Saturday, June 30, 2018
(VIDEO) Dissolving Kidney Stones Without A Doctor—Marjory Wildcraft Interviews Renee Ainly
June 29, 2018
Renee’s health was rapidly declining and the medical system seemed to make it worse. She was battling a rare kidney disease and was on a half a dozen medications for various other ailments—but, she finally decided to take matters into her own hands!
And today, she is happy to report that she is healthier than ever before—but, what’s her secret?
Renee discovered the incredible healing power of using food as medicine.
Turns out your backyard garden may be less about survival and economic collapse and more about your need to get healthy! The really great part of Renee’s story is that the journey to total health can be incredibly yummy!
Watch the video to find out how Renee lost 60 pounds and got off the medications. Plus, she talks about the ONE THING that helped her dissolve kidney stones!
You can learn more about Renee at her website, http://www.originallivingcoconut.com.
(This updated article was originally published on May 8, 2013.)
7 Natural painkillers that are better than ibuprofen
7 Natural painkillers that are better than ibuprofen: (Natural News) One of the most famous lines from cult-classic, The Princess Bride, says, “life is pain. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something.” Drug companies are a perfect example of this – but their tactics focus more on emphasizing that toxic chemicals and synthetic remedies are the only way to relieve discomfort. After all, what’s easier than popping a pill that instantly makes you feel better?
Yet a consequence of such a careless approach to health is an uninformed decision-making process when it comes to your overall well-being. Studies have proven that over-the-counter painkillers actually do more harm than good, with long-term consequences including an increased risk of heart attack and decreased fertility.
The strange thing about all of this is that painkillers are actually imitations of natural substances.
The good news, though, is that we have compiled a list of natural ways to relieve pain that do not carry any harmful side effects. (h/t to BioPrepper.com)
White willow bark – This is the main ingredient of aspirin. White willow bark contains salicin that is converted to salicylic acid as it enters the stomach. This is a powerful substance that has been studied to lessen inflammation, remedy gastric upset, and treat various forms of pain. White willow bark may also be used to reduce a fever, ease painful menstruation, and eliminate migraines. Take note though that white willow bark should not be taken by those with blood or kidney disorders, as the herb can exacerbate these conditions.
Capsaicin – Capsaicin blocks the production of “substance P” that transmits pain signals to the brain. This is naturally abundant in peppers. There is also evidence that suggests its effectiveness in reducing pain caused by arthritis.
Cat’s claw – South American traditional healers prescribe this herb to treat pain. Botanical analyses of cat’s claw have observed the plant’s ability to inhibit the production of prostaglandin, a hormone that contributes to inflammation and pain.
Boswellia – This is rich in various acids that improve blood flow to the joints while reducing inflammation. Boswellia is also typically recommended for patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Some researchers hypothesize that the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the plant can likewise be used to treat symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Chron’s disease.
Curcumin – The active component in turmeric, curcumin is a potent painkiller. Its mechanisms are similar to that of capsaicin.
Omega-3 fatty acids – These are hailed as one of best anti-inflammatory medicines out there. People can use the substance to ease chronic pain and other inflammatory conditions.
Cannabis – Last, but definitely not the least, cannabis is arguably the most effective natural painkiller. Dozens of studies have concluded the efficacy of cannabis in treating both chronic and acute types of pain. (Related: Medical marijuana legalization reduces painkiller overdose deaths.)
One more way to relieve pain
A discussion on natural alternatives to pain relief will not be complete without talking about acupuncture. This ancient art is slowly gaining popularity, even among conventional medical practitioners, because science proves its usefulness in treating various types of pain.
Get CLEAN FOOD and help support our mission to keep you informed: The Health Ranger Store lab verifies everything we sell with accredited testing for heavy metals, microbiology and food safety. Certified organic facility, ISO-accredited on-site laboratory, no GMOs or synthetic ingredients. The world's #1 source of lab-verified clean foods and superfoods for nutritional healing. 600+ products available. Explore now.
Traditional Chinese acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into different “acupoints.” These stimulate various areas of the body to release endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killing chemicals.
A typical acupuncture course includes six to 12 sessions performed over a three-month period.
To learn more natural ways to relieve pain, visit Healing.news.
Sources include:
BioPrepper.com
Independent.co.uk
Health.Harvard.edu
OrganicFacts.net
ArthritisResearchUK.org
Arthritis.org
Yet a consequence of such a careless approach to health is an uninformed decision-making process when it comes to your overall well-being. Studies have proven that over-the-counter painkillers actually do more harm than good, with long-term consequences including an increased risk of heart attack and decreased fertility.
The strange thing about all of this is that painkillers are actually imitations of natural substances.
The good news, though, is that we have compiled a list of natural ways to relieve pain that do not carry any harmful side effects. (h/t to BioPrepper.com)
White willow bark – This is the main ingredient of aspirin. White willow bark contains salicin that is converted to salicylic acid as it enters the stomach. This is a powerful substance that has been studied to lessen inflammation, remedy gastric upset, and treat various forms of pain. White willow bark may also be used to reduce a fever, ease painful menstruation, and eliminate migraines. Take note though that white willow bark should not be taken by those with blood or kidney disorders, as the herb can exacerbate these conditions.
