The long standing debate between people who care about their health and the health of the environment concerns not only what food to eat, but what kind of food is best to buy.

How do you sort out the differences between local, organic and local-organic foods? Which is better for our health and better for the planet? What the heck does it mean to be organic anyway?

Different people define “local” product different ways. Some say that if food comes from farther than 50 miles away it is not local. Many say 100 miles is the cutoff. Others say it must be within 250 miles to be considered “locally-grown”.

The choice is yours, if you live in a booming agricultural area then you should probably set your standards a little higher. If you live in the middle of a desert, then having your food travel a bit farther to get to you is probably okay.

Organic typically means “Certified Organic”. Growers have to go through a lengthy and expensive certification process overseen by the USDA or other credible certifiers such as Oregon Tilth to be “certified organic.”

Organic foods are those grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides and are not genetically modified. For plants, organic also means that farmers don’t irradiate their crops, and for animals it means that they’ve been given only organic feed for a year or more, no antibiotics and no growth hormones. One thing to take into consideration is that farmers may be farming organically, but they may not be certified because of the time commitment certification requires.

Continue reading: “Which Is Better For the Environment – Organic or Locally Grown Foods?”

It is literally the talk of the town: people from all sides of the topic are discussing the news that Ronald B. Herberman, MD has sent out a memo acknowledging the possible risks of cell phones. If it had been anyone else, this story may not have garnered as much attention, but because he is the director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, naturally, he has caused quite a stir. As you know, I have been warning people of these dangers for the last 10 years and finally people are starting to listen.

Dr. Herberman sent a memo to about 3,000 faculty and staff on Wednesday. In it he expressed his growing concern about the dangers of cell phones. He indicated his concern was due to the proliferation of published and unpublished studies pointing to the possibility that cell phones pose a health threat.

While Dr. Herberman acknowledged that the evidence is as yet inconclusive, he felt that enough information was presented to warrant his issuance of a cautionary memo.

Continue reading: “10 Cell Phone Safety Recommendations”

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a movement disorder that generally impairs the sufferer’s speech and motor skills. Parkinson’s Disease is characterized by tremors and muscular rigidity. At this point, there is still alot to learn about the symptoms and effects of Parkinson’s Disease, but recently, a new study concluded with interesting results.

How Do You Contract Parkinson’s Disease?

There are many forms of Parkinson’s Disease that appear to be idiopathic, meaning doctors aren’t sure of the causes. Some cases, though, are linked to drug toxicity, medical disorders, or head trauma. The newest observation that the medical scientists are now exploring is the possible link between pesticides and Parkinson’s Disease.

According to new research into the causes of Parkinson’s Disease, two specific insecticide classes were cited as significantly associated: organochlorines and organophosphorus compounds. While the research isn’t exhaustive or definitive by any measure, the results compiled thus far are enough to warrant a much closer study by the medical community.

Continue reading: “Parkinson’s Disease: Could Pesticides Be a Cause?”