Skip to content
Call: 303-993-7910400 S. McCaslin Blvd, Suite 210, Louisville, Colorado 80027 | Get DirectionsFor Practitioners
Facebook page opens in new windowTwitter page opens in new windowPinterest page opens in new windowInstagram page opens in new windowYouTube page opens in new windowLinkedin page opens in new windowRss page opens in new window
Dr. Jill Carnahan, MD
Your Functional Medicine Expert!
Dr. Jill Carnahan, MDDr. Jill Carnahan, MD

Flatiron Functional Medicine Newsletter

Join Dr. Jills' health community today and receive health tips, recipes and recommended products for a healthier you!
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
  • HOME
  • MY STORY
  • ABOUT
    • About Us
    • What is Functional Medicine?
    • Mission Statement
    • Meet Dr. Jill C. Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP
    • Meet The Team
    • Location
    • Fees
    • FAQs
    • Forms
    • Testimonials
    • For Practitioners
  • SERVICES
    • Services
    • Functional Medicine Consulting with Dr. Jill
    • Naturopathic Consulting with Dr. Nicole
    • Massage Therapy with Rene
    • Nutritional Consulting with Judy
    • Nutritional Consulting with Megan
    • Chiropractic Care with Dr. JoEllen
    • Nutrition therapy and Private Yoga with Haley
    • Infrared Sauna Detox Therapy
    • IV Infusion Therapy
  • PRESS KIT
    • Press Kit
    • In the Media
  • EVENTS
  • PODCAST
  • DR. JILL’s BOOK
  • BLOG
    • Dr. Jill’s Blog
    • Dr. Jill’s Podcasts
    • Dr. Jill’s Recipes
    • Dr. Jill on Facebook
    • Dr. Jill’s Instagram
    • Dr. Jill on LinkedIn
    • Flatiron Functional Medicine on LinkedIn
  • ONLINE STORE
    • Online Store
    • Products We Love
    • Dr. Jill’s Book
  • CONTACT
  • HOME
  • MY STORY
  • ABOUT
    • About Us
    • What is Functional Medicine?
    • Mission Statement
    • Meet Dr. Jill C. Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP
    • Meet The Team
    • Location
    • Fees
    • FAQs
    • Forms
    • Testimonials
    • For Practitioners
  • SERVICES
    • Services
    • Functional Medicine Consulting with Dr. Jill
    • Naturopathic Consulting with Dr. Nicole
    • Massage Therapy with Rene
    • Nutritional Consulting with Judy
    • Nutritional Consulting with Megan
    • Chiropractic Care with Dr. JoEllen
    • Nutrition therapy and Private Yoga with Haley
    • Infrared Sauna Detox Therapy
    • IV Infusion Therapy
  • PRESS KIT
    • Press Kit
    • In the Media
  • EVENTS
  • PODCAST
  • DR. JILL’s BOOK
  • BLOG
    • Dr. Jill’s Blog
    • Dr. Jill’s Podcasts
    • Dr. Jill’s Recipes
    • Dr. Jill on Facebook
    • Dr. Jill’s Instagram
    • Dr. Jill on LinkedIn
    • Flatiron Functional Medicine on LinkedIn
  • ONLINE STORE
    • Online Store
    • Products We Love
    • Dr. Jill’s Book
  • CONTACT

Just How Dangerous Is Glyphosate? The Answer is Shocking

You are here:
  1. Home
  2. Gut Health
  3. Just How Dangerous Is Glyphosate?…
Glyphosate

What if I told you there was a hidden danger slowly spreading across the country and lurking in places you’d never expect? A toxic chemical so harmful that researchers across the globe are working to have it banned from use? Sadly, the hidden danger I’m referring to isn’t made up, and this isn’t the plot of a horror movie. It’s called glyphosate – the most widely used weed killer in the world. 

