Is Glyphosate safe?

What is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is the name of a chemical that's used in herbicides (weed killers) around the world. You might not have heard of it. If Dr. Evil had a wacky cousin with a vendetta against garden weeds and your gut health, his name might just be Glyphosate.

A Brief History of Glyphosate
This rogue herbicide was introduced to the world in the early 1970s. It was invented by Monsanto (dun dun dun), a big company in the agrochemical game. Bill Gates fucking loves Monsanto (now owner by Beyer). Their plan? Make a product that could get rid of pesky weeds without harming the crops. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the popular herbicide known as Roundup.

Why Do We Use It?

• Weed control

• Simplicity & cost-effectiveness

• Consistency & reliability

• Greater yield on crops

How’s It Work & Why Is It Bad?
Glyphosate works by targeting an enzyme in plants that's essential for their growth. With this enzyme out of action, plants can't make some vital amino acids they need to live. In essence, it's like cutting off the plant's food supply. Most crops are genetically modified to withstand glyphosate, while weeds aren’t. It’s like the cult leader giving everyone he likes the antidote before making the entire cult party drink the Koolaide. The ones he “likes” being the guys who let the cult leader sleep with their wife. But in this case, the cult leader is the farmer, and the crops are the cucks.

Glyphosate and Your Body: What's the Fuss?
Research has pointed fingers at glyphosate for a plethora of health issues. Some studies have suggested links between glyphosate and cancer, endocrine disruption (messes with your hormones, potentially causing hormonal and reproductive issues), liver disease, and adverse effects on the human gut microbiome. Basically, it’s like that guest at the party who graciously accepts strawberry pie come dessert, and proceeds to smear it across every surface of your home with a spatula (who does that?).

The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a vast community of microorganisms known as the gut microbiota, which plays a critical role in health and disease. Here's how glyphosate may interfere with this delicate ecosystem and its subsequent implications:

1. Shikimate Pathway Inhibition: Glyphosate's primary mechanism of action in plants is the inhibition of the shikimate pathway, a metabolic route responsible for the synthesis of aromatic amino acids (tryptophan, phenylalanine, and tyrosine). While humans don't have this pathway, many gut bacteria do. Disruption of this pathway in these microorganisms could potentially affect their survival and growth.
   
   i.e. Glyphosate is like a wrench thrown into the machinery of plants. It stops plants from making certain important things they need to live. Our gut bugs use a similar machinery, so glyphosate can mess with them too.
   

2. Dysbiosis: Prolonged exposure to glyphosate can lead to an imbalance in the gut microbiota, termed dysbiosis. Some studies suggest that glyphosate might favor the growth of pathogenic bacteria over beneficial ones. A dysregulated microbiome can have cascading effects on health, including inflammation, increased intestinal permeability, and a heightened risk for various gastrointestinal disorders.
   
   i.e. It’s like using insecticide and your dog eats it. Glyphosate might be helping get rid of the insects (bad bacteria) while also killing your dog (good bacteria) from growing. Sure, your house might not have any ants, but now your dog is dead.
   

3. Enzymatic Disruption: Glyphosate can chelate, or bind to, essential metal ions. Many enzymes in the gut bacteria require these metal ions for their catalytic activity. By binding to these ions, glyphosate might disrupt the activity of these enzymes, affecting bacterial metabolism.
   
   i.e. Enzymes in our gut bugs are like tiny workers that help them do their job. Glyphosate is like tying the workers' shoelaces together, making it hard for them to work.
   

4. Endocrine Disruption: There are indications that glyphosate may act as an endocrine disruptor in humans. The gut plays a crucial role in hormone regulation and metabolism. An altered gut environment due to glyphosate might interfere with these endocrine functions.
   
   i.e. Our gut helps manage some of our body's messaging systems. Glyphosate might be like someone sneaking into the post office and mixing up all the letters, causing confusion.
   

5. Epithelial Barrier Function: There's growing evidence that glyphosate might impair the integrity of the epithelial barrier in the gut, increasing intestinal permeability. A "leaky gut" can allow toxins, microbes, and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream, which can lead to inflammation and immune reactions.
   
   i.e. Think of your gut as a nightclub with bouncers at the door. Glyphosate might be giving those bouncers a break, allowing uninvited guests (like toxins and bad bacteria) to party in your bloodstream.

Other claims (some still need more research):

• Celiac sufferers often have impaired cytochrome P450 enzymes—vital for detoxifying toxins and various other functions. Guess what inhibits these enzymes? Glyphosate.

• Neurodegenerative links and association to Parkinsons (evidence is limited)

• Birth defects (evidence is limited)

• Increased risk in non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (this is somewhat legit)

Do I really have Glyphosate in my body?

Yes, yes you do. In a study of 2310 subjects, more than 80% of participants tested positive for detectable levels of glyphosate. Scientists were quoted saying that these findings were “disturbing” and “concerning”.

Practical Tips to Dodge Glyphosate:

1. Choose Organic: Organic produce isn't treated with synthetic herbicides like glyphosate. So, choosing organic is like choosing a party without the pizza thief.

2. Buy direct from farmers: go on down to the farmer market (in Will Farrell voice)

3. Read Labels: Even some foods labeled as "natural" might contain glyphosate. Don't get fooled by the marketing gimmicks.

4. Wash Your Produce: While washing might not eliminate all residues, it can reduce them. Think of it as a mini detox for your veggies.

5. Stay Informed: Keep an eye out for brands that test their products for glyphosate and prefer them over others. It’s like having a secret informant at that messy party, telling you which drinks to avoid.

6. Be careful about the lawn and garden products you buy

Final Thoughts:
I know it feels like I am out here telling you that everything is out to kill you but the reality is, it’s all about incentives. These companies don’t want to punch you right in the gut. And you cannot expect regulators or the government to always have their shit together. Sometimes a gut punch just makes sense. In the words of Charlie Monger, show me the incentive and I’ll show you the outcome. Stay informed out there kids.

Thanks for tuning in. I’ll be more consistent on posting going forward.

If you have a topic you’d like to learn more about, don’t hesitate to leave a comment. I don’t bite. Hard…