Pesticides linked to ADHD.

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Here's just one more reason among many to feed your children organic produce.  Maryse F. Bouchard, a researcher at The University of Montreal in Quebec wrote a study that was published in the journal of Pediatrics this Monday revealing a strong connection between pesticides and ADHD.  The study measured pesticide levels in urine among 1,000 kids between 5 and 18 years old.  Children that were found to have above average levels were twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD.  Bouchard explains that pesticides are designed to have toxic effects on the nervous system, that is how they kill pests. So it only makes sense that they would have a negative effect on our nervous systems too especially children who are so much more vulnerable.  Currently 4.5 million children have ADHD with no known cause so hopefully this will fuel more studies and we will be able to shed more light on the epidemic. 

Pick Organic!

We all know that eating organic is better for you but it is even more important for your children because of the serious lifelong effects pesticides can have on their developing systems. Yes organic food is more expensive but the way I look at it is you can spend a little extra now and stay healthy or a lot later on medical bills when your facing a serious illness. The environmental working group gives a great explanation below on the importance of feeding our children organic food. If you want a full list that goes beyond the dirty dozen go here. They have also tested to see exactly how many pesticides can be found on conventional fruits and veggies. Peaches were the highest with a whopping 53 pesticides!

"Protecting our families' health from chemical exposures can start with minimizing children's exposure to pesticides. It is now well established that pesticides pose a risk to vital organ systems that continue to grow and mature from conception throughout infancy and childhood. Exposure to pesticides and other toxic chemicals during critical periods of development can have lasting adverse effects both in early development and later in life. The metabolism, physiology, and biochemistry of a fetus, infant or child are fundamentally different from those of adults; a young, organism is often less able to metabolize and inactivate toxic chemicals and can be much more vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticides. The nervous system, brain, reproductive organs and endocrine (hormone) system can be permanently, if subtly, damaged by exposure to toxic substances in-utero or throughout early childhood that, at the same level, cause no measurable harm to adults. The developing brain and endocrine system are very sensitive, and low doses at a susceptible moment of development can cause more of an effect than high doses. It is especially important to reduce pesticide exposures of babies and young children so as to minimize these risks."