Americans are being sold another “health-conscious” craze—gluten-free foods—but are gluten-free foods actually healthier for you?
Many people assume that gluten-free foods are healthier, but a recent study warns that most gluten-free foods are made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Costing significantly more than supposedly “less healthy” foods, gluten-free foods are fast becoming regular fare at many restaurants and bakeries as well as on grocery store shelves. But health-conscious consumers need to be aware that the majority of gluten-free foods sold in the U.S. are made with GMOs.
According to Health Ranger Mike Adams, “Everyone who buys ‘gluten-free’ foods should be aware that the majority of them are made with GMOs!” This is because most “gluten-free foods use conventionally-grown corn, and 85% of the corn grown in the USA is genetically modified corn.”
Additionally, that corn is “engineered to produce its own deadly insecticide right inside every grain.” When the modified corn is made into gluten-free food, the insecticide ends up in the food, and eating it exposes you to that toxicity.
So what are the risks of eating toxic, insecticide-laden GMO corn? In a first-ever study examining long-term effects of eating GMOs, researchers at the University of Caen in France fed rats a diet of Monsanto’s genetically modified corn maize (NK603, MON 810 and MON 863) which are “present in food and feed in the world.” The researchers linked the rats’ diets to an increased risk of developing massive tumors, increased organ damage, and premature death.
The study, “A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health,” was published in The Food & Chemical Toxicology Journal, and found “up to 50% of males and 70% of females suffered premature death.” The study also found that rats fed Monsanto’s NK603, which “has been modified to be tolerant to the broad spectrum herbicide Roundup,” also “suffered severe organ damage including liver damage and kidney damage.”
What is especially disturbing and significant about this study is that the rats were fed a variety of GM corn which is commonly grown throughout the U.S. and North America for both human and animal consumption—Monsanto NK603. Very little testing has ever been done on the health effects of GMs on humans, yet this strain of corn is used in everything from corn tortillas and chips to many of your favorite breakfast cereals and a host of other products for both consumption and use. It’s fed to chickens, pigs and cattle as well as being in our pets’ foods.
So what can you do to avoid these toxins? If you’re choosing or need to eat gluten-free, check labels. Avoid any foods that contain corn or corn products such as maltodextrin or corn syrup. The only gluten-free foods that are safe are either those that do not contain any corn or those that use only USDA certified organic corn. Unfortunately, because most foods do not list GMOs on their labels, it’s difficult to know what you’re buying and eating.
Americans need to stand up and refuse to be lab rats for companies like Monsanto. This week Poland joined many other nations around the world that have either banned or restricted the import, distribution, sale, or use and planting of GMOs.
Here in the U.S., a few cities and states are beginning to stand up. According to the website Pure|Zing, “Maryland has banned GE (genetically engineered) fish and North Dakota and Montana have filed bans on GE wheat. The Municipalities of Burlington, Vermont (declared a moratorium on GE food), Boulder, Colorado (bans on GE crops) and the City and County of San Francisco (urged the federal government to ban GE food) are the only towns or states to take some sort of stand against plants, animals, foods, crops and body products that are, or contain, Genetically Modified Organisms.”
One major push is California’s ballot measure Proposition 37, which seeks to mandate the labeling of GM ingredients in all foods sold in California. Should that measure pass, it could bring about major changes throughout the entire food industry.
In the meantime, it may be best to avoid gluten-free foods. Not only will you be saving your health, you’ll be saving money as well. If, as the saying goes, “You are what you eat,” let’s say “no” to GMO!
As the article appeared in print: http://www.gcnlive.com/wp/2012/10/12/barb-adams-gluten-free-is-not-gmo-free-2/
Share this post...
