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The Organic Center Newsletter, December 2007

The Organic Center, December 2007 Straight to the Source

Organic Fruit Juices Contain Up To Ten Times More Flavonoids Research at Washington State University supported by The Organic Center has led to the first-ever assessment of the bioavailability of the chiral flavonoids hesperetin, naringenin, and eriodictyol -- important antioxidants in citrus fruits and juices. Dr. Neal Davies leads the research team at WSU. Using sensitive techniques, they measured the levels of three flavonoids and their enantiomers in conventional and organic fruit and tomato juices, and for the first time ever, quantified both the glycoside (molecule with attached sugars) and agylcone (molecule stripped of sugars) forms of the enantiomers of these three flavonoids. Organic lemonade had ten-times the total eriocitrin (glycoside form of eriodictyol) compared to conventional lemonade, and the agylcone form had over three-times the level in conventional juice. Organic lime juice also had three-times the level of eriocitrin, compared to conventional lime juice. Organic apple juice had over three times the total hesperidin (glycoside), and almost twice the hesperetin (agylcone form). Organic grapefruit juice had about 20% less total hesperidin (glycoside), but 77% more hesperetin (agylcone). The importance of measuring both the glycoside and agylcone form of flavonoids (and other nutrients) is clear in the grapefruit juice findings. Based on the data for just the glycoside form of hesperidin, it would appear that conventional grapefruit juice contains more of this flavonoid than the organic juice that was tested. But by focusing on the more bioavailable agylcone form, the opposite conclusion would be reached. Source: J.A. Yanez et al., "Pharmacokinetics of Selceted Chiral Flavonoids: Hesperetin, Naringenin, and Eriodictyol in Rats and their Content in Fruit Juices," Biopharmaceutics Drug Disposition, Vol. 29, pp. 63-82, September 2007Antioxidants Help Combat Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Associated with Diabetes Free radicals, also known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), are a normal consequence of cell respiration and other biological processes. Our bodies make antioxidants to neutralize ROS, and we consume other antioxidants through the diet that help neutralize free radicals and limit their damage to cell walls and DNA. Organic production increases antioxidant levels by, on average, about 30%, as shown in the Center's State of Science Review http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=102153855 & sid=3206541 & m=407230 & u=ORGANIC & s=http://www.organic-center.org/science.antiox.php?action=view & report_id=3 on antioxidants. ROS damage to cells, chronic inflammation, and heart disease are among the common and costly complications of diabetes. A team of scientists in Korea have found that proanthocyanidins, antioxidants in several fruits and vegetables, substantially reduce the damage caused by ROS and inflammation in diabetic rats. Source: Y.A. Lee et al., "Ameliorative Effects of Proanthocyanidin on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats," Journal of Food and Agricultural Chemistry, Vol 55, November 14, 2007 ...and Breast Cancer"A study of 1,210 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer found that individuals with the highest intake of flavones and isoflavones prior to diagnosis had a 37 and 48 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality." Source: B.N. Fink et al., "Dietary Flavonoid Intake and Breast Cancer Survival among Women on Long Island," Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, Vol. 16, Number 11, November 2007 Organic Farming Superior to No-till Conventional Production in Building Soil Quality A USDA plant physiologist, Dr. Teasdale, has published an important paper in the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation entitled "Strategies for Soil Conservation in No-tillage and Organic Farming Systems" (Nov/Dec 2007, Vol. 62, Number 6). He concludes that: "Results of this research suggest that organic farming systems can provide greater long-term soil improvement than conventional no-tillage systems, despite the use of tillage in organic systems." Antibiotic-resistant E. Coli Found in People Working in the Conventional Poultry Industry The first study exploring the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in workers in the broiler industry has reached several chilling conclusions. Poultry workers had 32-times the odds of carrying gentamicin-resistant E. coli compared to people in the same community not working on a chicken farm. The workers also were much more likely to carry