Kid's Healthwatch Thursday: Pesticide Exposure

Spending for organic food is worth it when it comes to our children. Their developing bodies are especially vulnerable to toxins found in our food and environment. Switching to organic food has an immediate effect on the body. Within 36 hours, pesticides may no longer be detected in a child's urine. On my website Project Green Girl, I have an article titled "Go Organic" which lists the produce with the highest levels of pesticides. This is a great list to start with, and the cost is minimal.

Recent Studies:

• A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition tested 815 2-year olds, and found those with an organic dairy diet experienced less eczema and wheezing than those consuming non-organic dairy.
• The BBC reported in 2006 that pesticide exposure from food can cause depression and memory problems.
• An organic plant-based nutrition program is believed to help ADD sufferers.
• Pesticide levels in children raise in the winter when more food is imported.
• Amniotic fluid and breast milk can pass pesticides to the fetus and infant, so the mother should also follow an organic diet.

For more information:

• "Organic Diet Cuts Kids' Food Pesticide Levels" from WebMD.
• "Organic A Choice For Our Children" from Dr. Greene.
• "Children And Organic Diet"--This is a must read if you're still not convinced.
• "Got Milk? How About Local Organic Milk?"--A short article from NRDC that tells you everything you need to know about milk.
• "Children's Exposure to Pesticides and Related Health Outcomes"--A very comprehensive article from the EPA.