Roundup Ready - Bt-Toxin and GMOs
A Dangerous Trinity That Encourages Gluten Intolerance
and Celiac Disease
Stes de
Necker
In
2012, at least 283.5 million pounds of glyphosate (the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup Ready)
was used in U.S. alone. For those who are unconcerned about the environmental or
human impacts, this number may not be cause for alarm. But for the
millions of people who have developed an array of health issues linked to
gluten sensitivity, the assault of foods laden with glyphosate and Bt-toxin is a critical issue.
The rise of gluten intolerance
It’s
estimated that some 20 million people in the United States are classified as
non-celiac gluten-sensitive, which is approximately 6-7% of the general
population. However, Dr. Ford, a pediatrician in New Zealand and author
of The Gluten Syndrome, and Dr. Fine, a gastroenterologist, both
believe the rate of gluten intolerance could be closer to 50% of the
population.
“There
are so many people who are sick,” Dr. Ford says. “At least 10% are
gluten-sensitive, and it’s probably more like 30%. I was sticking my neck out
years ago when I said at least 10% of the population is gluten-sensitive. My
medical colleagues were saying gluten sensitivity didn’t exist. We’ll probably
find it’s more than 50% when we finally settle on a number.”
Moreover,
a 2009 study Increased Prevalence and Mortality in Undiagnosed
Celiac Disease was published in the journal Gastroenterology,
which found that there has been a four-fold increase of undiagnosed celiac
disease in the U.S. since the 1950’s.
Celiac
disease is a serious autoimmune disorder resulting from the ingestion of gluten
containing grains (wheat, spelt, rye, barley and cross-contaminated oats).
Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, skin rashes, anemia and depression.
Associated with numerous nutritional deficiencies, it can cause reproductive
issues along with increased risk of cancer, thyroid disease and kidney failure.
What
has happened in the last sixty years that could account for such a sharp
increase in gluten intolerance and celiac disease?
Glyphosate and the gut
One
piece of the puzzle lies with the Roundup Ready herbicide. GreenMedInfo explains how glyphosate causes an imbalance
in gut flora that can lead to gluten intolerance:
“Gluten-sensitive
individuals, and especially those with celiac disease, also commonly have an
imbalance in their gut flora. The reason that caesarean section increases risk
6 and breastfeeding decreases risk for gluten sensitivity is likely due to
their respective effects on microbial balance in the infant’s gut.
Glyphosate
used on GM crops is not only an herbicide, but also a potent antibiotic. Even
with minimal exposure, glyphosate can significantly reduce the population of
beneficial gut bacteria and promote the overgrowth of harmful strains. An
overgrowth of harmful bacteria can promote inflammation, leaky gut, and immune
reactions, all of which are linked to gluten-related disorders.”
Genetically modified crops and the
Bt-toxin
Glyphosate
isn’t the only element in GMO agriculture that’s problematic — the Bt-toxin
spliced into GMO crops like corn and cotton is also of concern. A potent
insecticide that kills pests by punching holes in their digestive tracts,
Bt-toxin punctures human cells too. It survives digestion and has been detected
in 93% of pregnant women who were tested, as well as 80% of their unborn
children.
On
top of that, Bt-toxin can trigger the immune system in unhealthy ways.
According to the Institute for Responsible Technology:
“When
mice were exposed to Bt-toxin, they not only mounted an immune response to it
directly, but they subsequently reacted to foods that had not formally
triggered a response. There was something about the Bt-toxin that primed the
immune system to become reactive to other, once benign, foods. If humans
exposed to Bt-toxin react in a similar manner, eating GM corn could directly
lead to the development of gluten or other food sensitivities.”
Both
the Bt-toxin and glyphosate damage the microvilli lining the intestinal tract
in animal tests. This same flattening of the microvilli is also seen with those
who are sensitive to gluten or suffer from celiac disease.
Research
indicates that the Bt-toxin, glyphosate and GMO crops in general are associated
with the following conditions, which can cause or aggravate
intolerance to gluten:
Leaky
gut syndrome
Compromised
gut bacteria
Autoimmune
disorders
Weakened
digestion
Impairment
of the intestinal wall
Additionally,
a study published in Interdisciplinary Toxicology established a
connection between the rise in celiac disease in North America and Europe to
glyphosate exposure. The researchers involved in the study found:
“Deficiencies
in iron, cobalt, molybdenum, copper and other rare metals associated with
celiac disease can be attributed to glyphosate’s strong ability to chelate
these elements. Deficiencies in tryptophan, tyrosine, methionine and
selenomethionine associated with celiac disease match glyphosate’s known
depletion of these amino acids. Celiac disease patients have an increased risk
to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which has also been implicated in glyphosate
exposure. Reproductive issues associated with celiac disease, such as
infertility, miscarriages, and birth defects, can also be explained by
glyphosate.
Glyphosate
residues in wheat and other crops are likely increasing recently due to the
growing practice of crop desiccation just prior to the harvest.” The team adds,
“We argue that the practice of “ripening” sugar cane with glyphosate may
explain the recent surge in kidney failure among agricultural workers in
Central America. We conclude with a plea to governments to reconsider policies
regarding the safety of glyphosate residues in foods.”
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