multi-drug resistant E. coli. The authors concluded that workers on poultry farms might be an important conduit to the non-farm human population for resistant bacteria on chicken farms. Source: L.B. Price et al., "Elevated Risk of Carrying Gentamicin-Resistant E. Coli among U.S. Poultry Workers," Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 115, Number 12, December 2007Genes are Not the Only Thing Passed from Generation to Generation In an intriguing study of 45 infants, a team of scientists found that the mother's preference for certain foods and flavors are passed onto their infants, but only in the case of breast-fed babies. The team found that babies were more inclined to like the flavors of food that their mothers had consumed regularly prior to giving birth. The findings suggest that by altering maternal diets, it might be possible to pre-condition children to like the taste of fruits and vegetables. This finding leads to an intriguing question - might the differences in the flavor and nutrient content of organic foods, compared to the same conventional foods, be significant enough in some cases to predispose children to the taste of organic foods? Source: C.A. Forestell et al., "Early Determinants of Fruit and Vegetable Acceptance," Pediatrics, Vol. 120, Number 6, December 2007Gene Flow Documented from Herbicide-tolerant Canola Canadian researchers have shown for the first time that a glyphosate-resistant transgene has moved from genetically-engineered, herbicide-tolerant canola into a weedy relative of canola, Brassica rapa. Even more worrisome, the resistance gene is now stably incorporated in the Brassica rapa genome. The team reported that the resistance gene in Brassica rapa persisted in wild populations for six years in the absence of any selection pressure from applications of glyphosate herbicide. Source: S.I. Warwick et al., "Do escaped transgenes persist in nature? The case of an herbicide resistance transgene in a weedy Brassica rapa population," Molecular Ecology, September 2003 Pesticide Exposure Increases Risk of Diabetes A study of over 1,300 Mexican Americans living in the Southwest found that elevated levels of organochlorine insecticides in blood were linked to greater risk of diabetes. Source: S. et al., "Prevalence of Self-Reported Diabetes and Exposure to Organochlorine Pesticides Among Mexican Americans: Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1982-1984," Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 115, Number 12, December 2007USDA Publishes New Database on Total Antioxidant Capacity Scientists working at the USDA's Nutrient Data Laboratory have published a comprehensive dataset http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=102153855 & sid=3206542 & m=407230 & u=ORGANIC & s=http://www.ars.usda.gov/nutrientdata entitled "Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of Selected Foods - 2007." The dataset covers 277 foods derived from fruits, vegetables, and nuts. All results are reported in Trolox Equivalents (TE) per 100 grams of food, to facilitate comparison across foods. Some of the highest values include: • Ground cloves - 314,446 umol TE/100 grams • Black sorghum bran - 100,800 umol TE/100 grams • Powder, unsweetened cocao - 80,933 umol TE/100 grams • Unsweetened baking chocolate - 49,926 umol TE/100 grams • Crude rice bran - 24,287 umol TE/100 grams • Elderberries - 14,697 umol TE/100 grams • Pinto beans - 7,779 umol TE/100 grams • Blueberries - 6,552 umol TE/100 gramsE. Coli O157 Becoming More Virulent? USDA scientists are scrambling to understand what's behind the recent increase in the number of major beef recalls caused by E. coli O157 contamination - there have been 20 since January, with one (Topps) encompassing 21 million pounds of hamburger. Possible explanations include weather stress, the addition of contaminated distillers grain from ethanol production plants in cattle rations, and most worrisome, a genetic adaptation of the bacteria to become more virulent or resistant to the products used to wash carcasses in slaughter plants. Source: Feedtsuffs, November 12, 2007 "...the beef industry says it spends $350 million a year to keep harmful pathogens out of the meat it sells to the public. But even as expenditures keep rising, the industry appears to be losing ground." Source: New York Times, December 6, 2007Monsanto on a Roll Despite Lagging Roundup Ready Soybean Yields The December 2007 issue of Business Week has the most glowing article on the prospects of agricultural biotechnology written in years. It's called "Monsanto turns the tide on GM crop critics," and explains the tactics Monsanto followed in going from "in the tank" in 2002 to riding high in 2007. • Monsanto stock 2002 = $8.00/share • Monsanto