Earth Day: Think and Act Organically - Natren, Inc.

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Earth Day: Think and Act Organically

April 22, 2014

Today (April 22^nd) is Earth Day, and gives us a fine opportunity to think about our impact on the environment, and equally importantly, the impact of our environment on our health. A few weeks ago, we wrote about our “Inner Ecosystem” and highlighted the importance of organic foods. This time, we’d like to focus on what organic food really means, and what makes it so special.

Historically, all food was organic. Crops were farmed by hand, and later by machine. Meat was a smaller part of our diet, and animals were raised in an open environment with a natural food cycle. Then came the “Green Revolution” of the mid-20^th century, where agricultural production dramatically increased due to increases in agricultural chemicals and massive post-war demands. The use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers became commonplace. An increase in general population wealth lead to increased demand for a protein-rich diet, and so animal husbandry tuned into a commercial meat-farming industry with an unnatural food cycle and considerable use of animal antibiotics and growth hormones.

The term “Organic Farming” was first introduced by Walter James in his 1940 book Look to the Land, where he raised many of the concerns of modern farming. As agricultural methods changed, so did public attitudes, and many more people started raising concerns about the health effects of these methods. These concerns were fueled by environmental and health issues from chemicals such as DDT, and more recently, from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Eventually, this lead to regulation, and in 1990, the Organic Foods Production Act sought to define and control a category of foods labeled as Organic. But what does that mean?

The most simple definition of “Organic” comes directly from the USDA, which regulates the industry:

“Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods. These methods integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used.”

Or in other words: Food as it is supposed to be farmed! It is quite alarming that society has reached al level where these properties are considered special and out of the ordinary. This means that organically certified foods are:

Not Genetically Modified, or given genetically modified feed
Free from artificially synthesized fertilizers and pesticides
Free from growth hormones and antibiotics
From animals that are bred in a more humane environment
Handled and processed in certified facilities

What’s not to like! It is true that most organic foods cost a little more than mass-produced food – generally because organic farms tend to be smaller, have lower yields, and also benefit less from government subsidies that benefit mass-produced crops – but we think it’s worth it – for the benefit of our planet and your health!

The post Earth Day: Think and Act Organically appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.

Rejuvenate Your Gut: A Holiday Feast Survival Guide

November 27, 2023

Feasting is one of the best parts of the holiday season, from magnificent main courses to delectable desserts. Unfortunately, food-related disasters, such as food poisoning, stomach upset, and overeating can make the holidays a lot less pleasant. But, with your hectic schedule of decorating, shopping, gift giving, cooking and eating, how can you take the time to ensure that the food you eat will not ruin your holidays? Simple – use this holiday health survival guide! It’s full of valuable information to help protect you and your family from foodborne bacteria and other digestive problems. About Foodborne Illnesses Foodborne illnesses.... [Read More...]

The post Holiday Health Survival Guide – Avoid These Seasonal Hazards appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.

Directions for Making Yogurt: Using Natren’s Yogurt Starter

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Making homemade yogurt with Natren® YOGURT STARTER will easily fit into your busy lifestyle! Once you have mastered the method, it usually takes less than 30 minutes to prepare the milk for incubation.

The Kombucha Kraze: What You Need to Know Part II

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In the past couple of blogs, we have been discussing how probiotics are popping up everywhere - in coffee, cereal, dog food, and cleaning products. We explained spore-forming bacteria and why they are convenient to the manufacturer but may have no benefit to the consumer. Then, we took a closer look at kombucha -- we went over the ingredients in the drink, the heavy sugar load often associated with these drinks, common homebrew issues, some risks for biological and chemical contaminants...