What’s on our foods? The CDC tested 5,000 Americans and found pesticides in their blood and urine samples of over 95 percent of them. So you’re consuming them whether you know it or not.

In 2009 the USDA found seven out of 10 fruits or vegetables had one or more pesticides. Since 2001, they have found more than 200 types of pesticides on food we eat in the US.

In Quebec, a May 2011 study from The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that 93 percent of pregnant women, who had pesticides found in their bodies, passed these chemicals on to the fetuses 80 percent of the time.

The CDC found that 93 percent of Americans have a nuerotoxic insecticide, called chlorpyrifos, in their urine. This little gem was banned from home use because they know it poses a risk to children and has been linked to ADHD.

How about the fact that 99 percent of Americans tested positive for DDT residues and we haven’t used DDT in the US since 1972?

Of course you could always rely on the EPA to tell you what’s safe like; the air quality in NYC after 9/11 when soon after returning to Ground Zero, healthy people developed lung cancer and died suddenly (including search dogs), or trust the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and FDA that food is safe in the gulf just months after the huge oil spill. Might as well think the IRS works efficiently.

Next someone is going to try to convince us that North Pacific fish are safe off the coast of Japan’s nuclear power plant leak and that it won’t affect the California’s coast.

Or maybe you should trust yourself and use common sense.

Fruits and vegetables should be a staple of our diet but they are covered in pesticides. The USDA found 17 of 52 pesticide residues on blueberries are neurotoxins, which is why blueberries make the organic hit list. Atrazine is in 94 percent of our drinking water and has been known to affect our body’s hormones. It has been banned in Europe.

Remember being a kid? We never washed an apple before we ate it, let alone peel it to remove and surface toxins. Sadly times have changed since big business is about production and money.

You need to wash everything first, but it actually won’t remove a majority of these chemicals because they are inside our foods. Also the pesticides continually build up in the soil, as the plants grow and can eventually runoff into our streams and waterways. It’s a vicious cycle.

Organic food is one way to reduce the amount of hormones and pesticides entering your body. Research goes back and forth on whether there is actually more nutrition in these organic foods but avoiding the carcinogens and chemicals is good enough for me and my kids.

Buying organic is expensive, but so is being sick.

You could always create your own garden and stop bugs with a natural repellent concoction  like a lavender, vinegar, dish washing soap, geranium and garlic spray mixture.

Another consideration is even at our houses we are contaminating our foods and houses. Don’t think that the weed killer you or your neighbors use doesn’t get trampled into the air or on to the carpet your grandson is crawling on.

A news article reported that the number one pesticide Roundup has been linked to Parkinson’s disease, Cancer and infertility. The chief ingredient is a substance called glyphosate. It has been found to be harmful to plants, animals and humans. Roundup’s use in the US has also doubled in the last 6 years.

Europe has banned some pesticides due to many studies finding a possible link between their uses and declining bee populations. Well if plants do not get pollinated by bees they will not produce fruits and vegetables. Bee populations in the US have plummeted and we have started relying on bee farmers to import and raise bees so crops can continue producing food.

Here is a hit list of some of the most poisoned items in your fridge that you should consider buying organic.

THE HIT LIST is mostly from Dr. Andrew Weil, MD’s website because I respect his opinions:

Must buy organic (The Dirty Dozen Plus)

  • Apples
  • Strawberries
  • Grapes
  • Celery
  • Peaches
  • Domestic blueberries
  • Spinach
  • Sweet bell peppers
  • Nectarines
  • Cucumbers
  • Potatoes
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Hot peppers

Also of concern

  • Kale/collard greens
  • Summer squash

Are safer to eat (The Clean 15)

  • Onions
  • Sweet corn
  • Pineapples
  • Avocado
  • Cabbage
  • Sweet peas
  • Asparagus
  • Mangoes
  • Eggplant
  • Kiwi
  • Cantaloupe (domestic)
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Grapefruit
  • Papayas
  • Mushrooms

This is a neat video regarding pesticides by Dr. Weil. Click Here

Little changes can make it easier to eat healthier and follow a plan. Take baby steps to achieve your goals and eat well.

Dr. Jay M. Lipoff is the owner of Back At Your Best Chiropractic & Physical Therapy, LLC, which is located in the Wildewood Shopping Center. Dr. Lipoff is also the author of “Back At Your Best; Balancing the Demands of Life With the Needs of Your Body.” It is available in book and Kindle format at Amazon.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University in 1990, a Doctorate of Chiropractic (D.C.) from New York Chiropractic College (NYCC) in 1994 and he became a Certified Fitness Trainer (CFT) in 2005.

Dr. Lipoff is an Executive Board Member, International Chiropractic Association Council on Fitness and Sports Health Science; won the 2015 Arnold Schwarzenegger Legacy Award for his community work; has a radio segment: Back At Your Best in 5 Minutes or Less, President and Founder; Foundation 4 Heroes, Contributing writer; The Baynet, Huffington Post and SoMD News, Co-Founder, Drug Free Training USA; Member, NY Strength-promoting the importance of physical conditioning; Board Member of Public Relations Committee, Maryland Chiropractic For more information, go to www.BackAtYourBest.com, find us on facebook, or call 301-863-BEST (2378).