Following closely on the heels of the President’s Cancer Panel Report exhorting consumers to choose food grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers , antibiotics, and growth hormones to help decrease their exposure to environmental chemicals that can increase their risk of contracting cancer, a study published in today’s issue of the journal Pediatrics concludes that exposure to organophosphate pesticides at levels common among U.S. children may contribute to the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in these children.

“Studies have increasingly shown the importance of minimizing young children’s exposure to even low levels of chemical pesticides. This study adds to that wealth of knowledge and arms parents with information that helps them reduce their children’s pesticide intake,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director, pointing out that the use of organophosphates is prohibited in organic production.

The article reported findings from a study examining the association between urinary concentrations of metabolites of organophosphates and ADHD in children ages 8 to 15. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers led by Maryse Bouchard, a researcher in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of Montreal, analyzed the levels of pesticide metabolites in the urine of 1,139 children and found children with above-average levels had roughly twice the odds of being diagnosed with ADHD.

As the largest study of this kind so far, it reminds consumers that organophosphates were originally developed for use in chemical warfare because they are known to be toxic to the nervous system. Organophosphate compounds are used in agriculture to kill pests.

“Organic food production and processing is the only system that uses certification and inspection to verify that these chemicals are not used,” Bushway added. “Those seeking to minimize their exposure to these chemicals can look for the USDA Organic label wherever they shop.”

The abstract of the paper published in the journal Pediatrics is accessible online.

For more information on organic, go to OTA’s consumer web site, www.organicitsworthit.org.

Monumental report from the President’s Cancer Panel

This is a monumental news day for the organic industry. The President’s Cancer Panel Report released today exhorts consumers to choose food grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers, antibiotics, and growth hormones to help decrease their exposure to environmental chemicals that can increase their risk of contracting cancer!

“Exposure to pesticides can be decreased by choosing, to the extent possible, food grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers…Similarly, exposure to antibiotics, growth hormones, and toxic run-off from livestock feed lots can be minimized by eating free-range meat raised without these medications,” according to the report, “Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk: What We Can Do Now,” submitted to President Obama by Dr. LaSalle Leffall, Jr., an oncologist and professor of surgery at Howard University, and Dr. Margaret L. Kripke, an immunologist at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

In a letter to President Obama, the panel stated “The American people—even before they are born—are bombarded continually with myriad combinations of these dangerous exposures. The Panel urges you most strongly to use the power of your office to remove the carcinogens and other toxins from our food, water, and air that needlessly increase health care costs, cripple our Nation’s productivity, and devastate American lives.”

This landmark report by the prestigious scientific panel recognizes, at the highest level, what your products provide — essentially endorsing our industry. OTA has issued a press release to tout the panel report and is exposing the organic connection through all media channels.

The full report is available online.

OTA’s press release is available on our homepage.

Some people may hear the word spirulina and think that it is some kind of Italian food, but what it really is an ultra-nutritious super food! This statement begs the question “Well, what exactly is spirulina?” It is a type of blue-green algae that grows in warm climates. While some may not think of algae as something to eat, the following facts may change a lot of minds.

Spirulina’s odd sounding name comes from its helix of spiral-like shape. Its distinct coloring comes from its natural plant pigments that can provide numerous health benefits. Among these pigments are the green chlorophyll which aids in ridding the body of various toxins, the blue phycocyanin which promotes healthy immune function and protein absorption. Spirulina also contains a heavy amount of beta carotene which is a potent antioxidant that is converted to retinol (vitamin A), which is essential for healthy vision, and eventually converted into retinoic acid, which aids in processes related to growth and cell differentiation.

Another incredible fact about spirulina is that it is known to accelerate the body’s elimination of dioxins more effectively than any other food. Dioxins are toxic chemical contaminants formed through the combustion of organic material. People come into most contact with them via contaminated food, the dioxins are stored if fat tissue and the compounds can take years to break down in the body on their own.

Spirulina is one of the few food sources of GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid), an essential Omega-6 fatty acid which is essential to human health yet is not made in the body and must be obtained from food. GLA is necessary for proper brain function, bone health, growth and development and metabolism regulation. Ingestion of this fatty acid may also help with various disorders such as dry eye conditions, bone loss and osteoporosis and prevention of nerve disease, especially in those with diabetes. In some studies, spirulina seemed to increase production of the anti-inflammatory chemicals called interferons and interleukins. Some researchers also believe that the algae may help block the release of histamine from mast cells during an allergic reaction and therefore prevent some responses in allergic individuals.    Its antioxidant and immune-enhancing properties may also produce anti cancer effects. One such effect is that spirulina promotes the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha, which is a chemical in the body that attacks tumor cells.

Apart from all of these wonderful health benefits of spirulina it is also high in vitamin B-12 as well as easy-to absorb iron, it boosts energy and encourages weight loss, helps to purify the liver, helps fight viral infections, increases mental alertness and lowers blood cholesterol and excess triglycerides. With all of these benefits how could one not want to incorporate spirulina into their diet? The only question left is how. While processed spirulina tablets are available, the body can absorb all of the super nutrients much more efficiently in the form of a natural and organic super food, like Boku Super Food.