The significant rise of worldwide gluten intolerance has created a demand for further research over the last decade. In recent years, concerned researchers provided us with insightful findings, to some no surprise, linking the effects of Monsanto’s deadly herbicide, Roundup^® to modern diseases, particularly gluten intolerance.

A compelling article published in the Journal of Entropy in 2013, by Dr. Seneff and Dr. Samsel, proposed that “glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide, Roundup^®, is the most important causal factor in this epidemic.” This study was instigated by an alarming rise not only of celiac disease and gluten intolerance, but also of irritable bowel disease, autism, reproductive issues, kidney disease, obesity, depression, and many more concerning conditions we are confronted with in today’s society.

The trendy use of Roundup^® on crops began in the early 1990s. Farmers found they could increase profits by dousing their crops with the glyphosate 7-10 days sooner, allowing an earlier harvest and crop uniformity. In addition, farmers began to use Roundup^® regularly during the growing season to assist in weed control. In total, more than 130 million tons a year are used around the world. Unfortunately, the implications of this drastic increase of over 50% chemical usage on the food supply was never fully considered, and certainly not researched, until now.

In the study, Drs. Seneff and Samsel showed how the steep rise in celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and irritable bowel syndrome paralleled the increased use of glyphosate in our crops, especially in non-organic wheat. Their research suggests that one in twenty people in North America and Western Europe currently suffer from gluten intolerance-related diseases. Over 10 countries have taken action against glyphosate, including the Netherlands, France, Brazil, and Germany. Just announced, the Portuguese Medical Association has called for a global ban on the known carcinogen.

The awareness of the deleterious effects of glyphosate has inarguably made a case that the herbicide certainly plays a significant role in today’s disease epidemic. To paraphrase the peer-reviewed study, the root issue of glyphosate lies in the effects of glyphosate on the human microbiome, disrupting our gut bacteria and detoxification pathways. The study exposed the already documented effects of glyphosate on the body, linking clearly how this toxin is able to induce modern diseases. The evidence also suggests that glyphosate may interfere with the breakdown of wheat’s complex proteins in the stomach. This leaves large fragments in the digestive system that then trigger an autoimmune response, leading to the defects in the lining of the small intestine, the identical characteristic of celiac disease.

For those who have discovered they react to gluten-containing grains, it may have been easy to conclude that a gluten-free diet would alleviate their symptoms such as diarrhea, chronic fatigue, anemia, and even depression. However, those who contend with various health concerns and diseases not traditionally or instinctively related to gluten, such as neurological and autoimmune disease, are finding that eliminating wheat and grains from their diet, dramatically improves symptoms and overall health.

Tiffany is a Certified Nutrition Consultant and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner and can be reached at (760)285.1221
www.GlutenFreeWithTiffany.com