Vitamin D activating enzyme and Glyphosate, the herbicide Roundup,

The herbicide Roundup has an active ingredient, glyphosate, that has been found to inhibit the action of a group of enzymes, the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, which are important within the liver for synthesis of cholesterol products and for activation of vitamin D to the active hormone D form.

Taking megadoses of vitamin D would not help much if the body is unable to activate it to the hormone form.

Presumably glyphosate is only toxic to bacteria but our intestines and our health depend on our intestines having a healthy balance of bacteria. And more bad news, one of the few types of intestinal bacteria that are able to break down glyphosate, unfortunately are able to break it down to formaldehyde which is toxic to humans and has been associated with increased risk for developing autism. It also chelates some trace minerals including zinc and cobalt.

  • This article is long and complicated but it is written for the average reader as well as for those in academic fields. It explains the complicated chemistry of the enzyme involved in vitamin D metabolism and glysophate better than I could try to re-explain it. An excerpt of the closing paragraphs: “I also would argue that Alzheimer’s disease arises from similar pathologies as does autism, and it might be characterized as “autism for the elderly.” Therefore, its recent alarming increases may also be due predominantly to glyphosate. Glyphosate can also easily explain the obesity epidemic and depression through its disruption of the supply of tryptophan, the sole precursor to serotonin. I have shown how glyphosate disrupts both sulfate synthesis and sulfate transport, and my research has led me to believe that impaired sulfate supply to all the tissues is a common underlying pathology in most modern diseases.The best way to minimize glyphosate exposure is to adhere strictly to a completely organic diet. Most important is to avoid all the Roundup-Ready GMO crops: corn, soy, sugar beets, canola oil, and cottonseed oil, as well as wheat and sugar cane, due to desiccation practices. Any use of Roundup to kill weeds in lawn maintenance should be abandoned.” (I added the bold font): — by Seneff S., “Roundup: The “Nontoxic” Chemical that May Be Destroying our Health,” (Oct. 30, 2013)  [http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/roundup-the-nontoxic-chemical-that-may-be-destroying-our-health/]

So the preventing autism diet just got a lot more complicated – avoid all Roundup-Ready crops and crops that use Roundup as a desiccant — corn, soy, sugar beets, canola oil, and cottonseed oil, as well as wheat and sugar cane, and limit use of herbicides that contain Roundup within your home garden or lawn.

Moderation generally helps but this is a large group to have to avoid. Ending the use of the GMO crops that have been associated with negative health effects in the first place would make the question about labeling less critical or  unnecessary – in my opinion.

But if you needed some added incentive for resisting sugary foods now you can use possibly protecting yourself from Alzheimer’s Disease as a motivator to avoid sugar beets and sugar cane. Maybe it’s time for a glass of spirulina water – naturally sweet and a pretty blue-green color. (Note: Chlorella  is a type of green algae so the health benefits of spirulina and chlorella may be slightly different, in a past blog I had suggested they were likely similar but at that time I hadn’t realized that they are not both types of blue-green algae.)

Additional article on the topic of glysophate: [http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/05/14/glyphosate.aspx]

/Disclosure: Opinions are my own and this information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes./

Vitamin D, Cholesterol sulfate, concussions, and glyphosate (Round-up)

There has been an increase in the number of sports related concussions at the same time that there has been a decrease in the total number of participants in sports suggesting that sports have become more risky or participants have become more susceptible to concussion. A research paper presents the theory that there has been an increase in susceptibility due to a combination of a decrease of nutrients and an increase of toxins in the average player.

And the increased use of glyphosate, an herbicide used in Round-up products, may be adding to the nutrient deficiency by its affect on the enzyme that activates vitamin D to the active hormone form which is needed in the liver for formation of cholesterol sulfate which is needed in the brain to protect against damage after brain trauma.

The enzyme that activates vitamin D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) is a CYP enzyme, and therefore is subject to suppression by glyphosate.[171]” [1]

In addition to sulfate, magnesium and zinc are also essential for the brain’s defense mechanisms. Read more: [1]

/Disclaimer: Opinions are my own and  the information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes./

  1. Morley W, Seneff S, Diminished brain resilience syndrome: A modern day neurological pathology of increased susceptibility to mild brain trauma, concussion, and downstream neurodegeneration, Surg Neurol Int. 2014; 5: 97.[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4093745/]