Food Fight: Organic Food No Better For You

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Pic courtesy of the LA Times.

They said it was bound to happen and it was just a matter of time. Organic produce and meat typically isn’t any better for you than conventional varieties when it comes to vitamin and nutrient content, according to a new review of the evidence. But organic options may live up to their billing of lowering exposure to pesticide residue and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, say researchers from Stanford University and the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System.

“People choose to buy organic foods for many different reasons. One of them is perceived health benefits,” said Dr. Crystal Smith-Spangler, who led the new study. “Our patients, our families ask about, ‘Well, are there health reasons to choose organic food in terms of nutritional content or human health outcomes?'”

To try to answer that question, she and her colleagues reviewed over 200 studies that compared either the health of people who ate organic or conventional foods or, more commonly, nutrient and contaminant levels in the foods themselves. Those included organic and non-organic fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, poultry, eggs and milk.

Many of the studies didn’t specify their standards for what constituted “organic” food – which can cost as much as twice what conventional food costs – the researchers wrote Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine. According to United States Department of Agriculture standards, organic farms have to avoid the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, hormones and antibiotics. Organic livestock must also have access to pastures during grazing season.

Many conventional farms in the U.S., in contrast, use pesticides to ward off bugs and raise animals in crowded indoor conditions with antibiotics in their feed to promote growth and ward off disease. The Food and Drug Administration has been examining that type of antibiotic use and its contribution to drug-resistant disease in humans.

Smith-Spangler and her colleagues found there was no difference in the amount of vitamins in plant or animal products produced organically and conventionally – and the only nutrient difference was slightly more phosphorus in the organic products.

Organic milk and chicken may also contain more omega-3 fatty acids, they found – but that was based on only a few studies.

The Alliance for Natural Health fired back. You’d think Stanford would be above such sloppy research. You’d be wrong. Stanford University researchers conducted a meta-analysis (a selection and summary) of seventeen studies in humans and 230 field studies of nutrient and contaminant levels in unprocessed foods (e.g., fruits, vegetables, grains, milk, eggs, chicken, pork, and meat).

The study, published yesterday in The Annals of Internal Medicine, concluded that “the published literature lacks strong evidence that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods. Consumption of organic foods may reduce exposure to pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.”

The media, of course, pounced on the first part of the conclusion and reported it with their usual ferocity, but in many instances completely ignored the second part. In fact, their headlines would lead you to believe there is no benefit to organic foods at all: “Stanford Scientists Cast Doubts on Advantages of Organic Meat and Produce” (New York Times); “Organic Food is Not Healthier than Conventional Produce” (Huffington Post); “Study Questions How Much Better Organic Food Is” (Houston Chronicle); “Organic, Conventional Foods Similar in Nutrition, Safety, Study Finds” (Washington Post). Even Stanford’s own press release says, “Little Evidence of Health Benefits of Organic Food, Stanford Study Finds.”

What the study actually said was that they didn’t find “significant” or “robust” differences in nutritional content between organic and conventional foods, though they found that organic food had 30% less pesticide residue. Even though the pesticide levels fall within the safety guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency, it should be noted that the health effects of the pesticides are cumulative, and that what we would consider safe might not align with the EPA! For example, as we noted two weeks ago, herbicide residue on GMO crops may be causing fertility problems. Organophosphate exposure can lead to pre-term births, and both ADHD and lower IQs in children, according to several studies from leading universities.

When they started rolling out the fear tactics, they lost the battle as far as I was concerned.

Organophosphate exposure can lead to pre-term births, and both ADHD and lower IQs in children, according to several studies from leading universities. Operative word, “can”, not “will”. I “can” be hit by lightning, I “can” win the lottery. Not once did I say “will”. “Leading Universities”, which ones? Who? Did the building themselves do the research or was it humans? The Janitor perhaps?