Capsaicin – Capsaicin blocks the production of “substance P” that transmits pain signals to the brain. This is naturally abundant in peppers. There is also evidence that suggests its effectiveness in reducing pain caused by arthritis.
Cat’s claw – South American traditional healers prescribe this herb to treat pain. Botanical analyses of cat’s claw have observed the plant’s ability to inhibit the production of prostaglandin, a hormone that contributes to inflammation and pain.
Boswellia – This is rich in various acids that improve blood flow to the joints while reducing inflammation. Boswellia is also typically recommended for patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Some researchers hypothesize that the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the plant can likewise be used to treat symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Chron’s disease.
Curcumin – The active component in turmeric, curcumin is a potent painkiller. Its mechanisms are similar to that of capsaicin.
Omega-3 fatty acids – These are hailed as one of best anti-inflammatory medicines out there. People can use the substance to ease chronic pain and other inflammatory conditions.
Cannabis – Last, but definitely not the least, cannabis is arguably the most effective natural painkiller. Dozens of studies have concluded the efficacy of cannabis in treating both chronic and acute types of pain. (Related: Medical marijuana legalization reduces painkiller overdose deaths.)
One more way to relieve pain
A discussion on natural alternatives to pain relief will not be complete without talking about acupuncture. This ancient art is slowly gaining popularity, even among conventional medical practitioners, because science proves its usefulness in treating various types of pain.
Get CLEAN FOOD and help support our mission to keep you informed: The Health Ranger Store lab verifies everything we sell with accredited testing for heavy metals, microbiology and food safety. Certified organic facility, ISO-accredited on-site laboratory, no GMOs or synthetic ingredients. The world's #1 source of lab-verified clean foods and superfoods for nutritional healing. 600+ products available. Explore now.
Traditional Chinese acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into different “acupoints.” These stimulate various areas of the body to release endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killing chemicals.
A typical acupuncture course includes six to 12 sessions performed over a three-month period.
To learn more natural ways to relieve pain, visit Healing.news.
Sources include:
BioPrepper.com
Independent.co.uk
Health.Harvard.edu
OrganicFacts.net
ArthritisResearchUK.org
Arthritis.org
Some Natural Painkillers
(Natural News) One of the most famous lines from cult-classic, The Princess Bride, says, “life is pain. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something.” Drug companies are a perfect example of this – but their tactics focus more on emphasizing that toxic chemicals and synthetic remedies are the only way to relieve discomfort. After all, what’s easier than popping a pill that instantly makes you feel better?
Yet a consequence of such a careless approach to health is an uninformed decision-making process when it comes to your overall well-being. Studies have proven that over-the-counter painkillers actually do more harm than good, with long-term consequencesincluding an increased risk of heart attack and decreased fertility.
The strange thing about all of this is that painkillers are actually imitations of natural substances.
The good news, though, is that we have compiled a list of natural ways to relieve pain that do not carry any harmful side effects. (h/t to BioPrepper.com)
- White willow bark – This is the main ingredient of aspirin. White willow bark contains salicin that is converted to salicylic acid as it enters the stomach. This is a powerful substance that has been studied to lessen inflammation, remedy gastric upset, and treat various forms of pain. White willow bark may also be used to reduce a fever, ease painful menstruation, and eliminate migraines. Take note though that white willow bark should not be taken by those with blood or kidney disorders, as the herb can exacerbate these conditions.
- Capsaicin – Capsaicin blocks the production of “substance P” that transmits pain signals to the brain. This is naturally abundant in peppers. There is also evidence that suggests its effectiveness in reducing pain caused by arthritis.
- Cat’s claw – South American traditional healers prescribe this herb to treat pain. Botanical analyses of cat’s claw have observed the plant’s ability to inhibit the production of prostaglandin, a hormone that contributes to inflammation and pain.
- Boswellia – This is rich in various acids that improve blood flow to the joints while reducing inflammation. Boswellia is also typically recommended for patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Some researchers hypothesize that the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the plant can likewise be used to treat symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Chron’s disease.
- Curcumin – The active component in turmeric, curcumin is a potent painkiller. Its mechanisms are similar to that of capsaicin.
- Omega-3 fatty acids – These are hailed as one of best anti-inflammatory medicines out there. People can use the substance to ease chronic pain and other inflammatory conditions.
- Cannabis – Last, but definitely not the least, cannabis is arguably the most effective natural painkiller. Dozens of studies have concluded the efficacy of cannabis in treating both chronic and acute types of pain. (Related: Medical marijuana legalization reduces painkiller overdose deaths.)
One more way to relieve pain
A discussion on natural alternatives to pain relief will not be complete without talking about acupuncture. This ancient art is slowly gaining popularity, even among conventional medical practitioners, because science proves its usefulness in treating various types of pain.