stock 2007 = $104+/share The article includes several well-worn broadsides at organic farming and food. The article notes that while organic food "is more popular than ever," seven percent of the world's farmland is now planted to GM crops and that "...genetically modified crops [are] the ultimately anti-organic food." Also just out -- a study done by a Kansas State University agronomist that reports that Roundup Ready (RR) soybean yields lag behind conventional varieties, still, and that something about the genetic transformation of RR beans impairs manganese metabolism. Plus, evidence continues to mount that the spraying of glyphosate alters soil microbial communities in ways that make manganese less bioavailable to plant roots, and increases the plant's vulnerability to soil borne pathogens. While special manganese fertilization programs can help, yields of RR soybeans are not expected to match conventional yields. Adverse impacts on manganese uptake and metabolism are serious because this mineral plays a fundamental role in activating about 35 enzymes that lead to the biosynthesis of critical nutrients and regulatory compounds within the plant. Source: Barney Gordon, "Manganese Nutrition of Glyphosate-Resistant and Conventional Soybeans," Better Crops, Vol. 91, No. 4, 2007Congrats to OFRF and Stretch Island Fruit Company for New Tree-Fruit Research Program There is help on the way for organic tree-fruit growers, thanks to a new program of research that will be carried out by the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF). The $450,000 program will last three years, the first proposals are due December 17th. Program details are set forth in a November 16 OFRF press release. http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=102153855 & sid=3206543 & m=407230 & u=ORGANIC & s=http://ofrf.org/pressroom/releases/071116_stretchislandfunding.html Post Peak Oil Food Production According to Heinberg, a leading expert on oil reserves, the transition away from fossil fuels is "going to lead to huge changes in our food production systems." "The critical thing is that we manage and plan the transition...A hundred years from now, everyone will be eating what we today would define as organic food, whether we act or not." "But what we do now will determine how many will be eating, what state of health will be enjoyed by those future generations, and whether they will live in a ruined cinder of a world, or one that is in the process of being renewed and replenished." Source: Heinberg, Lady Eve Balfour Lecture, The Soil Association 2007 Annual MeetingImpacts of Climate Change on Food Production In the fifth story http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=102153855 & sid=3206544 & m=407230 & u=ORGANIC & s=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/18/AR2007111800501.html in a series on the impacts of climate change, Rick Weiss of the Washington Post writes: "India, on track to be the world's most populous country, could see a 40 percent decline in agricultural productivity by the 2080s as record heat waves bake its wheat-growing region..." "Africa - where four out of five people make their living directly from the land - could see agricultural downturns of 30 percent..." "You'll have a tripling of world food demand by 2085 because of higher population and bigger economies, and I would not be surprised to see as much as one-third of today's agricultural land devoted to plants for ethanol..." quoting R. Cline, senior fellow, Center for Global Development.Wheat Prices "Wheat prices reached a historic high of $8.10 per bushel on September 4, 2007." Source: September, "The Scoop" "Spring wheat futures traded on the Minneapolis Grain Exchange cracked the $10.00 per bushel mark...an all-time high." Source: Wall Street Journal, December 12, 2007 A question for readers to ponder -- Which worries you more as you think about humanity's long-run viability on planet Earth: • $100 per barrel oil? • $10 per bushel wheat? Free-Range Eggs Contain Much Higher Levels of Nutrients Mother Earth News has repeated its 2005 testing of the nutrient density of conventional versus free-range eggs. The new data http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=102153855 & sid=3206545 & m=407230 & u=ORGANIC & s=http://www.motherearthnews.com/print-article.aspx?id=117586 shows that free-range eggs have - • One-third less cholesterol and twice the omega-3 fatty acid • Two-thirds more Vitamin A and three-times the Vitamin E • Seven-times more beta carotene Food Rating Systems Hit the Street Competing numeric nutrition and food quality rating systems are being adopted by food manufacturers and grocery store chains across the country. The systems all start with government dietary recommendations, but