Produce Spotlight: Garlic
Though banned in the 1950’s, the pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is still affecting our health today. DDT was used not only on crops, but on dairies & cattle farms, in homes and even in the wallpaper in children’s rooms to fend of pests such as ants & flies. While claims were made that the toxin was not harmful to pets or children, the damage to our DNA has since been realized- and we continue to suffer the consequences today.
Research has shown that diabetes, reproductive & developmental difficulties, miscarriages & some cancers are linked to DDT. A recent study has also attributed obesity to DDT, but only after three generations from the original exposure: the great grandkids of those exposed to it directly.
While we can’t blame the obesity epidemic solely on the use of the now extinct* chemical, it certainly does shed some light on why a larger portion of our population is genetically predisposed to this growing concern. The way that the genetics are being expressed in children born today is simply different as a result of DDT. The great thing about this is that we now have the technology to look at a persons genetic makeup and look into their future to see what diseases they are more likely to develop within their lifetime. Preventative medicine can be applied & steps taken to help prevent the now seen threats.
There are plenty of other preventative measures that can be taken to protect against obesity: getting plenty of active time in the outdoors, masked as exercise coupled with lots of fruit & veggies and less processed foods in ones diet is a great place to start!
*DDT no longer exists in many countries, but is used in Africa to control malaria today.
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