PESTICIDE RESIDUES COULD BE MAKING US FAT, WARNS DOCTOR

16 December 2002

According to Dr Paula Baillie-Hamilton, exposure to pesticides and other pollutants through our diet is damaging our bodies and making us fat. Dr Baillie-Hamilton, author of the book The Detox Diet, is an expert in human metabolism, toxic chemicals and organic food. She believes that we should give a new interpretation to 'detoxing' and choose organic foods to minimize pesticide exposure to achieve optimum health.

Pesticides traces are regularly found in our foods - from lettuce, to milk and meat - by the Government's Pesticide Residues Committee although the government claims that as long as they are under the minimum residue levels they won't harm human health.

However, Dr Paula Baillie-Hamilton joins an increasing number of experts who are concerned about the impact of pesticides such as organochlorines and believes their impact on human health may have been underestimated. Baillie- Hamilton points to a recent study which found that American women who had higher levels of organochlorines in their body fat, also had higher BMI1 (the measure of obesity). Previous animal studies have found exposure to certain organochlorines can not only promote weight gain but in some cases, cause obesity. (2), (3)
The best known organochlorines of all are DDT and Lindane, which were found as recently as last year in staple foods such as milk and butter. Baillie- Hamilton explains, "Organochlorines are commonly found in fatty tissues such as butter and meat. It's important not to cut out these products, but instead choose organic versions which taste fantastic and are less likely to have pesticide residues."

Dr Baillie- Hamilton's top tips for reducing your toxic load:
Choose organic dairy produce as it’s produced from cows which aren't fed on grass treated with synthetic pesticides
Don't heat up foods in plastic packaging
Use non toxic cleaning products in the home
Supplement your diet with vitamins, minerals and soluble fibre
Ensure your home is well ventilated

Unlike ordinary milk, organic cows are fed on grass and hay that isn't treated with pesticides, they are not fed on GM cattlefeed and are only given antibiotics when ill, unlike non organic cows.


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For further information contact Nicole Bowman, Abby Edwards, Tim Ledeboer, Jim Crawford on 0117 922 7799

1. Stellman et al, 'Adipose and serum levels'. American Journal of Epidemiology (1997) Ser Abstract S21, pp 81.
2. D.C. Villeneuve et al, 'Effect of food deprivation on low levels hexachlorobenzene exposure in rats.' Science of the Total Environment (1977) 8 (2) pp 179-86
3. Chadwick R.W. et al., 'Possible antiestrogenic activity of lindane in female rats.' Journal of Biochemical Toxicology (1988) 3, pp 147-58