Glyphosate: The Most Dangerous Substance You May Be Consuming

Glyphosate. Ever heard of it? Probably not. So let me introduce it to you – it is the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup®. The more I learn about it, the more I am concerned. The more I learn about it, the more I am convinced that it may be the number one enemy of good health and the main pathway to so many of the modern diseases we now experience. And if nothing else, it is a great reason to eat organic. 

The information I am sharing is from highly respected researchers - MIT PhDs. They have conducted their own studies and reported on others that link the increase in the use of glyphosate with the increase in many modern diseases, including celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and cancer. When we understand what glyphosate does in our bodies we see how specific nutrients are depleted and the subsequent negative impact on specific biological processes essential for good health. My purpose here is to provide a summary of the findings. If you want to research this more I suggest you search Stephanie Seneff, PhD.

The article I read focused on celiac disease, its main symptoms, and glyphosate. The main symptoms of celiac disease are: weight loss, diarrhea, chronic fatigue, neurological disorders, anemia, nausea, skin rashes, depression, and nutrient deficiencies. As you know these symptoms are not unique to celiac disease. They are experienced daily by many people and likely share common origins and roots with celiac disease – one of these being glyphosate consumption and exposure.

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup®. We are told it is not toxic to humans. Yet multiple scientific research studies draw links to obesity, autism, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, infertility, depression, and cancer as well as celiac disease. The bottom line is that the actions of glyphosate in our body have negative impacts on our health.

One of the major signs of celiac disease is damage to the microvilli of the intestine. This prevents proper digestion and assimilation of many vital nutrients and triggers an autoimmune response. A study on fish exposed to glyphosate showed the same defects in the small intestine lining as seen in humans diagnosed with celiac disease.

Now let’s take a look at some of the specific biological process disrupted and nutrients depleted by glyphosate. There are many more than discussed here, but I selected the major ones to support the main point of this article.

Gut bacteria: Glyphosate disrupt our gut bacteria. They inhibit growth of the good bacteria such as Enterococcus, Bifidobacteria, and Lactobacillus; while allowing the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and Clostridium difficile (C-Diff). The pathogenic bacteria cause damage to our gut lining and lead to “leaky gut.” Evidence of this has been seen across poultry, cattle, and swine populations. This is why Probiotics are often suggested to be used in cases of celiac disease or other intestinal discomfort.

As a side note, this is how Roundup® kills bugs. It blows their guts up!

CYP enzymes for liver detoxification: CYP enzymes are essential for the detoxification of specific substances in our liver. CYP enzymes are also required to produce bile acids and process cholesterol.  Studies show correlations between liver damage, gall bladder dysfunction, high cholesterol, non-alcoholic fatty liver, kidney damage, pancreatic damage, and esophageal damage connected to glyphosate. In short, when the detoxification process in the liver is compromised it creates the pathways for damage to these other organs.

Nutrient deficiencies: Many nutrient deficiencies are associated with glyphosate. 

Cobalamin (B12) deficiency causes elevated levels of homocysteine which is inflammatory in nature. Cobalamin is derived from cobalt which glyphosate is known to chelate (bind with), thus the shortage. Anemia may result from cobalamin deficiencies, but also folate and iron. Glyphosate interferes with iron assimilation as well. 

Molybdenum, a trace mineral, is needed for two key enzymes. Sulfite oxidase which converts sulfite to sulfate (a more stable form) and xanthine oxidase which produces uric acid from xanthine and hypoxanthine. Too much sulfite and uric acid leads to oxidative damage and inflammation in the body. Glyphosate interferes with molybdenum assimilation.

Selenium is required for many processes, including thyroid hormone production, immune system functioning, sperm production, and protective against oxidative cellular damage. Glyphosate inhibits selenium uptake into plants, thus limiting its availability in the foods (such as wheat) where it is supposed to be present. Evidence of the association between thyroid disease and thyroid cancer and the use of glyphosate is documented.

