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Quote of the day:

"However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at."

– Stephen Hawking

Glyphosate

What is it?

Glyphosate is a type of weed killer used to get rid of weeds in farms, gardens, parks, and other public spaces. It works by stopping plants from making important proteins they need to grow, which eventually kills them.

Glyphosate is a synthetic herbicide that was first introduced in the 1970s. It is now the most widely used herbicide in the world, with approximately 300 million pounds used annually in the United States alone.

There are safety concerns with glyphosate use. Studies have found it in our food, water, and even in the air we breathe. It's been classified as a possible cause of cancer by the World Health Organization, and it might also harm our liver, kidneys, and reproductive system.

Glyphosate is used a lot in agriculture to control weeds in crops like corn, soybeans, cotton, and wheat. It's usually sprayed on the plants or on the ground and absorbed by the leaves or roots of the plants. It is also used as a pre-harvest drying agent.

Glyphosate is ban in many countries all over the world and Europe, but not in the US. Mexico plans to phase out glyphosate and genetically engineered corn, which is causing concern in the U.S. due to the potential loss of a major market for American farmers. They aim to replace 16 million tons of yellow corn imported mostly from U.S. farmers and nearly all of it genetically modified, with new, local production by 2024.

Why does it matter?

Glyphosate has been linked to a range of health problems, including cancer, reproductive issues, and damage to the liver and kidneys. It has also been found to disrupt our gut microbiome, which is essential for overall health and wellbeing. Glyphosate is particularly concerning for children, as their developing bodies are more vulnerable to its effects.

Research has linked glyphosate to a range of health problems, including:

1. Cancer: The IARC classified glyphosate as a "probable human carcinogen" in 2015, based on studies that found a link between glyphosate exposure and an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

2. Reproductive Issues: Exposure to glyphosate can disrupt hormonal activity, and can reduce sperm quality and altered testicular function.

3. Liver and Kidney Damage: Research has also linked glyphosate exposure to an increased risk of chronic kidney disease in humans.

4. Disruption of the Gut Microbiome: Glyphosate has been found to disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut. This disruption can lead to a range of health problems, including autoimmune diseases, allergies, and metabolic disorders.

5. Developmental and Neurological Effects: Glyphosate has been found to have developmental and neurological effects.

As of October 2021, Bayer has faced over 125,000 lawsuits (paying $10B) in the United States alone, from people who claim that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, caused their cancer.

How to remove from your life?

Removing glyphosate from your life may seem like a daunting task, but there are several simple steps you can take.

• Firstly, try to eat organic food as much as possible, as glyphosate is not allowed to be used on organic crops.

• Secondly, avoid using weed killers that contain glyphosate in your own garden or yard, and look for natural alternatives instead.

• Lastly, you can support initiatives to ban glyphosate in your community, and encourage others to do the same.

Glyphosate has been found in a wide range of foods, including:

• Grains: Glyphosate is commonly used in the production of crops like wheat, and oats. As a result, these crops and products made from them, such as bread, cereal, and pasta, have been found to contain glyphosate. Make sure when buying oats or anything containing oats like granola + bars you are ALWAYS buying organic. Glyphosate has been linked to the rise in celiac disease and gluten intolerance.

• Legumes: Legumes like chickpeas, beans, and lentils have also been found to contain glyphosate. Make sure when buying hummus it is organic as well.

• Fruits and Vegetables: Some fruits and vegetables that have been found to contain glyphosate include strawberries, apples, grapes, spinach, pears, and tomatoes. Think about the fruits where you eat the skin and buy those organic.

• Soy: Soybeans are often genetically modified to be resistant to glyphosate, which allows farmers to spray the herbicide directly on the crop. Soybeans are used in a wide variety of food products, including tofu, soy milk, and soy sauce.

• Corn: Glyphosate is commonly used on corn, which is used to make a variety of food products, including cornmeal, corn syrup, and cornstarch.

• Animal Products: Glyphosate can also be found in animal products like meat, eggs, and dairy, as animals may be exposed to glyphosate through their feed or water. This is another reason why 100% grass fed beef is the best option.

Brands I avoid (high levels of Glyphosate): Quaker, Cherrios / General Mills, Goldfish, Nature Valley. I also personally avoid gluten, oats, corn, and legumes.

Brands that I choose (Certified Glyphosate free): Malk, Jovial, Ithica, Mush, Chosen Foods, Elmhurst, Nutivia, Seven Sundays. There are a bunch more brands listed here these are just my favorite because they are also fully clean!

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