Organic foods and drinks seem to be popping up everywhere. Eating organic may only come to mind when you’re buying fruits and vegetables. However, as you learn more about genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, and their effect on your gut you may want to eat organic everything!

GMO's only affect plants, right?

Researchers decided to take an in-depth look at one of the ingredients that biotechnology giant, Monsanto, engineers into its GM corn and cotton crops. This ingredient, known as Bt toxin, was marketed as a natural ingredient that did not harm humans, other mammals, birds, fish, or beneficial insects. However, scientists found that this could not be further from the truth.

GMOs are growing in more ways than one…

That study found that Bt toxin not only survives digestion in the body, but also gets absorbed into the bloodstream. Furthermore, Bt toxin is genetically designed to replicate itself once inside of an organism, like an insect, in order to kill the organism by shredding its gastrointestinal tract! The effects and capabilities of Bt toxin were further examined in a human trial. That trial revealed that genes from Bt toxin can transfer into gut bacteria, survive, thrive, and spread within humans.

Don’t be fooled…GMOs do last within your body

It’s true. Organic foods are more expensive and reading all those labels on canned and packaged organic foods can be frustrating. You may even wonder which brands you can or cannot trust. After a while, you may even feel like, “What if I just eat GMOs in moderation? It can’t be that bad, can it?” Well, these studies show that it can be that bad. And since women pass their gut bacteria onto their babies, Bt toxin can invade your children’s intestines as well. Indeed, Bt toxin can have the following harmful effects on humans:

• Inadequate immune response
• Autoimmune disorders
• Allergies
• Other chronic conditions

Is it any wonder that Scotland has already banned GMO crops and Germany will hopefully follow suit – with a final decision expected to be announced on 3^rd October 2015.

‘The German government is clear in that it seeks a nationwide cultivation ban. There's resistance from all sides, from the public to the farmers’. says German Agriculture Ministry Sokesman Christian Fronczak

Meanwhile Russia has just banned GMO's too! A report from rt.com states that: “A senior Russian government member told reporters the cabinet decided that any food production in the country will completely exclude any genetically-modified organisms or parts thereof,” We would very much hope and like to see Australia do the same! For reliable, organic recommendations and methods for avoiding GMOs, ‘Ask a Naturopath’ right here at Mr Vitamins.