Glyphosate, the herbicide used in weed killers like Roundup®, has opened up a Pandora’s Box of dangerous health effects.

It exposes our bodies to hormone-disrupting heavy metals, including arsenic and lead. It can raise the risk of certain cancers, like non-Hodgkin lymphoma — by 41 percent. Its harm can even be passed down to future generations, including our kids and grandkids.

But it seems those worries were just the tip of the iceberg…

Research is now revealing that not only can the poison cross the blood-brain barrier, but glyphosate exposure can lead to neuroinflammation, anxiety, accelerated Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology, and even premature death.

Even worse, the study warns that the presence and impact of glyphosate’s byproducts in the brain last long after exposure ends, posing harm to the brain.

Three serious glyphosate warnings

In a groundbreaking study, Arizona State University researcher Ramon Velazquez and his colleagues at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), part of City of Hope, revealed for the first time that even brief contact with glyphosate can cause persistent and lasting damage.

Their experiments exposed mice to glyphosate for over 13 weeks, followed by a six-month recovery period, to determine whether or not a brain can heal from exposure to the so-called ‘safe’ herbicide.

The researchers even tried to make the test as fair as possible, trying out two levels of glyphosate exposure. The first was a high dose used in earlier research that concluded glyphosate was dangerous, and the second was a low dose similar to the limit the EPA says is acceptable in humans.

So, how did the glyphosate rate on the safety scale?

Here’s what the scientists say happened:

#1 – Lasting brain inflammation

Exposure to the poison increased inflammatory markers in the brain and blood that remained even after six months with no further contact with glyphosate. This is especially concerning since the scientists say that this brain inflammation could drive the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

#2 – Byproduct accumulation

The results also showed that the main byproduct of glyphosate in the body, aminomethylphosphonic acid, built up in the brain tissue of the mice exposed to the herbicide. This occurred in mice with previously healthy brains and mice with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s.

#3 – Anxiety and death

Finally, the scientists say that glyphosate exposure in mice even resulted in premature death and anxiety-like behaviors. Seems like it’s the gift no one ever wanted that just keeps on giving.

Tests of randomly selected foods have found that about 96 percent of domestic food samples and 90 percent of imported samples have pesticide residues below the levels the E.P.A. considers safe

Dangers persist at low levels of exposure

What may be even more concerning is that it didn’t take a high level of exposure for these dangers to take effect.

The research determined that even the lower, ‘safer’ dose resulted in harmful effects in the brains of mice, even after exposure ceased for months.

“Our work contributes to the growing literature highlighting the brain’s vulnerability to glyphosate,” says researcher Ramon Velazquez. “Given the increasing incidence of cognitive decline in the aging population, particularly in rural communities where exposure to glyphosate is more common due to large-scale farming, there is an urgent need for more basic research on the effects of this herbicide.”

So, just say no to using glyphosate on your yard and ask your friends and neighbors to do the same. If you frequent parks and golf courses, be aware that those are places of exposure, too.

Tests of randomly selected foods have found that about 96 percent of domestic food samples and 90 percent of imported samples have pesticide residues below the levels the E.P.A. considers safe.

I highly recommend buying only organic fruits, vegetables and grains. One study found that opting for organic foods could lower glyphosate levels by 70% in as little as a week and significantly lower the levels of a handful of other pesticides.

Certain supplements can also help with detox. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) helps remove heavy metals and herbicides and supports the liver, your body’s primary detox organ.

Sources:

Glyphosate triggers generational toxicology that could harm your family line — Easy Health Options

Alarming: Common Herbicide Linked to Lasting Brain Damage — SciTechDaily

Is Glyphosate in the Food Supply Harming Your Health? — The New York Times