We knew it was a problem for years, but most of us were just kind of accepting it as another fact of our modern toxic world. It was really just a few years ago when it clicked for me, as I delved more into glyphosate’s biological impacts, that this toxin is a real obstacle to healing.

I still can’t believe how dangerous this chemical is—and yet, it’s being used so heavily in the US, Canada, and elsewhere, despite being banned in many other countries.

As I researched the health effects of glyphosate, I began to connect it to this dramatic rise in inflammatory, degenerative conditions that’s taken place over the last decade. For example, the direct tracking of autism rates and glyphosate usage in the Central Valley. When I started working with targeted detox approaches to address glyphosate toxicity, I saw measurable benefits in my own patient’s health.

It’s very difficult to get any data on exposure in the US, after 2012 or 2013, in part because regulators stopped testing for glyphosate residues. Some estimates say 3-4 pounds per person per year in terms of how many pounds are sprayed annually. We still sometimes see very high glyphosate in patients who are careful about eating organic–so exposure can come from many sources. Wind drift and water table leaching can contribute to exposure by contaminating “organic” fields. In general, the vast majority—more than 90% of people tested—have measurable levels in their blood. Also, there is a huge risk with the other unregulated and UNDISCLOSED toxins that are compounded in the glyphosate weed killer formulations. These are believed by some experts to be even more toxic than glyphosate itself.

In general, the vast majority—more than 90% of people tested—have measurable levels in their blood. Also, there is a huge risk with the other unregulated and UNDISCLOSED toxins that are compounded in the glyphosate weed killer formulations. These are believed by some experts to be even more toxic than glyphosate itself.

There are different mechanisms by which glyphosate can trigger disease processes. First off, glyphosate destroys the shikimate pathway in plants, which is also a key enzyme pathway in beneficial bacteria, so it destroys healthy microbes in the gut. It also promotes the growth of pathogenic gut microbes, including candida, leading to dysbiosis.

Exactly. So it can wreak havoc on the gut-brain axis. In addition, glyphosate fuels inflammation in the gut and disrupts the tight junctions of the gut lining, leading to intestinal permeability and increased toxic burden in the liver. From this, you get a sharp rise in sensitivities, especially to gluten, and other inflammatory immune reactions and issues relating to immune dysregulation.

It also chelates nutrients, so it depletes your nutritional status while increasing toxic body burden. For example, it will chelate tryptophan and not allow healthy lactobacillus bacteria to colonize in the gut. It disrupts manganese, copper and zinc balance. It also induces glutamate toxicity in the neurological synapses, which results in a die-back phenomenon in axons of motor neurons which can eventually lead to functional impairment. At the same time, it interferes with mitochondrial dysfunction, and acts as an endocrine disruptor.

I find that it’s a huge obstacle to healing. It’s fueling dysbiosis, neuroinflammation and degeneration, and immune dysregulation, so it’s really harmful for anyone already struggling with an inflammatory condition. Because it impairs glutathione and increases leaky gut, it’s a huge contributor to toxic liver and toxic body burden issues, which of course is a fundamental area to address across the board.

Immune dysregulation is a big issue I’m seeing so much more of. One place it was evident is that our gluten sensitive patients travel to Italy where glyphosate is banned, they can eat wheat. It’s really the glyphosate. We’re seeing so many more conditions related to mast-cell activation and immune dysregulation than in the past and the rise directly tracks with glyphosate usage. Another condition I’m seeing more of is chronic kidney disease (CKD), which the research shows can be directly linked to glyphosate toxicity. In general, I find that patients are presenting with more advanced complex degenerative conditions, at younger ages, than in the previous decades.

The research shows glyphosate linked to numerous conditions, including cancer, obesity, CKD, dysbiosis, fertility issues, neurological diseases and conditions. With cancer, there is a particular linked between glyphosate and blood cancers like lymphoma and leukemia. We’re certainly seeing a rise in these issues across all patient demographics.

