You have certainly heard about the benefits of eating organically grown foods, but some of you may not be clear on what the term organic really means. In short, organic refers to how agricultural products are grown and processed.

According to Dr. Greene, M.D.—our health hero of the month—it is an ecological system that relies on healthy, rich soil to produce plants that resist pests and diseases.

Organic farming prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemicals in favor of innovative practices that work with nature, instead of against it, such as crop rotation, cover crop planting, beneficial insect release and composting.

In the case of livestock, no antibiotics or synthetic hormones are permitted. Organic production also prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Organic practices mean:

• No pesticides to contaminate our soil and water or injure farm workers
• No fertilizers to runoff and contaminate rivers, lakes and oceans
• A healthier and more sustainable environment for us all

Pesticides In Our Food and Environment

Chemicals used in conventional farming pose many risks to human health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged with evaluating pesticides and setting "acceptable risk" levels of exposure.

EPA's tests have largely been conducted on fully grown adult men or non-human animal species, exposing them to one chemical at a time.

Evidence now shows that chemicals in combination—the way we are usually exposed to them in everyday life—may exponentially increase health risk.

Additionally, many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Now the EPA considers 60% of all herbicides, 90% of all fungicides, and 30% of all insecticides as potentially cancer-causing.

Why Organic Especially for Children?

Children are developing organs to last a lifetime. Dr. Greene notes that due to their smaller size, fast-growing speedy metabolisms, and less varied diets, infants and children are more vulnerable to health and developmental damage.

In 1993, a congressionally mandated study by the National Academy of Sciences expressed concern that existing methods of risk evaluation for pesticide exposure were failing children.

More recently, the Consumers Union and Environmental Working Group have released studies confirming that children are overexposed even if their exposure is within legal limits.

Current federal government regulations on pesticides may not adequately protect children. A report released in April 2000 by Congress' investigative arm raised the concern that the current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards do not account for children being more vulnerable than adults at the same level of pesticide exposure.

Both their smaller size and their maturing organ systems put children at significantly higher risk. Levels set just by studying effects on adults are not adequate. Children deserve better.

While advocates fight to change the system, buying organic products, if they are available and you can afford them, and supporting organic agriculture may be your best protection.

Why Does Organic Cost More?

Organic products do tend to cost more than their conventional counterparts. To some extent, this is changing as production capacity and demand for organic products increase, improving production efficiencies and lowering prices at the checkout.

In addition, many involved in organic are striving for a sustainable agricultural system—one which is ecologically sound as well as economically viable. Paying farmers a fair price for their products is an important tenet for many involved in organic agriculture.

Looking beyond the price of an organic product and considering the true value, may shed light on the subject. When considering products for your children, organic may indeed be a far better value.

An Opportunity to Support a Healthier Tomorrow

Our children are our most treasured resources, and we have the opportunity to protect them. By reducing toxic exposure, organic products can help us raise healthy, strong children.

Through nurturing the soil and keeping toxic and persistent chemicals out of the environment, organic agriculture is one thing we can support to help us pass along a healthy and safe planet for future generations.

The cost may be a little more, but the value for you and your family may be far greater. Dr. Greene is the Chief Medical Officer of A.D.A.M., the Founder & CEO of DrGreene.com, and the Pediatric Expert for AmericanBaby.com.

He is on the Clinical Faculty at Stanford University School of Medicine where he sees patients and teaches Residents. He is the President of Hi-Ethics (Health Internet Ethics) and helped URAC develop its standards for eHealth accreditation.

Dr. Greene has been recognized by Advance for Health Information Executives as one of the top 25 most influential forces in healthcare IT. Dr. Greene was also named Intel's Internet Health Hero for children's health. He is an author, medical expert, and a media personality.