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Medical Equipment Design

The Medical Equipment Design Blog is the place for conversation and discussion about medical grade materials and products, electrical and electronic equipment, computers, imaging & software, and home healthcare & diagnostics as used in the medical industry. Here, you'll find everything from application ideas, to news and industry trends, to hot topics and cutting edge innovations. This blog is inspired by the Medical Equipment Design newsletter from GlobalSpec, which you can subscribe to here.

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Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Conventional?

Posted August 08, 2009 8:25 AM

A quantitative review of literature published over the last 50 years concludes that organically produced foods are not nutritionally superior to conventionally produced foods. On the basis of 13 nutrient categories considered, small differences in nutrient level observed between organic and conventional foods were deemed unlikely to be of any public health significance. Is it still worthwhile to go the organic route? Will this information have any bearing on your dining plans?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Medical Equipment Design, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Medical Equipment Design today.


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#1

Re: Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Conventionally?

08/08/2009 1:24 PM

I do not know about organically produced foods. I myself do not believe it is superior.

I have felt that its the processing of foods.

An example.....pasterzation of milk. Milk is pasteurized for the pathogens within.

On the other hand, having been raised on a farm, it was common for us to drink raw milk. even though I know of neighbors that milk cows drank store bought 2% milk, I thought was odd at the time, looking back they did have a weight problem.

The reason I believe if the milk was processed on the farm following standard sanitary standards, it is better for ones immune system just due to the reason the it works it.

Organically grown foods there is allot of government involvement, to ensure that its organic.

phoenix911

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#2

Re: Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Comventional?

08/09/2009 1:22 AM

This report come from the think tank responsible for the idiotic minimum daily requirements too?

You need gain an understanding that the organic industry has fewer regulations than that of bottled water.

It is "Non-GMO" non-genetically modified organic foods that have a huge disparity of nutrient value over commercial production, about 30% - 70%.

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#4
In reply to #2

Re: Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Comventional?

08/09/2009 3:39 AM

You need gain an understanding that the organic industry has fewer regulations than that of bottled water.

I would think that there would be more to ensure it is organic and to carry the label of being organic.

I have picked that up by going to a farmers market. And when the government is envolved, where do you see less regulation.

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#14
In reply to #2

Re: Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Comventional?

08/10/2009 10:06 PM

I don't know the regs on bottled water, but there are pretty stringent regulations for 'organically certified' food, including no GMO's allowed. ( Although in fact, the regs for corn are just 99% GMO free, because the genome of corn is now polluted with genetic modification, it has escaped into the general corn population, and it's considered unreasonable to expect 100% natural corn any more. ) I looked into getting the certification for my farm. A LOT of paperwork, keeping track of this that and the other. The regulations were stringent enough to give me confidence in the certified organic label. But unfortunately, since then I am not as sure, it seems there are not really enough inspectors/inspections and without that, it doesn't mean so much.

When I buy organic it is to avoid eating pesticides and GMOs, and to support farmers who are keeping a bit of farmland chemical free and safe for bees etc. The nutrient issue is not a big factor. Fresh and local is always tastiest.

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#3

Re: Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Comventional?

08/09/2009 3:32 AM

Uh, guys... It was my understanding that it wasn't neutrition that was to be gained by organic foods, but rather the absence of pesticides and other freaky things in the food chain.

Are we forgetting this?

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#8
In reply to #3

Re: Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Comventional?

08/09/2009 3:37 PM

No, we no forget dat!

And we should not forget that most genetically modified foods have fewer nutrients because the of the business considerations the modifications were promulgated upon.

These reasons are mainly for increased yields/harvests and speedier more profitable processing to the determent of nutritional value.

It's scam alright...!

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#13
In reply to #3

Re: Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Comventional?

08/10/2009 12:35 PM

GA from me. Choosing organic produce is not about the nutrients - it's about the absence of non-nutrient chemicals and poisons. To me the real issue is the quality of the seed stock used, and the freshness of the produce.

