Glyphosate: The Hidden Toxin

As a Nutritional Therapist and Functional Medicine Practitioner, one of the areas I pay close attention to is the everyday exposures we face that can quietly affect our health. One such exposure is glyphosate – the world’s most widely used herbicide.

Many people have never heard of it, yet glyphosate is present in much of our food supply. The question is: how might this affect our health, and what can we do about it?

What Is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is a chemical herbicide, commonly known by its brand name Roundup. It’s used globally in agriculture to kill weeds and maximise crop yields. Because it’s sprayed directly onto crops like wheat, oats, soy, maize, and canola, residues often end up in the food we eat.

Why Is Glyphosate a Concern?

While regulatory bodies debate “safe” levels, independent research has raised red flags about the potential health effects of glyphosate. These include:

• Gut health disruption – Glyphosate is patented as an antibiotic. Even in small amounts, it can disturb the delicate balance of bacteria in the gut microbiome, leading to inflammation, digestive issues, and weakened immunity.

• Hormone imbalance – Studies suggest glyphosate may act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormonal communication in the body.

• Detoxification burden – Our liver works hard to clear toxins. Ongoing exposure to herbicide residues adds to the body’s detoxification load, which can contribute to fatigue, headaches, and other symptoms.

• Potential links to disease – Glyphosate has been studied for associations with cancers, particularly non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, as well as metabolic and neurological conditions. While research is ongoing, caution is wise.

Dr. Stephanie Seneff: A Voice Warning About Glyphosate

One of the most outspoken scientists warning about the health dangers of glyphosate is Dr. Stephanie Seneff, a senior research scientist at MIT. Though her background is in computer science and artificial intelligence, she has spent over a decade researching the links between glyphosate and rising rates of chronic illness. In her book “Toxic Legacy”, she explores how this widely used chemical may be silently contributing to conditions like gut issues, autism, infertility, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Seneff's research points to several ways glyphosate may harm human health:

• It damages the gut microbiome by killing off beneficial bacteria, leading to imbalances that may contribute to digestive problems, food intolerances, and weakened immunity.

• It blocks detoxification pathways in the liver, which can reduce the body’s ability to clear toxins and process hormones properly.

• It interferes with our body’s ability to make important amino acids, which affects everything from mood to brain health to sleep.

• It binds to essential minerals like zinc and manganese, making them harder for the body to use, even if your diet is good.

One of the more concerning findings Dr. Seneff highlights is glyphosate’s potential to work in synergy with other harmful substances. For example, she suggests that glyphosate may help aluminium cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially increasing the risk of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and autism.

She also explores how glyphosate may play a hidden role in gluten sensitivity. Even people without celiac disease may feel unwell after eating wheat not because of gluten itself, but because glyphosate is often sprayed on wheat crops just before harvest. This chemical may impair our ability to break down gluten properly, irritate the gut lining, and trigger inflammatory or autoimmune reactions.

While not all scientists agree with Dr. Seneff’s conclusions, her work has opened important conversations about the invisible load of chemicals in our food and environment and how they may be affecting our health in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

Where Might You Be Exposed?

• Non-organic grains (wheat, oats, barley, corn) often have the highest residues.

• Processed foods containing soy, corn syrup, or canola oil.

• Non-organic fruit and vegetables sprayed before harvest.

• Drinking water, in areas near agricultural spraying.

What Can We Do About It?

Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, a German-trained medical doctor and internationally renowned expert in chronic illness, environmental toxicity, and integrative medicine is known for pioneering advanced detoxification protocols including glyphosate and heavy metal cleansing. He offers multi-layered protocols to support the removal of glyphosate from the body. His approach often combines binders, biological therapies, and lifestyle shifts.

1.⁠ ⁠Binders

• Zeolite – Binds toxins like glyphosate and heavy metals in the gut.

• Chlorella – Natural binder for glyphosate, also supports bile and lymph detox.

• Charcoal – Absorbs a wide range of toxins (used cautiously, short-term).

2.⁠ ⁠Restore Gut Health

• Ion*Biome (formerly “Restore” by Dr. Zach Bush) – Supports tight junction integrity to reverse leaky gut potentially worsened by glyphosate.

• Probiotics + fermented foods – Helps replenish beneficial bacteria depleted by glyphosate.

3.⁠ ⁠Support Detox Organs

• Liver support – Milk thistle, dandelion root, and burdock

• Kidney and lymphatic herbs – Parsley, cilantro, red root, cleavers

• Infrared sauna + dry brushing – To stimulate skin detox

4.⁠ ⁠Dietary Recommendations

• Organic food only – Minimises further exposure

• Filtered water – Glyphosate can contaminate tap water

• Reduce processed foods – Many contain hidden glyphosate residues

What Else Can You Do to Reduce Exposure?

• Choose organic where possible – Especially for grains, legumes, and produce known to be heavily sprayed.

• Wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly – While not all residues can be removed, it helps.

• Support your detox pathways – Include cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts), fibre-rich foods, and plenty of water.

• Focus on gut health – Prebiotic and probiotic foods help counterbalance any microbial disruption.

• Be mindful of home use – Avoid using glyphosate-based weed killers in your garden.

Final Thoughts

We can’t completely avoid glyphosate in today’s world, but awareness is the first step. By making informed choices, supporting the body’s natural detoxification systems, and focusing on gut health, we can minimise its impact.

This is one of the many reasons why a functional approach to nutrition matters, we look not just at symptoms, but at the bigger picture of how modern living affects health.