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In the very short time since GMO foods were first introduced, they have
tainted ecosystems, created financial strains for farmers, and introduced
unnatural elements into the local, national, and global food supply.
GMOs pose a danger to all of us and the evidence is irrefutable.
Environmentally, they have created superweeds that destroy farmland, and they
have eliminated some organisms from ecosystems, leading to new superbugs to
fill the void. Much talk also centers around the health considerations. Unfortunately,
researchers who attempt to test the alleged safety of these GMOs – and have
found them decidedly unsafe! – get shouted down by the rank-and-file industry
yes men who are intent on protecting the empire. Despite this, the research
has shown a dramatically higher risk of health problems from eating GMOs and
research shown that toxic DNA from these plants may survive digestion. It's
even been found in the blood of pregnant women and their fetuses! [1]
Unfortunately, until the laws change and ban these destructive products, the
best protection is to avoid them. The following list outlines the 20 top GMO
foods and ingredients you absolutely must avoid to keep GMOs out of the diet.
1. Aspartame
Aspartame is made from aspartate, methanol and phenylaline. Once ingested,
the body breaks aspartame down into these constituent parts. Most notably,
methanol is converted into formaldehyde. The US Department of Labor considers
formaldehyde a toxic and hazardous substance that should not be ingested.
Recent research has demonstrated highly carcinogenic affects from aspartame
consumption. [2]
Additional research could not dismiss aspartame’s role in leukemia and
non-Hodgkins lymphomas. [3]
Entire books have been written about the dangers of aspartame.
In the quest for healthy living, this toxic, lab-created chemical tops any
list of foods and ingredients to avoid!
2. Corn
The agribusiness cartels have assured us for years of their products safety
and the mainstream media have smiled and winked right alongside them.
However, now, even MSN is now reporting that GMO corn may be toxic. [4]
Several studies have shown regular dietary consumption of Bt-corn (maize),
the GMO version of corn, leads to serious health problems and negatively
effects the kidney and liver (the dietary detoxifying organs), as well as in
the heart, adrenal glands, and spleen. [5]
[6]
Eating organic corn may be one way to eliminate exposure to this dangerous
GMO. As you will see below, corn appears in many more forms, making avoidance
an exercise in awareness.
3. Sugar Beets
Of the nearly 130 million metric tons of sugar produced globally every year,
sugar beets constitute nearly 35% of that sugar (the remaining amount coming
from sugar cane). [7]
These sugar beets are used to produce sucrose. [8]
Unfortunately, they struggle to survive competition from weeds. So a
glyphosate (Roundup) version was created. [9]
That way farmers could dump Roundup on the fields of sugar beets to kill off
the weeds without killing the sugar beets. Great idea -- in addition to the
glyphosate DNA, the plants are repeatedly coated with toxic chemicals during
their growing cycle.
The best way to avoid sugar beets is to avoid products with sucrose (sugar),
or any product that doesn’t specify sweeteners like organic agave or raw
honey.
4. HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup)
First, HFCS
is made from corn, which is likely to be a GMO strain. It then goes
through a process that converts corn into corn starch…which then is converted
into corn syrup in a process involving bacterial enzymes and fungus. Finally,
another bacterial enzyme is added to the process to produce fructose. This is
not a natural process and does not yield a natural product.
Mercury has been found in HFCS as a result of the manufacturing process. [10]
Does HFCS lead to health problems? Possibly, researchers from Princeton and
Oxford have linked HFCS to weight gain and Type II diabetes. [11]
[12]
To summarize, HFCS starts as a GMO, contains mercury, and has been linked to
weight gain and Type II diabetes. Just avoid it.
5. Soy (lecithin)
Soy beans are perhaps one of the most prevalent GMO products in fields today.
Soy has been associated with a wide range of health problems and GMO soy has
been linked to pancreatic problems. [13]
Soy lecithin isn't even a choice soybean product, it's a waste product from
the processing of crude soy oil. It typically contains solvents and
pesticides. Researchers have also found soy lecithin to contain allergens
that have wide ranging health impacts. [14]
As a rule, avoid soy unless it is organic and fermented (such as in miso or
natto). And make sure to avoid anything containing soy lecithin, the soy
product constructed from the sludgy glop created during the creation of soy
oil.
6. Corn Starch
Corn starch is a highly processed corn product made from corn – genetically
modified (GM) corn. It offers no nutritional value and carries all the
dangers associated with GMO foods. It is used as an additive in many products
and as a processed food, it creates digestive problems. The problems with
corn starch have been known about since the 1970s. With the introduction of
GMO corn, the problems have only increased.
