Labeling, Safety & the Future of GMOs

04/25/16 • -1 min

Why does so much money and effort go into the denial of GMO labeling?A genetically modified organism (GMO) is a plant or animal whose DNA has been rearranged or altered in some way that is in opposition to its natural, organic state.
According to Megan Westgate, Executive Director of the Non-GMO Project, there are not sufficient reviews or studies to support the safety of GMOs. The FDA actually doesn't do any independent research before approving a GMO food, and there is no post-market monitoring. This makes it extremely difficult to know the impact of these foods.
There is, however, peer-reviewed research showing toxic and allergenic effects on animals who are fed GMOs. This may carry over to humans, but there is currently no long-term human trials which can definitively prove the potential danger to the human population.
The bottom line is that there is a lot unknown.
One thing cannot be denied... in 64 countries around the world, GMOs are labeled. Many countries go as far as to ban GMOs. Almost half the world's GMOs are grown in the U.S.
While the pro-marketing materials tend to spin GMO technology as a way to solve world hunger or provide other environmental benefits, more than 80 percent of GMOs grown worldwide are designed to do one thing: survive chemical pesticides/herbicides. These herbicides contain glyphosate, which is a carcinogen.
If the continuation of GMO technology is inevitable, the goal then becomes to require labeling.
Westgate says the challenge is that bio-tech companies really don't want you to know. An incredible amount of money has been invested to block mandatory labeling at the state level.
Some states have worked to require labeling via legislative measures. Vermont's congressional initiative is scheduled to go into effect this July.
However, now the bio-tech companies are working to take away state's rights to do this.
Listen in as Westgate joins host Lisa Davis to explain more about GMOs, what the Non-GMO Project does, and how you can be savvy about choosing non-GMO products.

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Powerful Health Benefits of Nitric Oxide

Learn why some experts call nitric oxide the “Miracle Molecule.”Doctors Louis J. Ignarro, Ferid Murad, and Robert F. Furchgott won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1998 for their discovery of the function of nitric oxide in the body. What they found, basically, is that nitric oxide signals the cells in your body to do their job.
Prior to this discovery, we didn’t even know that we had nitric oxide in our bodies.
Let that sink in for a moment. Until about 20 years ago, there was a crucial function of the body that we didn’t even know existed.
In his own words, Dr. Ignarro said, “Nitric oxide relaxes and enlarges the blood vessels, prevents blood clots that trigger strokes and heart attacks, and regulates blood pressure and the accumulation of plaque in the blood vessels.”
Essentially what he's saying is that nitric oxide may save your life. That's why some experts even call nitric oxide the “Miracle Molecule.”
What exactly can nitric oxide do?
Relax and Dilate Your Blood Vessels: Nitric Oxide relaxes your blood vessels, dilating them and making them more flexible. This lowers your blood pressure naturally without thinning your blood so you feel better and can enjoy life.
Optimized Blood Flow: Nitric Oxide helps support a healthy cardiovascular system, getting oxygen rich blood to your cells. Recent studies have found that this can also help with Neuropathy (loss of feeling in your fingers and toes) as well as dizziness.
Better Dental Health: Dentists have long known there was a connection between your gums and your heart. People who have suffered from Periodontal Disease have seen amazing improvements in gum depth in just a matter of weeks by taking a Nitric Oxide supplement.
Prevent or Reverse Heart Attack and Stroke: This is the big one, the Holy Grail of Nitric Oxide research. Dr. Louis J. Ignarro and his fellow scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1998 for their discovery of the role Nitric Oxide plays in our bodies. Dr. Ignarro then went on to write a book titled NO More Heart Disease: How Nitric Oxide Can Prevent -- Even Reverse -- Heart Disease and Strokes.
Listen in as John Hewlett, Creator of Cardio Miracle, joins host Lisa Davis to share more about the health benefits of nitric oxide.

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Living Well with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition that occurs when the pancreas fails to provide the necessary amount of digestive enzymes.Your pancreas produces enzymes to help with the digestion of food.
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition that occurs when the pancreas fails to provide the necessary amount of digestive enzymes. Due to a lack of these enzymes, people with EPI cannot properly digest the nutrients in food such as fats, proteins, and carbohydrates (maldigestion).
You might experience symptoms like bloating, gas, pain, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation. Because these symptoms are similar to IBS, your doctor might have a difficult time properly diagnosing your condition.
However, if you are properly diagnosed with EPI, there is a lot you can do to help manage the symptoms.
For instance, you can alter the way you eat and the types of foods you eat, such as eating more frequent meals with less volume. It's important not to over-stuff your system and to balance out protein, fat and carbohydrates.
Joy Bauer, RD, MS, joins host Lisa Davis to share more about EPI, including the guide she created to help people navigate the condition (Living with EPI: A Nutrition Guide).