When we ran a produce store we welcomed glyphosate as a friendly product to sell, in particular for home gardeners. We were told it was nonresidual and therefore a safe product to use in veggie gardens! Some decades later we are finding out that this is just not true. Not only is it residual and getting into waterways and remaining in the soil, reports are now coming in that chemical-reliant farmers have sprayed so much glyphosate (the main ingredient in Roundup) on crops that it’s now showing up in food ingredients at “extreme” levels. In fact, so much glyphosate is applied to our fields that it’s also detected in our rain!
This is a real problem, given that the World Health Organization just announced its active ingredient is probably a cancer causer in humans. To protect ourselves from this chemical assault, we turned to integrative-medicine expert and licensed acupuncturist Isaac Eliaz, MD, for ways to protect our bodies from harmful Roundup expsoure:
Isaac Eliaz, MD: Glyphosate has been shown to be a hormone disruptor, with the potential for a wide range of detrimental impacts on both human and animal populations, including reproductive damage and cancer formation. Unfortunately, it is used extensively by the agricultural industry and also by homeowners on lawns and gardens, with reports indicating increased usage in attempts to control emerging pesticide-resistant superweeds. Studies are mounting that indicate that this pesticide is a serious health risk.
The body has a complex network of detoxification mechanisms and pathways. There are a number of vitamins, minerals, and other natural compounds that provide essential cofactors for the proper functioning of these mechanisms and pathways. Dietary choices that help with detoxification include organic fruits, vegetables, seaweeds, and sprouted whole grains, which are high in enzymes, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protective antioxidants.
Another essential cofactor is sulfur, with high levels found in cruciferous vegetables, onions, and garlic, as well as protein sources like eggs, fish, nuts, legumes, and organic meat and poultry.
In addition to these dietary factors, natural compounds that can be taken in supplement form for more targeted support include modified citrus pectin and alginates, which clinical research supports are natural binding agents for toxins. For broad-spectrum, comprehensive support for detoxification and protection of organs and tissues, a detoxification formula is available that provides a combination of sulfur-containing amino acids, cofactor vitamins and minerals, such as folate, B6, zinc, magnesium, selenium, and molybdenum, and botanical extracts, including Gingko biloba extract, which has been studied for its specific effects in preventing glyphosate induced toxicity.
An important point to consider is that there are thousands of chemicals now found in our environment and in our bodies. This cannot be ignored, as the cumulative, combined effects of even very low levels of multiple toxic compounds are unknown and a cause for great concern. Glyphosate stands out as one of the significant threats, since disruption of our delicate hormone balance has the strongest effects on some of our most vulnerable populations—the developing fetus, infants, and growing children, as well as men and women of reproductive age. As we age, hormonal effects can also impact our risk for development of hormone-sensitive cancers. This is a multigenerational problem that could affect, in the long term, the reproductive health of our species.
Acknowledgement: Rodale’ Wellness – Leah Zebre
