Glyphosate Exposure Linked to Fatty Liver Disease

• Glyphosate linked to fatty liver disease — The researchers concluded that people exposed to higher levels of glyphosate and its breakdown metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), showed greater signs of liver dysfunction and higher fatty liver index (FLI) scores. The strongest effects were seen in women ages between 40 and 60 with borderline diabetes.

• Glyphosate level in urine is a key indicator — Researchers used urine samples to show how much glyphosate was in the test subjects. In essence, they noted that higher levels of glyphosate in urine correlate to higher risk of build up of liver fat. Eventually, this leads to scarring of liver tissue (fibrosis).

• Other chronic diseases are at play — The researchers found that groups with the highest levels of urinary glyphosate also had more instances of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes.

• Glyphosate triggers inflammation — Based on the animal studies included in the analysis, the researchers noted that glyphosate is highly likely to cause liver inflammation, which leads to scarring, oxidative stress, and fat buildup. Mechanistically, it interferes with the fat metabolism process in your cells, which leads to dysfunction.

• Early-life glyphosate exposure harms children — Moreover, it strongly predicted future health complications. To put this in perspective, the researchers found that if a child’s AMPA level doubled around age 5, their odds of developing metabolic syndrome by age 18 rose by an alarming 55%.

This included increased abdominal fat, elevated blood pressure, and problematic blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Moreover, the risk of liver inflammation, indicated by elevated liver enzymes, climbed by 27% for every twofold increase in AMPA at the same young age.

• The impact of early exposure — Being exposed to glyphosate at a younger age proved far more impactful than exposure later in adolescence. Children who showed elevated glyphosate and AMPA earlier, around 5 years old, faced greater health risks as teenagers compared to those whose exposure peaked later.

• Where you live affects exposure levels — Those living closest to agricultural fields sprayed regularly with glyphosate had notably higher levels of these chemicals in their bodies, and, consequently, more severe health outcomes. In other words, proximity to farming activity played a massive role. Children living within a half-mile of treated fields had the greatest elevations in liver enzymes and had significantly more indicators of metabolic syndrome compared to their peers who lived further away.

• Not all metabolic syndrome markers react the same way to glyphosate exposure — Among the measured indicators (waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting serum glucose, and cholesterol) the strongest associations occurred among those with larger waist circumferences. Essentially, children who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop fatty liver later in life.

• Theories on mechanisms behind glyphosate’s effects — How exactly does glyphosate exert such profound effects? The researchers theorize several key biological mechanisms, including endocrine disruption, meaning glyphosate interferes with hormone regulation in the body. “[G]lyphosate and glyphosate-containing herbicides can disrupt endocrine-signaling systems,” the researchers said.⁵

Your endocrine system is an important cornerstone to overall health. The hormones produced by it help regulate important functions throughout your body, such as reproduction, growth, and metabolic function. Therefore, any disruption in its role throws your health off balance.

• Another theory involves oxidative stress — When glyphosate enters your body, it triggers the production of harmful free radicals, damaging tissues. These harmful compounds overwhelm your body’s natural defenses, causing inflammation and cellular damage.

• Glyphosate disrupts your gut microbiome — The final theory behind the impact of glyphosate on human health is how it disrupts the gut microbiome. Specifically, it’s been shown to affect the shikimate pathway, which is the process revolving around carbohydrate metabolism.⁶

• As glyphosate levels rose, the liver’s condition worsened — Participants with confirmed fatty liver disease had significantly higher concentrations of glyphosate and AMPA in their urine compared to those with milder forms of the condition. These elevated chemical residues corresponded to worse liver scarring and inflammation.

• Even modest increases in glyphosate exposure dramatically affected liver health — Participants with higher glyphosate levels exhibited increased markers of liver fibrosis. More scar tissue in the liver eventually impairs its ability to function properly. Left unchecked, fibrosis progresses to cirrhosis.

• Other variables are not as influential as glyphosate — For instance, glyphosate concentrations consistently showed a stronger link to liver damage severity compared to other risk factors like age, body mass index (BMI), or alcohol use.

Even after adjusting for these other known influences on liver disease, glyphosate exposure stood out as a distinct and powerful risk factor. That means even if you’re otherwise healthy, you’re still at increased risk if your glyphosate exposure remains elevated.

