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More Concerning News Linked to Glyphosate

Even at allowable levels (FDA and EU), a new study links the pesticide glyphosate to fatty liver disease. This is some very concerning research that effects most pet food consumers (and most human food consumers).

Even at allowable levels (FDA and EU), a new study links the pesticide glyphosate to fatty liver disease. This is some very concerning research that effects most pet food consumers (and most human food consumers).

From BeyondPesticides.com “Ultra-low doses of glyphosate formulations fed to rats is linked to an increased likelihood of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), according to a recently published study in the journal Nature. A lead author of the study, Michael Antoniou, PhD, stated that the findings are “very worrying as they demonstrate for the first time a causative link between an environmentally relevant level of Roundup consumption over the long-term and a serious disease.”

“The researchers analyzed female rat livers obtained from a previous 2-year study on Roundup toxicity using molecular profiling techniques. These rats were administered Roundup via drinking water at a concentration of 0.1 ppb, which is an allowable level within both the U.S. and the European Union. The molecular analyses conducted by researchers on the internal organs of the rats fed Roundup included testing of liver cell disturbances. Overall, ultra-low dose glyphosate-formulation exposure led to observations of biomarkers also seen in fatty liver disease.”

From TheEcologist.com The dose of glyphosate from the Roundup administered was thousands of times below what is permitted by regulators worldwide.

In just two years, rats consuming glyphosate at a level of 0.1 parts per billion (ppb) showed clinical signs of fatty liver disease.

Why is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease such a concern?

From WestonAPrice.org regarding non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: “The disease begins with the accumulation of fat within the cells of the liver, but can progress to inflammation, the development of scar tissue, and in some cases death from liver failure or cancer. Simple accumulation of fat within the liver generally proceeds without producing any overt symptoms, but it is not necessarily harmless. The liver regulates blood glucose and blood cholesterol levels, plays a critical role in burning fat for fuel, helps eliminate excess nitrogen, contributes to the metabolism of endocrine hormones, stores vitamin A, protects against infections, and detoxifies drugs and environmental toxins. Any type of damage to the liver is thus likely to impact whole-body health.”

How much glyphosate is in pet food? An alarming amount.

In September 2015, Dr. Anthony Samsel analyzed multiple pet foods for glyphosate. He provided pet food consumers with the results – including brand names. As you review Dr. Samsel’s results, keep in mind that this recent research links fatty liver disease to glyphosate levels of 0.1 parts per billion

Cat Food
Purina Cat Chow Complete Dry – 102 ppb glyphosate.

Friskies Indoor Delights Cat Food Dry – 79 ppb glyphosate.

9 Lives Indoor Complete Cat Food Dry – 140 ppb glyphosate.

Rachael Ray Zero Grain Whitefish and Potato Recipe Cat Food Dry – 22 ppb glyphosate.

Dog Food
Purina Dog Chow Complete Dry – 98 ppb glyphosate.

Kibble’s ‘n Bits Chefs Choice American Grill Dog Food Dry – 300 ppb glyphosate.

Iams Proactive Health Toy and Small Breed Dog Food Dry – 65 ppb glyphosate.

Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Beef and Rice Recipe Dog Food Dry – 140 ppb glyphosate.

Purina Beyond Simply 9 White Meat Chicken and Whole Barley Recipe Dog Food Dry – 47 ppb glyphosate.

What are these high levels of glyphosate doing to pets? Dr. Michael Fox provides us his opinion…

“I am familiar with the work of the scientists who have done these laboratory studies on rodents, and commend them for their detailed analysis on the effects of the kind of low-dose glyphosate (Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide) dietary intake that consumers are exposed to, along with their dogs and cats.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can be caused by several factors, along with often associated acute and chronic pancreatitis seen frequently by veterinarians in companion animal practice, many of whose clients have contacted me concerning the abnormalities in their animals’ liver enzyme levels which the attending veterinarians cannot explain. Maybe we have the explanation now—coupled with the biologically inappropriate inclusion of GMO corn, soy and beet, all resistant to and containing this herbicide, along with glyphosate-sprayed, pre-harvested-to dry wheat and imported GMO rice in pet foods. When all the dots are connected, and considering the ubiquitous presence of glyphosate even in human amniotic fluids, the association of this endocrine-disrupting, probable carcinogen with intestinal dysbiosis, allergies, autoimmune diseases, the metabolic syndrome and obesity in people and their cats and dogs may soon be verified.”
—Dr.Michael W. Fox, veterinarian. Website www.drfoxvet.net

What can pet owners do?

Purchase organic pet food/non-GMO pet food – as you can afford. For home prepared food – use organic/non-GMO ingredients as you can afford. Some is better than none. (Please note that ‘grain-free’ pet food is not a sure solution – see Dr. Samsel’s testing results above of a grain free pet food containing 22 ppb glyphosate.)

Try to limit the exposure your pet has to Roundup or any other pesticide containing glyphosate – such as using a non-glyphosate pesticide in your yard. Wash your pet’s feet after every trip to the dog park or walk in the neighborhood.

For pet owners concerned their pet could have been exposed to glyphosate and be at risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease – discuss this research with your veterinarian (please discuss with your veterinarian regardless – we need all veterinarians to be aware of this research). Here is a direct link to the study to provide your vet: http://www.nature.com/articles/srep39328. Also discuss with your veterinarian if a liver cleanse diet would be of benefit. Here is a link to Dr. Jean Dodds liver cleanse diet (for dogs): http://www.nutriscan.org/knowledge-center/cleansing-diets.html. Dr. Karen Becker offers this advice to detox your pet: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/02/15/detox-for-pets.aspx.

