Yet Another Frankenfood Pandora’s Box: the Majority of Supplements are Now Laced with GMOs

Contributing Writer for Wake Up World

Just when you thought it couldn’t become much worse on the GMO front, information has surfaced indicating supplements often contain genetically modified organisms. Favorites like B-complex, vitamins C, E and D are particularly risky. Paradoxically, it is believed that a majority of acai and resveratrol products harbor GM material as well.

With genetically modified food, toxic pesticides and harmful pathogens are consumed in each and every bite. These contaminants are not simply sprayed externally, they have been engineered right into the plant — and onto your plate. And now ‘healthy’ supplements have been contaminated with genetically modified materials from corn, soy, cottonseed and bio-technical manufacturing practices.

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The Dirty Six

Some vitamins are more likely than others to contain GMOs. Through production methods, B and C vitamins as well as beta-carotene (precursor to vitamin A) are high on the list of GMO contaminated supplements. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is often derived from corn while A and B vitamins are manufactured with a bio-technical process using genetically modified microorganisms. Vitamin E is produced from soybeans or cottonseed. Unfortunately, fat soluble vitamins like D and K are commonly attached to carrier molecules made from starch, glucose or maltodextrin — all of which are likely derived from GM sources such as corn and sugar beets.

Bearing in mind that 85 percent of corn, 91 percent of soybeans and 88 percent of cotton grown in the U.S. are genetically modified, there is a very good chance GMOs have made their way into your supplements.

Hidden GMO Poisons in Acai and Resveratrol

Acai is famously known as a potent Amazonian superfruit, while grape derived resveratrol is a mighty anti-aging and longevity tonic. Both contain vast amounts of powerful antioxidants that encourage vibrant health. Regrettably, it is estimated that 90 percent of these supplements contain genetically modified material due to magnesium stearate content.

Magnesium stearate seems like a fairly innocuous substance — it is used as an anticaking agent and emulsifier in manufacturing. However, upon closer inspection, magnesium stearate is predominantly made from conventional soy, corn or animal fat — three prime sources of genetically modified organisms. If magnesium stearate is present, so are GMOs unless sourced organically.

Do not despair. Several supplement companies have already adopted 100 percent organic ingredients. According to Jeffrey Smith, director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, if a food or supplement is certified organic, it cannot contain GM ingredients. Some are even verified through the Non-GMO Project. For a list of validated brands visit: www.nongmoproject.org.

The battle continues for safe food. Now more than ever, it is crucial to stay vigilant and informed.

Sources for this article include:
www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_15261.cfm
www.newswithviews.com/Smith/jeffrey.htm
www.nongmoproject.org
www.gmo-compass.org/eng/database/food/360.food_supplements.html
www.powersupplements.com/blog/621/gmo-acai-resveratrol/
www.gmo-compass.org/eng/database/ingredients/204.vitamins.html
www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/brands/invisible-gm-ingredients.html
www.gmo-compass.org/eng/database/ingredients/200.docu.html
www.gmo-compass.org/eng/database/e-numbers/203.vitamin_e.html