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Many of us can’t stand weeds, and several different products have been created to deal with them. One such product is Roundup.
You may have seen the commercials for Roundup on TV, but the company who made it, Monsanto, is currently facing backlash due to claims that the product is dangerous.
Is there any validity to these claims? Do the products really cause health issues? The answer seems to be yes, and we’ll talk more about some of these potential health issues in the paragraphs below.
Glyphosate: What it is and Why People are Worried
The controversy surrounding Roundup involves a chemical known as glyphosate. Glyphosate is the chemical in Roundup that is responsible for killing weeds. Many argue that it is also capable of causing cancer and other health problems.
The evidence suggests that this is true, but it’s not clear to what extent it’s true. Most of the studies out there were conducted on farmers and farming communities.
There’s still very little information out there about how roundup may affect the rest of us. With that in mind, here are some things Roundup might cause.
1. Types of Cancers
The biggest concern people have about Roundup is that it likely causes non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. In fact, the World Health Organization labeled it as a cancer-causing agent, based on ‘sufficient’ evidence found in animals and some evidence in humans.
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It should also be noted that glyphosate on its own is far less toxic than Roundup. Despite this, restrictions on Roundup use have been rolled back in recent years.
2. Gut and Intestinal Issues
Glyphosate also raises concerns due to the ways it affects various microorganisms in our digestive tracts. It has been found that glyphosate not only weakens the beneficial bacteria in our gut, but also does little to nothing against certain harmful bacteria and potential pathogens.
3. Neurological Conditions
Yet again, nothing is definitive, but many believe it may play a role in certain neurological and mental issues. Among the conditions, glyphosate is believed to be linked to are Alzheimer’s, ALS, depression, anxiety, and autism.
It has been shown that the rate of diagnoses and deaths resulting from these conditions have been on the rise over the past few decades. Some, in particular, seem to have risen faster after the relaxing of standards in 1997.
Potential Health Effects of Using Roundup
Roundup, a company owned by Monsanto, has been facing claims of negative health effects brought on by the chemicals in Roundup. Much of the controversy revolves around one chemical in particular, known as glyphosate.
As far as the United States is concerned, nothing has been proven, though several governments overseas believe that sufficient evidence exists. Among other health conditions, Roundup is believed to contribute to digestive issues, certain types of cancer, depression, anxiety, and Alzheimer’s.
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