Get CLEAN FOOD and help support our mission to keep you informed: TheHealth Ranger Store lab verifies everything we sell with accredited testing for heavy metals, microbiology and food safety. Certified organic facility, ISO-accredited on-site laboratory, no GMOs or synthetic ingredients. The world's #1 source of lab-verified clean foods and superfoods for nutritional healing. 600+ products available. Explore now.
Traditional Chinese acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into different “acupoints.” These stimulate various areas of the body to release endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killing chemicals.
A typical acupuncture course includes six to 12 sessions performed over a three-month period.
To learn more natural ways to relieve pain, visit Healing.news.
Sources include:
Where Have All Our Insects Gone?
Where Have All Our Insects Gone?
- June 30, 2018 • 9,626 views
Story at-a-glance
- They creep, crawl and fly, and some may even sting, but without a diverse population of insects, scientists agree the ecosystem will likely collapse
- Research and anecdotal evidence concur: The population and diversity of insects on the earth has been rapidly declining in the past decades; many are on the brink of extinction
- Although scientists are unable to pinpoint the cause, they believe the extent of the damage is likely the result of a variety of reasons, including insecticide use, light pollution, habitat fragmentation and climactic changes
- You can help reestablish a diverse insect population by buying organic products, eliminating insecticide use in your yard and contacting your government representatives with your concerns
By Dr. Mercola
They creep along the ground, fly through the air and may sometimes sting you. It may seem as if the outdoor world has gotten more hospitable in recent years as the numbers of insects inhabiting your garden and splattering your windshield have drastically declined. However, reducing numbers and varieties of insects has a substantial overall impact on the environment and the future of the earth as we know it.
Entomologists from around the world are tracking the rapidly declining number of insects, and are concerned by the data they're collecting. As noted by the distinguished Harvard biologist Edward O Wilson, Ph.D.,1 "If all humankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed 10,000 years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos."
These tiny and seemingly inconsequential bugs hold great power in plant pollination, soil microbial diversification, environmental cleanup and wildlife support. Insects are in a unique position to perform these functions in what appears to be a flawless and effortless fashion. Tragically, declines are now observed in many different insect populations. Overall diversification is also declining.
Insects Are in Serious Trouble
Since 1989, scientists from the Entomological Society Krefeld have collected insects in a nature preserve and along protected areas of western Germany.2 They use traps to collect specimens of local insects for research and education. Over the years, the team recognized the number of insects being collected each summer was getting lower and lower. Subsequently, the data from Krefeld was analyzed, finding a significant decline in the number of flying insects in western Germany.
Another study combined previous data and developed a global index for invertebrate abundance, showing a 45 percent decline over four decades. This study pointed out that of the 3,623 invertebrate species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, 42 percent are classified as threatened with extinction.3
What's more, from 1989 to 2016, the average weight of insects caught in Germany between May and October fell 77 percent. During the height of summer in those years, the weight of insects caught fell by 82 percent. Hans de Kroon, Ph.D., involved in analyzing the data said,4 "We were expecting declines, but the extent of them was tremendous. If this was in agricultural settings, we wouldn't be quite so surprised. But it's especially alarming that it's happening in nature reserves."
The data, published in the journal PLOS ONE, found the flying insect population in Germany's nature reserves had declined by more than 75 percent over the 27-year study. The researchers wrote the loss of diversity and abundance is expected to provoke a cascade effect on food supplies and jeopardize ecosystems.5 Evidence of the decline of individual species has been apparent for years. However, this study took a broad view of entire populations.
For instance, populations of European butterflies have been cut in half since 1990, honey bee colonies have been cut by 59 percent in North America since World War II and British moths have dropped by 30 percent per decade.6 The research group focused on the entire spectrum of flying insects, concluding7 "It confirms the widespread, windscreen phenomenon. Any truck driver in the developed world will tell you that they used to squash a lot of insects on the windscreen. Now the windscreen stays clean."
Australia and Great Britain Experience Similar Declines
Anecdotal evidence is also present in Australia and Great Britain, where scientists have noted a decline in insect population but are at a loss in determining the cause.8 Jack Hasenpusch is an entomologist and owner of the Australian Insect Farm,9 where he collects swarms of wild insects during the summer months. He noticed that in the past few years some insect varieties have dropped off and he attributed this to a lack of rainfall.
However, the reduction in insect population has continued to fall. Hasenpusch reports speaking to entomologists in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Italy, all telling similar stories.10 University of Sydney entomologist Cameron Webb primarily researches mosquitoes and reports their numbers are also declining across New South Wales.11 He believes this is indicative of the situation with other insect populations.
Without formal research, it is difficult to make accurate predictions or assessments about the numbers of insects in Australia. However, Webb believes it's important to listen to entomologists, ecologists and other researchers who are in the field on a regular basis. He commented:12
"I don't study cicadas, but I know what cicada numbers are like from year to year because I'm out and about in my local wetlands. When experts are relaying this kind of information it is something that we need to turn our mind to and think about what could be going on, and more importantly how do we work out if this is actually happening and what we do about it."
