Food
What’s in your oats?
Apr
As moms we all want what’s best for our kids. Even before they are born we are ridding our homes and bodies of toxic chemicals. When I found out about glyphosate in oats I decided to investigate. Many families like mine, enjoy oats for breakfast. It’s a great source of fiber, manganese, phosphorous, magnesium, and Vitamin B1 (Thiamin). Oats is naturally gluten free.
In 1974 the herbicide roundup was introduced to the agricultural industry in the U.S and globally. Glyphosate, the active ingredient of roundup is used for killing weeds and broadleaf plants on commercial residential properties. The Green Revolution during the1950s -1960s, changed the agricultural industry from tradition methods. The advancement in agricultural research and technology allowed farms to produce high yield crops and be less impacted by pests and disease. These agricultural advancements were brilliant in feeding millions of people globally but came at a cost. There were now new synthetic pesticides introduced to the environment impacting the air, ground water and soil.
The glyphosate molecules attacks the growth enzyme of plants preventing further growth and eventually killing the plant. Mass produced crops like corn, soy, canola are genetically modified (GMO) to be resistant to roundup.
In plants the direct impact of the glyphosate interferes with the shikimate metabolic pathway of folates (water soluble vitamin B-9) and amino acids. Folate is found in dark leafy vegetables, beans and fruits. Pregnant women and mothers may be very familiar with folate as it’s very necessary during pregnancy for synthesizing red and white blood cells. This vitamin is essential for converting carbohydrates into energy and producing DNA and RNA. Although humans don’t share the same shikimate metabolic pathways like plants unfortunately our gut bacteria does. As a result the increase in glyphosate in foods ingested, causes gut dysbiosis, an imbalance in our gut flora potentially causing leaky gut, inflammation or food allergies.
Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that the glyphosate has very low impacts on health and may not be carcinogenic, the International Agency on Cancer Research which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO), states that glyphosate is a “probable human carcinogen”. Dr. Stephanie Seneff, a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has conducted extensive research with her team on the impacts of the pesticide glyphosate on our overall health. Systemic toxicity due to the overgrowth of pathogens and toxins is a result of the extreme disruption of our beneficial microbial gut flora.
We are already aware of the different pesticides and chemicals found in conventional food. A recent study released concluded that many organic foods were also tainted with pesticides. Though organic farms are regulated and not permitted to apply herbicides to their crops, unfortunately due to leaching, toxins move through the soil. Chemicals from adjacent conventional farms also contaminate the soils and waterways of the nearby organic ones. The Environmental Working Group ( EWG) tested foods for glyphosate. Click link for results. https://www.ewg.org/release/roundup-breakfast-part-2-new-tests-weed-killer-found-all-kids-cereals-sampled
The Detox Project has developed the next level in food certification. A research platform whose goal is to provide transparency in the food and supplements industries in regards to toxic chemicals. Through the Detox Project food companies can submit product samples which are tested by an independent lab for the presence of glyphosate. If the test results are negative they receive a glyphosate tested seal to include on their packaging. Biochecked and Glyphosate Residue Free are two certifications that verify that a product is free of the chemical.
Now that I know what maybe in my oats and which certifications to look I was on a mission to find products which were certified glyphosate free. I found a Canadian company called One Degree Organic Foods. A family owned business whose main goal is to provide healthy quality food. They give their customers transparency to follow the journey of each ingredient. Their products are certified organic and glyphosate free and can be found at natural groceries online and physical stores.
References:
UC Davis Integrated Medicine https://ucdintegrativemedicine.com/
Environmental Working Group: https://www.ewg.org
One Degree Organic Foods: https://onedegreeorganics.com/blog/
The Detox Project: https://detoxproject.org
The Environmental Protection Agency: https://www.epa.gov
World Health Organization: https://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?lang=en
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Revolution
Farrah was born on the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, Dominica. An island, known for its rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and extensive centenarian population. Dominica instilled in her a respect for nature, the environment, and the power of healthy living. It is apparent why she became an Environmental Scientist. After much success in her industry, Farrah found a growing need for community-based health education and founded Gaia’s Essence, a lifestyle company for women. Over the years, she has partnered with Fortune 500 companies like; Whole Foods Market, Disney, and OWN. She is the Editor in Chief of Gaia’s Essence Magazine, the producer of the New Year New You Summit, the Gaia’s Essence Women’s Wellness Conference, host of the Beast Mamas podcast, and founder of the Gaia’s Essence Network.
She lives in California with her husband and her two children.