Have you ever read something SO DISTURBING that you had to just put down whatever it was that you were reading and then walk away? This pretty much sums up my experience of learning about GMO’s. It was one of those moments where I thought, “Ignorance is bliss” and wished I could un-know what I just learned. But the truth is as much as this has overwhelmed and saddened me, and created a HUGE distrust with our government and food safety agencies, I feel 110% GRATEFUL to have learned this information. It has set the stage for a new journey in my life: LIVING GMO-FREE.
My interest in learning more about GMO’s (I really knew NOTHING about them!) was sparked by an article I came across recently in a free health magazine from the local health foods store. I literally NEVER take this free magazine, because it’s full of advertisements. But for some reason, on this day, I grabbed it, and proceeded to page through it while catching some sun. I came across an article highlighting the book The Unhealthy Truth, written by Robyn O’Brien. It was about her efforts to inform the public about food allergies in kids and the role GMO’s play in them. I had heard about GMO’s before, but never really thought twice…thought it was just a current “buzz word.” But what really got my attention was the part about allergies and kids. Being an elementary physical education teacher, I have noticed that there are SO MANY kids with all kinds of food allergies–they even have their own lunch table! I remember saying on more than one occassion, “I don’t remember anyone having food allergies when I was growing up.” So that same day I decided to buy this book to learn a little bit more.
Let me preface this by saying I am by NO MEANS any sort of nutritionist, allergy expert, GMO expert, scientist or the like. I am just a normal person who enjoys learning about ways to be healthier and live longer. And as I read this book, I quickly realized that I was doing some things that had a negative impact on my health. I also learned that what my own mother had done while pregnant with me AND while I was a youngster, has had a direct and NEGATIVE impact on my health. Insert the part when I put my book down on the table and walked away. I WAS TERRIFIED!! Just when you think you are on the path to optimal health and longevity, reality comes in like a Mack Truck and proves otherwise. My head was spinning. What THIS the cause of my horrible endometriosis symptoms? What THIS the cause of my infertility? Was THIS why SO MANY people struggle to lose weight? Was THIS why our Nation’s health was in such a tragic state? Was THIS the cause of behavior problems in my student’s? Was THIS the reason so many young acquaintances of mine were being diagnosed with cancer and other diseases? I needed to know more.
Ok, so here is the confusing part…..IT’S ALL CONFUSING! I have learned enough for now to start my new NON-GMO JOURNEY but I do not feel that I am educated enough in the subject to explain it in detail to you. I am simply writing this to share what I’ve learned, provide you with resources, and let you decide. So let’s start very simple: What is a GMO anyways?
Because 70% of our immune system is found in our digestive tracts, the foods that we eat and the chemicals that they contain can have a significant impact on our health.
As these chemicals in foods work through a child’s digestive system, they can corrode his or her “pipes” in much the same way that chemical toxins corrode plumbing! This “chemical corrosion” of the digestive tract can leave a child vulnerable to a host of auto-immune disorders, including allergies, asthma, Celiac’s disease and other conditions.
Because of the risks that these chemicals may present, mothers in most developed countries are advised to avoid exposure to chemical toxins during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy given the role that these toxins play in the development of:
- autism
- allergies
- asthma
- ADHD
- gestational diabetes.
A mother’s exposure to pesticide during pregnancy has been linked to both:
- autism
- gestational diabetes (Source: Organic Center)