For example, as we noted two weeks ago, herbicide residue on GMO crops may be causing fertility problems. “May be causing fertility problems”, then again, maybe the couple is sterile? May be the couple carries the gene which causes down syndrome?

The Alliance for Natural Health has a dog in this fight in that when it is proven Organic Foods are just a costly rip off of the American Consumer, they will lose all credibility.

Natural Foods cost twice as much as regular food. Organic food supposedly is pesticide free, My question on that statement is, how DO you keep the pests away? If I were a pest and I came across a field of Organic Food, I would be all over that like white on rice.

This is one battle that will keep on raging; the farmers growing natural food charging more because of pests are eating their profits versus farmers who keep the pests under control and are able to deliver food to our tables.

Many thanks to Reuters Health and The Alliance for Natural Health.

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Carol Bell

Carol is a graduate of the University of Alabama. Her passion is journalism and it shows. Carol is our unpaid, but very efficient, administrative secretary.
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Gary William Green
11 years ago

Also, consider this, the Marine Corps Prayer:

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for I am the meanest son-of-a-bitch in the valley.”

11 years ago

Don’t worry, I’ll cite and link. I’m going to have a Javascript tombstone. RSS feeds and all.

11 years ago

Heaven won’t have me and Hell is afraid I’ll take over. That’s a keeper. Do you mind if I steal that and have it carved on my tombstone?

Gary William Green
Reply to  bitcodavid
11 years ago

Go right ahead, my friend.

Gary William Green
11 years ago

I have had Doctors actually say, “NURSE! CALL CDC! WE HAVE AN HONEST TO GOD ZOMBIE HERE!” They make me get up and walk around to see if it goes up (like oil pressure in a car when up step on the gas, it goes up). My blood pressure has been 33, 34,36,35,40 and my wife looks at me and asks, “How do you feel?” “With my hands” “You’re supposed to be either DEAD or in the Emergency Room.” “Reckon I’m too stupid to do either.” I reply as I get up and walk away.

Actually, truth be known, Heaven won’t have me and hell is afraid I will take over.

11 years ago

I buy some organic but mostly, we just can’t afford it. I drink almond milk and we all eat a ton of fruits and veggies, we never eat red meat and are desperately trying to get away from most meat. Fish and organic chicken are our mainstay, along with quinoa and whole grain pastas. I buy organic meat out of guilt.

90/40? DUDE! Mine is 110/70 almost consistently, and my doctor says that’s great. As to the exercise thing…um…yeah, that’s awkward. I think I’ll take a turn around the property. Or 25 turns.

11 years ago

Now medically my Blood Pressure generally lives in the 90/40 range. My cholesterol is in the good range, I am diabetic with my blood sugar averaging between 33 and 140. I have had three strokes and no one knows why. I have had cancer and am in remission. Still, I eat my red meat, drink my sodas (diet no less), I do not drink alcohol or smoke. Because the strokes have shot my speech and balance to hell and back, I cannot run, yet I am healthier than most people around me! I am doing everything wrong while people doing the right things are sick or dropping like flies.

90/40 is really spectacular. 120/60 is considered normal. Mine’s generally about 115/70. Slightly low on the systolic, slightly high on the Diastolic. We’re told, the lower the better, but I’ve had physicians tell me it is possible for it to go too low. I don’t know if you’d be considered in that range or not.

Your cholesterol is most likely in the good range due to genetics. Most people actually have the cholesterol reading their bodies want them to have, and I think doctors place way more significance on this matter than it warrants. What ever you do, avoid Statin drugs. These things will kill you a lot quicker than the cholesterol.

I consider myself a former diabetic, but my endocrinologist cringes at that appellation. Although he can’t argue with my results, he constantly reminds me that diabetes is considered incurable. However, my a1-c tests have always been below 5 for the past 4 years – without any medication – and there’s no arguing with that. 140 isn’t terrible for a high – in diabetics – but 33 is dangerously low. You need to make sure it never stays that low for any period of time, or you risk going into a coma.