Similar reductions in insect populations are being reported from Great Britain. Chris Packham,13 naturalist, conservationist and TV presenter, recently took to Twitter, commenting on the absence of insects during a weekend at his home. Packham tweeted he had not seen a single butterfly in his garden and rarely sees craneflies or moths, which were commonplace when he was a boy. He wrote,14"Our generation is presiding over an ecological apocalypse and we've somehow or other normalized it."
In Great Britain, populations of native ladybirds are crashing, three-quarters of butterfly species have dropped in numbers and bees are suffering major declines in population.15 Cicadas, beetles and moths also face some of the same challenges, with the V-moth recording a 99 percent fall in numbers between 1968 and 2007, according to The Guardian. It's now threatened with extinction.
Crucial Consequences of Declining Insect Populations
While it may be difficult to get excited about combating the loss of insects, this ecological disaster may ultimately affect your food prices at the grocery store. One of the best illustrations of the ecological importance can be seen in bird populations. Without insects, many bird species face starvation and some believe this is already triggering serious declines and numbers.16 Wildlife author Michael McCarthy believes Britain's farmland birds have been cut in half since 1970, with some declines being outright catastrophic.
For instance, the spotted flycatcher, a specialist predator of aerial insects, has declined in number by more than 95 percent. The link between insects and the number of bird species was again confirmed in a study by Aberdeen University.17 Their data showed a drastic decline in cuckoo birds in some areas of England, closely linked to a similar decline in numbers of tiger moth caterpillars, one of the primary food sources for the cuckoo.
A study by Canadian biologists18 suggests bird species that depend on aerial insects have suffered a greater decline in recent years than birds feeding primarily on seeds.19 Germany's Federal Agency for nature conservation stresses insects are not only a major food source for birds, but also for bats and amphibians. Nearly 60 percent of birds rely on insects for food and 80 percent of wild plants depend on them for pollination.20
Tanya Latty, entomology teaching fellow at Sydney University School of Life and Environmental Sciences believes it's particularly worrying the declines have been reported in protected areas, meaning agricultural or urban areas may reveal an even more pronounced trend.21 She is also concerned we are underestimating the importance of insects, which make up approximately 70 percent of all animal species.
Insects not only pollinate the crops, but also contribute to pest control, and are crucial to waste management and biodiversity. In fact, Latty points out most waste in urban areas is eliminated by ants and cockroaches. Species that rely on insects as their food source, including predators that rely on these animals further up the food chain, are likely to suffer from the declining number of insects in the ecosystem.
One study estimates insects contribute $57 billion annually to the economy in the U.S., just through pollination, pest control, wildlife nutrition and dung burial.22 The drop in insect population is estimated to have far-reaching effects on the food economy, ecology and the future of the planet.
Multiple Reasons Behind Insect Armageddon
Each of the reasons theorized by scientists for the declining insect population have one common factor — they are all man-made, including urbanization, pesticides, pollution and changing climates.23 Entomologists believe it may also be related to rising sea levels and the elimination of plants critical for some insects to complete their development.24
Insecticides are designed to kill pests on crops. However, while they are intended to kill them directly on the plant, a special class of these chemicals — neonicotinoids — are believed to be a prime culprit behind mass die-offs of bees and butterflies. The chemical was partially banned in Europe in 2013,25 but remains one of the more popular insecticides in use, despite its history of compromising bee populations. The chemical affects the insects' memory and spatial skills, preventing them from finding food.26
Water-soluble pesticides can also leach out of the fields after they are applied to the crops,27 and have been found in high concentrations in nectar and pollen in wild flowers near treated fields. Although the levels are not sufficient to kill the insect directly, they affect their ability to navigate and communicate, and thus proliferate. The crops the insecticides are designed to protect, such as wheat and corn fields blanketing the U.S. Midwest, end up supporting almost no insect life at all.28
Although the team from Germany did not find evidence to support the hypothesis that habitat loss and climate change were important factors in the decline of insect populations,29 they did not look at large scale climate events such as prolonged droughts.
They were also unable to measure the effect of habitat fragmentation, which is different from reducing the overall amount of habitat available to the insects. Fragmentation can happen with small housing developments bordered by woods and fields on either side, or small agricultural plots.
Increasing urbanization may also expose flying insects to high levels of light pollution.30 Studies have already suggested artificial light at night has a negative impact on insects. Researchers have now discovered regions with high levels of light pollution at night have experienced a sharp decline in flying insects.
According to scientists from the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, half of all insect species are nocturnal and depend on darkness and natural light from the moon for orientation, to escape predators and to seek food and reproduce. Artificial lighting disturbs this natural behavior and reduces their chances for survival. The researchers summarized their findings, saying:31
"Our overview study shows that artificial light at night is widely present and can have complex impacts on agricultural areas, with unknown consequences for biodiversity and crop production. Thus, light pollution should be generally considered as a potential ecosystem disturbance in future studies to identify ways in which practical steps can be taken to reduce environmental concerns."