Write your Representatives in federal and state government – share with them this new research and share your personal opinion to the risk of human and animal health of glyphosate.

This is a very serious concern that I’m sure will take much more research to fully understand all of the health complications associated with glyphosate in food and pet food. In the meantime – be proactive to protect your and your pet’s health. My thanks to Dr. Cathy Alinovi for sharing this study with me.

 

Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,

Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food

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9 Comments

9 Comments

  1. Leanne S.

    January 25, 2017 at 12:19 pm

    Remember, even non-GMO crops like wheat, lentils, chickpeas, peas, oats, barley, flax, corn, soy, millet, canola, sugar beets, potatoes etc, use glyphosate as a desiccant. This glyphosate is sprayed on the crop a few days before it is harvested. This means that it is used at the end of the growing cycle, when it is convenient for the farmers to have the foliage die back uniformly to make harvesting easier, faster, and cleaner. We are being poisoned for the convenience of conventional farmers and the ultraprocessed food industry.

    • Wayne Kennedy

      January 27, 2017 at 11:14 pm

      Exactly just before harvest [allowing less chance for it to wash off the food [as it also more evenly ripens the wheat kernels from the toxic shock effect. Due to developed weed resistance the plan is to add other toxins to the current {Round Up] glyphosphate. The Roundup also acts as an accelerant to fungus as a side effect.

  2. Bonnie

    January 25, 2017 at 12:22 pm

    what about cats

    • Susan Thixton

      January 25, 2017 at 12:26 pm

      Do you mean what about a detox diet for cats? If so – I did not find a recipe for the same for cats. Dr. Dodds recipe is for dogs only. If anyone else has suggestions – please share.

  3. Deb Binder

    January 25, 2017 at 2:46 pm

    So sad. We are killing Mother Earth, our companion animals and ourselves…..

  4. Reader

    January 25, 2017 at 3:35 pm

    Wow. Pet owners must be slapping their foreheads, thinking OMG now what? They’ve stopped using bad PF. Are home cooking. Feeding whole foods. Now it’s gotta be non-GMO and organic! (I know I’m discouraged!) Folks can’t afford to eat healthy themselves!

    Let’s figure out the most simple things that can help, and work our way up to the “Ultimate Diet!”

    Stop with routine yard pesticides. Throw out ROUND-UP. Do the bare minimum, and only when necessary. Most people automatically fertilize and weed spray. But, the need can be seasonal. Look for enviro-safer products. DON’T let the pet on treated areas (no matter what the Directions say!) until time has passed. I wait for rain or water.

    Filter contaminants from water. Use filtered, aerated water fountain with only DISTILLED water ( that’s what our family uses).

    Limit you dog’s exposure to neighborhood pesticides too (or wash feet, and wipe down their body more often). There are very easy dog wipes out there now! (Check the “chemicals” in them).

    Feed more RAW (less carbs.) We can only hope the added produce hasn’t been overly treated. If you do need a binder for home cooked recipes (as I do), organic would be helpful.

    If grass-fed beef (hopefully organic) is out of budget, how about more canned fish? BPA free. Organic chicken? Organic organ meats are important too.

    Watch what products are used to clean floors. To polish and dust wood. Can enviro-friendly be substituted? Natural vinegar is safer, usually cuts grease. Always pick up food/water dishes, whenever cleaning, vacuuming, dusting!

    Change water frequently, especially outdoor containers. Clean water dishes (vinegar, again) except for raw food dishes which need soap!

    Look for organic eggs, usually pretty cost effective.

    Primarily indoor pets need much less (if no) pesticide treatments. Flea-Busters used to make an inorganic (boric acid) powder that can be worked into flooring/carpets and lasts an incredibly long time! I take care of other people’s pets too (plus mine) and haven’t used any other flea treatment in a decade!

    I know some people are bound by law to vaccinate. But think twice about (so-called) routine vaccinations, if they can be safely post-phoned. At least ask the Vet to write a health waiver.

    _________

    The last thing we want to do here, is discourage new Owners following TAPF now, from feeding decent food, JUST because “healthy” seems like to much trouble! Or too expensive!! ? Every little step helps!!

  5. Batzion

    January 25, 2017 at 9:54 pm

    Susan, Dr. Becker mentions pesticides in the first paragraph of this article and gives various detox agents but no specific dosing. It’s the only thing I could find: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/06/17/detoxification.aspx?e_cid=20130617_PetsNL_art_1&utm_source=petnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20130617

  6. Larry Bohlen

    January 28, 2018 at 1:26 pm

    Thanks for this article. My lab (www.HRILabs.org) has tested two dogs for glyphosate exposure. The results of their urine tests were 20 and 35 parts per billion. We’ve tested over 1,000 humans and the average level was less than 1 part per billion, even though human food has similar levels of glyphosate. We are wondering why the dogs tested so much higher, but with just two results, it is hard to draw a conclusion. Could it be outdoor exposure compounded by grooming habits of the dogs? Maybe they consumed deer poop (as deer are known to graze in areas that have been sprayed and up to 70% of glyphosate is excreted by mammals in faeces). More research is needed to answer the question, so we are thinking about replicating our human exposure study.

  7. Bonnie

    January 29, 2018 at 3:38 pm

    Dr Becker is dogs…..anyone know how to safely detox cats ?

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