Glyphosate: The Hidden Toxin in Our Food System

Introduction to Glyphosate (Round-Up)

In today’s world, it is becoming increasingly challenging to avoid exposure to toxins. One of the most pervasive and concerning toxins is found right on our food, particularly in commonly consumed items in the American diet.

This reality has contributed to the rising incidence of illnesses associated with toxicity, such as cancer, infertility, and neurological diseases.

At the heart of this issue lies glyphosate, the most widely used pesticide in our food supply. This article delves into the harmful effects of glyphosate and sheds light on the corruption within the agricultural industry.

Join us as we walkthrough an insightful conversation between Dr. Mark Hyman & Robert F. Kennedy Jr., along with further research added as context.

Podcast between Dr. Mark Hyman & Robert Kennedy Jr.

The Pervasive Health Risks

Glyphosate, utilized on more than 70 different food crops worldwide, including corn, soy, and wheat, has been linked to significant health risks, such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It is alarming to discover that a serving of Cheerios contains more glyphosate than added vitamins D and B12, which are intended to enhance nutritional value.

The findings of the analysis on children’s cereals and snack products containing glyphosate:

Product	Glyphosate Level (ppb)
Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Crunch	833
Nature Valley Dark Chocolate & Nut	76
Cheerios Honey Nut	Above safe level
Cheerios Chocolate Peanut Butter	Above safe level
Cheerios Oat Crunch	Above safe level
Cheerios Multi Grain	Above safe level
Nature Valley products (multiple varieties)	Above safe level

A recent analysis revealed that nearly two dozen popular children’s cereals and snack products contain glyphosate, a cancer-causing chemical found in weed-killer. The study found “troubling” levels of glyphosate in several varieties of Cheerios, as well as oat-based products from the Nature Valley line. The majority of the tested products contained glyphosate levels higher than what is considered safe for children. Glyphosate has been classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The Environmental Working Group suggests that using oats from glyphosate-free farmers is necessary to eliminate this cancer-causing herbicide from children’s food products.

The presence of glyphosate in our food system contributes to the escalating health crisis we face today.

Unveiling the Problems with Glyphosate

During the discussion, they delve into the multiple concerns surrounding glyphosate and its excessive use. The argument that genetically modified (GMO) crops and pesticides like glyphosate are necessary to feed the world has been debunked by scientific evidence.

In fact, studies worldwide have shown that yields can be equal or even better without glyphosate, while maintaining healthier soils with a greater capacity for carbon capture.

A study in 2013 focused on assessing the impact of glyphosate, the widely used herbicide, on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which play a crucial role in plant health and ecosystem functioning. The researchers aimed to understand how glyphosate application affects the viability of AMF spores and their ability to colonize plant roots.

Soil samples were collected from a grassland area in Argentina, and different rates of glyphosate were applied to evaluate the effects.

The study found that glyphosate significantly reduced the viability of AMF spores, even at lower application rates, compared to untreated soils.

Additionally, plants grown in glyphosate-treated soils showed lower levels of root colonization, indicating a negative impact on the symbiotic relationship between plants and AMF.

The decrease in arbuscular colonization, a key site for nutrient exchange, suggests that glyphosate’s presence in the soil affects the functionality of this important ecological interaction.

These findings emphasize the potential consequences of reduced AMF propagule viability on plant diversity, especially considering the varying levels of mycorrhizal dependency among different plant species in grassland communities.

The study highlights the need for further research to better understand the long-term effects of glyphosate on AMF and the implications for ecosystem health.

The Link Between Bird Decline and Glyphosate in the Food System

The alarming decline in bird populations, with a staggering loss of 2.9 billion breeding adult birds in the United States and Canada since 1970, is indicative of a larger crisis in biodiversity. This decline affects diverse ecosystems and encompasses common bird species that play crucial roles in maintaining the balance of our natural world.

While various factors contribute to this decline, one significant element is the use of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide.

Glyphosate, commonly known as Roundup, is extensively utilized in modern agricultural practices. Its systemic nature allows it to be absorbed by plants and transported throughout their tissues, including leaves, flowers, roots, and stems, as well as pollen and nectar.

This characteristic poses a significant threat to birds and their habitats.

