Problems with GMO foods

GMO foods start appearing in 1994. GMO plants are typically engineered for faster growth, resistant to weed killers and other pathogen, and other benefits.

Typical GMO foods include transgenic plant products that include soybean, corn, canola, and cotton seed.

As of this writing, many of the GMO foods that we are eating unknowingly are not required to be labelled. However, there are propositions and advocates pushing for required labeling. This push is difficult to pass due to strong industry opposition. Because if labelled, consumers are likely not to buy them.

HuffingtonPost article lists the top 7 genetically modified crops: corn, soy, cottonseed, alfalfa, papaya, canola, sugar beets.

The top three GMO crops in the US being soy, corn, and cotton.

Article writes that 70% of processed foods contain genetically modified ingredients and that ...

"Research links GMOs to allergies, organ toxicity, and other health issues..."

Many of the processed food contain corn derivatives (such as cornstarch and corn syrup); and 88% of US corn is genetically modified.

According to NaturalNews, 91% of soybeans planted in the United States are genetically modified. Plus there is not much good reason to consume non-fermented soy anyways.

As such, whether you know it or not, most of us has already consumed GMO foods.

75% of the Hawaiian papaya are genetically modified to withstand the Papaya Ringspot-Virus, which threatens the papaya crop. [reference]

So in this case, that sounds like a good idea. Genetically modify the crop to withstand a natural virus that threatens it. However, ButterBeliever writes ...

"there is already evidence to suggest that the papaya ringspot virus coat protein (the gene from which is inserted into the GE papaya for vaccine-like resistance) is a “potential” allergen because it contains a string of amino acids identical to a known allergen."

Without labeling laws in place, if you want to avoid GMO foods, you can simply avoid processed foods, corn, and soy. By doing so, you would probably avoid much of the GMO foods.

Also if you buy food labelled "organic", then you will be avoiding GMOs. Because in the United States, "organic" requires that it be non-GMO. (see the Non-GMO Shopping Guide)

You can figure out whether a food is organic from the numeric food label. If the sticker is 5-digit number that starts with an "9" that mean that he produce was organically grown without being genetically modified. [reference]

These numeric food labels are typically on fruits and vegetables. You won't see them on meats and seafood in your deli counter. But you don't need them there. There are no GMO meats, fish, and eggs -- at least not at the time of this writing.

Jeffery Smith, author of the book Seeds of Deception, is an expert on GMO foods. Also watch his documentary Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives

You can hear him talk more about GMOs on a podcast episode on It's Rainmaking Time and on the Underground Wellness Radio podcast as linked.

Also listen to episode 83 of Extreme Health Radio with guest expert Dr. Robert Cassar, who is not in favor of GMO's.

Some animal studies shows long-term toxicity from Roundup-tolerant GMO corn.

Article on American Academy of Environmental Medicine writes ...

"Multiple animal studies show significant immune dysregulation, including upregulation of cytokines associated with asthma, allergy, and inflammation. Animal studies also show altered structure and function of the liver, including altered lipid and carbohydrate metabolism as well as cellular changes that could lead to accelerated aging and possibly lead to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Changes in the kidney, pancreas and spleen have also been documented"

And here is what Tom Malterre of WholeLifeNutrition.net has to say about GMOs.

Jeffrey Smith writes in article Are Genetically Engineered Foods Leading to Gluten Sensitivity?

"While there is insufficient research to prove that GMO consumption causes gluten sensitivity, the evidence does show how it might at least exacerbate the symptoms, or contribute to conditions that might cause them."

and here is the scary part it writes ...

"Part of the gene from Roundup Ready (RR) soybeans had integrated into the DNA of the intestinal flora of three out of seven subjects tested ... This suggests (but doesn’t yet prove) that the transferred genes from GMOs continue to function after they have transferred into our gut bacteria. If so, we may have GM proteins continuously produced inside our intestines long after we stop eating GMOs."

GMO foods can potentially kill off good bacteria leading to the proliferation of bad bacteria in the gut flora. This is because Roundup is sprayed on GMO-crops (and sometimes even on non-gmo crops), which is why we need to go organic. Organic by definition encompasses non-GMO. Roundup contains glyphosate-based herbicides which disrupts the gut walls. A lot of the problems with GMO crops, is the glyphosate exposure, which is an antibiotic which can kill off our healthy Bifidobacterium, but not some of the harmful bacterial pathogens that can activate zonulin to breakdown the tight junctions in the gut.

People and animal stock who switch to non-GMO diet found that gastrointestinal issues reduce or disappear. Farmers report digestive damage in their livestock when fed GMO feeds as compared to non-GMO feeds.

GMO foods appear to reduce digestive enzymes as well as poke holes in cells. This could lead to leaky gut allowing undigested proteins into the bloodstream, which is one mechanism for developing gluten and other food sensitivities.

BT toxins in some GMO foods appears to damage microvilli in the intestines of mouse studies. Bt-toxin has been implicated as an allergen that can trigger immune system responses. Not only that, the gene insertion process can potentially alter the proteins in the food, making the proteins allergenic. That may be the reason why some people are allergic to GM soy, but not organic soy. Furthermore, animal studies suggests that eating GM foods may promote sensitivity to other unrelated foods.

I believe that people with gluten sensitivity should avoid GMO foods (such as non-organic corn and soy) in addition to gluten. 64 countries already either ban GMOs or require mandatory labeling.