It’s time to address that dreaded topic – toxic pesticide exposure. You might think it’s unlikely to affect you directly, but believe me, it’s a real and present danger that’s happening right now. I keep coming across patients suffering from chronic health conditions that are linked to exposure to the harmful weed killer, glyphosate (also known as Roundup®).
Let me introduce you to Diego, a 6-year-old boy who’s been struggling with behavioral problems and skin rashes for years. Recently, his doctor and mother ordered a urine test to check for glyphosate exposure and found his levels were far above average. Now, take a step back and think about how old you are. Are you at greater risk than Diego? The answer is probably yes. Glyphosate is now seeping into your food and, by extension, your body.
The Rising Threat of Glyphosate
Initially launched in the 1970s, glyphosate was meant to kill off weeds and help increase crop production. Over the years, its use increased exponentially, with commercial formulations containing up to 41% concentration and domestic use products going as low as 1%.
The brain behind glyphosate’s weed-killing prowess lies in its ability to hinder the production of three vital amino acids: tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine. Unfortunately, these amino acids are crucial not only for plants but also for humans. Furthermore, glyphosate disrupts our gut bacteria and alters our intestinal microbial flora, which has been associated with chronic inflammation and diseases such as leaky gut syndrome. To make matters worse, recent research has revealed that glyphosate might also be responsible for depleting the micronutrient content in our food.
The Pervasiveness of Glyphosate
You might be wondering if your risk of exposure is insignificant; however, consider this: as crops such as wheat, oats, sugar cane, potatoes, sunflowers, and cantaloupes near harvest, farmers apply glyphosate to speed up the process. Over the years, studies have shown that glyphosate residue has seeped into rain, rivers, groundwater, and soil samples across 38 states in the United States.
A recent survey conducted by the University of California, San Francisco, analyzed glyphosate exposure in the general American population and found that a staggering 93% of those tested had glyphosate residues. The survey’s full results are still awaited, but I think it’s safe to say that the odds of your exposure are much higher than you could’ve imagined.
Bioaccumulation and Health Risks
Studying the long-term effects of glyphosate exposure on humans has been tricky and often reveals insidious illnesses. The chemical can seep into our organs, accumulate in our body fat over the years, and wreak havoc on our health and food supplies in the process.
The bioaccumulation of glyphosate in animals presents a considerable cause for concern, given that the same can happen to humans. Furthermore, glyphosate is being combined with even more toxic chemicals to amplify its effects. This combination poses even a greater risk and has been linked to birth defects, neurological disorders in children, fertility issues in young adults, and cancer in older individuals.
Don Huber, a leading researcher in glyphosate studies, points to glyphosate’s capacity to cause “endocrine disruption, DNA damage, reproductive and developmental toxicities, neurotoxicity, cancer, and birth defects” in humans. Other research conducted last year reported that glyphosate exposure was linked to teratogenic (birth defects), tumorigenic (cancer-causing), and hepatorenal (liver and kidney) conditions, all of which occur through endocrine (hormone) disruption and metabolic irregularities.
When worldwide glyphosate usage is correlated with a likely contamination, the following chronic illnesses emerge:
- Autism
- Hypertension and stroke (cardiovascular disease)
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Lipoprotein metabolism disorder (dyslipidemia)
- Alzheimer’s dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease)
- Intestinal infections, dysbiosis, IBS, and leaky gut syndrome
- Chronic kidney disease
- Cancers of the bladder, kidney, liver, pancreas, thyroid, and myeloid leukemia
Owing to the increasing resistance from Monsanto and other herbicide producers, impartial scientists published a “Statement of Concern” this year, highlighting the connection between glyphosate and the rising rates of chronic illness among humans.
Monitoring and Treating Glyphosate Exposure
Great Plains Laboratory has developed a method to measure glyphosate and its companion chemicals in urine samples. To find out what you can do to cleanse yourself of glyphosate exposure before falling prey to chronic illnesses, refer to my detailed post on treating herbicide buildup in your body. Here’s to enjoying a clean environment and embracing good health.
