Glyphosate and Endocrine Disruption (adrenal)

 A new study came out at the beginning of the month (Aug 2015) that looked at endocrine disruption effect of Roundup in adrenal gland of male rats. Here are two articles( an article  and another article) on the study that includes good analysis.

 

  It's an interesting study, and one that may be evidence for someone with adrenal fatigue (or perhaps everyone!)  to be certain they are eating only organic food.  The study found that the "chronic low dose of Roundup had effects similar to 'adrenal insufficiency in humans'."  Even a dose of 10mg/kg bodyweight per day reduced levels of corticosterone (produced in the adrenal glands).  Interestingly, no other effects on the rats were seen at this level, of the things they were observing.  Why is this number important? The NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) for chronic toxicity in multiple generation studies was 30mg/kg for adults and 10 mg/kg for offspring.....the level which was found to cause adrenal effects.  But get this, the government doesn't include multiple generation studies for endocrine disruption in their regulations.

 

 "Implications of the study

The recent information regarding Roundup^® and its metabolites detection in food, water and in human urine [1] signifies the relevance of toxicological studies as one presented. The findings that Roundup^® treatment down regulates endogenous ACTH, is similar to the condition known as adrenal insufficiency in humans. This condition manifests as fatigue, anorexia, sweating, anxiety, shaking, nausea, heart palpitations and weight loss. Chronic adrenal insufficiency could be fatal, if untreated. A progressive increase in its prevalence has been observed in humans [8], while a very few studies relating to xenobiotic exposure and adrenal insufficiency development have been reported. The present study describes one of the possible mechanisms of adrenal insufficiency due to Roundup^® and suggests more systematic studies, to investigate the area further."

 

  Thinking about how these multi generational studies are set up, what does this say about children of adults who have been eating food with Roundup residue? Would they be more sensitive to the current Roundup in the food supply?  What about infants who are drinking soy formula?  These are real issues.  As more research comes out, the regulatory review boards need to be willing to accept that perhaps these chemicals aren't all they were sold to be.  Perhaps, there are very real consequences to health across the board.  This study is further evidence that the glyphosate residue in our food supply could indeed be causing underlying conditions in a great many people, even though they appear to be "otherwise healthy".

Interesting study on preterm birth and gut bacteria

Interesting article on a research study that came out today.

Bacterial community in pregnant women linked to preterm birth, study finds

Interesting, because they noted that a lower level of Lactobacillus was linked to preterm birth. Glyphosate has been shown to decrease the levels of lactobacillus. If your food has glyphosate residue (which all GMO soy does, and many other crops harvested dry do..) could you say that glyphosate residue in food may contribute to preterm labor? Sounds like the next area of study; test the mothers for glyphosate l...evels and correlate that with the bacteria and term birth. 
 

Interestingly, glyphosate has been shown to have a negative effect on placental cells. Could it be that there are several factors at play here, and the lower lactobacillus is just an indicator? Perhaps the glyphosate residue is decreasing healthy gut bacteria, while harming the pre-birth environment for the baby, thus resulting in pre-term birth??? It is feasible when you actually look at the research of each component.

Based on the research I have found, I would be willing to bet that if this theory holds, those women who delivered preterm (that had low levels of lactobacillus) also had trouble breastfeeding their babies (PSU study) due to zinc issues and early cell death of mammory tissue.

The characteristics are consistent between all of these.

GM crops aren't safer...report says

This has been my thought all along.  The "absence of evidence" is not evidence of safety.  Of course they aren't going to do those studies when they want to sell their product as "safe".  There is enough research showing harm, but less that ties it directly to disease or illness.  I have research article after research article that show a tie between celiac and glyphosate.  But, no direct studies have been done, yet.  So, yes, there is "absence of evidence of harm" for very specific situations, but no "evidence of safety" and certainly no studies disputing the ties I have found.

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The lead researcher in a report commissioned by the Norwegian Environment Agency and released by the Genok Centre for Biosafety at the Arctic University of Norway says,
"Statements of the safety of GM crops rely principally on the absence of evidence of harm in specific research tests, rather than actual evidence of safety", said Catacora-Vargas. "Absence of evidence of harm is a too low standard for adequate protection of human and environmental health ..."

