I am often asked if organic diets really do any good. After all, I am constantly urging you in that direction. Is there really any scientific evidence to support what Ive seen in my practice?
The Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta, Georgia studied 23 elementary school-aged children. Researchers measured their urine twice daily for two common pesticides, malathion and chlorpyrifos. These belong to the common pesticide class known as organophosphates.
On a conventional diet for four days, their urine had measurable amounts of the chemicals. For the next four days, the kids went on an organic diet. Immediately, levels of the two chemicals dropped to undetectable. When the conventional diet was reintroduced on day 9, the pesticide levels rose to measurable levels again.
This study again confirms the value of an organic diet. Your levels of toxic chemicals can drop immediately. While this study did not look at illness caused by the pesticides, both chemicals are known to cause neurological defects in both humans and animals. Remember, I told you that pesticides are linked to Parkinsons disease? Simply eating organic might be a way to protect you from this dreaded malady. And the protection begins immediately!
Ref: Lu, C., K. Toepel, et al. Organic diets significantly lower dietary exposure of children to organophosphorus pesticides, Environ Health Perspect., 2006; 114(2): 260-3.