Scientists See Some Populations Increasing While Others Decrease
Although most scientists are highly concerned by declining biodiversity and dramatic reductions in insect populations, some do not share concern over the critical nature of the unfolding events. Professor Helen Roy of the Center for Ecology and Hydrology retells success stories where insect populations have recovered, and she continues to be optimistic.32
Roy identified an explosion in the number of ladybirds and painted lady butterflies occurring in the past, as well as one study demonstrating some pollinators declined by 32 percent in one area while others became 16 percent more widespread. David Gibbons, from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds,33 agrees not every investigation about insects reveals irrevocable decline, although he believes the overall picture is worrying.
However, while the proliferation of one species is heartening, it demonstrates an imbalance in biodiversity as others are rapidly declining. In much the same way the human gut microbiome requires balanced and diverse bacteria to function optimally, the ecosystem, built on a diverse population of insects, may not function well when one species gains a significant ecological advantage over another.
How You Can Help
There are several ways you can help to increase the population of insects.
•Avoid insecticide use at home: While you likely have no direct control over insecticide use in agricultural concerns, you can control what you use in your own garden. Investigate natural methods to control specific pests, such as introducing natural insect predators, planting near other plants that are inhospitable to the pests, or using mechanical methods such as diatomaceous earth.
•Buy organic: How you spend your money has a big impact on farmers and large agricultural concerns. Businesses respond to their customers when their customers vote with their wallet. As more people purchase organically grown produce, more farmers will produce those products to meet the demand.
Since organic farmers do not use synthetic herbicides and pesticides and employ farming techniques designed to improve biodiversity across a wide spectrum, insect biodiversity is greatly improved and supported by organic farms.
•Plant a garden: I think some of the best tasting vegetables are those I can pick directly from my garden and eat the same day they are harvested. Even if you have a small yard or live in an apartment, there are many plants able to thrive in containers. In this way you also control what seeds you use and how you control pests and disease.
•Contact your congressman or senator: Your government representatives are heavily lobbied by big agrichemical concerns. They also need to hear from you — the people they represent in government. Through a simple letter writing campaign in your area, you may be able to make a difference in the chemicals used, light pollution, or the creation of insect friendly habitats. Make it a habit to contact your congressman and your senator,34 and track their voting records.35
Organic Food — Hype or Hope?
- June 30, 2018 • 55,141 views
- Edition: English
Story at-a-glance
- “Organic Food — Hype or Hope?” analyzes the benefits of organically grown foods. A problem common to many organic farmers is pesticide drift from neighbors growing their crops using conventional methods
- Pendimethalin keeps showing up in organic produce sampled in Germany, and has become a particularly difficult problem as organic farmers whose wares test positive for it cannot meet Germany’s strict organic rules
- If the European Union decides to impose even stricter limits on pesticide residues in organics, drift will prevent many organic farmers from qualifying for organic certification altogether
- Hundreds of studies have shown organic foods contain fewer detectable pesticides than conventional and higher levels of certain nutrients, especially antioxidants, which are important for health and disease prevention
- Studies have also shown organic farming is better for the environment and human health, provides unique social benefits and is more profitable for the farmer
By Dr. Mercola
The 2018 documentary, “Organic Food — Hype or Hope?” analyzes the benefits of organically grown foods. How are they different from conventional and do they really live up to the promise of being healthier? One significant problem is the fact that many organic farms are growing their food near farms using conventional methods. They liken it to smoking — if a nonsmoker is sitting next to someone who lights up, the nonsmoker ends up inhaling toxins even though he or she has made the choice to live a healthier lifestyle.
Pesticide Drift Can Decimate an Organic Farm
The film starts out by looking at a problem common to many organic farmers, namely pesticide drift from neighbors growing their crops using conventional methods. The European Union (EU) has strict limits on pesticide residues in organic food, and some farmers cannot sell their products as organic due to chemical drift settling on their crops. Depending on wind conditions during spraying, the chemicals can travel long distances, contaminating organic fields where such pesticides are not legal to use.
What’s worse, some chemicals, such as pendimethalin, can remain airborne for weeks on end, thereby assuring widespread contamination. Stefan Palme, who grows organic fennel for baby food on his farm in Uckermark, Germany, recounts how he has been forced to harvest the fennel earlier in the season to avoid chemical contamination, which would bar him from selling the fennel as organic.
It involves more physical labor and greater care to harvest early, but the alternative is to sell his organic crop as conventional, for a lower price. Rudolf Vögel, a German agricultural engineer, is investigating how long pendimethalin can be detected in the environment.
He believes the phenomenon of drift has been widely underestimated, noting that evidence emerging in recent years “calls for an urgent reassessment of the way certain agents are permitted.” Pendimethalin keeps showing up in organic produce samples, and has become a particularly difficult problem, as organic farmers whose wares test positive for it cannot meet Germany’s strict organic rules.
What’s more, if the EU decides to impose even stricter limits on pesticide residues in organics, drift will prevent many organic farmers from qualifying for organic certification altogether. It’s a troubling Catch-22.
