DIGESTION RULES #5

Janelle Klein MSN, ARNP

As fate would have it last week I pulled into a local gas station and the attendant began to fuel my little diesel car.  As we chatted about the weather and the muddy roads, the numbers flashed past 11 gallons.  I was pleased to see it wasn't costing as much as I had anticipated.  Then a sinking feeling hit me.  I looked at the fuel pump and with horror saw the green diesel handle nestled on its hook.  Gasoline poured into my nearly full diesel tank! 

"Oh,"  I gasped.  "This is a diesel!"

The next minute was one of shock and confusion.  My car had unwittingly ingested poison.  Immediately the gas station owner and attendant went to work trying to get my car to regurgitate the contents of its "stomach". 

But before long, the station owner informed me that he would tow my car to a mechanic who would empty my tank through the gas lines.  "This isn't your fault," he told me.  "I will take care of this and refill your tank with diesel.  It won't cost you a thing."  He even offered me a free meal at his busy little restaurant.

Two days later my car was back in good working order.  In the meantime, I had a lot of time to reflect about the actions that owner took to ensure my car got the right fuel.  His professional and responsible response to an honest mistake by one of his employees made me his devoted customer.  But, what amazed me the most is the notable differences between the man who provides fuel for my car and most of those who provide fuel for my body. 

With my car, it is very straight forward, the fuel is clearly labeled and I can easily tell which fuel will be good or bad.  When a mistake was made, the problem was immediately remedied.  But, when it comes to the human body... well, it all gets very unclear, political and personal.  

A huge fight is currently in progress because many food manufactures, grocery chains and corporations want to, not only provide inadequately tested genetically modified foods, but not have to ensure that they are labeled as such. 

So what difference does this make to your intestines? 

Research reported as early as May, 2000 by Professor Hans-Hinrich Kaatz, a Zoologist in the UK demonstrated that a foreign gene inserted into canola could be later found in the gut bacteria DNA of the bees which pollinated it.  That is concerning!  Do we just assume the bee tolerates that gene OK?  Pretty risky assumption! 

Then in 2004, more UK researchers, Netherwood et. al., found 3 out of the 7 humans studied, had bacteria in their small intestines which had assimilated the DNA that had been inserted into round-up ready soybeans. 

If our gut bacteria can assimilate genes that have been inserted into food who is to know if those genes will start doing in your gut, what they were originally intended to do in the plant or animal into which they were inserted?  The possibilities are chilling!  They could turn off natural responses to toxins, resist antibiotics intended to save lives and in some cases even produce pesticides.  

As the research slowly but surely rolls in, things are getting uncomfortable for corporations that keep insisting this technology is fine. 

But instead of accepting responsibility and setting about to correct the problem, a law was slipped into HR 933 section 735 and signed into effect on January 3, 2013, to protect from liability, those who grow plants found to contain harmful genetic modifications.  

So what can you do to ensure you are fueling your body with beneficial foods?  First, educate yourself to the foods that are genetically modified.  Soy, corn, canola and sugar beets are some of the biggest offenders.  Eat only certified organic or "GMO Project Verified" products of known genetically modified (GMO) foods.  

Finally make it your business to know who supplies your body's fuel.  We are fortunate to have a whole host of farmers and gardeners in this area, who are dedicated to growing non-genetically modified foods.  Let's support them in their support of our health! 

Don't let the excuse that you don't have time get in the way.   It is true, none of us have time to deal with such nonsense.  But, if we don't take the time to care about the fuel we put in our bodies, we will spend even more time dealing with the health problems bad fuel creates.  

In the next article, Digestion Rules #6, I will discuss a few more ways we can support the health of our intestines.