include different parameters and ways to integrate positive and negative attributes of food into a single score or rating. The "Overall Nutritional Quality Index" has been developed by the Yale- Prevention Research Center and uses a 1-to100 scale. Hannaford Brothers Company, a Maine grocery chain, will be using the "Guiding Stars" system, which uses one to three stars. A third system will soon be unveiled by University of Washington nutritionist Adam Drewnoski, who has published seminal work on the measurement of food quality. Food manufacturers are also developing their own systems: • Kraft, "Sensible Choices" • Pepsico, "Smart Spot" • Uniliver, "Choices" Retailers and food industry leaders have voiced concern over the communication challenges that are bound to arise when a product receives a high score under one system and a low one in another. Source: , "Is It Healthy? Food Rating Systems Battle It Out," New York Times, December 1, 2007.Note: None of the above systems, or any existing system, take into account the nutritional or food safety benefits of organic farming and food, which is one reason the Center has proposed development of a Food Quality Index that encompasses all positive and negative attributes of food More on Tyson's "No Antibiotics" Label In the November "The Scoop," we reported on the successful launch by Tyson Foods Inc. of branded chicken products labeled as "All Natural, Raised Without Antibiotics." A November 6, 2007 letter to Tyson from the USDA said the agency had made a mistake in approving the label and told Tyson to stop using it. The ongoing use of the antimicrobials known as ionophores is at the heart of the dispute over Tyson's label claims. The company argues that ionophores are not antibiotics, despite their antimicrobial activity. USDA has traditionally regarded ionophores as antibiotics. Source: "USDA Revokes OK for Tyson's 'No Antibiotics" Chicken Labels," Associated Press, November 20, 2007Eating Local Even in Winter Consumers across the country are benefiting from more choices for accessing ripe, locally grown produce in season, but doing so in winter is difficult to impossible in most parts of the country. An intriguing option surfaced in a Living Green report - Winter Sun Farms, a CSA focused on freezing locally grown produce so that deliveries can continue over the winter months. Source: Zissu, "Finding Organic Food From Local Farms - Even in Winter," The Daily Green, November 28, 2007 Livestock producers in the U.S. saved an estimated $35 billion in feed costs between 1997 and 2005 as a result of below-cost-of-production feedgrains. Crop farmers have been able to produce below-cost grains because of subsidies paid through the USDA commodity programs. Source: Feeding at the Trough: Industrial Livestock Farms Saved $35 billion from Low Feed Prices," http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=102153855 & sid=3206547 & m=407230 & u=ORGANIC & s=http://www.ase.tufts.edu/gdae/Pubs/rp/PB07-03FeedingAtTroughDec07.pdf Elanor Starmer and Wise, Tufts University, December 2007 Seven percent of the U.S. population has diabetes, over 20 million people. A one gram daily dose of Coccinia indica, a herbal extract from India, brought about a 18 percent reduction in blood sugar levels in a double-blind, placebo controlled study. Source: R. Kuriyan et al., Diabetes Care, November 13, 2007 An extract of prickly pear cactus has been consumed regularly in Mexico by persons with diabetes, and has been linked to as much as a 50% reduction in blood sugar levels. Bauer has launched a proprietary line of prickly pear cactus extracts under the Opundia line. Source: Food Navigator, December 4, 2007Food Quality Belongs Front and Center in "An Integrative View of Obesity" We have posted a Commentary by Chuck Benbrook and Alan Greene http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=102153855 & sid=3206548 & m=407230 & u=ORGANIC & s=http://www.organic-center.org/science.comment.php?action=view & report_id=120 that responds to an important, provocative article in the November 9th issue of Science Magazine entitled "An Integrative View of Obesity." Recent research by the Center explains why organic farming alters not only the level of sugars in many foods, but also the sugar's structure and biochemistry. Our Commentary raises the question whether these changes in organic food quality might help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and other problems of aging, and whether organic food might help some individuals better manage their blood sugars and weight. If we are correct in suspecting a positive role for nutrient dense organic food in combating obesity and diabetes, and can prove it, there will be a sea change in public discussion and