On the one hand, most organic farmers agree with lowering limits, as it is good for health. On the other hand, the contamination is not caused by them and cannot be stopped by them either, and lowering the limits would put many of them out of business. Palme is now pushing for a ban on pesticides such as pendimethalin to protect the organic sector as a whole.
Pesticides Found in Trees and Groundwater
Frieder Hofmann, an environmental engineer, is tracking the drift of pendimethalin by collecting bark samples from trees. He’s been able to confirm this herbicide can spread at least 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the site of the spraying. The drift problem raises an important question: Can organic food be produced anywhere in Germany? The same question is likely to be applicable to any number of other countries, where organic farms are trying to coexist amid conventional farms using copious amounts of toxic chemicals.
In one instance, Hofmann found no fewer than 11 pesticides in the bark of a large tree, two of which were found in “alarming concentrations.” One of them was pendimethalin. Pesticides are not only found in food and trees. When it rains, the chemicals seep through the ground and contaminate groundwater as well. Soil samples taken from a depth of 15 meters, just over 49 feet, reveal the presence of both nitrogen (from fertilizer runoff) and pesticides.
Making matters worse, many pesticides biodegrade very slowly, if at all, and remain in the environment for years. As noted in the film, “This is legalized environmental pollution on a grand scale.” It also threatens our ability to obtain clean water, as pesticides are extremely difficult and costly to filter out.
Who pays? Those who pay for tap water — not the farms that cause the contamination. That said, German water authorities place the blame not on farmers but rather on the chemical industry, noting that in this day and age, we would expect chemical producers to create agricultural chemicals that not only do their job in the fields, but also properly degrade so they won’t contaminate groundwater and contaminate the environment for years to come.
Organic Food Contain Higher Levels of Antioxidants and Fewer Pesticides
Are organic foods healthier and therefore worth the extra expense? If “healthier” means the absence of pesticide contamination and higher nutrient content, then the answer is yes. A meta-analysis1 by Stanford University, published in 2012 — which looked at 240 studies comparing organically and conventionally grown food — confirmed that organics were 23 to 37 percent less likely to contain detectable pesticide residues. Organically raised chicken was also up to 45 percent less likely to contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Following in Stanford University’s footsteps, a group of scientists at Newcastle University in the U.K. evaluated an even greater number of studies, 343 in all, published over several decades. Just like the Stanford study, their follow-up analysis,2 published in 2014, also found that while conventional and organic vegetables oftentimes offer similar levels of many nutrients, the frequency of occurrence of pesticide residues was four times higher in conventional foods.
Conventional produce also had on average 48 percent higher levels of cadmium,3 a toxic metal and a known carcinogen. Moreover, while many nutrient levels were comparable, a key nutritional difference between conventional and organics was their antioxidant content. In the Newcastle analysis, organic fruits and vegetables were found to contain anywhere from 18 to 69 percent more antioxidants than conventionally grown varieties. According to the authors:
“Many of these compounds have previously been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases and certain cancers, in dietary intervention and epidemiological studies ... Significant differences were also detected for some other (e.g., minerals and vitamins) compounds.”
The filmmakers visit the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture4 in Frick, Switzerland, where they’ve been investigating the differences between ecological and conventional farming for over four decades. The Institute was the first to confirm that organic apples contain higher levels of antioxidants than conventional varieties. Antioxidants are a very important part of optimal health, as they influence how fast you age by fighting free radicals.
So, the fact that organic foods contain far higher levels of them vouches for the stance that organic foods are healthier in terms of nutrition, in addition to being lower in pesticides. There are also a number of other studies that support the claim that organically grown produce contain higher levels of nutrients in general. For example, a study5 partially funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) found organic strawberries were more nutrient-rich than conventional strawberries.
Is There a Middle Ground Between Organic and Conventional?
Organic farming is more complex and economically challenging than conventional, and some have wondered whether conventional farms could just adopt some, but not all, of the organic criteria. Or vice versa, could organic farms use some conventional methods and still be just as beneficial for human health and the environment?
The short answer is no. Carlo Leifert, agronomist and professor of ecological agriculture at Newcastle University, heads up the university’s experimental farm. One of the things he’s looking at are the possible overlaps between the two farming systems.
Interestingly, in the film he explains that when you use organic fertilizer in combination with conventional pesticides, you end up with higher pesticide levels in the crop than were you to use conventional (synthetic) fertilizer and pesticides! This surprising result appears to be due to how different minerals and chemicals interact. So, to enjoy all the benefits associated with organic, a conventional farm making the switch to organic really must make a comprehensive changeover.
Organic Grass Fed Milk and Meat Is Healthier Than Factory Farmed, Research Shows
Two 2016 studies6 led by Leifert — one on the compositional differences of organic and conventional meat,7 and one on milk8 — also found clear differences between the two. Said to be the largest studies of their kind, the researchers analyzed 196 and 67 studies on milk and meat respectively.
