How do you detox from glyphosate?

Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that has become pervasive in our food supply and environment. As concerns grow over the potential health risks of glyphosate, many people are looking for ways to eliminate or reduce their exposure. Detoxing from glyphosate is possible, but requires diligence and commitment to making diet and lifestyle changes.

What is glyphosate?

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in popular weedkillers like Roundup. It works by blocking enzymes that plants need to grow. Glyphosate was first registered as an herbicide in 1974 and became more widely used in the 1990s with the introduction of genetically engineered “Roundup Ready” crops that are resistant to the chemical.

In recent years, glyphosate has become the most heavily-used agricultural chemical in history. Over 250 million pounds of glyphosate are applied annually in the US alone. Traces of glyphosate residues are now commonly found in food, air, water and human urine samples.

Why is glyphosate toxic?

Glyphosate is designed to kill plants by interrupting critical biochemical processes. Unfortunately, many of these same processes also take place in the human body. Glyphosate has been linked to potential health risks including:

  • Digestive issues – Glyphosate may impact healthy gut bacteria.
  • Neurological problems – It may affect the nervous system and brain function.
  • Hormone disruption – Glyphosate exposure may be linked to hormone-dependent cancers and reproductive issues.
  • Liver and kidney damage – Animal studies show glyphosate can cause organ damage.
  • Birth defects – Occupational exposure in agriculture may increase risks.
  • Cancers – The World Health Organization classifies glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”

However, the degree of human toxicity is controversial and still under active investigation. People looking to minimize health risks often take steps to avoid glyphosate in their diet and environment.

How are people exposed to glyphosate?

There are multiple ways people may be exposed to glyphosate:

  • Food – Most exposure comes from eating contaminated food crops. Glyphosate accumulates in leaves, stems, roots and even fruit. This includes non-GMO crops, since glyphosate is sprayed as a harvest aid.
  • Drinking water – Glyphosate leaches into ground and surface water supplies.
  • Air – Glyphosate particles can drift through the air during spraying.
  • Consumer products – Glyphosate is found at low levels in many household products and building materials.
  • Gardening – Exposure can occur through handling weedkiller products or contaminated soil.

The highest glyphosate levels are found in conventional grains and legumes, as well as genetically engineered corn and soybeans. People following standard Western diets have relatively high background exposures.

Are you at high risk for exposure?

Certain dietary patterns, occupations and lifestyles tend to involve more glyphosate exposure:

  • Eating a grain-based, Western diet of processed foods.
  • Consuming genetically engineered corn and soy products.
  • Eating animals fed GMO grains or sprayed with glyphosate.
  • Living or working on or near a farm using glyphosate.
  • Working as a landscaper or groundskeeper.
  • Using glyphosate-based weedkillers at home.

Pregnant women, babies, children and individuals with poor gut health or compromised immune systems may have higher vulnerability to glyphosate toxicity.

How long does glyphosate stay in the body?

Research shows that glyphosate has a relatively short biological half-life. For most people, their bodies will get rid of glyphosate within 5-7 days through urine and feces. However, a small percentage of ingested glyphosate may be retained in bones, organs and tissues like the liver, kidneys and brain. One study found bioaccumulation of glyphosate in pigs fed a GMO diet.

Signs you may need a glyphosate detox

Some symptoms and health conditions have been associated with glyphosate exposure. If you regularly experience any of the following, a detox may be beneficial:

  • Chronic digestive upset – cramps, constipation, diarrhea, IBS
  • Nutrient deficiencies – vitamins, minerals
  • Brain fog, headaches
  • Hormonal issues – infertility, thyroid problems, menstrual cycle disruption
  • Weight gain and obesity
  • Fatigue – chronic fatigue
  • Weakened immune function – frequent colds/flu
  • Kidney or liver problems

Note that these symptoms have not been definitively linked to glyphosate and may be indicative of other health issues. Lab testing can check for glyphosate levels in urine. Consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

How to test your glyphosate levels

Glyphosate can be measured in urine, blood, water, breast milk and other samples. Here are a few options for glyphosate testing:

  • Order an at-home test kit – Companies like The Detox Project or MyGlyphosateTest sell DIY urine test kits you mail to a lab.
  • Ask your doctor – Many labs can now test urine samples for glyphosate. This may be covered by insurance with a doctor’s order.
  • Independent lab testing – Labs like The Health Research Institute offer individual glyphosate tests for a fee.

