This week, I’ve got more fuel for the fire.

A recent study about chronic exposure to low-levels of atrazine, the most heavily-used herbicide in the U.S., links it to myriad health issues in lab rats including:

• insulin resistance
• obesity
• a heightened risk of diabetes, especially when exposure to atrazine is coupled with high-fat diets.

We’ve all heard about our nation’s unfortunate obesity problem; is it any wonder when obesity-enhancing herbicides are ‘baked in’ to our food? Check out the opening comments of the study…

“ATZ (atrazine)-usage and obesity maps [in the U.S.] show striking overlaps, suggesting that heavy usage of ATZ may be associated with risk of obesity."

When you opt for organic food, your choosing high doses of nutritionally rich flavors and cancer fighting antioxidants, which adds up to a healthy dose of preventative medicine. When you choose and consume conventionally grown foods you are consuming the toxic traces left behind from herbicides like atrazine…all the more reason to spend a bit more for them at the market - or you can get my free report: The Definitive Guide To Shopping For Organic Foods on a Budget” when you sign up for our free newsletter). Or better yet, grow your own organic favorites or visit your local farmers’ market where you’ll find many pesticide- and herbicide-free fruits and veggies at great prices.

I always advise budget-minded readers that if they have to choose only a few organic foods to invest in, they opt for the ones they consume the most.

What are your experiences with shopping for organic foods on a budget? Leave us a comment – we love hearing from you!

Source: THE SCOOP - May 2009 Organic Center Newsletter Study: Soo Lim et al., "Chronic Exposure to the Herbicide, Atrazine, Causes Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Insulin Resistance," Plos One, Vol. 4, Issue 4:e5186, April 2009.