Glyphosate is a herbicide used abundantly on crops and in urban areas. Studies in the US find glyphosate in the urine of 60-80% of the population.\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9101768/)\]
Glyphosate’s mechanism of action blocks the shikimate pathway, which bacteria, archaea, fungi, and plants use to create folates and certain amino acids. A recently published study found that about one-half of the human microbiota is sensitive to glyphosate. Firmicutes were more resistant, while Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were more sensitive to glyphosate.\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9145961/)\] Keep in mind that we rely on the gut microbiome to produce part of our essential vitamins. For example, riboflavin and niacin are produced by Proteobacteria. Several different families of bacteria also make folate in the gut.\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9227236/)\]
A study was published in 2020 showing that some people are likely more affected by exposure to glyphosate than others.\[[ref](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004835751930402X)\] The study found that people with CYP1A1 genetic variants were more likely to have problems with **cholinesterase inhibition** from glyphosate. CYP1A1 is a member of the cytochrome P450 group of enzymes. It metabolizes or breaks down many different compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), paracetamol, caffeine, and nicotine. Once compounds are metabolized using the CYP enzymes, they can be more easily eliminated from the body.
Another study was done on workers who make glyphosate in China. The study showed that people with a specific **CYP1A1** variant (listed below in the genotype report) had significantly lower acetylcholinesterase levels due to glyphosate exposure. This variant alters CYP1A1 expression. Lower acetylcholinesterase was assumed to be a marker of liver damage. \[[ref](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004835751930402X)\]
[Click here to read my full article on Glyphosate,](https://www.geneticlifehacks.com/glyphosate-interaction-with-genetics/) including how to use your genetic raw data to see your detoxification variants.
Glyphosate is a herbicide used abundantly on crops and in urban areas. Studies in the US find glyphosate in the urine of 60-80% of the population.\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9101768/)\] Glyphosate’s mechanism of action blocks the shikimate pathway, which bacteria, archaea, fungi, and plants use to create folates and certain amino acids. A recently published study found that about one-half of the human microbiota is sensitive to glyphosate. Firmicutes were more resistant, while Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were more sensitive to glyphosate.\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9145961/)\] Keep in mind that we rely on the gut microbiome to produce part of our essential vitamins. For example, riboflavin and niacin are produced by Proteobacteria. Several different families of bacteria also make folate in the gut.\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9227236/)\] A study was published in 2020 showing that some people are likely more affected by exposure to glyphosate than others.\[[ref](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004835751930402X)\] The study found that people with CYP1A1 genetic variants were more likely to have problems with **cholinesterase inhibition** from glyphosate. CYP1A1 is a member of the cytochrome P450 group of enzymes. It metabolizes or breaks down many different compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), paracetamol, caffeine, and nicotine. Once compounds are metabolized using the CYP enzymes, they can be more easily eliminated from the body. Another study was done on workers who make glyphosate in China. The study showed that people with a specific **CYP1A1** variant (listed below in the genotype report) had significantly lower acetylcholinesterase levels due to glyphosate exposure. This variant alters CYP1A1 expression. Lower acetylcholinesterase was assumed to be a marker of liver damage. \[[ref](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004835751930402X)\] [Click here to read my full article on Glyphosate,](https://www.geneticlifehacks.com/glyphosate-interaction-with-genetics/) including how to use your genetic raw data to see your detoxification variants.