In a recent piece from GMOScience.org, pediatrician and integrative physician Michelle Perro, MD explores the potential links between childhood leukemia, the gut microbiome, and glyphosate, the primary ingredient in Monsanto/Bayer’s RoundUp herbicide.
While acknowledging the dearth of research and a need for more qualified studies, Perro writes that “there is clearcut evidence linking pesticide exposure to childhood leukemia… In addition, there is evidence that exposure to pesticides can adversely affect people’s gut microbiome, [the community of friendly and not-so-friendly bacteria that live in our digestive tract].” Perro goes on to draw possible connections between exposure to pesticides through food, affects on the microbiome, and instances of childhood cancer.
What’s clear is that there’s plenty left to discover about the intricate connections between soil health, diet, and human health. You can support our research on soil health and nutrient density here.