The largest difference in nutritional content of meat was its fatty acid composition, certain essential minerals and antioxidants. Coauthor Chris Seal, professor of food and human nutrition at Newcastle University, commented on the findings, saying:9
“Omega-3s are linked to reductions in cardiovascular disease, improved neurological development and function, and better immune function. Western European diets are recognized as being too low in these fatty acids and the European Food Safety Authority recommends we should double our intake. But getting enough in our diet is difficult. Our study suggests that switching to organic would go some way toward improving intakes of these important nutrients.”
According to the review on milk, half a liter of organic full fat milk will provide you with an estimated 39 milligrams (mg) or 16 percent of the reference daily intake (RDI) of very long-chain (VLC) omega-3 (EPA, DPA and DHA), whereas conventional milk will provide only 25 mg or 11 percent of the RDI of these important fats.
As noted in the milk study,10 VLC omega-3s have been linked to a number of health benefits, including “improved fetal brain development and function, delayed decline in cognitive function in elderly men and reduced risk of dementia (especially Alzheimer’s disease).” Organic milk also contains lower levels of omega-6, providing a healthier ratio between these two fatty acids. Compared to conventional milk, organic milk was also found to contain:
- Higher levels of vitamin E
- Higher concentrations of iron
- Higher levels of antioxidant carotenoids
- 40 percent more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has a wide array of important health benefits, from fighting cancer to decreasing insulin resistance and improving body composition
Other Studies Confirm Superiority of Grass Fed Milk and Meat
Other studies have come to very similar conclusions. A 2010 study11 looking at grass fed beef versus grain fed beef found the former had healthier fat composition and higher CLA levels.
As noted by the authors, “[C]hanges in finishing diets of conventional cattle can alter the lipid profile in such a way as to improve upon this nutritional package. Although there are genetic, age-related and gender differences among the various meat producing species with respect to lipid profiles and ratios, the effect of animal nutrition is quite significant.”
A 2013 organic milk study12 also confirmed that dairy from cows raised on pasture is higher in many nutrients, including vitamin E, beta-carotene and CLA. Organic milk also contains about 25 percent less omega-6 fats and 62 percent more omega-3 fats than conventional milk. Research has also found that true organic free-range eggs typically contain about two-thirds more vitamin A, double the amount of omega-3, three times more vitamin E, and as much as seven times more beta carotene than conventional eggs.13
How Your Food Is Grown Matters
Studies such as these drive home the point that how food is raised makes a tremendous difference. You simply cannot cut corners during production without impacting the quality of the food and, by extension, human health. As noted by Leifert, commenting on the studies by Newcastle University that he led:14
“People choose organic milk and meat for three main reasons: improved animal welfare, the positive impacts of organic farming on the environment, and the perceived health benefits … Several of these differences stem from organic livestock production and are brought about by differences in production intensity, with outdoor-reared, grass fed animals producing milk and meat that is consistently higher in desirable fatty acids such as the omega-3s …
We have shown without doubt there are composition differences between organic and conventional food. Taken together, the three studies on crops,15 meat16 and milk17 suggest that a switch to organic fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products would provide significantly higher amounts of dietary antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids ...
[T]he fact that there are now several mother and child cohort studies linking organic food consumption to positive health impacts shows why it is important to further investigate the impact of the way we produce our food on human health.”
Why Organic Foods Still Sometimes Contain Contaminants
The film also reviews European efforts to develop testing methods to authenticate organic food. It’s a very complex endeavor, but a much-needed one to protect organic producers and consumers. Unfortunately, the higher prices demanded by organics invite cheating and fraud, which is why many will rely on a farmer’s reputation over a label.
It’s also worth noting that while organic farming does not permit synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, chemicals that should not be in the food supply can be found even in organic foods. The primary reason is not necessarily fraud; rather, it has to do with environmental pollution. As explained in the film, dioxins, for example, are deposited on land via rain.
A hen or other animal can then eat contaminated grass or insects, and since dioxins are fat-soluble, they accumulate in fatty tissues. Disturbingly, organic eggs in Germany often contain up to 30 percent higher levels of dioxin than conventional eggs, and the suspected reason for this is because they spend so much more time outdoors, and eat off contaminated soil. It’s thought the contamination is then transferred into their eggs.
Organic Farming Is Sustainable and Environmentally Necessary
As noted by the filmmakers, “[O]ne thing is certain: Organic farming makes a major contribution to human welfare — by helping to mitigate climate change, protect the groundwater, conserve nature and promote animal welfare.” Indeed, all of these factors are powerful reasons to support a systemwide transition to organic farming. While naysayers claim organic farming cannot sustain our current rate of population growth, the scientific evidence does not support this view at all.
A number of studies have come to the complete opposite conclusion — that organic farming is the only way forward, as chemical farming is simply too destructive and has too many adverse effects on human health. For example, a 2016 study,18 published in the journal Nature Plants, compared the benefits of organics versus conventional in terms of four key sustainability metrics, concluding that organic offers many benefits that outweigh the higher price.
