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Thursday, May 9th, 2013

Study Links Monsanto’s Roundup to Autism, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s

Author:     GENNA REED
Source:     EcoWatch
Publication Date:     5/3/2013
 Link: Study Links Monsanto’s Roundup to Autism, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
Stephan:   Here is the latest on The Great GMO Experiment trend in which we are the lab rats in the study. The thing about this that is really alarming is that, like the asbestos crisis, the actual results of this study may not be known for decades, and it may take decades more to establish the link irrefutably. During that time the lives of millions of Americans may be damaged. Increasingly, for this and other reasons, it becomes clear that if you eat food cooked by a corporation you are putting your health at risk.

A new review of hundreds of scientific studies surrounding glyphosate-the major component of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide-sheds light on its effects within the human body. The paper describes how all of these effects could work together, and with other variables, trigger health problems in humans, including debilitating diseases like gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

Glyphosate impairs the cytochrome P450 (CYP) gene pathway, which creates enzymes that help to form and also break down molecules in cells. There are myriad important CYP enzymes, including aromatase (the enzyme that converts androgen into estrogen) and 21-Hydroxylase, which creates cortisol (stress hormone) and aldosterone (regulates blood pressure). One function of these CYP enzymes is also to detoxify xenobiotics, which are foreign chemicals like drugs, carcinogens or pesticides. Glyphosate inhibits these CYP enzymes, which has rippling effects throughout our body.

Because the CYP pathway is essential for normal functioning of various systems in our bodies, any small change in its expression can lead to disruptions. For example, humans exposed to glyphosate have decreased levels of the amino acid tryptophan, which is necessary for active signaling of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Suppressed serotonin levels have been associated with weight gain, depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

This paper […]

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