Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Monsanto’s popular “broad spectrum” herbicide, Roundup. This herbicide has greatly impacted agricultural methods and is at the root of the rise of chronic illness in the United States. Many genetically modified foods are designed to be “Round up Ready” meaning they are resistant to roundup. As of 2001, Glyphosate is the most used herbicide. Let’s take a look at how glyphosate is causing chronic illness and what you can do to minimize exposure on your path to wellness.
It is generally accepted that the farming land in the Unites States is becoming increasingly more mineral deficient. This idea is used to justify the need for taking supplements daily. But humans are not deficient in supplements. We are becoming deficient in plant based nutrition. By understanding what is causing these mineral deficiencies, we are able to make dietary adjustments and lifestyle changes were all we need is whole foods, exercise, rest, and sunshine to live a life full of vitality.
Monsanto claims that glyphosate is non-toxic. “All Roundup® Weed & Grass Killer products contain the same active ingredient*, glyphosate, which targets an enzyme found in plants but not in people or pets.” This claim could not be further from the truth. However, the damage caused by glyphosate may take years before symptoms appear, so although death is not imminent with ingestion, chronic illness is prevalent with chronic exposure. Glyphosate targets a protein synthesis pathway called the shikimate pathway.
There are multiple pathways by which glyphosate could lead to pathology. A major consideration is that our gut bacteria do have the shikimate pathway, and that we depend upon this pathway in our gut bacteria as well as in plants to supply us with the essential aromatic amino acids, tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. Methionine, an essential sulfur-containing amino acid, and glycine, are also negatively impacted by glyphosate. Furthermore, many other biologically active molecules, including serotonin, melatonin, melanin, epinephrine, dopamine, thyroid hormone, folate, coenzyme Q10, vitamin K, and vitamin E, depend on the shikimate pathway metabolites as precursors. Gut bacteria and plants use exclusively the shikimate pathway to produce these amino acids. In part because of shikimate pathway disruption, our gut bacteria are harmed by glyphosate, as evidenced by the fact that it has been patented as an antimicrobial agent. – Stephanie Seneff
Ever been told that you need to supplement iron, folate, coenzyme Q10, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin B12, Magnesium, Manganese, Chondroitin Sulfate, or Glutathione? All of these deficiencies are directly correlated to ingesting glyphosate that inhibits the production of precursors necessary to create those nutrients in bioavailable forms. Glyphosate binds to an enzyme, EPSPS, in the shikimate pathway that produces amino acids that are necessary to create bioavailable forms of nutrients listed above.
Glyphosate harms the bacteria and fungus in the soil and in our intestines leaving the soil and our bodies lacking in bioavailable nutrients. This creates a perceived need for fertilizers and supplements. But what we really need is avoid further use or ingestion of glyphosate and to flood the soil with bacteria and fungus to effectively break down the glyphosate. This can be accomplished by creating compost for farmland and ingesting fermented vegetables and mushrooms.
Illnesses that have increased with the use of glyphosate include but are not limited to Lyme disease, Autism, ALS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Insomnia, Obesity, Cancer, Tooth Decay, and Mitochondria Disease.
The most common sources of glyphosate in food are Round Up Ready GMO crops and conventionally grown crops that are sprayed with Roundup three days before harvest. Foods approved to be grown as GMOs in the US are corn, soybeans, cotton, canola, sugar beets (can be GMO and labeled organic), alfalfa, papaya, yellow “crook neck” squash, zucchini, “Arctic” apple, and “Innate” potato. Crops that are sprayed with Roundups a few days before harvest include wheat, peanuts, nuts, beans, lentils, and oats. These lists are a baseline, but are not all encompassing.
Conventional animal agriculture feeds their livestock with gmo corn and soy. The glyphosate builds up into the animal tissue and remains in the animal products you buy in stores and at restaurants. If you are not ready to give up animal products, make sure to buy grass fed, free range, organic animal products or wild caught fish.
Organic farmers are not allowed to spray Roundup on their crops, so eating organic is a great way to reduce exposure. However, conventional farmers use aerial spraying techniques that cause contamination of neighboring organic farms. Glyphosate is so prevalent in our society that trace amounts have been found in rainwater. It is not possible to completely eliminate glyphosate, but we can dramatically reduce exposure and support our elimination organs to prevent it from building up in our bodies.
Protect yourself from glyphosate by buying organic and non-gmo produce and going gluten-free. Products high in gluten, such as wheat, barley, rye, and oats are also heavily sprayed with Roundup. Most processed food includes ingredients that are sprayed with glyphosate. For a processed food to be certified organic, it only needs to contain 95% organic ingredients (unless labeled 100% organic). Therefore, even 5% of organic packaged foods could contain trace amounts of glyphosate in the form of gmos or conventional produce. Take control by growing your own garden, boycotting Monsanto, refusing to buy products sprayed with Roundup, and supporting your local organic farmers.
Liver flushes and coffee enemas support your liver and colon thereby increasing nutrient absorption and detoxification of toxins, such as glyphosate. Epsom salt baths help replenish magnesium and sulfur. Sea vegetables and sea salt help replenish trace minerals that are deficient in our soil. By completing a liver flush series, performing coffee enemas, taking regular Epsom salt baths, and eating an organic, non-gmo, whole food diet you can heal whatever chronic illness ails you and return to vibrancy without taking supplements. Nature has innate methods to return to a state of harmony. In agriculture, organic permaculture returns the land to harmony. In humans, organic food consumption and a healthy lifestyle returns our bodies to harmony.
For further reading, check out research by Dr. Stephanie Seneff at MIT. She has published several peer review articles looking at trends involving usage of Round Up.
Sources:
http://www.roundup.com/smg/goART3/Howto/how-do-roundup-weed-and-grass-killer-products-work/43200019
http://pubmedcentralcanada.ca/pmcc/articles/PMC4392553/
