Here’s a disconcerting article from Science Daily: 100 percent of people carry at least 1 type of pesticide.

…found that 100% of Spaniards analyzed had at least one kind of persistent organic compound (POC´s), substances internationally classified as potentially harmful to one’s health, in their bodies. These substances enter the body trough food, water or even air. All of them tend to accumulate in human adipose tissue and easily enter into the organism through the aforementioned mediums.
….
concluded that 100% of subjects analyzed had DDE [a principal metabolite in DDT] in their bodies, a substance banned in Spain, and other very frequent components such as PCB-153 (present in 92% of people), HCB (91%), PCB-180 (90%), PCB-138 (86%9) and HCH (84%).

The authors do mention that food, namely the fatty tissue of animals, is a storage basin for toxins, which then enter the human body through ingestion. They also mention water and air, so food isn’t the only causative factor, but it is one that can be easily controlled. Organic foods are less likely to carry pesticides and it would seem that naturally-raised (i.e., grass-fed and pastured) animals are less likely to have high levels of toxins in their fat deposits, for two reasons: farmers that grass-feed are less likely to spray the fields with pesticides and leaner meat presents less fat in which to store toxins.

Unfortunately, the environmental damage wrought by these toxins is all too prevalent and it is pretty much impossible to avoid them altogether. Our soil, water, and air are all polluted, which means that the very mechanisms that drive our food production chains are polluted. A cow can be raised on pasture, but if the pasture is catching spray from a neighboring farmer’s pesticides, the cow is eating them.

The bottom line is to do as much as you can to avoid toxins, including pesticides. Eat organic produce. Eat grass-fed meats and pastured poultry. Keep your body in top condition so it can deal with the onslaught from the environment.

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Tags: nature, organic, pesticide