Glyphosate is shown to directly increases the growth of fungus on wheat, and in the body. It promotes the growth of immunosuppressive mycotoxin-producing fungi, such as Candida albicans. It allows pathogenic fungi and their mycotoxins to flourish while at the same time, fueling gut inflammation and leaky gut directly. This allows mycotoxins in the GI tract to enter into the circulation, adding to systemic toxic burden and immune activation.

Since glyphosate impairs detox pathways, including inhibiting CYP450 enzymes, decreasing glutathione synthesis, and damaging the liver, it prevents the liver from clearing mycotoxins, while increasing the overall burden of toxins and antigens in the circulation.

We also know there are links between damaged gut lining and disruption to the blood-brain barrier, which can further contribute to the neurological symptoms in mycotoxin illness, on top of the glutamate toxicity it causes. And because it inhibits tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine production, and thus serotonin, it can really impact mental health and neurological function in that way as well.

It’s clear that it does bioaccumulate, in organs and bones. It is water soluble, but it can also exchange with the amino acid glycine in cells and tissues. Researchers are finding that the body mistakes glyphosate for glycine and uses it during protein synthesis, so it essentially becomes part of our cells, tissues and organs. Also because it’s a mineral binder, it appears it can be stored in the bones. Studies have found glyphosate stored in the organs and bones of animals.

It seems that the most vulnerable systems are the gut and microbiome, as well as our detox systems, both the liver and the kidneys. And of course the brain and nervous system. But really, because of its similarity to glycine, it can impact all systems.

Glyphosate, and pesticides in general, impact all of the ecosystems and kingdoms of this planet: the soil, the fresh waters and oceans, vegetation, animals. And nature is very smart: when there is a problem, there will be a solution. That’s why when I formulated this glyphosate and pesticide detox formula, I used a selection of natural binders derived from these various kingdoms: from the earth and soil, from the ocean, and from plant life. And the research substantiates the ability of these powerful natural binders to address glyphosate and pesticides and help repair the damage they’ve done.

Polyuronides are powerful natural binding agents found in alginates from seaweed, and in citrus pectin, two ingredients I use in my glyphosate/pesticide detox protocols. Polyuronides bind very well to positively charged toxins heavy metals, and are documented to bind to pesticides including glyphosate. High molecular weight, unmodified citrus pectin with a specific structure, is also important because it has enhanced binding capacity for lipid soluble toxins while it can also act as a prebiotic to nourish the microbiome, and support gut wall integrity.

Another important binder is organic Icelandic kelp. Kelp is proven to bind to glyphosate, and it’s also important because it has life in it, it offers us minerals and nutrients, and support gut wall integrity. It also helps nourish the thyroid, which is especially vulnerable to pesticides and toxins.

Shilajit and its derivative, fulvic acid, come from ancient earth sediments, and they’re rich in beneficial microbes, minerals, and unique nutrients. Fulvic acid is shown to bind to glyphosate and other toxins, support a healthy inflammatory response, and promote gut wall integrity.

I use glycine as the active engine of the formula. Glycine has been shown to be extremely important in maintaining gut wall integrity, supporting GSH production and function, and supporting neurological function. Glyphosate is a driving force of gluten intolerance and dysbiosis, through multiple mechanisms including weakening the tight junctions in the gut and causing “leaky gut”. Glycine is a key amino acid that can help restore the gut lining, together with the other ingredients in the formula.

GlyphoDetox contains the binders listed above, and is the primary component in my protocol for promoting glyphosate detoxification and gut wall integrity. In addition, we also have to address a few more components. We have to address biofilms, reduce inflammation, support the gut microbiome, and help detoxification. We can also address inflammation, immune dysregulation, biofilms and mycotoxins, by blocking our master alarm protein which I call our “survival protein”: galectin-3. This is done with the use of modified citrus pectin. We also need to support the microbiome with prebiotics and probiotics.

It’s fundamental for healing to address this growing issue of glyphosate toxicity. We’re facing a problem of magnitude we’re just only starting to realize, and we need to provide the body with targeted support to defend our most vulnerable biological systems amid this widespread public health crisis.