Ever wonder about the widespread increase in autism, diabetes, obesity, adrenal insufficiency, dementia, celiac and other autoimmune diseases? Dr. Stephanie Seneff has. She is a Senior Research Scientist at MIT, who has been studying the impressive correlation between the rapid development of these and other disease conditions and the widespread use of glyphosate.

Glyphosate, a derivative of the amino acid glycine, is an herbicide developed for use on genetically modified (GM) crops. It is the active ingredient in Roundup and other plant killers and the most widely used herbicide on the planet. Since its introduction in the early 1970s, there has been a rapid rise in many chronic diseases and Dr. Seneff, among others, believes glyphosate is at the bottom of it for a number of reasons. (For graphs depicting these correlations click here.)

Glyphosate Mimics Glycine

The “gly-“ part of glyphosate (N-phosphonomethyl-glycine) refers to the glycine-like chemical structure that enables glyphosate to insert itself into our glycine receptors and glycine-containing proteins thereby interfering with normal physiological function. Moreover, these impostor proteins are very difficult for our bodies to break down for elimination so they can easily accumulate in our tissues. They are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and negatively impact brain chemistry contributing to neurological disease and they get into our bone marrow where they interfere with immune function. As if that’s not frightening enough, these unnatural proteins can also get into our DNA and RNA.

Although glycine is the smallest, simplest amino acid it has huge and complex responsibilities throughout our bodies. To name just a few:

• It is necessary for the manufacture of proteins (such as collagen), enzymes, hormones and the important antioxidant glutathione.
• We need it to maintain skin, red blood cells, muscle mass and the various tissues that form our joints.
• Glycine helps break down fats and is required for energy production as well as for maintaining the integrity of the gut lining.
• Along with taurine and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), glycine functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter and plays a role in healthy sleep and mood, cognitive and nerve function, and has been studied as a treatment for a variety of neurobehavioral disorders.

When you realize how important glycine is for optimal physiological function it is easy to see how the glycine-glyphosate switch can ravage the body in a number of ways.

But Wait, There’s More!

We are not ourselves alone — we live symbiotically with tens of trillions of beneficial microorganisms, our microbiome. These organisms have a wide range of essential benefits beyond digestion. They comprise the majority of our immune defenses and they make vitamins, enzymes and other beneficial substances for our use. In addition, they play an important role in balancing mood, in fact most of our serotonin is made in our gut. But our “good buddies” are also adversely challenged by the presence of glyphosate. This insidious herbicide works via the shikimate pathway. Although humans do not have this pathway, our microbiome uses it to manufacture precursors to melatonin, serotonin, melanin and folate; for the synthesis of the amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan; and methyl groups. (Methyl groups are necessary for detoxification as well as neurotransmitter and nucleic acid synthesis, for example. Inadequate methylation may cause birth defects, autism, depression or impaired cognitive function.) The disruption of the microbiome is part of the one-two punch of glyphosate that can lead to a multitude of chronic diseases and unnecessary suffering.

What to Do?

We can help to bring about positive change by not using glyphosate-containing herbicides and by supporting farmers who don’t use them. Granted, organic food is more expensive — in the short term. But what is the long-term cost to our health and wellbeing, to our water, to viable soil, to the entire planet?

At Evergreen, we have several lines of vitamins made using certified organic whole foods. MYKIND is certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. MEGAFOOD and WHOLE EARTH & SEA are made from non-GMO, organically grown fruits, vegetables and herbs. NEW CHAPTER & VITAMIN CODE cultured vitamins are created from organic foods. In addition, they are committed to supporting organic farms, especially small family farms, worldwide. Help save the planet, one vitamin at a time!

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Seneff’s work, there is a half-hour interview with Dr. David Purlmutter as well as an hour-long presentation of Dr. Seneff addressing AutismOne.  Both are very interesting and worth watching and sharing.

 

---

Back to Blog