1. Filter your drinking water — Glyphosate frequently contaminates tap water,⁸ so every time you drink from your tap or wash your hands, you’re exposing yourself to this toxin. That said, installing a high-quality water filter in your home will eliminate glyphosate and other harmful chemicals, such as heavy metals. There are different water filter systems available, so take your time to find out what works best for your home and budget.

2. Support your gut microbiome — As noted in the Environmental Health Perspectives study, glyphosate disrupts your gut microbiome, which is crucial to your overall health. To help reverse this, nourish your microbiome by adding fermented foods like sauerkraut or kefir to your diet.

In addition, introduce foods that contain fiber to produce butyrate, which is what your colonocytes use to create a strong gut barrier. For more tips on how to repair your gut, read “Butyrate — The Metabolic Powerhouse Fueling the Gut and Beyond.”

3. Reduce your toxin load by making your own food at home — Restaurant foods are loaded with vegetable oils high in linoleic acid (LA), and the ingredients used in these foods likely come from genetically modified produce that’s sprayed with glyphosate from start to finish.

That said, removing LA will help lower inflammation and spare you from further damage. I recommend keeping your LA intake below 5 grams per day. If you can get it down to 2 grams, that’s even better.

My upcoming Mercola Health Coach App features the Seed-Oil Sleuth™, which will masterfully steer you through grocery aisles and restaurant menus to pinpoint every hidden source of industrial seed oils in your meals, then calculate your daily intake to the nearest tenth of a gram. Scan the QR code below to join the early-access list and be first in line for smarter, cleaner eating.

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4. Boost your choline intake — If tests show that you already have fatty deposits in your liver, boosting your choline intake will help. That’s because deficiency in this nutrient leads to liver fat buildup due to impaired very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion.

Your liver produces VLDL to transport fat and cholesterol throughout your body, and if it doesn’t have enough choline, the fat stays in the liver instead. Considering this, boost your choline intake via pastured egg yolks, arugula, grass fed beef liver, or a high-quality citicoline supplement.

5. Choose glyphosate-free organic foods — Glyphosate primarily enters your body through food, especially vegetables and grains that are grown conventionally.

Start by switching to organic or certified glyphosate-free brands. I recommend checking labels carefully. In the next section, I’ll show you different resources to help you find quality, sustainable produce.

• American Grassfed Association — The goal of the American Grassfed Association (AGA) is to promote the grass fed industry through government relations, research, concept marketing and public education.

Their website also allows you to search for AGA-approved producers certified according to strict standards that include being raised on a diet of 100% forage; raised on pasture and never confined to a feedlot; never treated with antibiotics or hormones; born and raised on American family farms.

• EatWild.com — EatWild.com provides lists of farmers known to produce raw dairy products as well as grass fed beef and other farm-fresh produce (although not all are certified organic). Here you will also find information about local farmers markets, as well as local stores and restaurants that sell grass fed products.

• Weston A. Price Foundation — The organization has local chapters in most states, and many of them are connected with buying clubs in which you can easily purchase organic foods, including grass fed, raw dairy products like milk and butter.

• Grassfed Exchange — The Grassfed Exchange has a listing of producers selling organic and grass fed meats across the U.S.

• Local Harvest — This website will help you find farmers markets, family farms and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area where you can buy produce, grass fed meats and many other goodies.

• Farmers Markets — A national listing of farmers markets.

• Eat Well Guide: Wholesome Food from Healthy Animals — The Eat Well Guide is a free online directory of sustainably raised meat, poultry, dairy and eggs from farms, stores, restaurants, inns, hotels and online outlets in the U.S. and Canada.

• Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) — CISA is dedicated to sustaining agriculture and promoting the products of small farms.

• The Cornucopia Institute — This website maintains web-based tools rating all certified organic brands of eggs, dairy products and other commodities, based on their ethical sourcing and authentic farming practices separating CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation) “organic” production from authentic organic practices.

• RealMilk.com — If you’re still unsure of where to find raw milk, check out Raw-Milk-Facts.com and RealMilk.com. They can tell you what the status is for legality in your state, and provide a listing of raw dairy farms in your area. The Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund also provides a state-by-state review of raw milk laws.⁹ California residents can also find raw milk retailers using the store locator available at RAW FARM.¹⁰