Why does it matter?

About one billion pounds of pesticides—an umbrella term that includes herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides—are sprayed each year in the United States (that is just for agricultural use and doesn’t account for those used in public spaces like parks, or personal home use).¹ Pesticide exposure is ubiquitous, and we all carry a burden in our bodies. According to one study, “More than 90% of the US population has detectable concentrations of pesticide biomarkers in their urine and blood.”² Pesticide residues have also been found in breast milk and umbilical cords, showing that pesticide residues are passed from mother to child.^3 4 So why does it matter? Chronic exposure to pesticides has been linked to a myriad of health issues, including cancer; neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s; autism and attention deficit disorder; low birth weight in babies and neurodevelopment delays in children; asthma; hormonal dysregulation, which can lead to infertility and other reproductive issues; type-2 diabetes; and gut dysbiosis, an imbalance in beneficial and pathogenic bacteria which can negatively affect the central nervous system via the gut-brain axis.^{5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16} The list goes on, but I think you get the point.

It starts with your diet.

We are exposed to pesticides through a variety of routes, but for most of us, the biggest source is diet, making it the easiest and most effective way to reduce our exposure. Multiple studies have shown that switching to a diet of mostly organic foods quickly and drastically reduces pesticide residues in the body. One study that focused on elementary school-aged children found that by swapping out conventional food with organic food for five days, pesticide residues dropped to “nondetectable levels immediately after the introduction of organic diets and remained nondetectable until the conventional diets were reintroduced.”¹⁷ Another study investigated how an organic diet would affect pesticide residue levels in adults and found that consuming a diet of at least 80 percent organic food for one week significantly reduced pesticide residues.¹⁸ Finally, a study published in 2019 that included racially and geographically diverse families observed significant reductions in pesticide residues of neonicotinoids, pyrethroid insecticides, and the herbicide 2,4-D after consuming an organic diet for six days.¹⁹ What is notable about each of these studies is that substantial reductions of pesticide residues were seen in a short amount of time. If you are just beginning to make the switch to organic, focus on fresh produce—according to the US Pesticide Monitoring Program, fruits and vegetables “have a considerably higher percentage of detectable pesticide residues … than any other foods.”²⁰ Another thing to be aware of is the common use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest drying agent on oats, legumes, and wheat. Because the herbicide is applied just before harvest, foods made with these crops—including granola, oatmeal, cereal, and hummus—can have higher residues than are considered safe.²¹ Organic standards do not allow for the use of glyphosate at any stage of production.

Focus on the liver.

Our livers are the frontline defense against toxins like pesticides, ensuring that they are efficiently and effectively metabolized and removed from our bodies. But to do their job well, our livers need to be healthy. A good start is to avoid processed foods and oils (which will also lower your pesticide burden), an excessive amount of carbs and sugar (especially high-fructose corn syrup), and too much alcohol. Then consider supporting your liver with these supplements, all of which will help support healthy detoxification.

Milk thistle contains several compounds, including silymarin, that are known to promote optimal liver health. It provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection to liver cells, reduces fat accumulation in the liver, and promotes liver regeneration, allowing the organ to produce new cells.^{22 23} Aged garlic extract is another plant compound that supports liver health by promoting healthy blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in the liver, as well as balancing liver enzymes.²⁴

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a precursor to the body’s most powerful antioxidant, glutathione. Glutathione plays a major role in phase II detoxification, where it binds to toxic molecules in order to help them be removed from the body (the herbicide glyphosate specifically depletes glutathione in the body).²⁵ NAC contains cysteine, one of the building blocks of glutathione, and has been shown to increase glutathione levels in the body.^{26 27}

Sulforaphane, a compound that is especially concentrated in broccoli sprouts, also supports phase II detoxification, and in fact, has been called “the most potent naturally occurring inducer of phase II enzymes.” It increases glutathione synthesis as well.²⁸

The flavonoid quercetin has proven to have a liver-protective effect in animal studies, reducing both inflammation and oxidative damage. One study specifically investigated quercetin’s effect on the livers of rats after exposure to a commonly used fungicide. The fungicide resulted in increased liver enzymes (a sign of liver injury) and decreased antioxidants, including glutathione and vitamin C, in liver tissues. But when the test animals were given quercetin along with the fungicide, the researchers reported “a significant liver protective effect,” with increases in antioxidant activity, vitamin C levels, and decreases in liver enzymes.²⁹

In addition to eating an organic diet and supporting your liver so it can carry out its important detox functions, consider reducing your toxic load by investing in a good water filter and air purifier; replace your chemical-based cleaning products with natural ones (same goes for your personal care products); and avoid using chemical pesticides in your home and yard. We are going to be exposed to pesticides whether we like it or not, but there are a number of ways we can support our bodies to lessen their toxic burden.

