Comments on: What Are The Real Benefits Of Eating Organic Foods? http://livefitblog.com/2009/07/31/are-there-really-benefits-to-eating-organic-foods/ Tips For How To Be Healthy And Live Fit Sat, 31 Mar 2012 04:27:14 +0000 hourly 1 By: Greg http://livefitblog.com/2009/07/31/are-there-really-benefits-to-eating-organic-foods/#comment-1303 Greg Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:43:27 +0000 http://livefitblog.com/2009/07/31/are-there-really-benefits-to-eating-organic-foods/#comment-1303 I agree that there are a lot of ancillary benefits to buying both locally and, to a lesser extent, organic. Supporting the local economy and buying produce at the peak of freshness is right at the top of the list. I agree that there are a lot of ancillary benefits to buying both locally and, to a lesser extent, organic. Supporting the local economy and buying produce at the peak of freshness is right at the top of the list.

]]> By: Grass Fed All The Way http://livefitblog.com/2009/07/31/are-there-really-benefits-to-eating-organic-foods/#comment-1302 Grass Fed All The Way Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:25:19 +0000 http://livefitblog.com/2009/07/31/are-there-really-benefits-to-eating-organic-foods/#comment-1302 I think that the term "organic" has lost a lot of meaning over the years as industrial-type farming operations have taken over the space (due to the premium prices). I believe that buying locally achieves many of the same purposes while supporting the local economy. Having a relationship with your local grower allows you to know what pesticides (if any) they use, how their animals are treated and when the produce was picked. All of this contributes to fresher, healthier food. I think that the term “organic” has lost a lot of meaning over the years as industrial-type farming operations have taken over the space (due to the premium prices). I believe that buying locally achieves many of the same purposes while supporting the local economy. Having a relationship with your local grower allows you to know what pesticides (if any) they use, how their animals are treated and when the produce was picked. All of this contributes to fresher, healthier food.

]]> By: steve hanvey http://livefitblog.com/2009/07/31/are-there-really-benefits-to-eating-organic-foods/#comment-1187 steve hanvey Wed, 05 Aug 2009 07:14:34 +0000 http://livefitblog.com/2009/07/31/are-there-really-benefits-to-eating-organic-foods/#comment-1187 A recent article I read alleged the studies comparing organic and conventional plants did not compare plants grown in similar soils and climates. The assertion was that nutrient and vitamin content can be altered as much by the soil and climate as the application of fertilizer and pesticides. Supposedly, studies that do compare "apples to apples" show higher content of some vitamins and compounds like anti-oxidants, flavanoids, phyto-nutrients, etc.... I have no idea if any of that was credible, but I have seen several assertions that many of our foods have lower nutritional content than in the past due to genetic manipulation for higher crop yields. I'm curious if these studies look for concentrations of compounds such as lycopene, resveratrol, quercetin and such, or just very basic minerals and vitamin content? As for the meat, we know eating fish and other watery critters from some sources can be dangerous due to heavy metals present in their flesh (namely Mercury, but others as well), so it stands to reason that non-organic meat could retain higher concentrations of toxins in the flesh depending on their diet and living conditions. Toxicity issues in humans from mishandling of products from pesticides, herbicides, cleaners, and the like can be cumulative, and an animal would be no different. A recent article I read alleged the studies comparing organic and conventional plants did not compare plants grown in similar soils and climates. The assertion was that nutrient and vitamin content can be altered as much by the soil and climate as the application of fertilizer and pesticides. Supposedly, studies that do compare “apples to apples” show higher content of some vitamins and compounds like anti-oxidants, flavanoids, phyto-nutrients, etc…. I have no idea if any of that was credible, but I have seen several assertions that many of our foods have lower nutritional content than in the past due to genetic manipulation for higher crop yields. I’m curious if these studies look for concentrations of compounds such as lycopene, resveratrol, quercetin and such, or just very basic minerals and vitamin content?

As for the meat, we know eating fish and other watery critters from some sources can be dangerous due to heavy metals present in their flesh (namely Mercury, but others as well), so it stands to reason that non-organic meat could retain higher concentrations of toxins in the flesh depending on their diet and living conditions. Toxicity issues in humans from mishandling of products from pesticides, herbicides, cleaners, and the like can be cumulative, and an animal would be no different.

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