By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

October 07, 2013

• Why it’s time to start protecting our natural food supply
• The hidden failure behind Monsanto crops
• 4 tips to avoid GMO foods

A few weeks ago health advocates were up in arms, myself included.

For several days it looked like money-making behemoth Monsanto was going to be handed another “get out of jail free” card.

Everyone was convinced the Farmer Assurance Provision – otherwise known as the “Monsanto Protection Act” – had received a three-month extension.

If you recall, this was a rider attached to a 6-month emergency spending bill last March. And what it did was take the regulation of genetically altered seeds out of the hands of the USDA and the Federal Courts.

This bill was set to expire on September 30, 2013. And for several days media headlines were rife with news that it would be extended for another three months.

But just when it looked like this rider was going to slip through once again, the unexpected happened. In a surprising last-minute turn of events, U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-Md) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore) blew the whistle and saved the day.

I’m glad somebody had the guts to stand up and do the right thing, because the last thing we need is to have unnatural genetically altered foods being “protected” by the government.

I’d much rather see our natural food supply being protected, and for good reason.

Let me show you what’s going on with Monsanto these days…

I don’t know if you’ve heard the news or not, but just weeks ago a Washington farmer who grew a crop of GMO-free alfalfa discovered his crops had been tainted by Monsanto’s Roundup ready alfalfa. This was bad news for him, because it was rejected for export.

This is something experts have been warning about for years. It’s simply impossible to keep organic crops from being cross-pollinated with GMO crops. And it’s not just wind that carries the seeds. It’s also birds and honeybees.

In other words, Monsanto may have unleashed a deadly weapon against our natural food supply that we might not be able to stop.

As if that’s not bad enough, just consider this…

Monsanto’s Roundup ready crops have been genetically altered so the popular weed-killer, Roundup, won’t harm them. This means farmers can spray as much Roundup on these crops as necessary to get rid of weeds.

That is not good news for you.

Glyphosate, the main chemical in Roundup, damages DNA, causes cancer and acts as an endocrine (hormone) disruptor in human cells. Some research shows it even causes cell damage and death at the levels found in Roundup ready crops.

To top it off, it’s not even working all that well. Now all sorts of “super-weeds” are cropping up that are Roundup resistant. Thus, more chemicals are needed to control them. And all of those chemicals end up on your dinner table.

And what about this…

Some of Monsanto’s crops contain Bt toxins. These act as a pesticide to prevent crops from damage. But it’s not just harmful to pests.

It appears these toxins may damage red blood cells, which are needed to deliver oxygen throughout your body.

And like the Roundup-ready crops… it’s just not working. Insects are developing resistance to Bt toxins. Thus, more and more pesticides are required to keep pests at bay. This is yet another not-so-yummy (or healthy) addition to your meals.

All in all, this has not been a successful “experiment.” And producing more of these genetically altered crops without proper testing is nothing more than a money-making science project that could destroy both our food supply and our health.

Here’s what I suggest.

First and foremost, it’s important to take a stance. On October 12, 2013, the second “March Against Monsanto” protest will take place. You can click here to find a march near you, and I urge you to participate.

Secondly, it’s vitally important you take control over the foods you’re eating. Knowing exactly you are putting in your body gives you the upper hand when it comes to your long-term health and that of your family.

Here are four things you can do to avoid genetically altered foods:

• Watch out for the Big 3 GMO foods. Here in the U.S. a surprising 95% of sugar beets, 93% of soybeans and 86% of corn grown are genetically modified. So make an effort to avoid foods containing processed sugars, corn syrup, corn oil, corn starch and soy.
• Stick with grass-fed beef. Naturally raised grass-fed cattle aren’t eating feed that has been man-made or altered in any way.
• Buy locally-grown produce. Stop by your neighborhood produce stand and talk to them about their farming methods. If they’re not using GMO seed, support them by becoming a regular customer.
  
  
• Look for the 100% Certified Organic label on the products you buy. This includes your fruits, vegetables and dairy products. You can also use this Non-GMO Shopping Guide when you go to the grocery store. If you have an iPhone or use an android interface, you can search in your apps for a NON-GMO guide. They are widely available free of charge.

And don’t forget that you always have the choice of growing your own produce. All it takes is a few feet of land to grow your own greens, onions, peppers, herbs, squash, green beans and tomatoes.

References:
Koller VJ, Fürhacker M, et al. Cytotoxic and DNA-damaging properties of glyphosate and Roundup in human-derived buccal epithelial cells. Arch Toxicol. 2012 May;86(5):805-13.

Gasnier C., Dumont C., et al. (2009) Glyphosate-based herbicides are toxic and endocrine disruptors in human cell lines. Toxicology. 262: 184–191.

Mezzomo BP, et al. Hematotoxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis as Spore-crystal Strains Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac or Cry2Aa in Swiss Albino Mice. J Hematol Thromb Dis 1:104. 2013