Glyphosate

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides globally, often recognized as the active ingredient of Roundup©. It is found in air, water, soil, and in many of the food products we consume, making it almost omnipresent in many countries. Its widespread use and persistence have raised significant concerns about its impact on human health and the environment.

Where Does It Come From?

Glyphosate is a powerful herbicide introduced to the global market by Monsanto in the 1970s. It is typically used on genetically modified (GM) crops that are engineered to resist its effects, but it is also applied to conventional crops, lawns, gardens, and public spaces. Studies have shown that glyphosate can be detected in surface waters, groundwater, soil, and atmospheric samples, demonstrating its ubiquity in our world [1] [2].

How Does It Affect You

Though glyphosate’s impact on human health is still a subject of debate, there is mounting evidence demonstrating that long-term exposure has many adverse effects. Here are some ways your health can be impacted:

Probable human carcinogen: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen in 2015, particularly in relation to non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Recent studies demonstrate that glyphosate and its formulations are a “coherent and compelling” cause of NHL in individuals exposed to glyphosate [3].
Gut microbiome disruption: Glyphosate works by inhibiting the shikimate pathway, an essential metabolic route in plants and bacteria. While humans do not have this pathway, many of the trillions of bacteria in our guts do. One study found more than half of the most common gut bacteria to be sensitive to glyphosate [4]. For this reason, glyphosate can negatively impact our gut microbiome. Disruption of the microbiome can lead to broader health problems, including autoimmunity and gastrointestinal diseases [5].
Liver and kidney damage: Some studies have shown that glyphosate exposure might be linked to liver and kidney damage. Research in animals has indicated that long-term exposure to glyphosate can result in oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to tissue damage [6] [7].
Endocrine disruption: Glyphosate has also been identified as a likely endocrine disruptor, satisfying at least 8 of the 10 key characteristics of an “Endocrine Disrupting Chemical” [8]. It can interfere with hormone signaling, potentially affecting reproductive health and development. Studies have shown that glyphosate can not only mimic estrogen, but also alter the production of estrogen hormones and receptors, which are crucial for many physiological processes including fertility [9]. Additionally, glyphosate has been shown to interfere with cytochrome P450 enzymes, which play a crucial role in detoxifying many chemicals, including hormones, in the body [10]. The health implications are many, including the disruption of hormone balance.
Environmental destruction: Beyond human health, glyphosate also poses significant threats to the environment. It has been linked to the decline of biodiversity, as it can harm non-target organisms, including beneficial insects, aquatic life, and soil microorganisms [2]. Its persistence in the environment further exacerbates these issues, affecting ecosystems over time.

How To Protect Yourself

Given the widespread presence of glyphosate, it's crucial to take steps to minimize exposure. Here are some ways to protect yourself:

Eat organic. Organic farming prohibits the use of synthetic herbicides like glyphosate. By choosing organic foods, especially for crops like corn, wheat, oats, and soybeans, which are commonly treated with glyphosate, you can significantly reduce your exposure [11].
Know your local agricultural practices. Glyphosate is heavily used in conventional agriculture. If you live near active-use farms, consider limiting outdoor activities when pesticides are being sprayed. Call your local farms to learn more about their practices. Support local farms that adopt sustainable, non-toxic farming practices to reduce community-wide exposure.
Ensure that your drinking water is not contaminated. Glyphosate residues have been detected in both drinking water and groundwater. If you are on city water, your public works department will know if your drinking water is tested for glyphosate. At the time of writing, home testing and adequate home filtration are not reasonable options for many families. If unsure of the status of your water, the best option is to advocate for testing and treatment with your local government.

Work with a naturopathic doctor / naturopath to help you assess for environmental pollutants and to understand how they may be affecting your health. The information on this website is a guide for ways to protect you and your family from environmental pollutants. It is not meant to replace advice from a healthcare professional.

3 Essentials

Choose organic foods whenever possible.
Limit outdoor activities near active-use farms.
Ensure the safety of your drinking water.

Additional Key Recommendations

Wash your produce thoroughly.
If you cannot buy exclusively organic produce, be aware of the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen”.
Include prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods in your diet to support your microbiome.
Avoid processed foods.
Support regulations and research, and glyphosate-free brands and companies.
Grow your own food.
Shop for “glyphosate residue-free” and “Non-GMO” labels.
Use non-toxic household cleaners and personal care products.
Build your baseline health to be better able to defend against toxins like glyphosate.

References

Lima, I.B., Boëchat, I.G., Fernandes, M.D. et al. Glyphosate pollution of surface runoff, stream water, and drinking water resources in Southeast Brazil. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2022;30(10): 27030–27040. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-24167-2
Benbrook CM. Impacts of genetically engineered crops on pesticide use in the U.S.—the first sixteen years. Environ Sci Eur. 2012;24:24. doi:10.1186/2190-4715-24-24
Weisenburger DD. A review and update with perspective of evidence that the herbicide glyphosate (Roundup) is a cause of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2021;21(9):621-630. doi:10.1016/j.clml.2021.04.003
Puigbò P, Leino LI, Rainio MJ, et al. Does glyphosate affect the human microbiota? Life (Basel). 2022;12(8):1188. doi:10.3390/life12081188
Cénit M, Matzaraki V, Tigchelaar E, Zhernakova A. Rapidly expanding knowledge on the role of the gut microbiome in health and disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 2014;1842(10):1981-1992. doi:10.1016/j.bbadis.2014.05.023
Séralini GE, Clair E, Mesnage R, et al. Republished study: long-term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize. Environ Sci Eur. 2014;26:14. doi:10.1186/s12302-014-0014-5
Mesnage R, Renney G, Séralini GE, Ward M, Antoniou MN. Multiomics reveal non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats following chronic exposure to an ultra-low dose of Roundup herbicide. Sci Rep. 2017;7:39328. doi:10.1038/srep39328
Muñoz JP, Bleak TC, Calaf GM. Glyphosate and the key characteristics of an endocrine disruptor: a review. Chemosphere. 2020;268:128619. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128619
Ingaramo P, Alarcón R, Muñoz-de-Toro M, Luque EH. Are glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides endocrine disruptors that alter female fertility? Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2020;518:110934. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2020.110934
Samsel A, Seneff S. Glyphosate's suppression of cytochrome P450 enzymes and amino acid biosynthesis by the gut microbiome: pathways to modern diseases. Environ Health Perspect. 2013.
Fagan J, Bohlen L, Patton S, Klein K. Organic diet intervention significantly reduces urinary glyphosate levels in U.S. children and adults. Environ Res. 2020;189:109898. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2020.109898