And while you’d never intentionally add this toxic poison to your food or water, the truth is, you’re more than likely consuming glyphosate on a daily basis. Today we’re going to dive into what glyphosate is, just how dangerous it is, and how you can actively defend yourself against its toxic effects. 

What Is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is what is known as a non-selective herbicide – a chemical concoction used to kill certain plants. Glyphosate is dubbed as “non-selective” because most plants will die when exposed to this herbicide. Glyphosate kills plants by disrupting what’s known as the “shikimic acid pathway” – a critical metabolic pathway that plants use to produce the enzymes and compounds they need to survive.1,2

Because glyphosate is so effective at killing plants, it’s widely used in agriculture to stop the growth and spread of invasive weeds that interfere with crop production. And while glyphosate does an excellent job of killing off pesky weeds and increasing agricultural production, it can pose some serious health risks thanks to our nearly constant exposure.

How Exactly Might I Be Exposed to Glyphosate?

Glyphosate doesn’t necessarily degrade or break down. So after being used on crops, it can remain in the environment, and you can be unknowingly exposed. The main sources of glyphosate exposure include:3

  • The food you eat: Glyphosate residue can remain on fresh produce and often ends up in the food products you consume.
  • Drinking water: Glyphosate can runoff into water sources and end up in the water system. In fact, glyphosate is a primary water contaminant and most regions have maximum contaminant levels.
  • Dust: Glyphosate and it’s metabolites can attach to soil particles and spread through erosion and wind. These dust particles can spread far and wide and unknowingly inhaled. 

Glyphosate exposure is nearly impossible to avoid – so contact with this toxin is inevitable. But what effects does frequent glyphosate exposure have on our bodies and overall health? 

Glyphosate as an Endocrine Disruptor

Glyphosate is particularly troublesome due to its ability to disrupt your body’s endocrine system. You see, glyphosate is a known endocrine disruptor, which means glyphosate can mimic or interfere with your body’s hormones and endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for many vital processes in the body, such as hormonal:5

  • Synthesis – how your body makes hormones
  • Secretion – how and when hormones are released into your body
  • Transport – how your hormones get where they need to go
  • Metabolism – how your body breaks down hormones
  • Binding action – how hormones attach to and effect change within your body
  • Elimination – how your body gets rid of hormones

Your body relies on your hormones to properly communicate and self-regulate in order for your body to function properly. So endocrine disruptors like glyphosate can have serious and even life-threatening effects over time. Let’s take a look at some of the health conditions that have been linked to glyphosate.

What Are the Dangers of Glyphosate?

Glyphosate has been linked to a number of adverse health effects including:

  • Birth defects
  • Miscarriages
  • Cancer
  • DNA damage
  • Autism
  • Learning disorders
  • Neurodegeneration and other cognitive disorders
  • Kidney and liver damage

Glyphosate’s link to these debilitating and life-altering conditions proves that this herbicide can be harmful to a whole lot more than just weeds.

So, How Can I Protect Myself From Glyphosate?

Because glyphosate is used so extensively and can be spread through the environment, it’s impossible to avoid all exposure. But fortunately, there are some steps you can take to minimize your exposure and help your body deal with the unavoidable exposures. Here’s what I recommend:

  • Focus on organic and non-GMO foods: GMO foods have been genetically engineered to be tougher and more resistant in order to increase crop production – meaning they are often doused with particularly high levels of glyphosate and other chemicals. So focus on organically grown non-GMO foods to decrease your exposure. And this isn’t exclusive to just the produce you eat. Glyphosate and other toxins can sneak their way into lots of other products too – like coffee and animal products – so try to opt for organic as often as possible.
  • Minimize your toxic burden: Your body has a natural detoxification system and is designed to effectively eliminate potentially harmful toxins. But when your exposure levels get too high, toxins can begin to accumulate – overwhelming your body’s ability to detox. Taking steps to minimize your toxic burden can support your body’s natural ability to cope with the unavoidable glyphosate exposures. 
  • Show your gut some love: The health of your gut significantly impacts your immune system, your ability to detox, and your body’s resilience. Promote and support the health of your gut by healing any gut issues and giving yourself a daily dose of beneficial bacteria with a daily probiotic.
  • Filter your water: Traces of glyphosate can hang out in tap water. Investing in a high-quality water filter like Berkey or Clearly Filtered water filters provides you with pure, great-tasting, and glyphosate-free drinking water. Ion Biome is a soil-sourced supplement that supports gut health, even damage done by glyphosate, by strengthening the junctions. 

