A groundbreaking peer-reviewed study from Taiwan has unveiled a concerning link between exposure to glyphosate, as the world's most widely used herbicide, and severe depression and cognitive decline in adults.
Published in the esteemed Elsevier Journal, Environmental Research, on August 22, 2023, the study reveals alarming findings that challenge the safety of glyphosate-based herbicides such as Bayer/Monsanto’s Roundup.
The researchers conducted extensive analyses using data from the 2013-2014 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), encompassing 1,532 adults. Their results demonstrated a significant negative correlation between urinary glyphosate levels and cognitive function test scores.
Moreover, individuals with higher glyphosate levels had significantly higher odds of experiencing severe depressive symptoms compared to those with no symptoms, as measured by the PHQ-9. In Australia it is called the MOSAIC test. This is sent to the USA for testing and results.
The study population, representative of adult general population, had a mean age of 48.15 years and a mean BMI of 29.15 kg/m2. The majority were women 51.5%, and 47.1% were men. About 80.4% of participants had detectable levels of glyphosate, indicating widespread exposure to this chemical.
These findings come as no surprise to many environmental and health advocates who have long warned about the dangers of glyphosate. Despite mounting evidence, regulatory bodies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and in Australia, Department of Primary Industries, and Agri-Governmental departments continue to classify glyphosate herbicides as “not likely to be carcinogenic to humans.”
This classification perpetuates environmental injustice, particularly among farmworkers and marginalized communities, home gardeners and growers who face disproportionate exposure to these chemicals.
Further compounding these concerns is a systematic review published in Chemosphere, which highlights glyphosate’s strong evidence of genotoxicity, epigenetic alterations, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and endocrine disruption. These are key characteristics of carcinogens, reinforcing the
classification of glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Despite these damning findings, glyphosate remains ubiquitous in our food and water, posing a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystem health. The chemical’s pervasive presence endangers 93% of all U.S. endangered species and disrupts microbial gut composition, leading to various health anomalies, including cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and autism.
The silence from manufacturers of glyphosate-based herbicides, such as Bayer/Monsanto, is deafening. Despite facing approximately 125,000 lawsuits for Roundup’s role in cancer outcomes, Bayer announced a $10 billion settlement to resolve roughly 75% of current and potential future litigation.
However, around 30,000 complainants did not sign the settlement, leaving a substantial number of potential lawsuits unresolved. Bayer’s attempt at a second settlement was also rejected by a U.S. District Court judge, further highlighting the inadequacy of their response to the harm caused by glyphosate.
And because of this action the new version of Glyphosate is Bill Gates’ GMO soil microbes designed to do the same thing but, in the ground, not above it. Considering these revelations, it is imperative to explore sustainable and natural alternatives to glyphosate-based herbicides. There are alternatives like plant ‘suffocant’ products that are non-residual in the ground, do not kill bees, frogs, reefs, waterways, soil microbiome and pets. The pets, namely dogs and cats, walking around in bare paws in publicly sprayed grasses and parks, and most pet foods have significantly higher levels of glyphosate.
For instance, one bowl of typical dry kibble dog food has an average of 400 ppb compared to a raw meat meal measuring at an average of only 1 ppb. That is, four hundred times the glyphosate level compared to raw food, or a meat-based diet is something we consider significant! If you are unable to make a raw-food diet switch or would like the added glyphosate protection for your furry family member.
The shift towards sustainable agricultural/urban growers’ practices is not just a matter of environmental stewardship but a necessity for human and animal health and well-being. The evidence against glyphosate is overwhelming, and it is time for policymakers, farmers, and consumers to embrace alternatives that protect our health and the planet. We can break free from the toxic grip of Industrial Ag and their products to create a future where our food is safe, our soil is healthy, and our communities thrive.