Glyphosate has been shown to disrupt the production of tryptophan. Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin. Serotonin plays many roles among them activating the immune response and inflammation in the gut and mood regulation. Depression is often linked to serotonin shortages.  

This is a brief synopsis of one of many articles on the subject of glyphosate. As I stated earlier, the more I read about this herbicide, the more I do believe it is at the source of many of our health problems today. It is not the only cause, but in combination with other factors our bodies our under assault from environmental factors that we have never before experienced as a human race.

The solution to avoiding glyphosate is simple. Eat organic plants and animals. That will greatly decrease your chances for exposure.

Bernard Rosen, PhD is a Nutrition Consultant and Educator. He works with individuals, groups, and at corporations to create individualized nutrition and wellness programs. His office is in Mequon, WI. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, e-mail at bernie@brwellness.com, call (262) 389-9907 or go to www.brwellness.com.

It’s In Your Genes: Ten Factors That Influence Exercise Outcomes

I have recently introduced you to the book Body by Science by Doug McDuff, MD and John Little. This book offers a clear explanation of the actual science of exercise, how activity relates to hormones, and how this determines what happens in your body. In short, it answers the question I am frequently asked. “Why am I gaining weight when I am working out every day?” 

In the introductory article I summarized his key points. In this article I will address one of those key points. Genetic expression plays a major role in our physical appearance. People can do similar types of exercise but in the end their genes determine how their physical activity is expressed in their body.

One of my favorite parts in Body by Science is the discussion of genetic expression. Quite simply there are certain things that are meant to be and they aren’t going to change. They show a picture of a forest of the same type of tree, yet one is significantly taller than the others. If you only saw it, you’d assume it was the norm, but in fact it is the exception.

These same basic principles apply to the human body. Some people are the way they are simply because of genetics. Two people could do the exact same workout but based on their genes one can emerge as a championship body builder and the other will not. 

Here’s a look at ten genetic factors that come into play.

1.      Somatotype – a fancy word for body types. There are three main body types for humans. Endomorphy is the tendency towards soft and round body contours. Mesmorphy is the tendency towards being more muscular. Ectomorphy is the tendency towards being skinnier. What you are is what you have to work with. The ectomorph will have a hard time becoming an Olympic weight lifter!

2.      Muscle length determines how long a muscle can become, which will ultimately determine how large it can be.

3.      Muscle fiber density determines the mass potential for the muscle. If it can have more fibers, it can become larger.

4.       Skeletal formation – this will also impact how large a muscle can become based on how and where it attaches to the bones.

5.      Neuromuscular efficiency – how wells nerves and muscles communicate will impact how well the muscles can develop.

6.      Myostatin – this is a protein produced due to gene GDF-8 (growth and differentiation factor 8). This protein stops the muscles from becoming too large. So, a particular expression of this gene will allow muscles to grow larger than the might ordinarily be.

7.      Interleukin-15 – this gene has various combinations which has associations to how one’s muscle size will respond to exercise.

8.      Alpha-Actinin-3 – this is a protein component of fast-twitch muscle. Eighteen percent of the population lacks it while all champion athletes have been found to have it.

9.      Myosin Light Chain Kinase – this is an enzyme that supports how your muscles build. Some people experience more muscle damage with exertion so should have a longer recovery time meaning they should train less frequently to maximize results.

10.   Angiotensin Converting Enzyme – an enzyme that determines vascular tone. This influences exercise endurance.

So there you have it. What does it all mean? Set realistic expectations and goals around your exercise program. Accept who you are and the exercise you can perform. Some areas are out of your control and pushing beyond your body’s genetic design is not going to get you anywhere. 

Bernard Rosen, PhD is a Nutrition Consultant and Educator. He works with individuals, groups, and at corporations to create individualized nutrition and wellness programs. His office is in Mequon, WI. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, e-mail at bernie@brwellness.com, call (262) 389-9907 or go to www.brwellness.com.