AttractingWellness.net

There are so many positive impacts to eating
organic and natural foods.

Benefits of Organic and Natural foods For the body:

Eating organic and natural foods will be limiting your exposure and reducing the negative impact chemical pollutants have on your body.

• Eliminate the intake of synthetic and man-made insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides used in conventional crop production.

• Eliminate the intake of dangerous growth hormones and antibiotics used in mainstream livestock and dairy production.

• Eliminate the intake of genetically modified foods (animal, plant, and hybrid) used throughout.

Eating Organic & Natural foods will keep you away from artificial chemicals & dangerous synthetic compounds.

Benefits of organic and natural foods for the environment and planet:

Organic and natural farming is better for the environment.
It helps provide a safer, healthier environment for everyone by:

1. You will be helping keep groundwater, rivers, lakes, and oceans safe by eliminating pesticide and chemical fertilizer pollution, while also reducing soil erosion improving soil quality.
   Keeping the water supply safe reduces the chemical hazards often associated with harmful run off.
2. You will be helping increase the diversity of wildlife on and near farms.
3. You will be helping provide safer working conditions for farm laborers and communities eliminating dangerous exposure to harmful pesticides.

OMEGA – 3 FATTY ACIDS

Omega – 3 Fatty Acid is a healthy, poly-unsaturated, essential fatty acid.

There are 3 types: ALA (α-linolenic acid), EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) and DHA (decosahexanoic acid). EPA and DHA which are both most prevalently found in fish oil, while ALA is found in plant sources such as flax seed.

Research has shown that a diet high in omega-3 Fatty Acids has many significant health benefits. Studies show that diets containing Omega -3 Fatty Acids can significantly decrease risks of Cardiovascular Disease, and decreasing risk of heart disease, heart Attack and Stroke, while decreasing blood pressure and decreasing blood triglyceride levels. They have also been found to be beneficial in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis.

With our current research it is great to incorporate Omega -3 intake atleast twice a week.  Be sure to use unsaturated oils when cooking.  Eliminate foods with trans and saturated fats.

FIBER

Diets high in fiber have many health benefits. Fiber is widely known as a digestive aid which increases elimination of toxic waste from the system helping to aid the digestive process. Studies have shown high fiber diets to have a positive effect in decreasing the risk of heart disease, contributing to lower cholesterol levels and decreasing risk of heart disease. There is a great deal of  evidence that a high fiber diet has the ability to help control blood sugar as well. This effect in particular has been very helpful for those living with Diabetes.

There are two types of dietary fiber insoluble and soluble. Both have proven health benefits. While insoluble fiber is found in wheat bran and whole grains, as well as the skins of many fruits and vegetables and seeds. Insoluble fiber is a poor absorber of cholesterol, but has an important function as a digestive aid as it is able to absorb many times its weight in water.

Soluble fiber is found in foods such as oats, legumes, fruits, barley, brown rice and some green vegetables. Soluble fiber breaks down as it passes through the digestive tract and forms a gel that acts to trap substances that are related to high cholesterol. These compounds are no longer able to be absorbed by the body, and are then carried out of the body through the intestinal tract. Studies have found that people on high fiber diets have lower total cholesterol levels than those who are not.

Healthy intake of fiber for adults is 26 – 35g of fiber daily. It is important to include a wide variety of both soluble and insoluble fiber in your diet to get the maximum benefits.

CALCIUM

This essential mineral is important for all living organisms. In humans, calcium, is essential for the maintenance of strong, healthy bones and teeth. Calcium also plays a vital role in the function of our musculoskeletal and nervous system. Calcium helps manage weight and blood pressure. Vitamin D is important in aiding in the absorption of calcium.

Calcium is found in a wide variety of foods. Dairy foods are an excellent source of calcium as in these forms it is easily absorbed by the body. Dairy foods are also often supplemented with vitamin D to help maximize this absorption. If you do not eat dairy there are other sources of calcium including vegetables like broccoli and kale, meat alternatives such as beans and lentils, boney fish such as salmon and sardines, as well as calcium fortified drinks such as soy beverages and fortified orange juice.

IRON

This mineral is found in your bloodstream as part of the hemoglobin molecule and is important for good health and wellness. People with low iron often easily become tired and sick.

Some people may require more than the Recommended Dietary Allowance of iron such as vegetarians, pregnant women, frequent blood donors, endurance athletes and women in post-menopause who take hormone replacement therapy and continue to menstruate.  If this is you, please be sure to get the proper amount of iron.  Find ways you enjoy to incorporate healthy iron into your diet.

There are two common forms of iron from which to you can choose. The first being heme iron or animal forms of iron which offer the most bioavailability to the body.  Non heme iron in plant forms which can also be a vital source of dietary iron for your overall health and wellness. Note that, non-heme plant forms of iron are better absorbed when eaten along with heme iron or animal forms.

VITAMIN A

Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that is an essential nutrient and plays a vital role in bone growth and vision.  Vitamin A  is a very powerful antioxidant.

Vitamin A can be found in a wide variety of plant and animal sources. Yellow or orange vegetables have high amounts of this vitamin A which is responsible for their color. The plant form of vitamin A is referred to as Beta-Carotene, and it is converted into Vitamin A once absorbed into the body.