What You Must Know About Glyphosate

Glyphosate is a herbicide used on food crops in the United States. It was formerly patented and used as a metal chelator because it binds to minerals like calcium to clear them out of pipes. That may be great for the pipes, but what does that do for people who need essential nutrients to stay healthy? Many see it as the superhero or superman of the agricultural world because it claims to increase food production, but many countries in Europe have either banned or heavily restricted its use. So is glyphosate a superhero or a villain? Only you can decide, but here’s what you must know about glyphosate, the controversial herbicide.

1. Many products in the U.S. are heavily sprayed with this herbicide. It is used to control weeds and grasses. It is the active ingredient in Roundup. It’s absorbed through the leaf of the plant where it travels to the roots and prevents the roots from absorbing nutrients. It generally kills all plants it comes in contact with within 4-10 days. It can be used with corn, soybeans, etc., but the corn or soybeans must be genetically modified to withstand multiple sprayings of glyphosate. Wheat is not only grown using it, but it is also dried out using glyphosate. Some scientists and researchers claim that this herbicide dissolves in the soil and does not end up in our bodies, but others claim it spreads in both soil and water and is toxic.

2. There are conflicting opinions as to whether or not glyphosate raises our risk for cancer. Since 1974 when glyphosate was first introduced, we’ve seen a large increase in the U.S. in the use of glyphosate on our food crops. Today, over 150 tons are sprayed each year across our country. This herbicide has allowed farmers to grow more crops and increase their food supply because it is effective at managing invasive and noxious weeds. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are no risks of concern to human health. The EPA also declares that glyphosate is “unlikely to be a human carcinogen.” This is interesting because the World Health Organization (WHO) found it to be “probably carcinogenic to humans.” In their opinion, glyphosate is in the same category as arsenic and asbestos, and asbestos raises cancer risk by 28%. That’s why it’s no longer allowed in buildings and other products. So what’s a concerned consumer to believe? More research needs to be done.

On the other hand, some studies suggest a possible link between glyphosate exposure and an increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other cancers. One study, a meta-analysis at the University of Washington found that the link between glyphosate and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) is stronger than previously reported.

The rise of glyphosate as the most widely used herbicide raises serious health concerns, given its potential links with NHL. Although the underlying mechanisms remain unknown, mechanistic studies of glyphosate-induced immunosuppression/inflammation, endocrine disruption, genetic alterations, and oxidative stress suggest plausible links between GBH (glyphosate-based herbicides) exposure and NHL development. The overall evidence from human, animal, and mechanistic studies presented here supports a compelling link between exposures to GBHs and increased risk for NHL

3. Glyphosate use is restricted in organic farming in the US and is restricted or banned in some countries. Its use is simply not allowed in organic farming in our country. And for this reason, more and more people each year are turning to organic crops. Countries such as China, Canada, Brazil, and Australia allow glyphosate use. Although it is heavily used in the United States, there are a few counties and areas with restrictions. In fact, as early as 2017 the state of California added glyphosate to its list of carcinogens. In March 2019, Los Angeles County issued a moratorium on glyphosate. The County Board of Supervisors cited a need for more research into glyphosate’s health effects.

Since the International Agency on Research on Cancer (IARC which is part of WHO) found glyphosate to be probably carcinogenic in in 2015, several countries have banned or restricted glyphosate use. These countries include Austria, Belgium, The Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Bermuda, Thailand, Vietnam, and Germany. Germany passed legislation in 2021 to stop using glyphosate by 2024.

4. Glyphosate may be an endocrine disruptor, gut disruptor, and promoter of inflammation and oxidative stress. Stephanie Seneff, MIT’s (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) senior research scientist claims that glyphosate is an endocrine disruptor and an underlying factor for many diseases today including autism. She also believes that glyphosate kills bacteria in the gut and tears through the gut lining. She is not the only researcher who has concerns about this herbicide and its wide use in America. There are many medical doctors who have also expressed concern including Dr. Russell Blaylock.

A study from the UC Berkeley School of Public Health found that childhood exposure to glyphosate may increase the risk of liver inflammation and metabolic disorders in early adulthood, which could lead to later health problems.  Other studies suggest that glyphosate exposure can affect the nervous system leading to oxidative stress and damage to neurons.

5. Glyphosate was found in my body at high levels. And this was not the only pesticide/herbicide found in my body at high levels. One of the Agent Orange chemicals, 2,4 D was also found. This is interesting because the EPA states on its website:

Residues of glyphosate on any food or feed item are safe for consumers up to the established tolerances. Before allowing the use of a pesticide on food crops, EPA sets a tolerance or limit on how much pesticide residue can legally remain on food and feed products, or commodities. If residues are found above the established tolerance level, the commodity will be subject to seizure by the government. The presence of a detectible pesticide residue does not mean the residue is at an unsafe level.

But what about the high presence of a pesticide?  Remember some scientists and researchers claim that this herbicide dissolves in the soil and does not end up in our bodies. Well, think again. According to research at the CDC, More than 80% of urine samples drawn from children and adults in a US health study contained detectable levels of glyphosate.

When I showed the results of my urine test to a retired, high-ranking professor of Agriculture at Clemson University, he about fell out of his chair. He told me, “We were promised by the Big Agriculture companies that these pesticides could not accumulate in the human body.” Think again!

6. More than 100,000 cancer lawsuits have been filed in the US against the manufacturer of glyphosate (Roundup). These lawsuits claim that glyphosate is to blame for their cancer. These are mainly people suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). To date, 80% of all Roundup claims have been settled with 30,000 still active and pending.  Now why would all these claims be paid out if there was no evidence that glyphosate is harmful?

When high levels of glyphosate were found in my body, I decided to lower my levels. I was diagnosed with an aggressive and estrogen-fed cancer for which I had no genetics or risk factors. I also did not have high estrogen levels coming from the estrogen production in my body as measured by hormone tests a year before my diagnosis.

Certainly, more research needs to be done, and that research needs to be unbiased meaning not paid for by the company that benefits from its use. This also makes me wonder if the EPA, CDC, and the Department of Agriculture are even communicating with each other. Are they really protecting us?

This is a question only you can research and decide. Hopefully, I’ve given you the groundwork to do exactly that. Stay tuned because next week I’ll give you ways you can lower your exposure to glyphosate and other pesticides.

Do you think glyphosate is a superhero or a villain? Did you realize its wide use in our country when other countries are banning or limiting it?

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What You Must Know About Glyphosate

Related video (to be published July 22, 2025):

Six Ways to Lower Your Exposure to Glyphosate

For Your Health,

Ginny

***** This content is strictly the opinion of Ginny Brant and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Ginny Brant nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program. *****