Holistic Health Tips from Brooklyn Chiropractor Dr. Donna Sergi

GMO foods, short for "genetically modified organisms," are foods containing living organisms that have been through an artificial manipulation process in a lab to alter their genetic material with genetic engineering. This process creates combinations of animal, plant, viral, and bacterial genes that are unstable and do not traditionally happen in nature. These genetically modified organisms are created with the ability to survive, despite the use of chemicals such as herbicides and insecticides. While GMO foods do not offer farmers increased yield or drought tolerance, and do not offer the consumer increased nutrition, there is evidence supporting the fact that GMOs not only lead to health problems, but to environmental damage as well. Controversy surrounds GMOs in the food industry, as a high percent of the population believes that non-GMO foods should be labeled as such, but food companies do not necessarily want to provide that information to consumers. While many food...

Food labels are meant to provide the consumer with all of the information about the product, including nutrition, ingredients, and possible allergens. However, food labels have some wiggle room when it comes to providing the whole truth. The more you know about what is and is not included on food labels, the easier it will be to make educated decisions when it comes to what you eat. Reading a Food Label A food label usually lists ingredients and information required by law on the back of products, while putting the brand name and marketing information on the front. Typically, there are buzzwords included in the marketing information, such as gluten-free, natural, organic, or low fat. These are written to hook the growing number of consumers who are health conscious. Are Food Labels Trustworthy? Although it may seem that government officials require food labels to be completely honest, food manufacturers actually only have three primary goals: Sell the product in high quantities Pr...