“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while,
or the light won’t come in.” ― Alan Alda
Farmers across the U.S. routinely spray weed killers on their genetically modified crops. The active ingredient in most of these herbicides is glyphosate. You are probably familiar with glyphosate as the leading ingredient in Roundup.
For decades the ingredient has been tied to cancer, and now another disease. New studies are showing an undeniable link between glyphosate and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
NAFLD is the most common form of chronic liver disease. Its symptoms include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, nausea, weakness, yellowed skin, itching, swelling, stomach pain, fluid retention, and even confusion. Uncontrolled, non-alcoholic fatty acid disease can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In this case, the liver swells to the point of becoming damaged, often causing cirrhosis.
Current reports suggest that NAFLD may affect as much as 25% of the United States. Some of the known risk factors include obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides. But, a lot of people with NAFLD don’t exhibit any of these characteristics. For a long time, this meant the biggest risk factor was unknown. Recent studies, however, point towards glyphosate exposure as the primary culprit.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine analyzed the urine of people with and without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The patients with liver damage had significantly higher levels of glyphosate residue compared to those without.
There was also a correlation between the amount of glyphosate and the severity of the patient’s NAFLD progression. This was true regardless of other variables such as BMI, race, or age.
Research led by Dr. Michael Antoniou at King's College London also confirmed this theory (Thompson, 2019). In his study, rats were fed low dosages of glyphosate. They soon began to show signs of liver congestion, hepatoxicity, and cellular damage.
Even at the low doses approved by the FDA, the glyphosate found throughout our food supply can cause serious harm to human health. And this is just one example of the relationship between one herbicide ingredient and one disease. There are countless chemicals being sprayed every day, each linked to any number of diseases.
This new information highlights the importance of always choosing certified organic foods and products to safeguard your health.
For more information on protecting your health, schedule a consultation with Rose.
*This blog contains Amazon affiliate links. The owner of this site may receive a small commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended.
What To Remember:
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease affects up to 25% of Americans.
One of the biggest causes is exposure to glyphosates, found in common herbicides.
Always choose organic foods and products to safeguard your health.
Sources:
- Thompson, Dennis. (May, 2019). New study links Roundup weed killer to liver damage. Retrieved from UPI.com.
- Thompson, Dennis. (May, 2019). Study: Roundup Linked to Human Liver Damage. Retrieved from WebMD.com.
- UC San Diego Health. (May, 2019). It’s in the Weeds: Herbicide Linked to Human Liver Disease Retrieved from Health.UCSD.edu.
|
|