appreciation of the benefits of organic food and farming. A few excerpts from the Benbrook-Greene Commentary http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=102153855 & sid=3206549 & m=407230 & u=ORGANIC & s=http://www.organic-center.org/science.comment.php?action=view & report_id=120 - "The American diet has clearly played a major role in driving upward the prevalence of these diseases, but when the role of diet is studied, the focus is almost always on excess caloric intake and increased consumption of saturated fat. Changes in the nutritional quality of food are rarely addressed." "It's time to move beyond simply blaming too much food for these problems. The real problem is surely more complex, and likely involves too much of the wrong kinds of food, and not enough of the right kinds." "Excess nitrogen is a fact of life on virtually all intensive, conventional farms... An overload of nitrogen impacts plants in many of the same ways that excess calories impact humans. "Over-amped plants grow faster and the fruits and vegetables harvested from them tend to be larger. Fruit size increases mostly because existing cells become, on average, larger. There also tends to be more space between larger cells, space devoid of nutrients. These physiological changes lead to nutrient dilution, and cell walls that become stretched, like a balloon with extra air in it. The more stretched a cell wall, the easier time pathogens have in penetrating it." "Too much sugar in the blood of human diabetics does many of the same things, and maybe for some of the same reasons. The long-term impacts on infants and children of elevated sugars in common foods, coupled with reduced nutrient density and flavor, may be both qualitatively and quantitatively distinct from impacts on adults." "These are among the reasons why scientists need to look more deeply at qualitative changes in food, especially sugar levels and forms. That deeper look might identify relatively simple ways to help people stabilize their blood sugars and weight, short of major life-style changes and drug interventions. A growing body of evidence points to consumption of nutrient-dense organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices as one such simple intervention which deserves a fresh look as part of a truly integrated approach to health promotion."Oregon Tilth Annual Meeting Focuses on Organic Integrity Chuck Benbrook will deliver the closing address at Oregon Tilth's 33rd Annual Conference, "Organic Integrity: Principles, Practices, and Opportunities." The January 18-19, 2008 meeting will be held in Salem, Oregon. Chuck has been asked to address the question "Where do we go from here in the debates over food miles, local vs. organic, and food elitism? Chuck will also participate in a workshop entitled "Organic Food and Nutritional Value: Current Research on the Benefits of Organic Eating." Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Webcast is Posted IFT sponsored a 90-minute webcast November 29th entitled "The Organics Debate: Is the Premium Worth It?" Chuck Benbrook's presentation http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=102153855 & sid=3206550 & m=407230 & u=ORGANIC & s=http://www.organic-center.org/science.comment.php?action=view & report_id=121 is posted on the Center's website. TOC at EcoFarm 2008 The Organic Center is sponsoring a workshop at EcoFarm, January 23-26, 2008, on the impacts of high yields and production levels on plant and animal health, food nutritional quality, and food safety. Presenters will include Chuck Benbrook and Klaas Martens. Dr. Benbrook has also been invited to present at a session Thursday afternoon, January 24th from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. entitled "Strategies for Dealing with Food Safety and Environmental Protection." This session will focus on efforts to address E. coli O157 and related food safety challenges in the Salinas Valley and other intensively farmed regions of California. Chuck will draw on the "Unfinished Business" Critical Issue Report http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=102153855 & sid=3206551 & m=407230 & u=ORGANIC & s=http://www.organic-center.org/science.safety.php?action=view & report_id=97 in his presentation. ________________________________________ "The Scoop," is an electronic newsletter published monthly by The Organic Center. For a free subscription, visit www.organic-center.org. © 2007, The Organic Center. All rights reserved. Permission for reproduction of these materials for educational purposes will be granted by contacting The Organic Center at info@....The Organic Center P.O. Box 20513 Boulder, CO USA 80308 tel 303.499.1840 fax 419.858.1042

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