Glyphosate and Vitamin D - many studies

Created October 2017

Overviews

  • There are items in Glyphosate category in Vitamin D Life

  • Glyphosate [glahy-fos-eyt] is associated with many health problems

  • Glyphosate reduces Vitamin D by both reducing CYP27A1 gene + many minerals needed by Vit. D

    • Vitamin D Life suspects that Glyphosate is responsible for 10-20% of the decreased Vitamin D getting to cells

  • Glyphosate is the only acknowledged active component of Roundup

    • However, Roundup is actually 125X more deadly to human cells than Glyphosate

  • Many countries now ban Glyphosate

  • 45 studies of the health problems of Glyphosate - Nov 2024

    • Categories:Cancer; Epidemiology;Fertility, pregnancy and reproductive harms; Gut/inflammation; Neurologic damage/ Autism; Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma; Obesity; Organ damage/Other; Animals/Environment

  • A crop can be called organic even if Roundup was only used to dry it (Wikipedia)

    •       wheat, oats, beans, lentil, sunflower, soy, rapeseed oil, etc
  • You can compensate for Glyphosate by increasing your intake of
    •     Vitamin D, Magnesium, Boron, and Omega-3

           (More Glyphosate info below this box)

Glyphosate causing 50% increase of liver problems - April 2025

  • Report: Common weedkiller glyphosate may be linked to liver disease epidemic, study warns

  • Study:Are glyphosate or glyphosate-based herbicides linked to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)? The weight of current evidence     Partial PDF is online

    • "Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects around 30 % of the world’s population, increasing its prevalence by 50 % in the last three decades"

    • Human urinary GLY levels are associated with different MASLD outcomes (steatosis risk, advanced fibrosis, increased transaminases) and comorbidities (higher risk for metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases) (6 studies).

Vitamin D Life - Glyphosate reduces Vitamin D in 9 ways

Glyphosate increased all-cause mortality by 40 % (less Vitamin D to cells) – March 2025

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See also Vitamin D Life

Glysophate in a dozen of gluten-free foods - Aug 2024

NaturalHealth365

Glysophate increased risk of severe depression by 4X - Nov 2023

Association between glyphosate exposure and cognitive function, depression, and neurological diseases in a representative sample of US adults: NHANES 2013–2014 analysis

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Review Adds to Evidence That Glyphosate Weedkillers Cause Cancer - Aug 2023

The Defender

Evidence Key characteristics of cancer-causing chemicals
Limited Electrophilic (an affinity towards electrons) or metabolic activation (KC1).
Strong Genotoxicity (KC2).
Limited Alterations in DNA repair, causing genome instability (KC3).
Strong Inducing epigenetic changes (KC4).
Strong Inducing oxidative stress (KC5).
Strong Inducing chronic inflammation (KC6).
Inadeguate Immunosuppression (KC7).
Strong Reducing receptor-mediated effects/endocrine disruption (KC8).
Inadequate Immortalizing cancer cells (KC9).
Inadequate Alterations in cell proliferation, death or nutrient supply (KC10)

Glyphosate affects human bacteria, but probably not human cells - Mercola May 2023

Even Low Levels of Glyphosate Alter Your Gut Microbiota - Mercola includes 2 videos with references

  • "Since mammals do not have the shikimate pathway , it was suggested that glyphosate would not affect human health. However, some microorganisms do have the shikimate pathway, and it’s via this link that many of glyphosate’s adverse effects in humans may occur. According to the study"

New Research Links Glyphosate to DNA Damage, Cancer and Oxidative Stress - Jan 2023

The Defender

  • "New research by top U.S. government scientists found that people exposed to the widely used weed-killing chemical glyphosate, a key ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller, have biomarkers in their urine linked to the development of cancer and other diseases."

  • "The CDC reported that out of 2,310 urine samples taken from a group of Americans intended to be representative of the U.S. population, 1,885 were laced with detectable traces of glyphosate."

