Roundup herbicide, the creation of Monsanto, to kill weeds has been one of the most utilized chemical on the market. Many may have used it in their gardens without a second thought. It is used in very large doses on GM crops which would include corn, soy and other commercial produce. Once it is sprayed on the crop, it gets absorbed rather quickly. The soil gets contaminated as well. This stuff is in our water, environment and food.
Research in Germany on Glyphosate
Research (German Journal Ithaca) has found glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, in human urine. This particular study was done on people who reside in Germany. They discovered that the participants of the study had glyphosate 5 to 20 above the safe limits for drinking water.
Apparently, not only they utilized the chemical for food production, but it is utilized for railway lines, urban pavements and roadsides as well.
Glyphosate is one very harmful chemical for live beings. It inhibits EPSP synthase, an enzyme that helps the plants to grow. Glyphosate has been shown to cause birth defects in chicken embryos and frogs in far more less amounts than it is being used in agricultural and garden applications. It effects the skull, face, spinal cord, and developing brain of the subject.
What is Safe Amounts of Glyphosate?
Journal Chemical Research Toxicology has reported that the highest maximum residue limit (MRL) allowed for glyphosate in food and feed products in the EU is 20 mg/kg. Genetically modified Soybeans have been found to posses residue levels much higher than that-- high as 17 mg/kg. Keep in mind that malformations in chicken embryos and frog takes place at 2.03 mg/kg. and that is about 10 times lower than MRL.
There have been other scientific research which have found glyphosate to be very harmful to health. Human cells are stated to be highly affected and have found to die within 24 hours with formulations of Roundup that were intensely diluted. This research shown very disturbing facts that Roundup was found to have on human health.
The researchers stated that the propriety mixtures found on the market could cause cell damage and even death around residual levels to be expected, in particular in food and feed derived from Roundup formulation treated crops.
Another research have found glyphosate to have these effects:
- Developmental and Reproductive toxicity
- Disruption of endocrine
- Neurotoxicity
- DNA damage
- Cancer
Besides all this, GM crops could easily have detrimental effects on every cell and organ in the bodily system. It is not a normal crop that human or animal life has been created to assimulate well. It effect life from its DNA and damages natural process of cell integrity. Of course, the addition of chemicals just makes the matter that much worse, as explained above. The friendly bacteria in your gut holds great integrity in your health and wellbeing. Without the right balance of bacteria health can be disturbed easily. Such chemicals and GM crops are highly disturbing to our gut flora. This is just the beginning of disease.
What to Watch Out For
First, now that we know so much about Roundup, we all should take a step to stay away from this product or anything that may be correlated with it. Second, GM foods should be avoided at all cost. If it is not labeled certified organic or at the least Non-GMO, then it is safe to consider that it is GM product. Majority of all of the corn and soy on the market today are GM crops. That would include anything that would have corn or soy in it. Be aware corn and soy are in many things in different forms that may not be exactly stated as so.
- Corn oil
- Canola oil
- Corn chips
- Corn snacks, any type
- Corn containing snacks
- Corn starch (even if it is stated starch, must be cautious)
- High fructose corn syrup
- Corn tortilla
- Corn bread
- Corn it self
Soy contain products (soy and corn find their way in many products on the market in different forms--so be aware)
There are list of GM products in previous articles. Cotton seed, crooked neck zucchini, alfalfa sprout and sugar beet are other GM products that should be watched out for.
Glyphosate is not limited to only GM products. It is utilized on any commercial, non-organic produce as a herbicide. For that reason, it is best to stay away from commercial foods in general. That would go for commercial dairy and meat products as well. Certified organic produce and foods do not utilize glyphosate or any other chemical form of pesticide. It is the safest and best option.
Make a choice to stay away from such products and support organic farmers. Tell others about what you have learned and support organizations that are working to help with GM and other matters. Cornucopia institute and Food and Water Watch are great organizations that petitions to get word through. Go to their website (www.cornucopia.org and www.foodandwater.org) and sign petitions. It does not cost a dime (other than if you would like to support them financially too, which would be a great assistance) to sign the petitions and help with causes that effect our life and wellbeing, but it can make a huge difference.