How to Invest in Your Health By Eating Organic

Raena Morgan: Okay. I’m in the supermarket and baby carrots are 68 cents a bag. Dr. Christopher Lepisto: Right. Raena Morgan: Over in the organic section, they’re a $1.50. Why would I want to spend the extra money? Dr. Christopher Lepisto: Right. Well, the first way to look at this is that it’s an investment in your health. So there are some great studies coming out demonstrating that organic vegetables often times have twice as many bioflavonoids and minerals and vitamins as the inorganic ones. So you’re getting more out of the actual purchase of it. Second of all, by buying organic, you’re supporting organic sustainable methods of farming which require minimal pesticide use and they’re natural forms of pesticide use. They’re also supporting sustainable ways of maintaining the soil— Raena Morgan: Like composting. Dr. Christopher Lepisto: Like composting and rotation of crops, etcetera. Organic farming methods are hundreds, if not thousands, of years old. And it’s only recently that we’ve introduced these very heavy, intensive ways of farming that are depleting the soils. That being conventional farming. So, you’re actually getting more out of your particular purchases, as well as avoiding all those toxins, like the pesticides and the other chemicals that are being sprayed on vegetables, that are being irradiated sometimes, when they’re being brought in. If you go with organic and local, you’re getting more of the original product without the addition chemicals. Raena Morgan: So, you’re paying less, but you’re getting more chemicals. Or you’re paying more and you’re getting less pesticides. Dr. Christopher Lepisto: Yes. That’s exactly right. And you’re getting more out of that particular vegetable. It’s like the plants want to provide for us the best they can. If we don’t provide for them—we give them poor soils—they can’t give back to us. They don’t have the nutrient content. Raena Morgan: And plants are very giving. Dr. Christopher Lepisto: They are. And there’s a whole other branch of medicine we could talk about called plant spirit medicine that has to do with what plants may actually be offering us on a spiritual level. Raena Morgan: Well, very good, thank you. Dr. Christopher Lepisto: You’re welcome.