These simple steps can help your body safely deal with exposure to glyphosate and other toxins before any long-term damage is done.

When It Comes to Your Health, You’re Your Own Best Advocate

The truth is we live in an increasingly toxic world. And exposure to chemicals like glyphosate and other environmental toxins presents a problem on a daily basis. So when it comes to protecting your health and the health of your loved ones – it requires a daily effort. 

The day-to-day choices you make compound over time and are your best weapon in protecting your health and longevity. Following the steps outlined in this article and taking measures to prioritize your health can go a long way when it comes to your overall health and well-being. I’m a firm believer that your health is the best investment you’ll ever make. 

And that’s why I’m dedicated to bringing my patients and readers easy to understand and thoroughly researched information that impacts your health. If you enjoyed this article and want to dive even deeper into how you can take your health to the next level, I encourage you to sign up for my newsletter. I save all of my very best tips, resources, and recommendations exclusively for my newsletter. And the best part is, it’s totally free – all you have to do is input your name and email address in the form below.

Now it’s time to hear from you. Were you surprised to hear about the dangers of glyphosate? What steps are you taking to protect yourself from harmful toxins like glyphosate? Leave your questions and thoughts in the comments below!

References:

  1. http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/glyphogen.html
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/shikimic-acid-pathway
  3. https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-018-0435-5
  4. https://www.fs.usda.gov/nfs/11558/www/nepa/103623_FSPLT3_4284738.pdf
  5. https://www.oatext.com/Endocrine-disruption-and-cytotoxicity-of-Glyphosate-and-Roundup-in-human-JAr-cells-in-vitro.php#gsc.tab=0

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The product mentioned in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.   The information in this article is not intended to replace any recommendations or relationship with your physician.  Please review references sited at end of article for scientific support of any claims made.

Category: Gut HealthBy Dr. Jill C. Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, IFMCPAugust 14, 20206 Comments
Tags: endocrine distruptorsglyphosateGlyphosate toxicitygut healthgut microbiomeorganic foodtoxic
Share this post
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook TweetShare on Twitter Pin itShare on Pinterest Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

Author: Dr. Jill C. Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP

https://www.jillcarnahan.com/

Dr. Jill is Your Functional Medicine Expert! She uses functional medicine to help you find answers to the cause of your illness and addresses the biochemical imbalances that may be making you feel ill. She'll help you search for underlying triggers contributing to your illness through cutting edge lab testing and tailor the intervention to your specific needs as an individual. She may use diet, supplements, lifestyle changes or medication to treat your illness but will seek the most gentle way to help your body restore balance along with the least invasive treatment possible. Dr. Jill is a functional medicine expert consultant and treats environmental and mold-related illness as well

Post navigation

PreviousPrevious post:Vegan Strawberry Coconut Ice CreamNextNext post:The Low Mold Diet: What It Is and How to Follow It

Related posts

Celiac Disease
How Celiac Disease Ups the Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Vice Versa
January 25, 2023
Give the Gift of Wellness this Season: Dr. Jill’s Personal Picks for 2022!
November 21, 2022
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
How Transforming Your Diet and Microbiome Can Help Heal Inflammatory Bowel Disease
September 7, 2022
Diverticulitis
Antibiotics versus Watchful Waiting In Diverticulitis: Which Is Better?
July 29, 2022
essential oils
How Essential Oils Can Boost Immunity, Alleviate Stress, and Improve Your Health
June 12, 2022
Butyrate
Butyrate: The Health Benefits of This Mighty Molecule and How to Get More of It
May 20, 2022

6 Comments

  1. Dan Star says:
    August 22, 2020 at 11:43 am

    Ion Gut for Humans and Pets helps keep the gi cell junctions functioning properly.