Here is an article written about the report: GMO study finds 'indications of harmful and adverse effects'

Here is their report: http://genok.no/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/010615_GENOK-HTIntactaBrazil-FINAL_web.pdf

Preparing allergen free meals for others

For someone with food allergies, having a crisis arise is pretty stressful. It means that the time and effort they would normally put into staying healthy by avoiding food allergens is just not possible.  The potential to get sick or react to foods that you are unable to prepare yourself is a pretty scary thing. 

I hope to provide you with some practical help as you seek to live out Christ's command in Galatians 6:2 to care for others by bearing "one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ," in doing something as simple as providing a meal in their time of need.  If you would like some encouragement in this, check out this blog post where Lindsey Deitz at the Traditional Cooking School writes about Food as Ministry.  
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When you need to make a meal for someone who has food allergies, where do you start? 
 

First, pray for direction in planning and preparing the meal.  

Then, be sure you know exactly what they cannot eat.  This is absolutely critical!  There are substitutions for every allergy, but if you do not know what to avoid, it is impossible to make a safe meal.

There are three ways to go from there.

1.       Think about what you would usually make for a meal.  Are there any substitutions you could make to your recipes (based on the person’s allergy requirements) that would make it a ‘safe’ meal for them?

2.       Alternately, if you do not have a go-to meal, decide which meal option you are going to go with:

·         Meat/vegetable/starch

·         Soup/side or bread

·         Casserole style

·         Breakfast style

 And,

·         Will you add a dessert

3. There are times when a restaurant meal will work within the allergen constraints.  If you are unable to prepare a meal yourself, ask about this option.  This could include picking up a rotisserie chicken and sides at the grocery store.       

Then, look at the ingredients for those meals, making allergen-free substitutions where necessary. Keep the meals simple….rely on basic fresh/frozen vegetables and fruit, and fresh herbs for seasonings.

There are now many easy substitutions available at the supermarket for traditional ingredients:

• Gluten Free pasta for regular wheat pasta. (Wegmans brand gluten-free pasta is very good and only $1.29/lb)
• Coconut (or almond, or soy) milk for dairy milk. (I have found that SoDelicious unsweetened coconut milk works best in recipes and does not add a coconut flavor to dishes)
• Cornstarch as a thickener instead of wheat flour for gravies/sauces.

Another very important thing to keep in mind is avoiding cross contamination during meal prep.  The easiest way to do this is to start with a clean counter (which you should do anyway, right?) and clean cookware (ex. don't reuse a pasta strainer if you have just made wheat pasta, and the person has a gluten sensitivity).  A reasonable effort put into keeping allergen ingredients away from meal prep will go a long way in keeping their meal safe.

When providing a meal for someone with food allergies, it is essential to include a list of ingredients for each item you prepare.  For help with this, click here to download a printable template. This will serve as a reference for them to double check ingredients to see that you have only included ingredients that are ok for them to eat.  This is crucial, and so appreciated!   Using this template, you can provide ingredients and heating/serving instructions for each dish you have provided.  The form can be filled out by either opening the form in Adobe and typing your information right onto the form, or by printing the form and filling it out with a pencil or pen.  You can also add special notes to the person /family to whom you will be delivering the meal.

Remember that your meal is a blessing.  Those with food allergies know that their diets are a pain for others to work with, and many bear these burdens alone during a crisis because of that.  The effort you put into a ‘safe’ meal is a blessing beyond measure to the person you are helping.  Pray for the family you a providing a meal to.  Their time of need has unique stresses that someone who does not have allergies simply will not have.  By providing a meal for them, you are providing much more than just a meal. 

May God bless you beyond measure for providing a 'safe' meal.

Glyphosate and soils....the connection

So, another new study out just a few days ago showed a connection between phosphorus application and glyphosate in runoff.  In graduate school, my research was looking at phosphorus and runoff. 

This was published early electronically.  I am excited to read the full article.

J Agric Food Chem. 2015 Mar 16. [Epub ahead of print]

Glyphosate Loss by Runoff and Its Relationship with Phosphorus Fertilization.

Sasal MC¹, Demonte L, Cislaghi A, Gabioud EA, Oszust JD, Wilson MG, Michlig N, Beldoménico HR, Repetti MR.

