Studies have demonstrated that occupational/agricultural exposure to pesticides has been linked to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, low sperm count, and obesity. Even in the general population, regardless of occupation or living demographics, about 90% of Americans are found to have measurable pesticide levels in their urine. In a study of school age kids in which half were placed on organic food vs traditional grown food, a marked decrease in pesticide levels in the urine were noted with an organic diet.
The concern with pesticides is that as a class, they typically disrupt the nervous system of the insects they are targeted for. In humans, pesticides can accumulate in fat cells, potentially affect our own nervous system, and lead to damage to our DNA, increase potential risks for cancer and abnormal cell growth. Studies have also demonstrated negative effects on our own natural killer cells - part of our immune system which helps to early on kill viruses that invade our body as well as cancer cells. So with potential exposure and deleterious effects, how can we prevent the accumulation of pesticides in our bodies?
Where possible - choose organic foods to limit exposure.
Limit animal protein which in itself may contain higher levels of pesticides depending on where it was raised. - "You are what you Eat, Ate"
Encourage detoxification process - exercise/sweat, good hydration, high fiber diet can all help in removing pesticides from our body. A diet with less processed food, sugar, and a rainbow of organic vegetables and fruit can all help lower inflammation in the body and encourage our own natural detoxification pathways to work their best.