    Reply
    • Jill Carnahan, MD says:
      August 22, 2020 at 1:54 pm

      Yes, Dad! I really like Ion Biome best for glyphosate – formerly called Restore.

      Reply
      • Jenn says:
        August 22, 2020 at 2:05 pm

        Dr Jill,
        I live in suburban Phoenix Arizona, where all of our residential areas have desert landscaping. I live alone and was diagnosed with MS in 2015 so I have been attempting to keep the weeds out of my rocks by pulling them or using a salt/vinegar solution on them, but 99% of the landscape maintenance is RoundUp out here! I grew up in Nebraska with the crop dusters. How can we keep from being exposed when so much RoundUp is being used in the Valley of the Sun?
        Jenn in Phoenix

        Reply
        • Jill Carnahan, MD says:
          August 23, 2020 at 6:55 pm

          yes, it’s hard when its used outdoors and in our water supply. I suggest trying to lobby local communities on the danger of using it routinely for landscaping.

          Reply
  2. Diane says:
    August 31, 2020 at 7:42 pm

    Yes, I was surprised and a little disappointed that your article did not mention to stop using Roundup or glyphosate in landscape maintenance as a good way to avoid exposure. I am an organic consumer but I developed inflammatory bowel disease after spending 6 winters in suburban Phoenix, near Scottsdale Arizona. I was going there every winter to stay healthy and active in retirement. I even did a study and report for my HOA on how to replace all the chemical herbicides with routine hand weeding at no additional cost. The HOA board of directors agreed, but the landscaping company refused to hand weed, claiming it was impossible, and there was little political will to insist on a change in procedure. I will not be returning to this beautiful winter retreat because it is polluted with glyphosate. People living there are suffering from diseases like Parkinson’s, cancer, MS, autoimmune illnesses and various mystery diseases. There are very few elderly people in my neighborhood in Canada suffering from these diseases because cosmetic use of herbicides is banned.

    Reply
    • Jill Carnahan, MD says:
      August 31, 2020 at 8:29 pm

      Great point, Diane! I totally agree with you…

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Post comment

Search
Dr. Jill
Dr. Jill will help you search for underlying triggers contributing to your illness through cutting edge lab testing and tailor the intervention to your specific needs as an individual.
  • Address:
    400 S. McCaslin Blvd, Suite 210, Louisville, Colorado 80027
  • Get Directions
  • Phone:
    (303) 993-7910
  • Fax:
    (303) 993-4674
  • Specialty
    Functional Medicine Expert Trained in Family Medicine Board Certified Trained in Integrative Holistic Medicine

Find us on:

Facebook page opens in new windowTwitter page opens in new windowYouTube page opens in new windowRss page opens in new windowLinkedin page opens in new windowPinterest page opens in new windowInstagram page opens in new window
Testimonials

I certainly understand how Dr. Jill got so popular! Love watching her very interesting videos on the site and have signed up for the newsletter. She exudes such an air of competence, authenticity, intelligence and humility!

Karin
Karin

Good day Jill, you Motivated me very much. In the Last years, I prepared to become a registered German Naturopath (Heilpraktiker). The webinars of Functional Medicine Practitioners I attended as often as I could. Best wishes from Europe.

Norbert
Norbert

In my many years and many experiences with doctors… you guys have them beat, hands down. You guys are great.

