Daily Archives: April 12, 2018

Peer reviewed glyphosate papers of Anthony Samsel & Stephanie Seneff

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Anthony Samsel and Stephanie Seneff have written a series of peer reviewed papers on problems with glyphosate. They have been published on Researchgate. One can read or download published articles free of charge. Samsel and Seneff have so far a series of six articles published there about glyphosate. All of them are relevant. The later ones deal with hitherto less known aspects of glyphosate which describe newer threats of having glyphosate in our food and environment. The seventh article is being prepared.

I have read the articles and downloaded them for future reference. I decided to separately make available the pdf copies of those articles, all listed in one place, for easy access. This blog is that place. Please note, if you wish to read the original from the Researchgate. You may also do it from here, by either clicking on the original link at the bottom of the abstract, or clicking on the (pdf) link next to each article heading, such as Glyphosate I or Glyphosate II. You may first read the abstracts of each paper and move on, or decide to read/download the full article. There is also an additional list of all the pdf files at the bottom of this blog.

Glyphosate I (pdf)

Glyphosate’s Suppression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Amino Acid Biosynthesis by the Gut Microbiome: Pathways to Modern Diseases.

Abstract
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup ® , is the most popular herbicide used worldwide. The industry asserts it is minimally toxic to humans, but here we argue otherwise. Residues are found in the main foods of the Western diet, comprised primarily of sugar, corn, soy and wheat. Glyphosate’s inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes is an overlooked component of its toxicity to mammals. CYP enzymes play crucial roles in biology, one of which is to detoxify xenobiotics. Thus, glyphosate enhances the damaging effects of other food borne chemical residues and environmental toxins. Negative impact on the body is insidious and manifests slowly over time as inflammation damages cellular systems throughout the body. Here, we show how interference with CYP enzymes acts synergistically with disruption of the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids by gut bacteria, as well as impairment in serum sulfate transport. Consequences are most of the diseases and conditions associated with a Western diet, which include gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, autism, infertility, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. We explain the documented effects of glyphosate and its ability to induce disease, and we show that glyphosate is the “textbook example” of exogenous semiotic entropy: the disruption of homeostasis by environmental toxins.
Glyphosate’s Suppression of Cytochrome… (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236211603_Glyphosate%27s_Suppression_of_Cytochrome_P450_Enzymes_and_Amino_Acid_Biosynthesis_by_the_Gut_Microbiome_Pathways_to_Modern_Diseases[accessed Apr 13 2018].

Glyphosate II (pdf)

Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases II: Celiac sprue and gluten intolerance

Abstract
Celiac disease, and, more generally, gluten intolerance, is a growing problem worldwide, but especially in North America and Europe, where an estimated 5% of the population now suffers from it. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, skin rashes, macrocytic anemia and depression. It is a multifactorial disease associated with numerous nutritional deficiencies as well as reproductive issues and increased risk to thyroid disease, kidney failure and cancer. Here, we propose that glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide, Roundup(®), is the most important causal factor in this epidemic. Fish exposed to glyphosate develop digestive problems that are reminiscent of celiac disease. Celiac disease is associated with imbalances in gut bacteria that can be fully explained by the known effects of glyphosate on gut bacteria. Characteristics of celiac disease point to impairment in many cytochrome P450 enzymes, which are involved with detoxifying environmental toxins, activating vitamin D3, catabolizing vitamin A, and maintaining bile acid production and sulfate supplies to the gut. Glyphosate is known to inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes. 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. 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.

Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases… (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261189254_Glyphosate_pathways_to_modern_diseases_II_Celiac_sprue_and_gluten_intolerance?enrichId=rgreq-b66c3c27a3a98312590760bb16620f2e-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzI2MTE4OTI1NDtBUzo5OTU3Mzg5MjY0ODk3OEAxNDAwNzUxNjc1MDgz&el=1_x_3[accessed Apr 13 2018].

Glyphosate III (pdf)

Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases III: Manganese, neurological diseases, and associated pathologies

Abstract
Manganese (Mn) is an often overlooked but important nutrient, required in small amounts for multiple essential functions in the body. A recent study on cows fed genetically modified Roundup®‐Ready feed revealed a severe depletion of serum Mn. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup®, has also been shown to severely deplete Mn levels in plants. Here, we investigate the impact of Mn on physiology, and its association with gut dysbiosis as well as neuropathologies such as autism, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), depression, anxiety syndrome, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and prion diseases. Glutamate overexpression in the brain in association with autism, AD, and other neurological diseases can be explained by Mn deficiency. Mn superoxide dismutase protects mitochondria from oxidative damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction is a key feature of autism and Alzheimer’s. Chondroitin sulfate synthesis depends on Mn, and its deficiency leads to osteoporosis and osteomalacia. Lactobacillus, depleted in autism, depend critically on Mn for antioxidant protection. Lactobacillus probiotics can treat anxiety, which is a comorbidity of autism and chronic fatigue syndrome. Reduced gut Lactobacillus leads to overgrowth of the pathogen, Salmonella, which is resistant to glyphosate toxicity, and Mn plays a role here as well. Sperm motility depends on Mn, and this may partially explain increased rates of infertility and birth defects. We further reason that, under conditions of adequate Mn in the diet, glyphosate, through its disruption of bile acid homeostasis, ironically promotes toxic accumulation of Mn in the brainstem, leading to conditions such as PD and prion diseases.

Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases… (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274005953_Glyphosate_pathways_to_modern_diseases_III_Manganese_neurological_diseases_and_associated_pathologies?enrichId=rgreq-1f1a9a57863d3cae1e3c8246cd0f6327-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzI3NDAwNTk1MztBUzoyMTA2MjI5ODI2OTI4NjRAMTQyNzIyNzg0MDMyOA%3D%3D&el=1_x_3 [accessed Apr 13 2018].

Glyphosate IV (pdf)

Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases IV: cancer and related pathologies

Abstract
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the pervasive herbicide, Roundup, and its usage, particularly in the United States, has increased dramatically in the last two decades, in step with the widespread adoption of Roundup®-Ready core crops. The World Health Organization recently labelled glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic.” In this paper, we review the research literature, with the goal of evaluating the carcinogenic potential of glyphosate. Glyphosate has a large number of tumorigenic effects on biological systems, including direct damage to DNA in sensitive cells, disruption of glycine homeostasis, succinate dehydrogenase inhibition, chelation of manganese, modification to more carcinogenic molecules such as N-nitrosoglyphosate and glyoxylate, disruption of fructose metabolism, etc. Epidemiological evidence supports strong temporal correlations between glyphosate usage on crops and a multitude of cancers that are reaching epidemic proportions, including breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer and myeloid leukaemia. Here, we support these correlations through an examination of Monsanto’s early studies on glyphosate, and explain how the biological effects of glyphosate could induce each of these cancers. We believe that the available evidence warrants a reconsideration of the risk/benefit trade-off with respect to glyphosate usage to control weeds, and we advocate much stricter regulation of glyphosate.

Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases… (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283490944_Glyphosate_pathways_to_modern_diseases_IV_cancer_and_related_pathologies?enrichId=rgreq-988f995b6ad30762cd4f7f5bfeadb55c-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzI4MzQ5MDk0NDtBUzoyOTIxNTI2Mzk4MDMzOTlAMTQ0NjY2NjAyNTU4Nw%3D%3D&el=1_x_3[accessed Apr 13 2018].

Glyphosate V (pdf)

Glyphosate pathways to modern diseases V: Amino acid analogue of glycine in diverse proteins

Abstract
Glyphosate, a synthetic amino acid and analogue of glycine, is the most widely used biocide on the planet. Its presence in food for human consumption and animal feed is ubiquitous. Epidemiological studies have revealed a strong correlation between the increasing incidence in the United States of a large number of chronic diseases and the increased use of glyphosate herbicide on corn, soy and wheat crops. Glyphosate, acting as a glycine analogue, may be mistakenly incorporated into peptides during protein synthesis. A deep search of the research literature has revealed a number of protein classes that depend on conserved glycine residues for proper function. Glycine, the smallest amino acid, has unique properties that support flexibility and the ability to anchor to the plasma membrane or the cytoskeleton. Glyphosate substitution for conserved glycines can easily explain a link with diabetes, obesity, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary edema, adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, prion diseases, lupus, mitochondrial disease, non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma, neural tube defects, infertility, hypertension, glaucoma, osteoporosis, fatty liver disease and kidney failure. The correlation data together with the direct biological evidence make a compelling case for glyphosate action as a glycine analogue to account for much of glyphosate’s toxicity. Glufosinate, an analogue of glutamate, likely exhibits an analogous toxicity mechanism. There is an urgent need to find an effective and economical way to grow crops without the use of glyphosate and glufosinate as herbicides.

Glyphosate pathways to modern diseases V:… (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305318376_Glyphosate_pathways_to_modern_diseases_V_Amino_acid_analogue_of_glycine_in_diverse_proteins?ev=publicSearchHeader&_sg=K24sjjB2XLXJfITb6XNNXCpSPbbbf_zY4iHZGvbzshZ3miV1GtWNfLOSfbeTA07arEHrf3T7KetKxvc[accessed Apr 13 2018].

Glyphosate VI (pdf)

Glyphosate pathways to modern diseases VI: Prions, amyloidoses and autoimmune neurological diseases.

