Hey McKinley!

Some of you may be very familiar with GMO foods and others may recognize it because you have seen “Non GMO” on food labels.  First of all, you should know what a genetically modified organisim is.  Defined by cowichangreencommunity.org: “GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are the result of a laboratory process of taking genes from one species and inserting them into another species in an attempt to obtain a desired trait or characteristic: they are also known as “transgenic organisms.” This process may be called either genetic engineering (GE) or genetic modification (GM)”.

On average about 70% of our food contains GMO ingredients or have been genetically enhanced.  There is definitely controversy about whether or not GMO foods are safe so I will do my best to give you some useful info and you make the decision for yourself.

Monsanto, which is the largest seed company in the world and owns about 86% of GMO seeds sown globally will tell you that GMO foods are not only safe but they are beneficial.  Below is an article written by Monsanto about the safety of GMO’s.  If you research it further you’ll find most articles claiming GMO’s are safe are written by those who will benefit financially from the use of GMO’s.  Monsanto does not feel they need to do any human clinical trials “Because existing food crops are recognized as safe, the logical starting point for safety assessment of a GM food is to ask “what’s different?”.  Aside from genetically altering our food…nothing :).  I would personally feel more confident about the safety of GMO’s if it was coming from a 3rd party article.
http://www.monsanto.com/newsviews/Pages/food-safety.aspx

Examples of GMO foods:
1. Tomatoes
2. BT Corn (Bracillus Thruringiensis Bacterium)
3. Potatoes
4. Golden Rice
5. Soybeans
6. Animal Feed
7. Salmon
8. Papaya
9. Some Yellow Squash
10. Canola and Cottonseed oil

Why gentically modify these foods?
1. Gives the food a longer shelf life (specifically the tomatoes)
2. Contains an insect killing gene which results in less pesticide
3. Drought-tolerant and salt-tolerant crops
4. Inexpensive

According to Earth Open Source, there are three possible sources of adverse health effects from GM foods:

1. The GM gene product – for example, the Bt toxin in GM insecticidal crops – may be toxic or allergenic
2. The GM transformation process may produce mutagenic effects, gene regulatory effects, or effects at other levels of biological structure and function that result in new toxins or allergens and/or disturbed nutritional value
3. Changes in farming practices linked to the use of a GMO may result in toxic residues – for example, higher levels of crop contamination with the herbicide Roundup are an inevitable result of using GM Roundup Ready® crops.

Click the link below for the full article:
http://earthopensource.org/index.php/3-health-hazards-of-gm-foods/3-1-myth-gm-foods-are-safe-to-eat#sthash.YIeujewH.dpuf

How to avoid GMO foods:
Unfortunately it’s almost impossible to avoid GMO foods because the government does not require GMO foods to be labeled.  However you can follow the tips below to limit your GMO consumption.
1. Buy certified organic foods.  If you’re not going to buy organic, you can research any brand name and find out if they use GE or GM ingredients.  Click the link below for a list a brands that DO NOT use GMO’s and what stores you can find them in:
http://healthy-family.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/nonGMOshoppingGuide.pdf
2. Avoid processed foods
3. Buy grass fed beef
4. Shop locally when possible
5. Buy foods that are labeled “Non GMO”

There are 3 free apps you can download onto your smartphone so you can conveniently look up information on brands and recommendations for foods while you shop.

1. True Food Shoppers Guide (Android or iPhone)
2. Non-GMO Project Shopping Guide (iPhone)
3. ShopNoGMO (iPhone)

Here is another article on GMO’s if you’re interested:

~ Understanding GMO’s
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/queen-of-green/faqs/food/understanding-gmo/?gclid=CJXax7r1kLgCFa5DMgodekEAwA

Email me with any questions.  Have a FABULOUS day!!

Yours in Health and Wellness,

Meredith