Living Well Naturally Nov. 2014 | Page 6

FOOD FOR HEALTH Eat Your Way to Wellness By Dr Brenda M Leite We are in an era of inflammation. The root issue of most disease in the body is inflammation, from the common cold to cancer. We have reached pandemic levels when one in three people worldwide will develop cancer in their lifetime. There are numerous causes of inflammation, some that we can control and others we cannot. However every instance we eat, we can control our nourishment choices. So much occurs with our food supply behind the scenes. When you purchase food from your local marketplace, there can be misrepresentation in terms of the safety of what you are eating. Your everyday diet choices are the foundation of your wellness, for young and old, male and female. (This approach also applies to your pets!). We can alter many disease patterns by changing dietary choices. In Canada, up to 70% of processed foods in grocery stores contain Genetically Engineered ingredients. Sometimes referred to as GMO food, genetically modified organism, this food is not a familiar substance to our bodies. Scientists are starting to see the ill effects upon butterflies and bees, and, when you understand how the body works, there is no question; the GE foods are harmful to the human organism. What is genetically engineered food? It is food that would never naturally occur. This alteration of atomic structure in the food is created by taking genes from organisms such as bacteria, viruses and/or animals, usually an unrelated species, and creating a new organism that is a stranger to our bodies. It is all about our innate ability to perceive DNA coding and molecular structures. The goal for GE foods is to speed up production and growth periods and ultimately feed the bottom line of commerce. Common foods today that can be engineered in this way are corn, soy, canola, among numerous others. Consider the animal feed of the meat you are eating because if it is GMO food then what are you eating in the meat? Most cattle, pig, goat and chicken feed is made of a large percentage of GMO corn as it is inexpensive and readily available. (and heavily sprayed with pesticides.) We are what we eat as well as the animals we ingest as food. Their diet in this way becomes part of our “nourishment”, chemicals and all. The body/ mind connection is a vital communication pathway to understand why changing the genetic structure 6I Living Well Naturally with Nature’s Emporium I fall issue 2014 of our foods will have negative effects on our health. When we eat, our body is assessing the DNA patterning of what we are ingesting. For example, when you eat an organic apple, your brain and digestive system are in communication. They recognize that this is a familiar molecular structure and it is safe to consume so it is digested easily with no inflammation. When you eat foods contaminated with pesticides, your brain and digestive process will identify a harmful substance and create inflammation throughout the digestive system to protect your body from absorbing the toxin. Understanding that your digestive system represents seventy percent of your immune health, this is a serious consideration. Eating foods that have been altered from their natural state will encourage an increase in mucosal linings in the small and large intestines, the liver will become overworked trying to remove the toxins. Yeast will overgrow and strep and staph can overpopulate to create a barrier. This can be a slow process which you may not notice at the time of eating. Sometimes the digestive imbalances appear as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Diverticulitis, Diverticulosis and Cancer which are all inflammatory responses. Parasites also love to live in this thick, warm, mucous-rich and stagnant environment. In addition to GMO and chemically contaminated food, we have the complication of the irradiation of food. This falls under the category of Nuclear Science. The food is exposed to ionizing radiation to destroy bacteria, viruses, and micro organisms on the food from other countries. The irradiation of the food causes a restructuring of the genetic structure of the food! The only way I can see the halting of the poisoning of our environment and our bodies is when the consumer demands organic, healthy, local food. The consumer needs to pressure the governing bodies to label our products with the country of origin of all ingredients in the product and the country of origin of manufacturing of the product, labelling of all foods that have been irradiated, and full disclosure of chemical and pesticide treated foods. Did you know that mandatory labelling is required for all genetically engineered foods in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan? Shop at your local organic market where foods have integrity, digestibility and a high energetic vibration that will encourage good health. Organic foods are not irradiated, exposed to synthetic chemicals and are not genetically altered. Take your first steps to health and well-being by bringing awareness to your every day food. Your children will thank you for this when Mother Earth is healthier and their cancer and inflammation statistics are greatly improved from present day. Consider this… Dr. Leite is the owner of Sunleite Integrative Health and Thermography Centre in Port Perry. Contact her at 905-985-3303. www.sunleitehealth.ca