Dr. Nancy Klimas, who has advised three Secretaries of Health and Human Services serving the United States, weighs in on this topic.
“We can now measure Roundup in a blood test and we have never found anyone with a negative result,” she said. “Everyone has Roundup in their blood.”
How does that make you feel?
That is a pretty jarring reality.
It influences me to take action in the areas of my health that I can.
She has found “a lot of evidence of mycotoxins” in her patients. A quick refresher: “mycotoxins are naturally-occurring toxins produced by certain molds (fungi) and can be found in food.”
What is a leading example of an environmental intolerance?
- Mold (roof and plumbing leaks which are recirculated via A/C and heat)
- RoundUp “is sprayed in playgrounds; it can and does make its way into the water we drink,” Klimas said.
In the food realm, “certain foods have much bigger pesticide and Roundup® content than others.” They include:
- Corn
- Soy
- Almonds
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Citrus
Many of us of aware of the “dirty dozen”™ the Environmental Working Group identifies:
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Pears
- Tomatoes
- Celery
- Potatoes
In addition to the above, both hot and sweet bell peppers “can carry residues of neurotoxic chemicals such as the organophosphate insecticides acephate and chlorpyrifos.”
“Myriad problems are caused by mycotoxins,” Klimas underscores, “these are not allergies; these are poison. The toxins are damaging cell functions.”
While we seemingly can’t control some of the environmental factors, we can make a conscious decision to shop wiser. This is by buying organic produce when the item falls in the “dirty dozen.”
Klimas explains that “for USDA certified organic farming we ‘can be pretty confident the plants and soil are randomly tested.’”
This is what we need. What we ingest does play a big role in achieving a healthier body.
If you have a health-related question that I can ask an expert, submit it here.
Dr. Nancy Klimas holds multiple noteworthy positions including Director, Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine at Nova Southeastern University; Director, Clinical Immunology Research at Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center; a member of the VA Research Advisory Committee for Gulf War Illness; and the immediate past president of the Internal Association for CFS and ME (IACFS/ME).
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