Large commercial growers pick their seed stocks not based on taste or nutrition, but on how well they ripen after picking, how well they hold up during transport and storage, and how 'perfect' they look on display. I am pretty sure that the tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic and cilantro in my salsa that were basking happily in the sun yesterday afternoon are more nutritious than the same produce available (even at the local organic food co-op) that were picked before they were ripe, and have been sitting in boxes in trucks and cold rooms for several days. Of course I don't really have any industry-funded scientifically-flavored research to back this up, so this is just speculative propaganda.

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#15
In reply to #13

Re: Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Comventional?

08/16/2009 7:24 PM

Good thought. I am turning into a fanatic about watermelons. All the hybrid ones (which is just about all there is for sale) taste like wet cardboard. The shape is great, they're never over-ripe (cause they ain't never ripe), and they're beautiful. It's just I wouldn't feed 'em to the hogs. To get a good melon, I have to go to the organic store (I don't really want organic - I just want good taste) and pray they got a shipment this month and then pay twice as much.

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#5

Re: Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Comventional?

08/09/2009 4:46 AM

And what, exactly, is 'organic' ? Something similar to 'eco' or 'green' ?

Anyone recall this thread ; http://cr4.globalspec.com/thread/14189/Do-You-Eat-Organic

This post is certified Organic by KrisDel™. You could almost grow roses on it, although it lacks my usual level of fertilizer.

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#10
In reply to #5

Re: Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Comventional?

08/09/2009 3:57 PM

Organic means different things to different groups and this is true in the organic food industry too.

There are foods labeled natural, healthy, organic, health-wise etc.; essentially no control's requiring foods labeled such be any different than commercial food varieties. This form of advertising. Some consider such advertising a misrepresentation an a scam upon the uninformed.

There is "certified organic" Non-GMO which does have specific and rigorous qualification standards required for use of this label.

http://www.nongmoproject.org/about/gmo-faqs/

http://www.gmotesting.com/GMO_Testing.html?gclid=CP6Mwpatl5wCFRMhnAodr2K0iQ

http://www.organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-201

http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/powerof50/articles/myth_buster_is_organic_food_better_for_you_.html?CMP=KNC-360I-GOOGLE-BULL&HBX_OU=50&HBX_PK=organic_label

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#6

Re: Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Conventional?

08/09/2009 11:58 AM

Check the price of organic vs conventional vegetables at a supermarket. It's all a scam. I once heard a farmer say, "insects eating the crop, just plant a little extra for the insects". There was a time when all crops were organic. No pesticides or hormones. After all insects add some protein to the diet. If you think the last statement is ridiculous, the FDA allows a certain % of non-food (insects) in our food. Insects in food is almost impossible to eliminate 100%.

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#7
In reply to #6

Re: Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Conventional?

08/09/2009 1:26 PM

Organics you have reduced yields, the produce are smaller in size, as wells as well as yields are less appealing. As far as plant a little extra for the insects, they are not bias.......they will lay their eggs on everything. Fact is, if their is more fruit and vegetables that is available, the population will increase.

The FDA has always allow a certain amount of insects, insect parts and insect effluents in our cereals, grains, fruits and vegetables......oh as well as rodents and reptiles. ......and if there are more than the FDA allowable numbers....it justs drops a grade.

Bon appetit....you organic protein eating crunch munchers.

phoenix911

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#9

Re: Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Conventional?

08/09/2009 3:57 PM

Obviously, many readers here have not had the pleasure of snacking on chocolate-covered ants or enjoyed the delicacy of fried grashoppers, or dined with eskimoes on maggots- or if you're in to a reptilian diet, rattlesnake meat, alligator tail or iguana, all of which make for interesting dining...And most of these delicacies are most likely closer to "organic" than what one might find in the typical grocery store!

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#11
In reply to #9

Re: Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Conventional?

08/09/2009 5:15 PM

snacking on chocolate-covered ants

Would that be organic chocolate?

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#12
In reply to #11

Re: Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Conventional?

08/09/2009 10:09 PM

I am not sure the chocolate is organic, but I feel fairly certain one could apply that label to the ants...

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#16

Re: Dietary Dilemma: Organic or Conventional?

09/07/2009 1:12 PM

All is dependant upon the seed stock

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