PARENTS: RAISE ORGANIC CHILDREN-PART 2

PARENTS: RAISE ORGANIC CHILDREN-PART TWO

TIP OF THE WEEK-NOVEMBER 19, 2012 The previous Tip of the Week presented the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP)-eating organically grown food reduces exposure to pesticides, herbicides, and the chemicals in synthetic fertilizers

. This week I promised to report the startling results of a study that revealed lower pesticide levels in children’s urine after only five days of eating organic food. What’s the big deal? According to Joel Forman, associate professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and co-author of the study, “Kids’ nervous systems are developing. Exposure to toxins can have different and much more profound effects on children.”

Regarding the consumption of organic milk, the researchers do not believe that the same benefits occur as eating organic food. Parents have concerns about milk because of the growth hormones and estrogen given to cows. But these additives according to the AAP do not effect humans and, “appear to be safe.” My emphasis would be on the word, appear.

Another hot topic in this interesting WSJ article by Andrea Petersen, is the consumption of red meat. It is reported that eating beef increases children’s exposure to the anti-biotics given to cattle. Eating organic meat reduces this exposure and may reduce the risk of disease related to anti-biotic resistance bacteria. One study noted an increased risk of breast cancer for teenage girls later in life who eat red meat from animals treated with hormones.

The final decision on whether to eat organically or conventionally is

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