Jessica Hull
Jessica Hull

I just wanted to thank Dr. Carnahan and all the staff for a wonderful visit. What a great experience from start to finish. Of course, Dr. Carnahan is the icing on the cake! (Hmmm …need a healthier analogy) Anyway, I’m feeling excited optimistic, and hopeful after all these years of being sick. Again my thanks and blessings to you all. Warmly, Roberta

Roberta
Roberta

I just wanted to send a quick thank you for your time and advice today. I am so appreciative and I feel hopeful that the plan we have can really help me. I’ve been sick for a long time and recently I’ve been rather discouraged with where I’m at with my health. I believe that God has allowed our paths to cross and that He is going to use you help restore my body to health. Thank you for giving me hope. Blessings, Kara

Kara
Kara

I wanted to let you know you did an outstanding job at this past weekend at the IFM {Reversing Cognitive Decline} conference. I appreciate you sharing your personal health journey. You are a true inspiration!

Ronald Grisanti
Dr. Ronald GrisantiBoard Certified Chiropractic Orthopedist
Facebook
Jill Carnahan, MD
Functional Medicine Newsletter
Join Dr. Jills' health community today and receive health tips, recipes and recommended products for a healthier you!
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Dr. Jill
Dr. Jill will help you search for underlying triggers contributing to your illness through cutting edge lab testing and tailor the intervention to your specific needs as an individual.
  • Address:
    400 S. McCaslin Blvd, Suite 210, Louisville, Colorado 80027
  • Phone:
    (303) 993-7910
  • Fax:
    (303) 993-4674

Find us on:

Facebook page opens in new windowTwitter page opens in new windowYouTube page opens in new windowRss page opens in new windowLinkedin page opens in new windowPinterest page opens in new windowInstagram page opens in new windowSoundCloud page opens in new window
Latest Podcasts
  • 131: Dr. Jill interviews Dr. Shelese Pratt on Gut Health with a Microbiome Deep Dive
    131: Dr. Jill interviews Dr. Shelese Pratt on Gut Health with a Microbiome Deep Dive
    December 1, 2022
  • Shaina Cahill
    130: Dr. Jill interviews Shaina Cahill, PhD on Fecal Microbiota Transplant
    November 28, 2022
  • #129: Dr. Jill interviews author Steven Kotler on Using Peak Performance & Flow States
    129: Dr. Jill interviews author Steven Kotler on Using Peak Performance & Flow States
    November 24, 2022
  • #128: Dr. Jill interviews Dr. Terry Wahls on Recovery from Multiple Sclerosis & Wahl’s Protocol
    128: Dr. Jill interviews Dr. Terry Wahls on Recovery from Multiple Sclerosis & Wahl’s Protocol
    November 19, 2022
Facebook
Jill Carnahan, MD
Dr. Jill Carnahan, MD

© 2023 Jill Carnahan. All Rights Reserved | Site by Yakadanda  | FAQS | Disclaimer | Financial Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions

| Dr. Jill works as a functional medicine consultant in conjunction with your current health care team and is not considered a replacement for your primary care physician. She requires all new patients to have a primary care physician to cover emergencies and routine care and screening.

Go to Top
Flatiron Functional Medicine Newsletter
Thanks for Joining Me in the Microbiome Summit. Get Your Free Download Here
Join new and get your free copy of Paleolicious Snack Ideas. We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Flatiron Functional Medicine Newsletter
Join Dr. Jills' health community today and get SEVEN FREE health downloads
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Functional Medicine Newsletter
Join Dr. Jills' health community today and receive health tips, recipes and recommended products for a healthier you!
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Flatiron Functional Medicine Newsletter
Join Dr. Jills' health community today and receive health tips, recipes and recommended products for a healthier you!
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Flatiron Functional Medicine Holiday Giveaway
Enter now to win your free Berkey Water Filtration Sysyem (my personal favorite).
We promise never to share your email with anyone.
RESOLVE YOUR MOLD EXPOSURE SYMPTOMS
Dr. Jill's long-awaited Miracle Mold Detox Box is finally here. This handcrafted and researched bundle includes all of the crucial pieces you need to release and flush out toxins in 30 days.
SHOP NOW