Imagine going into a restaurant and telling the waitress “I’ll take the most toxic item you have on the menu” or “I’ll take the weed killer.” But that’s essentially what we’ve all unknowingly been doing for many years.
Private researchers have been recording high levels of the herbicide glyphosate in their analyses of human urine samples for many years. But the issue has made its way into the spotlight as the CDC has taken an interest in the matter, publishing data and conducting their own research.
Glyphosate is one of the most commonly used herbicides. It’s used in many different scales of agriculture. Everything from households to industrial farms and many places in between.
Its use as a herbicide isn’t limited to just agriculture. It’s also utilized in public spaces like parks and playgrounds to prevent the growth of weeds and other unwanted plants.
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide. This means that it can’t be used to kill specific weeds or plants. Instead, it kills most broadleaf plants in the area it is used. It works by inhibiting the action of a plant enzyme that plays a role in the synthesis of three amino acids named phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan.
Glyphosate is absorbed into plants primarily through its leaves, and only tiny amounts of it are absorbed into the roots. Consequently, glyphosate is actually only effective at killing growing weeds and grass. It cannot stop seeds from germinating in the first place.
Once it is absorbed into the plant structure, glyphosate spreads all around the plant—to its roots and leaves—and prevents it from making proteins that are necessary for its growth. This is what ends up killing the plants.
There are numerous research articles and opinion pieces about the topic as newly discovered (and disturbing) data has been released, but the real question is: What Can We Do About It?
Be Aware Of And Minimize Your Exposure
Glyphosate doesn’t disappear after being sprayed. So after being used on crops, it can remain in the environment and you can be exposed. The main sources of glyphosate exposure include:
- The water you drink – Runoff water is often mixed with our mainstream water system.
- The food you eat – The herbicide residue remains on the produce you eat.
- The environment you’re in – Particles travel in the air and can be inhaled.
Choose Organic And Non-GMO Foods
GMO foods have been genetically engineered to be tougher and more resistant in order to increase crop production – meaning they are often sprayed with particularly high levels of glyphosate and other chemicals. Choose organically grown non-GMO foods to decrease your exposure.
Detox With Regenerative Medicine
The antioxidant glutathione is critical when it comes to detoxification from chemical substances.
Glutathione is created in the liver. It is made up of three amino acids: cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid. Glutathione functions as an antioxidant and co-enzyme for chemical reactions that are responsible for healing and protecting cells. Detox help is another role it may play.
When our bodies are exposed to environmental toxins, compounds called free radicals are produced. These unstable molecules can damage tissue and start the aging process from the inside out. They may also deplete glutathione over time.
Free radicals impair the immune system which increases the risk of chronic illnesses such as cancer and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Depletion of glutathione levels has also been associated with cardiovascular issues, diseases of the nervous system and cancer.
Glutathione levels decrease as we age and as we’re exposed to various chemical toxins. Unlike other antioxidants which come from plant foods, glutathione is made from the protein in our diets. Protein sources rich in cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine are important to replenish glutathione.
There are other ways to optimize your levels of Glutathione with regenerative medicine, such as:
- IV Glutathione
We offer IV Glutathione as part of many of our IVs such as our Detox Drip (lifestyle drip offered to guests and patients) and our Detox Support drip (which is offered to established patients only). IV Glutathione is also included in many of our menu options. Check out our online menu.
- Oral Glutathione
We offer several different options in the office for an oral version or Glutathione.
- Injection
Our Tri-Immune injections include Vitamin C, Zinc, and Glutathione.
- Infrared sauna
- Exercise
The sad truth is that we live in a world that is full of toxins. From the food we eat to the places we travel, we are constantly bombarded with toxins. Over time, these exposures compound and create problems for our health.
The good news is that there are ways to help heal the damage that has been done with regenerative medicine and protect our bodies from increased exposure in the future.
You are ultimately in charge of your health, your daily choices and how you care for your body. By taking steps towards better health with regenerative medicine, you’re making a long-term investment in your health.
If you’d like to know more about what’s hiding in your body, ask us about our environmental toxin blood panels and other diagnostic testing available.
While news articles often use scary headlines to grab our attention, remember that HOPE and HELP are available. Let us help you learn more about your body and the factors that are affecting your health to create a personalized plan to optimize your life.