Organic living is important to your health and the environment for many reasons. The chemicals found in many products cause long term damage to your health (including increasing the likelihood of cancer), and harm the environment by releasing pollutants to the air and water. Let’s look closer at why organic living is important.

Resources mentioned:

How to Boost Your Skin Health & Choose Your Cosmetics Wisely
https://biggifraley.com/004-how-to-boost-your-skin-health-choose-your-cosmetics-wisely/

How to Eat Clean on a Budget
https://biggifraley.com/007-how-to-eat-clean-on-a-budget/

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Biggi Fraley
The Arthritis Coach

[0:07] Organic living is important to your health and the environment for many reasons. The chemicals found in many products cause long-term damage to your health,
including increasing the likelihood of cancer, and harm the environment by releasing pollutants to the air and water.

[0:27] Music.

[0:35] Hi my name is Biggi Fraley. I am The Arthritis Coach, and in today’s episode we will take a closer look at why organic living is important.

[0:46] There’s a debate that’s been going on for many years now.
Is organic living, and in particular organic food, better for your health and the environment than non-organic, and is it worth the extra cost.
Over a hundred years ago pesticides, hormone, growth additives, or chemical fertilizers weren’t around.
So, we didn’t find them in our food. People ate vegetables and food, as well as animal meat, that didn’t come from ground filled with pesticides or growth hormones.
The foods weren’t processed and packaged for a long shelf life.
Very few people can read food labels and understand the ingredients that are in their favorite products.
We simply trust that the products which manufactures and factory farms are advertising are good for us.
The same can be said for many other man-made products, including fabrics, skin care, and personal care products, and cleaning aids.
Skin care and personal care products are often made with carcinogens, that is cancer-causing agents, and other toxic ingredients.
Cleaning products often have ingredients that can be harmful to your health and your environment.

[2:08] There are alternatives to most of the commercial products that contain these harmful compounds. You can use natural ingredients the way your ancestors did to clean your home and your body,
and to feed your hunger. So, let’s examine the health and environmental benefits of organic living,
Starting with the health benefits…
Number one, organic farming reduces exposure to pesticides and chemicals on the fruits and vegetables we consume,
therefore reducing the cause of cancer and other long-term health problems.
Even when washed not all of the harmful chemicals on traditionally found foods can be removed. Two,
eating a diet of organic foods can keep you from eating foods that have to be irradiated. Irradiation is the process that helps reduce harmful bacteria, prevent spoilage,
and increases the shelf life of foods. But, it also reduces the nutritional value of food.

[3:15] Number three, organic livestock have been fed a natural diet and raised in a humane and natural environment.
The aren’t given any contaminated grains, growth hormones, or antibiotics. These conventional measures are normally given as a preventative measure because of poor hygienic conditions
the animals live in. Number four, organic foods taste better.
Studies have found that organic fruit tastes better than conventional fruit and has higher nutrient content.

[3:51] And number five, eating organic strengthens your immune system and reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease.
And six, organic foods have been shown to help promote weight loss.

[4:07] Now let’s look at some of the environmental benefits of organic living.
Number one, pesticides and chemicals sprayed on plants contaminate water, soil, and the air. Organic growing contributes to improved soil quality.
The use of natural organic compost and manure as well as natural weed and pest control amend the soil by replacing nutrients that are pulled out from farming.
Number two, organic foods and other products promote a healthier more sustainable use of natural resources.
Modern farming methods that use excessive chemicals have led to the decline of soil fertility and an increase in blue green algae in water ways.
Organic farming on the other hand looks to minimize damage to the environment through the use of physical or natural weed control.
And by using animal manure and composting, or green manure. Number three,
organic lets you support your local economy and local farmers. You get fresher foods. You get to know the farmer who provides the food,
and buying local reduces pollution by not having to transport food across the country or even worse across the world.

[5:35] Number four, organic farming is friendlier to wildlife.
You see, using organic methods supports a more natural ecology of plants and animals. Number five,
organic products reduce the effects mass-produced goods have on our planet, reducing pollution from transportation, factories, and products used in packaging.

[6:00] And number six, an organic lifestyle can improve your child’s exposure to hidden allergens found in our homes and foods.
So, to summarize our health,
and our environment both benefit from living an organic lifestyle. The harmful effects of chemicals that cause cancer and
other long-term health problems can be reduced form organic foods. And our environment is returned to a more natural and healthy state when pesticides and chemicals are removed from our daily
lives. I really cannot stress that enough!
Organic living is not just about the types of food you consume it’s about a lifestyle of being aware of what is in the products you use and you put into your body every day.

[6:50] Organic foods provide a host of benefits.
Studies have shown that organic foods have more beneficial nutrients, including antioxidants, than those grown conventionally.
Organic products have been shown to help reduce the symptoms of allergies due to chemicals and preservatives in foods and other products.
Organic living, and in particular organic food, has become very popular in the last few years, but navigating the maze of the food labels, the benefits, and the claims can be confusing.
Is organic food healthier? Yes, in many ways it is. Is it more nutritious?
Yes, most organic food contains high levels of healthy nutrients than conventionally produced food. Are organic products better for the environment?
In most cases yes, because less pollutants are created from the transportation and manufacturing processes.

[7:53] The water quality improves as well, since there’s less run off of harmful chemicals and pesticides into streams, rivers, and oceans.
So, it’s really up to you to read the labels and to learn about where you can find organic foods in your area.
Spend time at your local farmer’s market getting to know the farmers and how they produce their food.
Organic products might cost slightly more than conventional products, but in the long run they can be cheaper. Cheaper because you will be healthier with less dependency on modern pharmaceuticals.
You may want to refer back to my podcast episode 7, where I talked about clean eating on a budget,
as well as episode number 4, in which I shared resources for finding organic skin care products. I’ve linked to both shows in the show notes for your convenience.
And, as always, thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed the show, please do share on your favorite social media outlets, and I hope you’ll tune in next week for the latest episode of The Arthritis Coach podcast, available
every Wednesday morning at 4 a.m. Pacific on your favorite podcast channel.
Thank you so much for tuning in, and I talk to you next week. Bye bye.