8 Reasons to Avoid Glyphosate Sprayed Food

[Guest Post from Emily Uebergang of The Urban Ecolife.]


The chemical Glyphosate is more commonly known for its presence in the herbicide spray Roundup®; the most widely used herbicide across the globe.

  • Genetically Engineered (GE) crop are ‘Roundup® ready’ which means that they've been genetically modified in such a way to withstand the ill effects of glyphosate.

    Whilst the manufacturer of the product, Monsanto, may deem the product as safe, you will come to learn that the effects of glyphosate are widespread; from environmental damage to its ill effect on our health.


Here are 8 reasons to avoid glyphosate sprayed food and opt for organic and sustainably produced fruits and vegetables, instead.

1. Roundup® is deemed as an environmental hazard

Monsanto was found to be guilty of false advertising by the French Courts in its claim that Roundup is ‘safe’, ‘biodegradable’ and ‘non-harmful to human health’, deeming it as an environmental hazard in the European Union.

What makes it safe for other countries?



2. Glyphosate is damaging to ecosystems

From spray drift that carries the toxins through the air, to runoff that pollutes the waterways and causes harm to aquatic life due to its high water solubility; glyphosate has a significant ecological footprint on the planet.

  • Take for example the fact that the use of glyphosate sprays have been directly linked to the decline of the Monarch Butterfly.

    It’s used to kill off Milkweed around crop; the only plant matter that the Monarch caterpillar is able to eat. By killing off it’s main food source, population numbers have dramatically fallen over the years. You can read more about this here.

 

3. Glyphosate negatively impacts the soil

Glyphosate accumulates in the soil over time and decreases the amount of organic soil matter, known as humus, which is crucial for sustainable plant growth and regeneration. Subsequently, there’s a need for synthetic fertilizers to replenish lost nutrients in order to actually grow anything. This reliability on external inputs is both costly and damaging to the environment and our health. This leads us to the next point.

4. The use of glyphosate in agriculture is unsustainable

With the continual use of glyphosate, mutations in weeds are inevitable as they adapt and become resistant over time.

  • Studies have calculated that over “23 species of weeds have been recorded, forcing Monsanto to acknowledge the problem and protect their profits by declaring that their warranty does not cover yield losses (Source).”

    Consequently, this requires further synthetic inputs in the form of stronger, more harsher herbicides; a costly cycle that simply leaves the environment and the farmer worse off.


Don’t you think time and energy is better spent finding more sustainable ways to manage and support agriculture to grow food for the future?

5. Glyphosate causes nutritional deficiencies in humans

Glyphosate targets the particular pathway (the shikimic acid pathway) of bacteria in your body, effecting how they metabolize essential amino acids (ones that can’t be produced internally and must be extracted from what you eat).

Simplistically, you are relying on the ability of your gut microbes to effectively process the food you eat in order for these nutrients to be bioavailable for your body to absorb.

  • Glyphosate inhibits this process.

 

6. It damages your gut and causes chronic health problems

Consuming glyphosate causes an imbalance in your gut microbes which allow pathogens to outnumber the beneficial bacteria, otherwise known as the condition ‘gut dysbiosis.’ (Source).

When the bad pathogens outnumber the good guys, your body essentially becomes a breeding ground for a host of chronic health problems such as food allergies, gluten intolerance, leaky gut and inflammation.

This in turn instigates many health problem seen in the Western world, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, autism, gastrointestinal disorders, infertility and even cancer.

7. Glyphosate inhibits your body’s natural ability to detoxify itself

Consequently, it’s a prime instigator in promoting an unfavorable environment for your beneficial gut bacteria which are also competing with the already increasing amounts of by-toxins (such as ammonia) being produced by the pathogens.

  • Glyphosate promotes the growth of pathogens in the gut!

 

8. It’s been attributed to the rising rates of Autism

Autism in the US was a rare case of 1 in 100,000 some 30 years ago. This has significantly risen to 1 in 50 children now!

Excessive levels of ammonia in the body, a byproduct of when your microbes break down glyphosate, is known to contribute to inflammation of the brain. Research into the blood samples of Autistic children show that they have significantly higher levels of ammonia to that of the general population.

 

I hope this helps you to understand the bigger picture why the use of glyphosate in agriculture is both unsustainable and harmful to our health.

  • By supporting local organic and sustainable farmers through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) projects, which also often help to make organic food more affordable, or by shopping at local farmers markets and avoiding Genetically Modified foods, you will decrease your exposure to these toxins and will be doing your health, and the environment, a service.