Pesticides in the Home: Poison in Plain Sight

You may not think twice about keeping a can of bug spray under the kitchen sink, or a bottle of Roundup^® (glyphosate) in the garage, but the regular use of pesticides in and around the home leads to prolonged exposure to everyone living in the house, and may lead to serious health consequences down the road. One study investigated the link between household pesticide use and the development of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and found that frequent use of any household pesticide increased the odds of developing PD by 47 percent; frequent use of products specifically containing organophosphorus-based insecticides lead to a 71 percent increased risk. And these risks were independent of pesticide exposures from other places or from occupational risk.³⁰ The evidence that glyphosate-based herbicides, like Roundup, lead to cancer is mounting too. A meta-analysis published in 2019 investigated the association between cumulative exposure to glyphosate and increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and found the risk of NHL increased by 41 percent in glyphosate-exposed individuals.³¹ Household pesticide use is extremely common, with some research putting the prevalence of use as high as 90 percent of households.³² It’s time to say “good riddance” to the chemical pesticides!

References

1. Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, March 23, 2017 “Pesticides” United States Geological Survey https://www.usgs.gov/centers/ohio-kentucky-indiana-water-science-center….
2. Chiu Y-H, Williams PL, Minguez-Alarcon L, et al. “Comparison of questionnaire-based estimation of pesticide residue intake from fruits and vegetables with urinary concentrations of pesticide biomarkers.” J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. Jan, 2018;28(1): 31-39 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5734986/
3. Nicolopoulou-Stamati P, Maipas S, Kotampasi C, et al. “Chemical Pesticides and Human Health: The Urgent Need for a New Concept in Agriculture.” Frontiers in Public Health. July 18, 2016 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2016.00148/full
4. Kaya B, Gurler M, and Karaismailoglu E. “Maternal and umbilical cord blood serum concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and investigation of possible effects on newborn.” International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry. Sep 18, 2020 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03067319.2020.1813731
5. Alavanja MCR, Hoppin JA, and Kamel F. “Health Effects of Chronic Pesticide Exposure: Cancer and Neurotoxicity.” Annual Review of Public Health. April 21 2004; Vol 25: 155-197 https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/full/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.25.10…
6. Yan D, Zhang Y, Liu L, et al. “Pesticide exposure and risk of Parkinson’s disease: Dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies.” Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. July 2018; 96:57-63 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0273230018301363
7. Schmidt RJ, Kogan V, Shelton JF, et al. “Combined Prenatal Pesticide Exposure and Folic Acid Intake in Relation to Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Environmental Health Perspectives. Sept 8, 2017; 125(9) https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/EHP604
8. Chang C-H, Yu C-J, Du J-C, et al. “The interactions among organophosphate pesticide exposure, oxidative stress, and genetic polymorphisms of dopamine receptor D4 increase the risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children.” Environmental Research. Jan 2018;160: 339-346 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935117312549
9. Roberts JR, Dawley EH, and Reigart JR. “Children’s low-level pesticide exposure and associations with autism and ADHD: a review.” Pediatric Research. Oct 8, 2018;85:234-241 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41390-018-0200-z
10. Perera FP, Rauh V, Tsai W-Y, et al. “Effects of transplacental exposure to environmental pollutants on birth outcomes in a multiethnic population.” Environmental Health Perspectives. Feb 1, 2003 https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.5742
11. Rauh VA ScD, Garfinkel R, PhD, Perera FP, DrPH, et al. “Impact of Prenatal Chlorpyrifos Exposure on Neurodevelopment in the First 3 Years of Life Among Inner-City Children.” Pediatrics, Dec 2006; 118(6): https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2006-0338
12. Munoz-Quezada MT, Lucero BA, Barr DB, et al. “Neurodevelopmental effects in children associated with exposure to organophosphate pesticides: A systematic review.” NeuroToxicology. Dec 2013;39: 158-168 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161813X13001514