7. Tomatoes
When tested, genetically modified tomatoes have been found to have less
antioxidant activity than their natural counterparts. [15]
As is the case with GMOs, the genetic modifications result in overall reduced
nutritional value.
8. Sausage
Most sausage contains corn syrup or corn syrup solids, in addition to the
other preservatives. That’s right, the hot dog or Italian sausage you enjoy –
even just once in a while – likely contains a GMO. If you choose to eat
sausage of any type, avoid the pre-packaged kind. Your best bet is to
purchase from a local butcher who specializes in locally grown, organic,
free-range meats.
9. Ice Cream
This delicious summer-time treat typically features a range of HFCS, corn
syrup and corn starch, plus rGBH. Unless the brand you buy is organic or
home-made from organic ingredients, each spoonful of ice cream likely
contains plenty of genetically-modified DNA and bovine growth hormones.
10. Non-organic and Synthetic Vitamins
Many vitamins, including top children’s vitamins, use ‘vegetable’ products as
a base for the vitamin. Many of these ‘vegetables’ come from corn and soy
products; many also contain aspartame and hydrogenate oils. Look for vitamins
that are specifically organic or non-GMO.
11. Infant Formula
Milk that contains rGBH and genetically modified soy consitute the foundation
for most infant formulas, unless they specifically state they are organic.
Research has found that infant diets including formulas that contain these
GMOs contribute to chronic, long-term health conditions. [16]
12. Beef
Beef feed may contain GMO alfalfa, corn and soy. When cows eat GMOs, they get
into their system and become part of the meat. If you're going to eat beef,
only consume organic, grass-fed beef.
13. Milk
Why let nature do things naturally when Monsanto’s recombinant Bovine Growth
Hormone (rGBH) can be injected right cows to increase milk output. Never mind
that hormones associated with rBGH have been found present in milk
distributed for human consumption. Or that studies have also found milk from
cows injected with rGBH contain reduced amounts of healthy fatty acids. [17]
Or that these cows are more likely to have mastitis, an utter infection that
can lead to blood and pus in the milk. Yuck.
You can buy organic milk or goat
milk and avoid bovine growth hormones. However, to keep all bovine growth
hormones out of the diet, you also need to watch out for foods that contain
milk products, as these may come from hormone-injected cows.
14. Alfalfa
Although GMO alfalfa planting had been halted, as of this year, GM alfalfa
returns to the fields. [18]
Alfalfa is the backbone of the dairy industry, both organic farmers and
industry groups. So dairy, beef, and alfalfa will all be affected. As an
insect pollinated plant, cross pollination of GMO plants and non-GMO plants
will likely result.
15. Vegetable Oil
Vegetable Oil typically comes from corn, soybean, cotton, or canola oils. All
of these crops have been genetically modified to withstand being doused by
Roundup. Unless the vegetable oil states it is organic, assume it may contain
some degree GMOs.
16. Canola Oil
Canola oil gets its own category due to its prevalent use. Aside from
questions about an oil made from a plant toxic to human consumption, the
rapeseed has been genetically altered. As of 2009, 90% of Canada’s rapeseed
crop was ‘herbicide-tolerant’. [19]
When it comes to cooking oils, the best option is to find products
specifically designated non-GMO.
17. Margarine and Shortening
These are another form of vegetable oil and contain all the GMO problems the
vegetable oils contain. To avoid GMOs from margarine, organic butter may be
an option.
18. Hawaiian Papaya
This type of genetically modified papaya primarily affects those living on
the west coast. Its GMO attribute is that its a virus-resistant plant
specific to Hawaii and the areas that import papaya from Hawaii. This plant
contains DNA from the Ringspot virus, as do individuals who choose to eat it.
19. Squash
Many squash varieties have been genetically modified to fight off the
diseases that can affect them. When it comes to squash, buy organic.
20. Flax
GMO flax has been grown (illegally, for what it’s worth) in Canada. The
extent of Canadian contamination has not yet been determined. Reports also
indicate that the GM flax has been exported around the world where
contamination has occurred. [20]
Because of the environmental catastrophe of this rogue GM strain, identify
the source of the flax used before you buy. Flax from Canada may be infected,
as well as from many areas of the EU.
A Final Thought…
When it comes to avoiding
GMOs, the best answer is to search for foods that have been labeled as
non-GMO. If unsure, ask at the store or contact the manufacturer of the
product. If you find out it may contain GMOs, let them know they’ve lost your
business. Once GMOs become a marketing liability, then the industry itself
will reject GMOs.
-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DABFM
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