As I’ve been saying over the past few months – I love to learn! I just returned from the Physica Energetics annual conference called Concordia. Not only did I get to be in beautiful Santa Barbara (I’d never been there before), hang out with some interesting practitioners, learn new stuff to apply in my practice, and gain knowledge to share.

This is under “knowledge to share.” Thanks to Dr. Robert Cass for educating me! Below is information quoted from his presentation.

“According to Monsanto, producer of Roundup, the most popular herbicide used on the planet, the product is nearly nontoxic for humans. The usage of Roundup to kill weeds has skyrocketed around the world since the year 2000, in part it went off patent that year, but also because of the enormous increase (especially in the U.S.) in the appearance of “Roundup-Ready” GMO crops.”

Before I continue – doesn’t the phrase “nearly nontoxic” concern you? That still means it is toxic!!

Continuing, “Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, kills weeds by interfering with what is called the shikimate pathway. This pathway is essential in plants for the synthesis of a class of amino acids called the “aromatics.” But this pathway is nonexistent in any mammalian cell. By simple logic, the fact that our cells don’t have this pathway means that glyphosate cannot harm us.”

So far – so good? We don’t have this pathway, so it can’t harm us. Apparently a true statement. But here’s the rub…

Back to Dr. Cass, “While mammals don’t possess the shikimate pathway all of the microbes that take up residence in our digestive tract do have that pathway. If they are exposed to glyphosate gut bacteria is disrupted causing inflammation in the gut along with an overgrowth of pathogenic forms and concurrent loss of beneficial bacteria…There’s also an intricate connection between the gut and the brain, such that an unhealthy digestive system translates into pathologies in the brain.”

Here’s why the aromatic amino acids are so important. In this category are: tryptophan (the precursor to serotonin), tyrosine (the precursor to dopamine), and phenylalanine. These are essential nutrients – neurotransmitters.

Serotonin deficiency plays a role in autism, obesity, Alzheimer’s, depression, suicide, and homicidal behavior. Serotonin is a precursor for melatonin which regulates the wake-sleep cycle. Tyrosine deficiency is associated with Parkinson’s disease. Glyphosate activates an enzyme called phenylalanine lyase (PAL) which breaks down phenylalanine and releases ammonia as a by-product. Excess ammonia in the blood is associated with seizures.

Bernard Rosen, PhD is a Nutrition Consultant and Educator. He works with individuals, groups, and at corporations to create individualized nutrition and wellness programs. His office is in Mequon, WI. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, e-mail at bernie@brwellness.com, call (262) 389-9907 or go to www.brwellness.com.