What’s All The Hype on Genetically Modified Food? - Natural Family Medicine

What Genetically Modified Food Is

Terms used to refer to the process of changing genetics are: genetically modified organism (GMO), genetic engineering (GE), and genetic modification (GM). It is the process of putting genes of one species into another species that is unrelated, which would never occur naturally. These genes can come from viruses, bacteria, insects, animals, or humans. An example of this is the genetic modification of corn with a bacteria in soil that is resistant to RoundUp. This creates corn that is resistant to RoundUp, called “RoundUp Ready Corn”.

When we eat genetically modified food, it may affect our health in several ways:

Genetic modification of food was initiated to yield greater crops, create drought resistant crops, increase nutrient levels within crops, and more. However, the process may have led to herbicide resistant weeds (weeds resistant to RoundUp), and several health concerns. Animal studies link consumption of GM food to these disturbing health related conditions:

• Dysbiosis – the alteration of gastrointestinal bacteria by killing off beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, allowing resistant bad bacteria to overgrow
• Inflammation, especially in the gastrointestinal tract
• Immune dysregulation triggering allergies, asthma and more inflammation
• Accelerated aging
• Infertility
• Having an effect on genes involved in cholesterol synthesis, insulin regulation, cell signaling, and protein formation
• Altered structure and function of organs such as the kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen and gastrointestinal tract.
• Still births, birth defects and early death

Top 10 Foods with GMO’s

1. Soy – 94% is GM
2. Corn – 93% is GM
3. Sugar beets – 90% is GM
4. Cotton, found in cotton oil – 96% is GM
5. Aspartame
6. Papaya from Hawaii
7. Canola
8. Dairy
9. Zucchini & yellow squash
10. Farm raised salmon

Choose Your Foods Wisely

To minimize exposure to GMO foods, it is best to purchase organic and non-GMO labeled foods. Since corn and soy are the top two most commonly found genetically modified foods it is best to avoid them all together. If you purchase processed foods, read the ingredient label, as GM foods are commonly used in these products. The United States grows the most GM foods worldwide, so shop wisely to reduce your exposure.

If you have questions about this article or would like more information on healthy food choices, please contact me. I offer appointments for wellness, which includes how to make healthy food choices for you and your family.

For a list of references used to write this article, please contact me.