Key Points	Glyphosate’s Impact	Neonicotinoids’ Impact
Number of Birds Lost	2.9 billion breeding adult birds¹	N/A
Time Period	Since 1970	N/A
Most Affected Bird Families	N/A	12 bird families¹
Bird Species Most Impacted	Dark-eyed Junco (175 million lost)¹	N/A
	White-throated Sparrow (93 million lost)¹
Decline in Forest Birds	1 billion birds lost since 1970¹	N/A
Decline in Grassland Birds	53% reduction in population¹	N/A
Decline in Aerial Insectivores (e.g., swallows)	N/A	32% reduction in population¹
Decline in Coastal Shorebirds	N/A	More than one-third of the population¹
Impact on Aquatic Invertebrate Life	N/A	Harmful to insect-eating bird species
Presence in Food Supply	N/A	Detected in food samples tested¹
Percentage of Food Samples Contaminated with Neonics	N/A	Over 90% of food samples tested¹

¹Source: American Bird Conservancy

The herbicide’s impact on the food chain is detrimental.

Glyphosate’s persistence in the environment, infiltration into groundwater, and cumulative effects on invertebrates harm the diverse wildlife that plays essential roles in pollination and pest control. Beneficial organisms like earthworms are killed by glyphosate at extremely low doses, affecting the overall health of ecosystems.

Studies have shown that glyphosate negatively affects fish, reptiles, frogs, birds, and mammals, impacting their growth, reproduction, and neurobehavior.

Neonicotinoids and Bird Decline

Neonicotinoids, another group of widely used insecticides, are also lethal to birds and the insects they consume. These insecticides, present in numerous products such as insect sprays, seed treatments, and veterinary ointments, have been found to contaminate water sources and harm aquatic invertebrates critical for the survival of bird species.

Not only do glyphosate and neonicotinoids harm wildlife, but they also pose risks to human health. Studies have indicated potential links between chronic neonic exposure and adverse developmental and neurological outcomes, particularly in infants and children.

Furthermore, these pesticides have been associated with liver tumors in male rats, which raises concerns about their potential impact on human health.

Study Findings: Impacts on Bird Richness and Abundance in Gardens

Factors	Impact on Bird Richness and Abundance
Habitat Quality	Positive influence on bird abundance and species richness
Urbanization Level	Lower bird abundance and species richness in suburban gardens compared to rural gardens
Pesticide Practices	Negative effect on bird abundance and species richness
Percentage of gardens using pesticides	32.2% applied pesticides in their gardens
Composition of pesticide applications	Glyphosate comprised 53.3% of pesticide applications
Interaction between habitat quality and pesticide use	Negative effects of pesticides more pronounced in gardens with high habitat quality compared to those with poor habitat
Negative predictions of pesticide use on bird species	House sparrows abundance negatively affected by pesticide use, particularly glyphosate and metaldehyde
House sparrow abundance	Average abundance 12.1% lower in gardens applying any pesticide, 24.9% lower with glyphosate, and 38.6% lower with metaldehyde
Overall conclusions	Garden management, including pesticide use, significantly affects bird abundance and richness

A table summarizing the findings from the study on the impacts of habitat quality, urbanization level, and pesticide practices on bird richness and abundance in gardens across the UK

Taking action to address this issue is crucial. Consumers can make informed choices by purchasing organic fruits and vegetables when available and supporting nurseries that sell organic or neonic-free plantings.

Avoiding the use of neonic products in home gardens and raising awareness about the harmful effects of these pesticides are additional steps individuals can take.

Efforts are underway to limit or ban the use of neonicotinoids in various countries and jurisdictions. Advocacy for stricter regulations and alternatives to glyphosate and other harmful pesticides is essential to protect bird populations and preserve biodiversity.

By promoting sustainable agricultural practices and reducing the prevalence of these toxic chemicals, we can contribute to the recovery of bird populations and the overall health of our ecosystems.

Corporate Interests and Environmental Health:

In the podcast above, Dr. Mark Hyman & Robert F. Kennedy Jr. address the deep-rooted corruption within the agricultural industry that prioritizes corporate interests over environmental and public health.

Companies like Monsanto (now owned by Bayer, a major glyphosate producer) have infiltrated government agencies, influencing policies in their favor. This unfortunate reality has become the industry norm.

They go on to discuss landmark cases involving individuals who have suffered health problems due to glyphosate exposure and shed light on the ongoing battle to combat toxic substances in our food supply.

we must stop spraying our food with toxins

The prevalence of toxins, particularly glyphosate & other neonicotinoids, in our food system poses a grave threat to our health.

It is imperative that we challenge the status quo and advocate for a profound transformation of our food system. Through awareness, education, and collective action, we can strive for a future where the health and well-being of individuals take precedence over corporate interests.

Join us in the fight for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable food system.

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