Do GMOs Cause Digestive Disorders?

The food threat that worries your doctor may very easily be foods containing genetically modified organisms. Needless to say, there are probably some GMO-containing foods stocking your kitchen pantry. So what exactly is a genetically modified organism? GMOs are organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering methods. They can include microorganisms like yeast and bacteria, along with fish and plants, among others. GMOs form the basis of genetically modified foods. For example, genetically modified microorganisms are regularly used as sources of enzymes during the manufacture of various processed foods.

While altering the DNA of organisms in order to improve the nutrition and/or quality of food seems plausible in theory, GMOs may actually be causing more harm than good. In the realm of digestion, there appears to be a startling correlation between the addition of GMOs within foods and the increase in digestive disorders. Why might this be? Possibly because the digestive tract is the first and largest point of contact for GM foods once they enter the body.


The Possible Link Between GMOs and Digestive Disorders

Ever since GMOs have entered the food supply, numbers of irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, leaky gut syndrome, constipation, and acid reflux have sharply risen. While no causal relationship has been found, one argument claims that a likely culprit is the Bt toxin (Bacillus thuringiensis). Registered as a pesticide with the EPA, the bacteria is added to food crops, like corn, so that insects that try to eat the crop ingest the toxin and die. Proponents of the Bt toxin as a possible instigator of digestive disorders argue that plants modified to have the Bt toxin become a toxin as well. And when humans consume the plants, the Bt toxin enters their digestive tract – causing harmful consequences

Another possible issue with GMOs is a chain reaction of digestive illnesses. In other words, the prevalence of GMOs and the Bt toxin in our diets causes leaky gut syndrome, which increases overall inflammation within the digestive tract, essentially opening the door for the series of illnesses listed above to develop.

In addition, new research has suggested the use of Roundup in GMO (a pesticide) crops contain plant-derived xenoestrogens that have been linked to carcinogenic transformation through the disruptions of humanhormonal metabolism.  You are basically bombarding your digestive system with undesirable amounts of estrogen-promoting hormones.

 GMOs and Gluten Sensitivity

Alterations to the wheat crop are commonplace in the United States, leading many to see a link between gluten sensitivities and crop modifications. One possible reason may lie in the fact that genetically modified wheat is not actually wheat in its natural state. Instead, it’s altered wheat that could technically be considered fake food – deeming it potentially allergenic and irritating to the digestive tract. Also, genetically modified wheat may have more gluten than regular wheat, aggravating gluten sensitivity even more.

How to Avoid GMO Foods

Soy, wheat, corn, canola, and sugar beats make up the majority of food crops containing GMOs. As most experts recommend avoiding GMOs and genetically modified foods due to the possibility of digestive disorders, exercise caution when eating the crops listed above.