Glyphosate levels can fluctuate widely day-to-day based on recent exposures. For a more complete picture, some experts recommend testing multiple times over a period of weeks and tracking results.

Ideal glyphosate levels

Glyphosate is not a nutrient or compound that should be present in the body at any level. However, chronic dietary exposure means low levels are common:

  • Less than 0.5 μg/L is considered a baseline exposure level.
  • Above 1 μg/L indicates higher than average contamination.
  • Levels above 5 μg/L are considered dangerous long-term.
  • People aiming to avoid glyphosate should test below 0.5 μg/L.

How to detoxify from glyphosate

Lowering your glyphosate levels requires reducing exposure plus supporting detoxification pathways in the body. Key steps include:

1. Avoid GMO foods

Eliminate conventionally grown corn, soybean, canola and sugar beet products. Choose certified organic or non-GMO verified alternatives. This includes animal products like meat, eggs and dairy from non-GMO fed animals.

2. Consume organic produce

Reduce glyphosate residues by selecting only certified organic fruits, vegetables and grains. Peeling and washing can help remove some external contamination.

3. Filter your water

Remove glyphosate from your drinking water using a reverse osmosis filter or charcoal-based purification method. This includes water used for cooking.

4. Stop using Roundup

Avoid working with glyphosate weedkillers in your yard, garden or landscaping business. Seek out non-toxic methods of vegetation management and permaculture approaches that work with nature.

5. Eat detoxifying foods

Incorporate more foods that support detox organs and healthy elimination:

  • Leafy greens
  • Cruciferous vegetables
  • Herbs and spices – cilantro, garlic, turmeric
  • High fiber – fruits, vegetables, flax, chia
  • Probiotics – kefir, kimchi, kombucha
  • Chlorella or spirulina

6. Take protective supplements

Certain nutrients can help promote glyphosate excretion and counteract toxicity:

  • Bentonite clay
  • Activated charcoal
  • Milk thistle
  • Dandelion
  • Glyphosate oxidoreductase
  • Probiotics

7. Support your gut health

Enhance digestive healing to protect gut barrier function and microbiome diversity. Consider an elimination diet, bone broth, fermented foods and L-glutamine powder.

8. Sauna therapy

Gently detoxify through exercise and induced sweating. Use an infrared sauna 2-3 times per week to help eliminate toxins through the skin.

How long does it take to detox from glyphosate?

Glyphosate will clear from your system faster with dietary and lifestyle changes that support detoxification. It can take 3-6 months on a glyphosate avoidance protocol to clear residues and reduce urine concentrations below 0.5 μg/L. Continued efforts are needed to stay low.

Long term strategies for avoiding glyphosate

Making sustainable changes to remove constant glyphosate exposure from your life may have significant benefits for health. Here are some long term strategies:

  • Grow your own organic garden
  • Buy from farmers markets and CSAs
  • Cook more whole food meals at home
  • Follow an organic, mostly plant-based diet
  • Choose natural personal care and household products
  • Use green cleaning supplies without toxic chemicals
  • Install water filters in your home
  • Limit visits to conventional restaurants
  • Live in a rural area away from agricultural spraying

Detox risks and considerations

It is generally safe to proactively avoid glyphosate exposure from your diet and environment. However, note a few risks of detoxing:

  • Detox symptoms – Some people feel unwell for a period as toxins release.
  • Cost – Organic food is more expensive. Supplements also cost money.
  • Social impact – Avoiding friends and family meals may be difficult.
  • Nutrient deficiency – Work with a nutritionist to ensure balanced intake during a cleanse.

Focus on making gradual, sustainable changes. More drastic detox approaches may not be necessary for most people with moderate glyphosate levels.

Conclusion

Glyphosate has become ubiquitous in the modern food system through the proliferation of GMO crops and conventional agriculture. However, increasing concerns over health make avoidance and detoxification strategies appealing. By focusing on certified organic foods, water filtration, protective supplements and gut healing, it is possible to significantly reduce your glyphosate levels and exposure over time. Testing your urine and maintaining strict organic purchasing habits are key to keeping concentrations low long-term.

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