Abstract
Usage of the herbicide glyphosate on core crops in the USA has increased exponentially over the past two decades, in step with the exponential increase in autoimmune diseases including autism, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes, coeliac disease, neuromyelitis optica and many others. In this paper we explain how glyphosate, acting as a non-coding amino acid analogue of glycine, could erroneously be integrated with or incorporated into protein synthesis in place of glycine, producing a defective product that resists proteolysis. Whether produced by a microbe or present in a food source, such a peptide could lead to autoimmune disease through molecular mimicry. We discuss similarities in other naturally produced disease-causing amino acid analogues, such as the herbicide glufosinate and the insecticide L-canavanine, and provide multiple examples of glycine-containing short peptides linked to autoimmune disease, particularly with respect to multiple sclerosis. Most disturbing is the presence of glyphosate in many popular vaccines including the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which we have verified here for the first time. Contamination may come through bovine protein, bovine calf serum, bovine casein, egg protein and/or gelatin. Gelatin sourced from the skin and bones of pigs and cattle given glyphosate-contaminated feed contains the herbicide. Collagen, the principal component of gelatin, contains very high levels of glycine, as do the digestive enzymes: pepsin, trypsin and lipase. The live measles virus could produce glyphosate-containing haemagglutinin, which might induce an autoimmune attack on myelin basic protein, commonly observed in autism. Regulatory agencies urgently need to reconsider the risks associated with the indiscriminate use of glyphosate to control weeds.

Glyphosate pathways to modern diseases… (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316601847_Glyphosate_pathways_to_modern_diseases_VI_Prions_amyloidoses_and_autoimmune_neurological_diseases?enrichId=rgreq-aa8181f5123ca989d8b9c37c9b3f020a-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzMxNjYwMTg0NztBUzo0ODkxNDkyNzE2Nzg5NzZAMTQ5MzYzMzY4MjAzNQ%3D%3D&el=1_x_3&_esc=publicationCoverPdf[accessed Apr 13 2018].

Glyphosate I Cytochrome P450
Glyphosate II Celiac, gluten intolerance
Glyphosate III Manganese, neurological diseases
Glyphosate IV Cancer
Glyphosate V Amino acid analogue of glycine
Glyphosate VI Prions, autoimmune diseases

Glyphosate VII is in the works.

Breaking News : Suspected Glyphosate- Heavy Metal link

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It starts with the Canada-India link on lentils and ends with possible glyphosate-heavy metal link just disclosed by Anthony Samsel.

It took me several months of stay in India, to come to the conclusion that the most important link between glyphosate and INDIA, for the people living here, might be through Canadian lentils.

I already had rear 8,000 test records from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on foods tested for glyphosate, and further near 100,000 records of other biocides in food. I already knew how bad the lentils and chickpea were, from the Canadian tests.

I knew Canada was growing and exporting lentils to India. I knew Jodi Koberinsky of Ontario was doing her Masters degree work on this Canadian lentil to India issue.

I knew the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan grew most of these lentils, having allocated upward of 7 million acres of land to it. India was unable to cope with local demand for pulses and Canada had become by far the largest exporter of pulses to India.

I also knew, by analyzing the CFIA data, that Canada along with USA produced the most toxic of all foods on earth, and that lentils grown in Canada contained high levels of glyphosate, averaging several hundred parts per billion and that over 80% of Canadian lentil samples were contaminated with glyphosate.

I also saw lentils imported from India and tested by CFIA showed lower levels of glyphosate. This points to the possibility that India is also using glyphosate in lentil production, but perhaps not as much as Canada, or that the so called Indian lentil were mixed up already with Canadian product.

Lastly, I knew from young women like Stephanie of British Columbia who lived in the agricultural belt in Saskatchewan, how her family was poisoned by aerial spraying of glyphosate around her home, how her dogs got sick, her children and pregnancy got affected, how they themselves got sick and finally how things started turning around when they migrated out of that place and resettled in British Columbia, where aerial spraying is used over forests, regrettably, but not over agricultural and residential areas.

I knew most folks in India ate lentils, either in their original form or as powdered version added to various processed foods.

And now, from several articles, I came to know that Canada was perhaps the largest exporter of pulses to India and the amount sold to India is considerable – enough to perhaps make a major impact in the slow poisoning of the Indian population.

Not just that, I now had information from friends that even in the remote and biologically diverse regions of the Himalayan foothills, where travel itself is difficult, glyphosate was already being sprayed around rubber plantations. Glyphosate had reached far corners of India as the first arrivals of a civilization gone toxic.

However, folks in India were not yet sufficiently aware of the extreme dangers associated with the use of glyphosate. I was mulling over all these issues, when I called Anthony Samsel in New Hampshire, USA, for a chitchat on glyphosate, lentils and how glyphosate might be affecting the very DNA of a plant by switching wrong genes on or off.

Anthony Samsel told me about the suspected Glyphosate-Heavy metal link and the need to test lentils with different levels of glyphosate and heavy metals like Lead, Cadmium, Aluminum.

This was breaking news.
This also could be the link that India needed.

India needed to:

  • send samples to Anthony Samsel, which I would engage in arranging
  • find ways to get the local government agencies to test imported lentils against glyphosate and find ways to reject the shipment if glyphosate content was high.
  • get the government to engage in large scale and broad based testing of its food for glyphosate contamination and release the results to the people.
  • get the government to disclose hitherto hidden safety document that is supposed to prove that glyphosate does not harm higher mammals.

I would also need to send Saskatchewan’s lentils to Anthony.

So, for now, lentil-heavy metal link was the breaking news, and the lentil-glyphosate link might just be the 900 pound gorilla at India’s dinner table, as well as all folks in North America that drop in to eat Indian food at local restaurants, as well as those that eat processed, packaged food that contains ground lentil powder.