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Glyphosate is the most commonly used herbicide in the world. With that in mind, the next sentence will sober your right up. In 2015 glyphosate’s toxic classification was upgraded by the World Health Organisation from “possibly” to “probably carcinogenic to humans”.
Despite the mounting evidence pointing to the harmful effects of glyphosate, this toxic agri-chemical is still being used by the bucket-full around the world, including Australia.
This seemingly nonchalant attitude by government bodies alike is due to the perceived understanding of glyphosate’s mechanism of action. Glyphosate inhibits the shikimate pathway in plants, a pathway human cells do not possess.
However, with recent studies pointing to an undeniable correlation between the steadily increasing use of glyphosate and the rise in autism, obesity, Parkinson’s disease, celiac disease and gluten intolerance, its supposed nontoxic effect in humans needs to start being reconsidered.
Glyphosate Effects on Health
- It has devastating effects on our gut bacteria. While human cells do not possess the shikimate pathway, the bacteria in our gut do. We rely on this pathway in both our gut bacteria and in plants to provide essential amino acids tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine. Tryptophan is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin – the “happy hormone”. Lack of this essential amino acid can contribute to depressive states and a host of neurological disorders.
- A recent study has shown glyphosate to be a major contributing to factor in the development of chronic kidney disease in famers.
- Strong links are being made between the growing epidemic of celiac disease and gluten intolerance, and increasing environmental exposure to glyphosate through the foods we eat. Glyphosate is known to impair detoxifying cytochrome P450 enzymes, with characteristics of celiac disease also associated with impairment of these enzymes.
- Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is associated with exposure to glyphosate. Interestingly, those with celiac disease have an increased risk of cancer, particularly non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
- Deficiencies in iron, molydenum, and copper can be linked to glyphosate’s ability to chelate these elements.
- Glyphosate is a neurotoxin and has been directly implicated in Parkinson’s disease.
Ways to Minimise Your Exposure to Glyphosate
Eat organic foods! And eat them as often as possible. Numerous studies have shown organic diets to significantly reduce our exposure to pesticides.
