Before
you reach for that orange to bring yourself out of a funk, make sure
it’s organic. Otherwise, you might be perpetuating your depression
instead of healing it.
Some
argue that they’ve been consuming pesticide-laden produce for
decades and they feel fine, but symptoms aren’t always obvious.
Pesticides ingested on a regular basis do long-term damage to the
body. They impair cognitive function and disrupt the endocrine
system, which contributes to more depression.
With
more than 300 million people suffering from depression worldwide,
many don’t consider their low-level depression a problem. They’re
just used to it.
Does
eating
organic and clean food really make a difference in favor of
health? Many people wonder, and the answer is yes – without a doubt
– and it’s supported by science.
Pesticides
are a proven link to depression
In
2014, researchers wrapped
up a twenty-year study to investigate the connection between
pesticides and depression. Researchers from the National Institute of
Health interviewed over 84,000 farmers and their spouses, documenting
an overwhelming amount of data in favor of the connection.
The
study documented the exact pesticides farmers were using, along with
what ailments they sought treatment for (physically and mentally).
Each farmer was surveyed multiple times during the 20 years,
providing a long-term look into their health.
The
study concluded that two types of pesticides – organochlorine
insecticides and fumigants – increased the risk of depression by
80-90 percent.
Multiple
studies support the same findings
Dr.
Sarah Mackenzie Ross discusses
her team’s analysis of 14 studies conducted with more than 1,600
participants over the last two decades:
“The
analysis reveals that the majority of well-designed studies
undertaken over the last 20 years find a significant association
between low-level exposure to organophosphates and impaired cognitive
function.”
If
you wouldn’t use Roundup as a marinade, you shouldn’t eat food
that’s already been smothered in it.
“Healthy
food” isn’t healthy if it’s not organic
Consuming
pesticides counteracts the health benefits of the nutrients,
vitamins, and minerals found in your produce. Eating organic is the
best way to support your physical and mental well-being.
Shopping
for organic food doesn’t only apply to the produce section of the
grocery store. All the food you buy should be organic, including
packaged, prepared, and deli foods. Just because a meal is prepared
when you buy it doesn’t mean the pesticides have magically
disappeared.
“Organic”
used to be a small section in the grocery store, much like the
“gluten-free” section. However, organic food is in high demand.
Even some of the most seasoned food manufacturers have introduced
organic products that can be found right next to their classics. Like
Kraft, Newman’s Own, and more.
One
of the newest companies to introduce a line of organic prepared meals
is Beetnik. They offer chicken dishes, spaghetti
sauces, and even Thai dishes. In addition to being organic, their
food contains no MSG, HFCS, or artificial colors/flavors. MSG and
HFCS also disrupt brain function and should be avoided.
If
you’re going to cure your depression with food, it should always be
organic. However, depression can deepen from a more sinister effect
of pesticides: a disrupted endocrine system.
Would
you like an androgen blocker with your strawberries?
In
2011, scientists from the University of London’s Centre for
Toxicology discovered 30 out of 37 popular pesticides either blocked
or mimicked male hormones. These pesticides are widely used on
strawberries and lettuce. The study was published in the
Environmental
Health Perspectives
journal.
Emily
Barrett, a professor who studies how environmental chemicals affect
human reproduction responded to the study, “This underlines the
glaring problem that many of the chemicals that are most widely used
today, including pesticides, are simply not adequately tested and may
have serious long-term impacts on health and development.”
Chemicals
are regularly tested but seldom banned
The
EPA has greatly expanded its Endocrine
Disruptor Screening Program, requiring more than 200 chemicals in
food and drinking water to be tested for endocrine disruption.
Unfortunately, the program isn’t designed to ban endocrine
disruptors from being used. Instead, it’s designed to assess and
manage the risks of their use. It’s still up to you, the consumer,
to choose organic.
Choose
health and wellbeing
Eating
conventional produce grown with pesticides and insecticides is no
different from slowly poisoning yourself every day by taking a few
drops of Roundup under your tongue. The only difference is the
delivery method. Eating fresh, organic produce is the healthiest
choice you can make for yourself and your family.