Kelp and Chromium

Andy McGuire (amcguire@coopext.cahe.wsu.edu)
Thu, 16 Sep 1999 08:53:54 -0700

I am not positive, but I think that organic farmers have been using kelp in
similar ways for years. Maybe the next big discovery will be that feeding
kelp to chickens (as Joel Salatin has been for years) is also beneficial.
Just think of all the possible scientific discoveries we could have by
looking at organic farming practices and then putting the science stamp of
approval on those practices.

However, it was noted that "Ranchers seem skeptical," but would try it if
it were available on the market. Who knows, it could end up in feedlot
bunks across the country.

Reminds me of a quote of Deepak Chopra: 'Science is always behind. In the
beginning scientists say, "This guy's a fraud," but then their second
reaction is that maybe he or she has something to say. Their third
reaction is that they do have something to say but that we don't buy all of
it. Their fourth reaction is that it was their idea in the first place.
Then it becomes mainstream thinking, and then finally it's scientific
dogma. Because science is a dogma like anything else. It can't be
divorced from the content of the cultural world view. What science is very
useful for is to document something that we already know."

On this same line, ARS researchers have given us another reason to give up
Wonder bread. They have found that Chromium deficiency, common in
industrialized nations, can lead to middle-age diabetes. Whole grains,
they say, are a good source of chromium.

That's all.

Andy McGuire
Agricultural Systems Educator
Washington State University Cooperative Extension
PO Box 37, Courthouse
Ephrata WA 98823
509-754-2011, Ext. 413
Fax: 509-754-0163

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