Glyphosate and its effect on human health is one of the most controversial topics of the past few years. What exactly is glyphosate? Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup Herbicide, used to kill weeds and prepare crops for harvest. Oats, wheat and barley are some common crops where glyphosate is used. A few weeks before harvest the crops are sprayed with this chemical which accelerates the drying process and allows crops to be harvested earlier. The health risks and the effects on the environment and wildlife are extremely concerning to many individuals. The food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink all expose us to this chemical throughout the day.
You may be wondering, what foods have been shown to contain glyphosate. Oatmeal, cereal, granola bars, Cheerios, Quaker Old-Fashioned Oats, pasta, buckwheat, barley, kidney beans and chickpeas all contain glyphosate. Other foods containing glyphosate may come as more of a surprise. Foods like avocados, apples, blueberries, cherries, cucumbers, dates, dried peas, garlic, lemons, olives, peanuts, pomegranates, potatoes, rice, spinach, sugarcane, tobacco, tomatoes and walnuts. Glyphosate has also been found in unassuming things such as baby formula, breastmilk, and vaccines. Pretty scary, right?
Why are there concerns over exposure to this chemical? Scientific studies show possible links that glyphosate may be correlated to diabetes, numerous cancers, liver damage, kidney problems, obesity, autism, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, depression, autoimmune diseases, sleep disturbances, gut health and food allergies. Pregnant women and children are at an even greater risk from exposure. The disturbing part is, the use of glyphosate is not necessary. So why, you may be thinking, are we gambling with our health, the health of our wildlife and the environment? My thoughts exactly.
What can you do to protect yourself from this toxic chemical? Paying attention to what you are eating is a good place to start. Eating organic food as often as possible helps limit exposure. Glyphosate is banned in organic farming. Unfortunately, about one-third of products may still have traces of glyphosate due to the chemical being used in nearby fields and drifting. Cross contamination in facilities that handle both organic and conventionally grown crops is also a possibility. Even so, the benefits of eating organic surpass any trace amounts of glyphosate in organic items vs. those grown conventionally. Unpasteurized vinegar is also recommended due to its ability to break down glyphosate. Try a shot early in morning, mix with a bit of water a few times a day, and use in salad dressings. It takes a bit of getting used to, but unpasteurized vinegar is linked to many health benefits. Garlic and cruciferous vegetables (think broccoli, cauliflower, kale, onions, Brussel sprouts) contain sulfur which help eliminate glyphosate from your body. Filtering your water is also recommended. Another obvious way to avoid exposure is to avoid using glyphosate in your home and garden.
There are currently a number of tests on the market that claim to determine your exposure to glyphosate. The Glyphosate Urine Test claims to reveal the amount of glyphosate you’ve been exposed to in the past two or three weeks. A Glyphosate Hair Test claims to show accumulated exposure over the past three or four months. Once you order the test, you become part of the HRI Glyphosate Environmental Study, which is a research project to learn more about the extent of glyphosate exposure. As part of the study, you can see where your level of exposure falls in regard to others and get tips on how to reduce your exposure. If you’re concerned about how much glyphosate exposure you encounter than you may be interested in purchasing the Urine Test Kit for $99. For those with gut issues, sleep disturbances, autoimmune diseases and other chronic diseases correlated with glyphosate exposure it may worth trying. I personally would love to see my glyphosate exposure level. While I have yet to purchase the test kit I may eventually. It would be great if insurance company would cover a urine test for everyone as part of a yearly checkup.
While it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the toxicity of our environment remember that you have the power to make choices that will lead to a healthier life.
https://www.webmd.com/cancer/herbicide-glyphosate-cancer#1
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/08/04/glysophate-health-risks.aspx
https://shop.mercola.com/product/2057/glyphosate-urine-test-kit