GMO Foods Health Risks

Completed a short questionnaire about which (if any) conditions or symptoms they've seen improvement in since switching to a non-GMO diet.The GMO BasicsFirst things first: GMOs are plants, animals, microorganisms or other organisms whose genetic makeup has been modified using genetic engineering or transgenic technology, creating a combo of genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods, according to the plant's DNA) itself can create or increase allergens, toxins, and anti-nutrients.

For example, genetically modified soybeans were found to have as much as seven times the level of a natural soy allergen, plus double the normal amount of soy lectin, which can potentially block nutrient absorption, according to Smith's article.One of the main goals of genetically modifying plants is to allow the crops to survive exposure to herbicides that kill surrounding weeds.

Herbicide is classified by the World Health Organization as "probably carcinogenic," according to Reuters. (Roundup gets sprayed on non-GMO plants too, which is one reason you really should consider buying organic.)Bt toxin is an insecticide produced within most genetically engineered corn varieties grown in the U.

S. and globally since 1996, according to a new peer-reviewed article published in the International Journal of Organic Systems also found that GM food-fed pigs had a much higher incidence of severe stomach inflammation vs. those who ate GMO-free feed.And, ICYMI, digestion issues seem to be everywhere these days (especially among women).

GMOs could be partly to blame; incidence of digestive disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's, and ulcerative colitis are also rising in the population in parallel with both GMOs and the use of Roundup herbicide (glyphosate), says Smith. Because the type of feed wasn't changing otherwise (pigs can't exactly go to Whole Foods and shop for gluten-free or dairy-free food), it suggests that the GMOs are what made the difference.

It's not just anecdotal; a 2013 study published in the store, many of these products are commodity crops that are processed into other goods. They can appear under pseudonyms such as aspartame, ascorbic acid, flavorings ("natural" and "artificial"), high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose, and xanthan gum in a food ingredient list.

(Head to the Non-GMO Project's website for the full list.)What This Particular Research ShowsSmith's article is the first research investigating the effects of reducing or removing GMOs from diets. And though this study sheds light on the possible effects of GMO foods, to date there have been no human clinical trials related to GMO consumption.

(Translation: We still need a lot more research to understand how our bodies and the planet. (See: 5 Things You Probably Don't Know About GMOs)In fact, an estimated 70 to 80 percent of people reported switching to a non-GMO diet.The GMO BasicsFirst things first: GMOs are plants, animals, microorganisms or other organisms whose genetic makeup has been modified using genetic engineering or transgenic technology, creating a combo of genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods, according to the World Health Organization.

The Non-GMO Project lists alfalfa, canola, corn, cotton, papaya, soy, sugar beet, yellow summer squash and zucchini, animal products, microbes, and enzymes all as high-risk products for GMOs. While you won't necessarily go buy sugar beets or microbes in the store, many of these products are commodity crops that are processed into other goods.