Congratulations on your remission. If you can beat cancer, you can beat anything.

I’m glad you drink diet sodas. No sodas would be an improvement, but diet is at least better for you than regular sugared beverages.

Gary William Green
11 years ago

Hi Bitcodavid, hi Bill! Two of my favourite people. I hope the day finds you well, and that your families are well.

Ok. To respond. Bill, I live in the South in farm country and I find the prices at the farmers market to be akin to highway robbery. Why buy one tomato at the market for the price I can get two at Food Lion or Kroger. The one question no one has answered yet is organics means you cannot use ANY type of pesticide to keep critters from having a feast so how do organic farmers keep critters at bay? I have bought organic fruit and have found worms inside.

Bitcodavid; when I was growing up, I ate worms, grubs, mud, dirt, failed to wash my hands all the time, and generally was a pig pen at times. When I was younger, I could eat an entire cow and not gain a pound. I ate (and still do) oysters fresh from the water. Crabs, fresh from the water, into the pot, covered with Olde Bay Seasoning and chased by a cold beer.

Today I eat a Papa John’s Pizza (with all natural ingredients) and get sick as a dog. Give me a Dominoes or a Little Ceasers Pizza with oil dripping off of it and I am happier than a pig in slop. I cannot catch a cold (if I do it lasts 5 minutes and involves blowing my nose) and I have never had the flu nor shots to prevent it.

What I am saying is organic and Natural do not work for me. I have priced Bison meat and damn near had a heart attack. Turkey I am not fond of. I find it to be dry and rubbery. I cannot get near green vegetables, I literally gag. I eat Corn. I eat potatoes, sometimes raw.

Now medically my Blood Pressure generally lives in the 90/40 range. My cholesterol is in the good range, I am diabetic with my blood sugar averaging between 33 and 140. I have had three strokes and no one knows why. I have had cancer and am in remission. Still, I eat my red meat, drink my sodas (diet no less), I do not drink alcohol or smoke. Because the strokes have shot my speech and balance to hell and back, I cannot run, yet I am healthier than most people around me! I am doing everything wrong while people doing the right things are sick or dropping like flies.

Organic foods may work for some, but for me, If I can eat C-Rations, what is a little poison going to do to me? Make me healthier the way things are going.

Thanks for the reply guys, I always look forward to your insightful remarks.

Peace Out.

Bill Formby
11 years ago

Gary, you would be surprised at how many people prefer organic foods on principle alone, especially where meat is concerned. With the growth of farmer’s markets here in the south it is easy to get fresh organically grown veggies right off the truck.

11 years ago

Gary. Dude. You don’t have to buy organic food per se, because it is indeed, more expensive – and not always the healthiest choice – but you do need to be careful about what you eat. Modern mainstream food is poison. Take my word for it. The stuff damn near killed me.

I can’t list everything here, but a few quickies…

Avoid all fast foods. Mickey Dee’s, BK’s, Taco Bell – all of it. Just stay out of the place.

Cook your own meals.

Read the labels thoroughly. And learn what the stuff means.

Exercise. We’re animals. (From the Greek anima – meaning to move). We were never designed to sit in front of a computer all day.

Avoid short chain (simple) carbohydrates.

Try to eat foods that contain 0.1g protein per calorie (full calories). Try not to eat any more than 100 calories of a given food per meal, and try not to exceed 1800 calories per day.

Buy Bison instead of Beef. Back in 1908, the Beef industry lobbied for exclusion from the pure food and drug act. Bison is considered game meat and therefore is raised and processed under a stricter set of laws. Also, Bison tends to be less fatty.

Above all, be careful about what you drink. I know people who think they are on a diet, and complain about not being able to lose weight – but they’re drinking a liquid candy bar that’s 1200 calories and 40 grams of sugar.

As to organic? Yes, it’s better – trust me on this – if nothing else, it tastes better, but you can do just as well by buying locally grown from a farm stand – and you’ll save money as well.

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