13. Salameh P, Waked M, Baldi I, et al. “Respiratory diseases and pesticide exposure: a case-control study in Lebanon.” Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. 2006;60(3) https://jech.bmj.com/content/60/3/256.short
14. Bretveld RW, Thoma C MG, Scheepers P TJ, et al. “Pesticide exposure: the hormonal function of the female reproductive system disrupted?” Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. May 31, 2006;4(30) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1477-7827-4-30
15. Evangelou E, Ntritsos G, Chondrogiorgi M, et al. “Exposure to pesticides and diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analyis” Environment International, May 2016;91:60-68 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412016300496
16. Rueda-Ruzafa L, Cruz F, Roman P, and Cardona D. “Gut microbiota and neurological effects of glyphosate.” Neurotoxicology. Dec 2019; 75: 1-8 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161813X19300816
17. Lu C, Toepel K, Irish R, et al. “Organic Diets Significantly Lower Children’s Dietary Exposure to Organophosphorus Pesticides.” Environ Health Perspect. Feb 2006;114(2): 260-263 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1367841/
18. Oates L, Cohen M, Braun L, et al. “Reduction in urinary organophosphate pesticide metabolites in adults after a week-long organic diet.” Environ Res. Jul 2014; 132 105-11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24769399/
19. Hyland C, Bradman A, Gerona R, et al. “Organic diet intervention significantly reduces urinary pesticide levels in U.S. children and adults.” Environmental Research. April 2019;171: 568-575 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935119300246
20. Chiu Y-H, Williams PL, Minguez-Alarcon L, et al. “Comparison of questionnaire-based estimation of pesticide residue intake from fruits and vegetables with urinary concentrations of pesticide biomarkers.” J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. Jan, 2018;28(1): 31-39 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5734986/
21. Roseboro K. “Days are numbered for pre-harvest use of glyphosate.” The Organic & Non-GMO Report, Aug 8, 2020. https://non-gmoreport.com/articles/days-are-numbered-for-pre-harvest-us…
22. Dannon S. “Milk Thistle Promotes Liver Detoxification.” Jan 2019. Life Extension Magazine https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2019/1/milk-thistle-promotes-liv…
23. Balch Phyllis, CNC. Prescription for Herbal Healing, Avery 2002. Pgs 95-96
24. Pathak S, Catanzaro R, Vasan D, et al. “Benefits of aged garlic extract in modulating toxicity biomarkers against p-dimethylaminoazobenzene and phenobarbital induced liver damage in Rattus norvegicus.” Drug and Chemical Toxicology, Sept 12, 2018;43(5): 454-476 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01480545.2018.1499773
25. Samsel A and Seneff S. “Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases III: Manganese, neurological diseases, and associated pathologies.” Surg Neurol Int. March 24 2015;6: 45 doi: 10.4103/2152-7806.153876
26. Kerksick C and Willoughby D. “The Antioxidant Role of Glutathione and N-Acetyl-Cysteine Supplements and Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress.” J Int Soc Sports Nut. Dec 9, 2005; 2(2): 38-44 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2129149/
27. Atkuri KR, Mantovani JJ, Herzenberg LA, and Herzenberg LA. “N-acetylcysteine—a safe antidote for cysteine/glutathione deficiency.” Curr Opin Pharmacol. Aug 2007; 7(4): 355-359 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4540061/
28. Yoshida K, Ushida Y, Ishijima T, et al. “Broccoli sprout extract induces detoxification-related gene expression and attenuates acute liver injury.” World J Gastroenterol. Sep 21, 2015; 21(35): 10091-10103. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i35.10091
29. Kasmi S, Bkhairia I, Harrabi B, et al. “Modulatory effects of quercetin on liver histopathological, biochemical, hematological, oxidative stress and DNA alterations in rats exposed to graded doses of score 250.” Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods. 2018;28(1) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15376516.2017.1351507?journ…
30. Narayan S, Liew Z, Paul K, et al. “Household organophosphorus pesticide use and Parkinson’s disease.” Int J Epidemiol. Oct 2013, 42(5): 1476-1485. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3807617/
31. Zhang L, Rana I, Shaffer RM, et al. “Exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides and risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A meta-analysis and supporting evidence.” Mutation Research. July-Sept 2019; 781: 186-206 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1383574218300887
32. Narayan S, Liew Z, Paul K, et al. “Household organophosphorus pesticide use and Parkinson’s disease.” Int J Epidemiol. Oct 2013, 42(5): 1476-1485. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3807617/