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Why eat organic?

Wednesday, August 22 at 11:44 AM

By Jacob Schor, ND, Denver

This Speakout has not been edited.

The reason to eat organic fruits and vegetables is not that they are less toxic but that, in a way, they are more toxic.

Plants can't run from danger. Rooted in the ground, they must fend off whatever attacks. Plants make chemicals for protection. They churn out antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, insecticidal, and neurotoxic chemicals. Sometimes they just make chemicals that taste bad.

Over the millennia, insects and animals have adapted to the presence of these chemicals and evolved mechanisms to counteract their damage. Large quantities may still be toxic, but the doses in food are often beneficial. Cells respond to these chemicals with defensive countermeasures. These adaptive responses overcompensate for the 'harm' the chemical might cause. Rather than causing injury, they stimulate improved function. For example, the sulforaphanes in broccoli improve liver function. Ginkgo and ginseng which are neuro-toxic to insects are neuro-protective for us.

A long list of plant chemicals have potential for preventing and treating cancer. Some of the most well known are: curcumin from turmeric, epigallocatechin gallate from tea, allicin from garlic, and sulforaphane from broccoli.

When researchers first found higher levels of these chemical in organically grown vegetables, they realized it was, "not the organic production methods that made the difference." Instead, that, "the organic system provided an increased opportunity for insect attack, resulting in a higher level of total phenolic agents"

Mold growing in a vineyard triggers nearby vines to make a chemical called resveratrol. Resveratrol protects the vines against mold attack. Resveratrol has various effects in animals; it stimulates cancer cells to commit suicide, a process called apoptosis. It also triggers the expression of "longevity genes" extending lifespan. A few moldy grapes in a vineyard is a good thing for us.

A University of California study comparing organic tomatoes against conventionally grown ones found a big difference. Quercetin and kaempferol were 79 and 97 per cent higher in organic tomatoes. The researchers explained this increase as a stress reaction. Nitrogen is less readily available from organic fertilizers. It's easier to get nitrogen out of commercial fertilizer than compost. In response to this stress, the plant makes more flavonoids. The 'low' flavonoid content of modern tomatoes isn't their natural state; it's an 'anemic' tasteless condition induced by easy living.

Organic tomato ketchup can contain triple the lycopene as non-organic ketchups. When lycopene levels and antioxidant activity of 13 ketchup brands. Were compared, organic ketchups won. One brand contained 183 micrograms of lycopene while a popular restaurant's ketchup contained just 60 micrograms per gram.

Plants respond to threat. The more insects nibble on them, the more molds try to rot them, or the more 'hungry' they are for nutrients, the hardier they become and the better they are for us to eat. Modern farming technology gives us lazy plants, the vegetable equivalent of couch potatoes.

I purchase organic ketchup not for fear of pesticides but because I want the all the nutritional benefit ketchup offers. There's one other reason. All these long named chemicals happen to add flavor; organic ketchup tastes more like ketchup should.

Jacob Schor is a naturopathic doctor and past president of the Colorado Association of Naturopathic Physicians. He practices and lives in Denver.

READER COMMENTS

Sorry for the speeling errors my last post. Hit the return too quickly out of habit.

Posted by Harry on August 28, 2007 02:53 PM

I would like to go organic my family rebels, mostly on the taste diferences, bu a little on the cost.

Organic stuff seems to taste so much more bland. Why is that? Is it becasue we are so used to the chemicals? Or is it because we just really haven't tsted GOOD organic??

Any clues as to how to get my family organic??

Posted by Harry on August 28, 2007 02:51 PM

I'll have to get out to the garden as soon as I can. Have been told there are strawberries out there, accidentally organic, but have no evidence. Possible reason is my co-gardener is 8 years old and comes in with red lips. I never consciously tried to make her like things but she never has liked sweetened cereal and she likes fresh fruit and vegetables. We did introduce her to broccoli and other veggies at buffet restaurants and she had to finish her cookie to get a serving. To this day she begs for brussel sprouts and we have an herbed oil dip for her to dip them in after they come out of the steamer. Kids will love any good food. You are so right.

Posted by momma y on August 26, 2007 08:26 AM

momma y , I agree with you I only buy organic if it is cheaper than the regular stuff.

Why does the things that are bad for you cheaper than the things healthier for you?

My family has drastically changed our eating habits in the past 10 months. My children have embraced the new eating habits and love the wholesome meals I prepare with lots of whole foods and vegatables.

We haven't eaten fast food in 10 months.They used to love McDonalds now they like my turkey burgers on whole wheat buns.

I would love to see the prices come down on organic foods and fresh vegatable and fruits.

Posted by Can I get an AMEN! on August 24, 2007 10:16 AM

Uh huh.

At least Jacob chooses organic from a taste viewpoint not a health one. As for his science I don't know. We don't buy organic unless it's on sale and cheaper than the other stuff.

I am a gardener and we use what is necessary to grow the best yields. I can agree with J on the better flavor of herbs when stressed. (don't EVER let your husband take care of your garden when you're sick.. hire a teenager) As for the rest...we need a lot of different things and each of us can buy what we choose. Let freedom ring. Pass the tomatoes.

Posted by momma y on August 23, 2007 11:43 AM

Hank, How was the health care in Havana.? According to Michael Moore we should be just like them.

Actually if we adopt Cuba's system we lose all rights and look like a 3rd world slum.

I can't seem to swallow that.

Posted by Can I get an AMEN! on August 23, 2007 10:34 AM

I tried eating organic, but that was just the beginnibg of a steep downward slope.

Before you know it, I started eating, all-natural, no preservatives, no MSG, range-fed chickens with no articicial coloring. It didn't stop there. I then stopped eating meat altogether and than ate nothing but bean sprouts, veggies, and granola bars. I started hanging out in my local health food store with all the spikey green-haired and tatooed staff with nose rings who wore nothing but Birkenstocks. I started to listen to 1960s Joan Baez music; I really dug Dylan. I joined a union, became a democrat, a socialst and then I joined the communist party. I later moved to Havana before returning to San Francisco where I opened up a carbon credit store in order to deal with that global warming thing. I don't know if I'm happy or nuts.

I blame it all on the food, man, the food. That organic experience changed my life, dude, it changed my whole life. You are what you eat!

Posted by Hank on August 23, 2007 08:28 AM