
doctor, my answer is: organic is safer for your health. Consider this: environmental food toxicity – there are state-of the art functional lab
while there are more than 900 synthetic pesticides allowed by the tests available from your functional medical doctor, to confirm and
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in conventional assess the extent of the exposure to the toxins. Based on the results of
farming, only 25 of those are allowed for use in organic farming. those tests and every person’s unique health–related circumstances, a
Most of these latter 25 are less toxic chemicals such as calcium detoxifying plan is implemented and carried out under the watchful
hypochlorite, boric acid, and hydrogen peroxide, but even these eye of the functional doctor.
behoove us to wash even our organic produce thoroughly before Stay tuned to the next issue of the magazine as I will try
use. 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
3232 www.LifeInNaples.net