  • "The EPA now is revisiting its glyphosate evaluation and expects to issue a decision for glyphosate in 2026."

    • Still being used in the US

US court bands Dicamba (again) - Feb 2024

US court bans three weedkillers and finds EPA broke law in approval process

  • "This is the second time a federal court has banned these weedkillers since they were introduced for the 2017 growing season. In 2020, the ninth circuit court of appeals issued its own ban, but months later the Trump administration reapproved the weedkilling products, just one week before the presidential election at a press conference in the swing state of Georgia."

  • "Bury wrote that the EPA did not allow many people who are deeply affected by the weedkiller – including specialty farmers, conservation groups and more – to comment."

  • "Syngenta is also facing nationwide litigation over its paraquat herbicide, which thousands of plaintiffs claim causes Parkinson’s disease.""

Monsanto’s New Weed Killer, Dicamba, Divides Farmers - NYT Sept 2017

UNew York Times

The replacement may be worse than Roundup in many ways

  1. More expensive

  2. Damages trees in addition to killing weeds

  3. Drifts farther

    • "Because genetically modified crops allow dicamba to be sprayed later in the year, after crops emerge from the ground, and in hotter and more humid weather, the chemical is susceptible to what is known as “volatility” — it can turn into a gas and drift onto whatever happens to be nearby."
  4. Health problems?
    • "“For both dicamba and 2,4-D, the reproductive risks and birth defects” are “most worrisome.”
Update - Monsanto rewards farmers who use DiCamba Dec 2017

Farmers have been reluctant to use DiCamba (problems on own farm, neighboring farm, and state)

Monsanto now giving $5/acre reward if a farmer uses it (it costs $11/acre)

Farmers Incentivized With Cash to Spray New Poison Mercola

Comparison of Health Problems: Glyphosate, Dicamba, and Diquat

PerplexityAI Deep Research June 2025

Herbicide Key Health Problems
Glyphosate - Neurotoxicity : Alters neurotransmission, induces oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, behavioral/motor disorders 1 14.
- Liver and Kidney Damage : Linked to liver inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), fibrosis; kidney damage at high doses 8 11 14.
- Endocrine Disruption : Alters hormone levels, possible reproductive effects 2 14.
- Gut Microbiome Disruption : Promotes dysbiosis, linked to inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome 11 14.
- Cancer : IARC classifies as "probably carcinogenic to humans"; some regulatory agencies disagree 8 14.
Dicamba - Acute Effects : Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, exhaustion; skin and eye irritation 3 4.
- Cancer Risk : Increased risk of liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), acute/other lymphocytic leukemia in high-exposure groups; some studies show mixed results for lung/colon cancer 9 12 17.
- Liver and Kidney Effects : Laboratory studies suggest possible liver and kidney damage, but less evidence than for glyphosate or diquat 15 17.
- Endocrine and Reproductive Effects : Limited evidence for reproductive harm; some studies suggest increased odds of hypothyroidism 3 15.
Diquat - Acute Poisoning : Severe mucosal damage (mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines), vomiting, diarrhea, pain, multi-organ failure (kidney, liver, heart, lungs) 5 10 13.
- Kidney Damage : Acute tubular necrosis, renal failure, proteinuria, hematuria 5 6 10.
- Liver Damage : Jaundice, liver lesions, mitochondrial dysfunction, cell death 5 7 13.
- Neurological Effects : Nervousness, irritability, seizures, coma, encephalopathy 5 10.
- Gut Barrier Dysfunction : Disrupts intestinal barrier, reduces beneficial bacteria, increases inflammation, impairs nutrient absorption 7 13.
- Multi-Organ Dysfunction : Can trigger systemic inflammation and multiple organ failure (MODS) 13.
- Cancer : Not classified as a carcinogen, but severe toxicity is well-documented 5 13.

