🌿 Understanding Glyphosate 🌿

What is it, Why it matters + What to do about it

 

What is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup®, one of the most widely used herbicides in the world. It’s sprayed on crops to kill weeds and, in many cases, used just before harvest to dry out (desiccate) the plants — making harvesting easier and faster.

Glyphosate exposure has raised concerns due to its negative effects on gut health, the liver, hormones, immune function, the microbiome and for its link to increased risk of cancer.

đźš© Health Concerns Associated with Glyphosate

  • Disrupts the gut microbiome, promoting imbalance and overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria
    • NOTE: If you are dealing with chronic yeast overgrowth, clostridia or recurrent SIBO, glyphosate overload may be driving factor.

       

  • Impairs mineral absorption (especially zinc, magnesium, calcium, and manganese)

     

  • Interferes with liver detoxification pathways, making it harder to clear toxins

     

  • Acts as an endocrine disruptor, affecting hormone balance

     

Linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, autoimmune disease, and cancer

⚠️ Identifying Foods Highest in Glyphosate 

Foods that are GMO and/or conventional (ie not organic) are more likely to be high in glyphosate. 

These foods are often sprayed directly with glyphosate — either because they’re genetically modified (GMO) to withstand glyphosate or because glyphosate is used as a drying agent before harvest (conventional / not organic).

Selecting foods that are labeled “non-GMO” or “organic” is a positive step towards reducing your exposure to glyphosate.

Highest glyphosate foods include GMO / conventional (not organic):

Grains & Cereals

  • Oats
  • Wheat
  • Barley
  • Rye

Legumes

  • Chickpeas
  • Lentils
  • Peas

Seeds & Oils

  • Flax seeds
  • Canola oil
  • Soy products
  • Sunflower oil

Sweeteners

  • Sugar beets (used in conventional table sugar)

Other

  • Corn
  • Almonds 
  • Baby foods 
  • Wine
  • Cereal bars, protein bars, crackers 

âś… More on Reducing Your Glyphosate Exposure

  1. Choose Organic Whenever Possible Organic crops are not allowed to be treated with glyphosate.
  2. Look for “Glyphosate Residue Free” Labels Brands like One Degree Organics, MegaFood, and some products from Thrive Market test for glyphosate.
  3. Avoid GMO Foods Especially corn, soy, canola, and sugar beets — the most common genetically modified crops.
  4. Eat Whole, Minimally Processed Foods Processed foods often contain ingredients derived from heavily sprayed crops.
  5. Use a Water Filter That Removes Glyphosate Look for filters such as:

     

🧪 Want to Know Your Exposure?

You can test your glyphosate levels through a simple in-home urine test. If you’re curious about your glyphosate body-burden levels, you can purchase a test below. 

Note: your test includes a 30-minute appointment to guide you in understanding your results and targeted actions you can take to mitigate the impact of glyphosate on your body. 

 

🌱 Mitigating the Impact of Glyphosate by Supporting Your Body’s Natural Detox Pathways

Supporting your body’s ability to process and eliminate glyphosates is a multi-faceted endeavor. A few key aspects of this includes:

Nutritional Support (organic when possible)

  • Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts)
  • Garlic and onions (sulfur-rich for detox)
  • Lemon water and fiber-rich foods

     

Supplements to Consider

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🧠 Summing It Up

Reducing glyphosate exposure doesn’t need to be overwhelming — even small, consistent steps make a difference. Choosing organic staples, avoiding heavily sprayed crops, and supporting your detox pathways can significantly lower your burden and improve overall health.