 Emily Uebergang is an urban hippie who’s on a mission to help city dwellers design and live more sustainable lifestyles. Sharing her love for mother nature, real food and sustainability, she writes like she’s out to try and save the world or something.

She blogs at The Urban Ecolife. You can also follow her on Facebook or Google+.

Views: 1521

Comment

You need to be a member of Heal Thyself! to add comments!

Join Heal Thyself!

Newsletter

Adrenal Fatigue?

New eCourse: You can feel better. You will feel better!

 

 

Start Here...

                Master Tonic 101

          14 Steps for Healthy Guts

   The Beet Test (stomach acid)

                Healthy Poop 101

Overwhelmed? Where To Start?

                      Candida 101

Signs and Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency


        Nettle Leaf Infusion 101

            10pm Bedtime Club 14-Day Green Smoothie Challenge

        Sharing Starter Cultures

               Probiotic Selection

       Water Kefir vs. Kombucha         Natural Remedies for Flu

Latest Activity

Christian Bell updated their profile
Dec 3
Kristalina Georgieva updated their profile
Jan 17
Profile IconHollie Ilene Smith, Aisha Al Mazrouei, Stella Abud and 5 more joined Heal Thyself!
Nov 25, 2021
Shelly Robison updated their profile
Jul 9, 2021
Rev W-W updated their profile
Feb 3, 2021
Profile IconMara Stova, Trickels and Lisa Lane joined Heal Thyself!
Dec 11, 2020
Theresa B. Kinscherf updated their profile
Nov 5, 2020
Profile IconChantelle Trudeau, lesley kramer, Stella Abu and 5 more joined Heal Thyself!
Oct 31, 2020
Kelly B updated their profile
Oct 18, 2020
Rhonda is now a member of Heal Thyself!
Sep 25, 2020
Valerie A. Handleton is now a member of Heal Thyself!
Sep 18, 2020
Pat Robinson updated their profile
Feb 15, 2020
Profile IconKailani Fox and ELLEN M. CORNIA joined Heal Thyself!
Feb 1, 2019
Tiffany Compton updated their profile
Jan 17, 2019
Marlis Ahmed updated their profile
Jan 8, 2019
Profile Iconmark mlinaric, Pamela Roberts, JoAnne Wajer and 17 more joined Heal Thyself!
Jan 4, 2019
Profile IconEileen Ortiz, Claudette Russell, Pam Bulluck and 12 more joined Heal Thyself!
Oct 5, 2017
Profile IconDesiree Turner, Elena Reed, Debra Montenegro and 30 more joined Heal Thyself!
Jul 25, 2017
Alisha Kapoor posted a blog post
Jul 25, 2017
Edward Kendal joined Shannon's group
May 24, 2017

Videos

  • Add Videos
  • View All

Disclaimer

Wellness is an active process of personal accountability.

This list shares personal experience and information only and should not be taken as medical advice. All opinions and information shared are the views of the individual member.

Everyone must use her own discretion and judgment to determine whether you are comfortable or need to seek professional assistance. We are not your doctor.

The information contained in these pages is not intended to take the place of your health professional's advice. It is derived from our personal experience and research, and may shed light on your health complaints. In case of serious ailments which may not respond favorably, please seek the counsel of a qualified health professional.


"What do you expect the doctor to do? He can only prescribe something that will mask the symptoms until you heal yourself. He can not heal you."~ Gitti

Heal Thyself!

“Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.” --Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.)

Blog Posts

Homemade Beauty Tips to Enhance Beauty Naturally

Posted by Alisha Kapoor on August 12, 2016 at 1:19pm

Cancer Vaccines Are Profitable Business

Posted by Pat Robinson on May 5, 2015 at 5:00pm — 1 Comment

Vaccine Safety and the CDC

Posted by Pat Robinson on March 29, 2015 at 7:30pm

I certainly don't fear the measles.

Posted by Pat Robinson on January 23, 2015 at 10:59am — 3 Comments

Gluten-Free Snacks

Posted by Pat Robinson on May 26, 2014 at 8:30pm

Cholesterol 101

Posted by Pat Robinson on May 20, 2014 at 8:00pm

Safe Detox Protocol

Posted by Pat Robinson on May 4, 2014 at 9:00pm

Ella’s Story

Posted by Pat Robinson on April 19, 2014 at 12:00pm

Naturally Sweetened Treats

Posted by Pat Robinson on February 25, 2014 at 7:30pm

© 2024   Created by Pat Robinson.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service