Gut Enemy #2 | Glyphosate

Glyphosate is the main ingredient in Roundup. It's an antibiotic that kills the microflora responsible for breaking down the nutrients in the soil for plants and humans to absorb.

Glyphosate was developed to kill weeds in the early 1970s and brought to market in 1974. It was introduced into the United States food system in 1994. While first regarded as safe, much concern about its health implications have since come to light. It's widely used in agriculture to control weeds and boost crop yields, but there is increasing evidence that glyphosate has detrimental impacts on human health (1-10).

Glyphosate blocks our ability to absorb essential amino acids from food. Amino acids are the building blocks to life. We are witnessing a rapid degeneration in cellular integrity in the United States.

In the 1970s, autism affected 1 in 5,000 children. Today, it's 1 in 36. Cancer affects one in two individuals, and autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and MS have surged since the 1990s. We live in an overfed and undernourished population where one in three people are obese. This surge aligns with the introduction and prevalence of glyphosate in our environment and how it affects our biology.

This article covers the various ways to consider glyphosate’s impact on gut health and overall human human health, and how to keep your body safe.

Glyphosate disrupts the gut microbiome

The gut microbiome is an intricate ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms living in our digestive tracts, playing a crucial role in our overall health. The balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut is essential for proper digestion, nutrient absorption, and maintaining a strong immune system.

Glyphosate acts as an antibiotic that not only kills soil health and ecosystems but it destroys our microbiome. The microbiome communicates to the mitochondria in our cells. When this communication pathway is destroyed, we end up with isolated and damaged cells that repopulate in the same growth pattern as cancer.

Glyphosate's mode of action in plants is to inhibit an enzyme called EPSP synthase, which is involved in the metabolism of essential amino acids that we require from food. This same enzyme is also found in some bacteria within the human gut.

Glyphosate is known to disrupt the balance of gut bacteria by negatively affecting the EPSP synthase in these bacteria, potentially leading to an overgrowth of harmful strains while suppressing beneficial ones. This can lead to a condition called dysbiosis, characterized by an unhealthy imbalance in the gut microbiota, which has been linked to various health issues, including inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and autoimmune diseases (1-6).

Impaired nutrient absorption

A healthy gut microbiome is crucial for proper nutrient absorption. When the gut is compromised due to glyphosate exposure, it can lead to malabsorption issues. Essential vitamins and minerals like zinc, iron, and calcium may not be absorbed efficiently, which can result in nutritional deficiencies over time.

Increased gut permeability

Glyphosate has been associated with increased gut permeability or "leaky gut." This occurs when the lining of the intestines becomes more porous, allowing harmful substances like toxins and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream. This can trigger inflammation and immune responses, potentially contributing to various chronic health conditions.

Altered immune function

The gut plays a pivotal role in immune system regulation, and any disruption in gut health can impact immune function. Glyphosate-induced gut disturbances may lead to an overactive immune response, which can contribute to autoimmune diseases, allergies, and chronic inflammation (3,5).

The glyphosate-cancer link

Glyphosate was determined as a "probable human carcinogen" in 2015 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) arm of the World Health Organization. Research shows a compelling link between glyphosate exposure and having an increased risk for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (7-9).

Glyphosate residues in food

Glyphosate is in 75% of our food and our drinking water. Glyphosate is water soluble, meaning that it easily contaminates the water supply. Our bodies are 70% water, suggesting glyphosate has a great ability to permeate much of our own bodies.

Glyphosate residues can be found in a variety of commonly consumed foods, including cereals, grains, and vegetables, due to its extensive use in conventional agriculture, particularly as a weed killer for genetically modified crops (11).

This pervasive exposure to glyphosate means that individuals are regularly ingesting this chemical, potentially leading to chronic low-level exposure, which may have cumulative effects on gut health over time.

What can we do about glyphosate?

It's time to deal with this social, economic, and health crisis by restoring our ecosystems and by getting back to regenerative farming and food practices. Taking active measures to reduce glyphosate buildup in your body is also key for health and vitality.

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Biome Medic offers a proven solution. It has demonstrated the ability to remove glyphosate and promote a healthy gut, both safely and effectively. This gut balancing supplement is certified glyphosate-free by  the Detox Project. Proven Results* in just 6 weeks: 74% Reduction in Glyphosate, 75% Reduction in C-Reactive Protein, & 35% Increase in Intestinal Integrity

Regenerative Nutrition Programs offer a comprehensive approach to eliminating glyphosate and nourishing the body deep down to support the growth of new and healthy cells. Visit the Gut Restoration Expert to find out more.

Learn more on how modern agriculture has created a human health crisis...

REFERENCES

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