Summary Table

Herbicide Neurotoxicity Liver/Kidney Damage Cancer Risk Endocrine/Reproductive Gut Health Multi-organ Failure
Glyphosate Yes Yes Probable Yes Yes No
Dicamba Mild/acute Possible Increased (liver, CLL) Possible (hypothyroidism) No data No
Diquat Yes (severe) Yes (severe) No No data Yes (severe) Yes
Key Points

  • Glyphosate : Most widely studied; neurotoxic, liver/kidney damage, endocrine disruption, gut microbiome effects, and possible carcinogenicity are major concerns. Effects can occur at doses below regulatory limits 1 8 11.

  • Dicamba : Acute toxicity is generally mild, but long-term exposure is associated with increased risk of certain cancers (especially liver and bile duct cancers and lymphocytic leukemia). Evidence for liver/kidney and endocrine effects is emerging but less robust 9 12 15.

  • Diquat : Highly toxic upon ingestion, causing severe gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic, neurological, and multi-organ damage. Not considered a carcinogen, but acute poisoning is often fatal or leads to long-term organ dysfunction 5 6 13.

    Conclusion

Glyphosate is notable for chronic, multi-systemic health risks including possible cancer and widespread organ effects. Dicamba is associated with certain cancers in high-exposure groups and some acute symptoms, but its overall toxicity profile is less severe than glyphosate or diquat. Diquat is extremely toxic in acute exposures, causing rapid multi-organ failure and death, but is not linked to cancer. All three herbicides require careful handling and further research to clarify long-term risks, especially in vulnerable populations.

References

  1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9101768/

  2. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp214-c2.pdf

  3. https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0634.pdf

  4. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/dicamba_gen.html

  5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9030962/

  6. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.991587/full

  7. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1562182/full

  8. https://publichealth.berkeley.edu/articles/spotlight/research/childhood-exposure-to-common-herbicide-may-increase-the-risk-of-disease-in-young-adulthood

  9. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7660157/

  10. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9399667/

  11. https://usrtk.org/pesticides/glyphosate-health-concerns/

  12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32357211/

  13. https://usrtk.org/healthwire/diquat-herbicide-poisons-the-gut-may-severely-damage-other-organs/

  14. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/toxicology/articles/10.3389/ftox.2024.1474792/full

  15. https://usrtk.org/pesticides/dicamba/

  16. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rmpp6thedch12_paraquatdiquat.pdf

  17. https://beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/2020/05/study-finds-an-association-between-dicamba-use-and-increased-risk-of-developing-various-cancers/

  18. http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/glyphogen.html

  19. https://www.webmd.com/cancer/herbicide-glyphosate-cancer

  20. https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/glyphosate

  21. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32203845/

  22. https://beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/2024/03/epa-and-court-allow-violations-and-hazards-of-weed-killer-dicamba-under-existing-stocks-order/

  23. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/archive/dicamba_tech.html

  24. https://www.audubon.org/magazine/weedkiller-dicamba-poisoning-wildlife-habitat-will-epa-finally-act

  25. https://pirg.org/articles/the-toxic-pesticide-dicamba-is-a-threat-to-crops-and-human-health-its-time-to-ban-it/

  26. https://www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0808.pdf

  27. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chemsearch/regactions/reregistration/fsPC-0322011-May-02.pdf

  28. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(22)00339-X/fulltext

  29. https://ontosight.ai/glossary/term/diquat-toxicity-and-its-effects67a0dbca6c3593987a503e6f

  30. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chemsearch/regactions/reregistration/fsPC-4173001-Sep-93.pdf

    1. Review of 100 studies on health problems of Diquat - May 2025

Effect of Diquat on gut health: molecular mechanisms, toxic effects, and protective strategies

Front. Pharmacol., 11 May 2025 Volume 16 - 2025 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025.1562182

  1. The TOXIC Truth About Glyphosate - 100 minute video  - May 2025

YouTube

Background & Motivation (00:00-15:00)

Zen Honeycutt, founder of Moms Across America, started as a fashion designer but became a food activist after her children developed 20+ food allergies and autism symptoms