Coauthor John Reganold, professor of soil science and agroecology at Washington State University, noted that in the 1980s when organic farming first began, very little research existed and many claimed it was too inefficient to feed a growing population. Today, at least 1,000 studies have looked at the benefits and differences between organic and conventional farming. The Nature Plants study analyzed data that has emerged in the past 40 years, with a focus on how organic farming impacts sustainability in terms of:
- Productivity
- Environmental impact
- Economic viability
- Social well-being
Overall, they found that organic farms produce equally or more nutritious foods with fewer or no pesticide residues. Organic agriculture also provides unique benefits to the ecosystem, as well as social benefits. A 2015 study cowritten by Reganold also found that organic farms were more profitable,19,20 earning farmers anywhere from 22 to 35 percent more than their conventional counterparts. According to Reganold:
“If I had to put it in one sentence, organic agriculture has been able to provide jobs, be profitable, benefit the soil and environment and support social interactions between farmers and consumers. In some ways, there are practices in organic agriculture that really are ideal blueprints for us to look at feeding the world in the future. Organic may even be our best bet to help feed the world in an increasingly volatile climate.”
UN Calls for Global Treaty to Promote Organic Farming
Last year, Hilal Elver, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on the right to food, and Baskut Tuncak, special rapporteur on toxics, also called for a global treaty to regulate pesticides, stressing the fact that these chemicals have now become a very troubling and pervasive food contaminant that is threatening the health of children everywhere.
They challenged the pesticide industry’s “systematic denial of harms” and “aggressive, unethical marketing tactics,” noting the industry is spending massive amounts of money to influence policymakers and contest scientific evidence showing their products do in fact cause great harm to human and environmental health.
Even more importantly, their report firmly denied the idea that pesticides are essential to ensure sufficient amounts of food for a growing world population, calling the notion “a myth.”21,22 According to Elver and Tuncak:
“The assertion promoted by the agrochemical industry that pesticides are necessary to achieve food security is not only inaccurate, but dangerously misleading. In principle, there is adequate food to feed the world; inequitable production and distribution systems present major blockages that prevent those in need from accessing it …”
Their report also highlighted developments in sustainable and regenerative farming, where biology can completely replace chemicals, delivering high yields of nutritious food without detriment to the environment. “It is time to overturn the myth that pesticides are necessary to feed the world and create a global process to transition toward safer and healthier food and agricultural production,” they said.
European Parliament Report Stresses Benefits of Organics for Human and Environmental Health
Similarly, a 2016 report23 by the European Parliament, “Human Health Implications of Organic Food and Organic Agriculture,” detailed the many benefits of organic farming, based on a global literature search. The report is unusually comprehensive in that it also reviews a wide range of effects of organics, from nutritional content and the benefits of fewer pesticides to environmental impacts and sustainability.
Its conclusions are based on hundreds of epidemiological and laboratory studies and food analyses. Again, the clearest benefits of organics on human health were found to be related to lowered pesticide, antibiotic and cadmium exposure. As noted by the authors, “As a consequence of reduced pesticide exposure, organic food consequently contributes to the avoidance of health effects and associated costs to society.”
Organic Food Resources
While it’s easy to feel helpless, remember you can help steer the agricultural industry toward safer, more sustainable systems by supporting organic farmers and choosing fresh, local produce every day. Remember to buy organic, grass fed beef, poultry and dairy, as well. If you live in the U.S., the following organizations can help you locate farm-fresh foods grown in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner:
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Demeter-USA.org provides a directory of certified Biodynamic farms and brands. This directory can also be found onBiodynamicFood.org.
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The goal of the American Grassfed Association is to promote the grass fed industry through government relations, research, concept marketing and public education.
Their website also allows you to search for AGA approved producers certified according to strict standards that include being raised on a diet of 100 percent forage; raised on pasture and never confined to a feedlot; never treated with antibiotics or hormones; born and raised on American family farms.
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EatWild.com provides lists of farmers known to produce raw dairy products as well as grass fed beef and other farm-fresh produce (although not all are certified organic). Here you can also find information about local farmers markets, as well as local stores and restaurants that sell grass fed products.
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Weston A. Price has local chapters in most states, and many of them are connected with buying clubs in which you can easily purchase organic foods, including grass fed raw dairy products like milk and butter.
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The Grassfed Exchange has a listing of producers selling organic and grass fed meats across the U.S.
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This website will help you find farmers markets, family farms and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area where you can buy produce, grass fed meats and many other goodies.
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A national listing of farmers markets.
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The Eat Well Guide is a free online directory of sustainably raised meat, poultry, dairy and eggs from farms, stores, restaurants, inns, hotels and online outlets in the United States and Canada.
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CISA is dedicated to sustaining agriculture and promoting the products of small farms.
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The Cornucopia Institute maintains web-based tools rating all certified organic brands of eggs, dairy products and other commodities, based on their ethical sourcing and authentic farming practices separating CAFO "organic" production from authentic organic practices.
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If you're still unsure of where to find raw milk, check out Raw-Milk-Facts.com and RealMilk.com. They can tell you what the status is for legality in your state, and provide a listing of raw dairy farms in your area. The Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund24 also provides a state-by-state review of raw milk laws.25 California residents can also find raw milk retailers using the store locator available at www.OrganicPastures.com.
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