Author information

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between glyphosate and phosphate fertilizer application and their contribution to surface water runoff contamination. The study was performed in Aquic Argiudoll soil (Tezanos Pinto series). Four treatments were assessed on three dates of rainfall simulation after fertilizer and herbicide application. The soluble phosphorus in runoff water was determined by a colorimetric method. For the determination of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), a method based on fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (FMOC) group derivatization, solid phase extraction (SPE) purification, and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was employed. The application of phosphorus fertilizer resulted in an increased loss of glyphosate by runoff after 1 day of application. These results suggest the need for further study to understand the interactions and to determine appropriate application timing with the goal of reducing the pollution risk by runoff. 

"Transgenic material" in milk...more research

Published research is now showing transgenic material in the milk of goats. This is a significant scientific finding as it is one of the first to show a transfer of this genetic material through the digestive tract, and resulting in changes in nursing young. 

Some points of interest from the article (their analysis of the published research):
"The horizontal transfer of transgenic DNA into the genome of those eating GM foods, or the microbes living inside those consuming GM foods poses an additional and under-recognized hazard of GM crops."
"This is yet another finding that goes against the purported claims that nucleotides are broken down by the digestive tract, preventing any toxicity of transgenic DNA to those consuming it. "


Here is a summary of the research:
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/Goats_Fed_GM_Soybean_Produce_Abnormal_Milk.php

The research article itself.
http://www.smallruminantresearch.com/article/S0921-4488(15)00052-8/abstract

Abstract

The in vivo and post mortem performance and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in kids born from goats fed conventional (group C) or genetically modified (group T) soybean meal were evaluated. The goat colostrum quality, in terms of chemical composition, as well as immunoglobulin concentration, and the presence of feed DNA fragments were also investigated. Kid birth weights were similar, while significantly (P < 0.05) higher in those born from goats in group C at day 30 and at slaughtering. In addition, kids from mothers fed conventional soybean recorded significant (P < 0.05) higher height at the withers and chest width. Concerning the post mortem measurements, only carcass weights were significantly affected by the treatment resulting in lighter T kids (P < 0.05). Colostrum from the treated groups recorded a significantly (P < 0.01) lower percentage of protein and fat. Similarly, both chemical parameters significantly differed in milk collected 15 days after kidding, although these differences disappeared in the successive samplings. Both colostrum and kids serum IgG concentration were significantly (P < 0.01) lower in the treated groups. Transgenic target DNA sequences (35S and CP4 EPSPS) were not detected in colostrum from goats that received a diet containing conventional soybean meal. By contrast, transgenic DNA fragments were amplified (P < 0.05) in samples from goats that received the transgenic soybean.

Glyphosate a "possible carcinogen" says U.N.’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

  Biggest news this weekend is that the U.N.’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has listed Glyphosate as a "possible carcinogen".  That basically means that there is enough evidence to show that it may cause cancer.  This is based on their survey of research available.  This is an important statement because they are admitting that this research does exist.  They also noted that glyphosate has "the highest production volumes of all herbicides.  It is used in more than 750 different products for agriculture, forestry, urban, and home applications."  Keep in mind that there is a study linking glyphosate to breast cancer.
  Glyphosate is showing up everywhere, and the regulators need to understand that it is not only agricultural workers that are being exposed.  When residue is in our food supply, the exposures will come every time someone consumes food.  The problems linked to glyphosate span the spectrum from human to animal. 



 A sample of their report:

"Glyphosate has been detected in

the blood and urine of agricultural

workers, indicating absorption.

Soil microbes degrade glyphosate

to aminomethylphosphoric acid

(AMPA). Blood AMPA detection

after poisonings suggests intestinal

micro bial metabolism in humans.

Glyphosate and glyphosate formulations

induced DNA and chromosomal

damage in mammals, and in human

and animal cells in vitro. One study

reported increases in blood markers of

chromosomal damage (micronuclei) in

residents of several communities after

 

spraying of glyphosate formulations.16

Bacterial mutagenesis tests were

negative. Glyphosate, glyphosate

formulations, and AMPA induced

oxidative stress in rodents and in

vitro. The Working Group classifi ed

glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic

to humans” (Group 2A).   


http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045%2815%2970134-8/abstract
The full article is available here (you may have to register to see it.  http://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lanonc/PIIS1470-2045(15)70134-8.pdf