April 16, 2018

The Importance of Organic, Non-GMO Ingredients

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

It’s difficult to choose which products are the best for your body. But choosing to buy organic and non-GMO can also be confusing. Here’s what you need to know about the importance of organic, non-GMO ingredients.

What is a GMO?

According to the Non-GMO Project’s website, a Genetically Modified Organism is a living organism whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering. This creates combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and virus genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods. GMOs have been engineered in order to help produce withstand herbicides or resist browning (like in apples). The Project’s website states that there is a growing number of evidence that connects GMO’s with health problems and environmental damage.

“We live in an increasingly polluted environment, loaded with toxins,” says Archana Gogna, MS, CNS, MBA of InVite Health. “The soil we grow our food in is often nutrient-depleted and many consume processed, factory-made foods, supplying scant nutrients. Ironically, our bodies wind up requiring even more vitamins and minerals to effectively metabolize nutrient- depleted foods.”

What does it mean for an ingredient to be Organic?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, certified organic products have strict production and labeling requirements. ‘Organic-certified produce’ means the food was grown, harvested, stored and transported without the use of synthetic chemicals, irradiation or fumigants. Whether it is grain stored in a large metal building for months or fresh fruit and veg stored in boxes for just a few days, they are kept without GMOs, allowing only natural substances found from organic farming. Organic food and ingredients contain few pesticides, are fresher, are from a better environment, and are richer in nutrients.