Her awakening came from watching Jeffrey Smith's "Genetic Roulette" and Robyn O'Brien's TED talk about GMOs, realizing her children's health issues were likely connected to genetically modified foods

She felt deeply betrayed learning that 80-95% of major crops (corn, soy, canola, sugar beets) were GMO without proper labeling

Birth of Moms Across America (15:00-25:00)

After California's Prop 37 GMO labeling initiative failed in 2012, Honeycutt had a "white light moment" in the shower envisioning nationwide Fourth of July parades to educate about GMOs

Within 3 months, they had 300,000+ weekly Facebook reach with only 3,000 likes and organized 179 groups in parades across all 50 states

Monsanto responded aggressively - internal documents later revealed they said "we need to beat the shit out of these moms" and hired 250+ trollsto attack activists

Corporate Attacks & Testing (25:00-45:00)

Honeycutt faced severe harassment including fake social media profiles, planted informants in mom groups, and personal attacks on her family and funding

She initiated glyphosate testing in 2014, finding it in 70-90% of urine, tap water, and breast milk samples - one mother had 3,000x the safe level in breast milk

At the 2016 Monsanto shareholder meeting, she confronted CEO Hugh Grant, asking shareholders to consider if their investments would prevent their grandchildren from having children

Health Impacts of Glyphosate (45:00-1:20:00)

Glyphosate is an antibiotic that destroys gut bacteria (Americans now have ~10,000 bacterial species vs. the normal 30,000)

It's also a chelator that removes 20-85% of nutrients from plant roots and 80-95% from shoots (the part we eat), creating nutrient-deficient food

Recent testing found 93% of school lunch samples and 100% of fast food samples positive for glyphosate, plus heavy metals 6,000x EPA limits for drinking water

A drug causing aggression was found in 47% of top fast food samples, potentially contributing to violence and school shootings

Current Strategy & MAHA Partnership (1:20:00-end)**

With RFK Jr. as HHS Secretary, there's unprecedented opportunity - they're testing vaccines for glyphosate and examining food ingredients

Honeycutt is partnering with ICAN on "Make America Healthy Again" community events planned for October 18th (National Children's Health Month)

The plan involves Fourth of July parades reaching thousands, followed by local organizing events to build healthier communities

Two states (North Dakota and Georgia) have already passed laws giving chemical companies complete immunity from lawsuits - a major threat requiring urgent action

  1. Reduce minerals such as Zinc and Magnesium needed by Vitamin D
  1. Perhaps can flush Glyphosate from body with high-dose Glyscene for a few months

  • Top Tips to Detox Your Body Mercola Jan 2019

    • "To eliminate glyphosate, you need to saturate your body with glycine. Klinghardt recommends taking 1 teaspoon (4 grams) of glycine powder twice a day for a few weeks and then lower the dose to one-fourth teaspoon (1 gram) twice a day. This forces the glyphosate out of your system, allowing it to be eliminated through your urine."

    • "I personally have been taking 1 gram twice a day for some time now. The glycine is inexpensive and actually tastes sweet. Ideally it is best to take it around the time you are eating food that might be contaminated with glyphosate."

    • quote from expert

    • "At least for a while, we use high doses of glycine. There are no issues with it. There are no problems with it. The other one that has been published is admittedly only a chicken study that shows that humic acid and fulvic acid can completely clean up the organ systems of a chicken …

    • "So, we do the glycine for a while. We monitor the urine output of glyphosate. When that slows down — in some people two months, in some it's six months — we back off on the glycine and go on a smaller dose."

Why You Need Glycine: A Panel Discussion Masterjohn Jan 2018

  • Podcast with transcript

Chart from South Africa**

imageGlycine is molecularly very similar to Glyphosate

image23 Proven Benefits of Glycine Supplements + Glycine Foods ] SelfHacked April 2016

Glyphosate pretending to be Glycine - devestating consequences Slideshare - Seneff April 2017

Example of many charts showing strong associations between increased health problems and Increased Glyphosate

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Tags: Details Glyphosate Liver