The Danger of Chemical Stressors
Bottom line is if you are consuming a food or beverage created in a lab instead of by nature, you can be assured your body doesn't recognize it, and doesn't have the enzymes necessary to break it down, metabolize or eliminate it.
Nutritional bandits gum up our body signals, confuse our internal conversation, create a toxic overload in the body, and rob us of our health when consumed regularly. Today we take a look at Nutritional Bandit #10: Chemical Stressors
Chemical stressors refer to direct and indirect additives in our foods.
THEY INCLUDE:
Pesticides and fertilizers
Industrial pollutants
Contaminants in food processing
Chemicals and drugs used in raising livestock
Food additives such as artificial sweeteners, food coloring and flavors, mold inhibitors, bleaching agents, sulfites and more.
THE MAJORITY OF THESE ARE NOT DISCLOSED ON FOOD LABELS!!! And many interact and become even more toxic when combined. While the healthy body can handle SOME of these, the cumulative burden due to persistent bombardment of chemical stressors puts our health seriously at risk and we are even more vulnerable if our health is compromised to begin with. Repeated exposure damages our cells and tissues, endangering our health, and often leading to chronic disease such as cancer, immune, nervous system, hormone and reproductive system disorders, liver, kidney and other chronic health problems.
Artificial sweeteners such as Saccharin (Sweet-n-Low), Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal) and Sucralose (Splenda) are CHEMICAL compounds that have many long range health concerns associated with their use — NO MATTER WHAT THEY ADVERTISE!!!
So, if our goal is to eat whole foods in their most natural state, then logically the most natural foods would be organic. The only way to avoid “chemical stressors” in your food is to MAKE SURE IT IS ORGANIC!!! All organic foods sold in the US must be certified to the USDA National Organic Standards, which prohibit the use of GMOs.
This is where folks usually say, “but organic is so expensive!” Actually, in the long run, it’s not. Most people are undernourished (even those who are overweight). When your body doesn’t get the nutrients it needs, it tells you that you’re still hungry. So, if you are getting adequate nutrition, you simply aren’t going to eat as much. The more satisfied you are with what you are eating, the less you’ll need to eat, AND the better you’ll feel!
To be honest, with all of the cross pollination going on, it’s probably impossible to avoid GMO’s and toxic chemicals completely. Nor are organic versions of what you want always available. But at least by choosing organic food whenever possible you will be doing the best you can for your body as well as voting with your dollar for good, healthy food!