ew study reveals toxic levels of glyphosate in dairy cows
A new study published in the Journal of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology reveals that the active ingredient of Monsanto’s best selling herbicide ‘Roundup’ is found in all the dairy cows that were used for the test.
Dr. Monika Kruger and her colleagues investigated the excretion of glyphosate in the urine of 30 cows from 8 different Danish farms. The investigative team looked at blood serum parameters indicative of cytotoxicity as alkaline phosphatase (AP), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), creatinine kinase CK), nephrotoxicity, (urea, creatine) and cholesterol in each of the urine samples. They also looked at trace minerals such as manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), selenium (Se), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn).
The results concluded that different levels of glyphosate were excreted in the urine of all cows and glyphosate had a significant impact on blood parameters of cows. In fact, the researchers found that increased levels of GLDH, GOT and CK in cows could possibly show the effect of glyphosate on liver and muscle cells. They also discovered that high urea levels in some farms could be due to nephrotoxicity of glyphosate.
In conclusion the researchers discovered that “correlations between glyphosate and some of the measured blood serum parameters to CK (R= 0.135), Se (R=-0.188), Co (R= -0,403) and Zn (R=0,175) demonstrate that glyphosate is toxic to the normal metabolism of dairy cows.”
Keep in mind that glyphostae in Monsanto’s Roundup have been linked to many chronic diseases including cancer, birth defects and infertility. Click here to find out why Monsanto’s Roundup is more toxic than what the majority believe.
Milk is anything but ‘wholesome’, despite all the claims by the main stream media and big dairy industry:
According to many scientific research and studies, increase in consumption of red meat and dairy products can increase risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and different kinds of cancer. Click here to find out a diet high in red meat, eggs and dairy products can increase the risk of different cancers.
So what’s the best replacement for milk and dairy products?
Dairy-free organic coconut milk or organic almond milk (from real food sources, not synthetic ones that have artificial sweeteners and additives) are good replacement for milk. Keep in mind that even raw milk or goat milk can become contaminated in a number of ways, especially in large commercial farms that put profit before safety. Therefore, it’s safer to buy raw milk or goat milk from small local farmers that are highly conscious since their entire families drink the milk they produce.
Can lack of milk or dairy products cause osteoporosis and ratio of calcium to magnesium:
Many people might still believe that dairy products are necessary for healthy bones. However, the recent studies suggest that the ratio of calcium to magnesium is an important factor to health and vitality including healthy bones. As a matter of fact, 60% of the magnesium in your body is stored in bones and magnesium plays an important role in absorption of calcium and vitamins. But, 80% of Americans have magnesium deficiency and most Americans have very high ratio of calcium to magnesium (more like 6 to 1).
Many studies have concluded that the problem Western diet is high calcium intake (especially for women who are going through menopause and are at high risk of osteoporosis) without sufficient amount of magnesium.
The recommended dietary ratio of calcium to magnesium happens to be 2 to 1, however, the current research suggests that the ratio of calcium to magnesium should be more like 1 to 1.
In fact, studies show that high dietary intake of calcium and lack of Magnesium and vitamin D can increase in rate of cardiovascular diseases and strokes.
You can get your natural calcium and magnesium from food sources such as seeds, nuts, carrots, cauliflower, raw cacao beans, cabbage, broccoli and real herbal extracts (Plant based calcium with magnesium).
The face of agriculture has changed dramatically over the past century. Instead of working with what nature has provided, encouraging biodiversity and companion planting to ward off pests, farmers have been encouraged to use chemical fertilizers and pesticides, with disastrous results. Despite being promised greater crop protection and increased yields, the results have been low-yielding soil, an increase in soil pathogens, poor water utilization and devastating harm to insects, including the honeybee.
A study published in the journal Nature in 2013, found that pesticides cause “broad biodiversity loss,” damaging the habitats of invertebrates like mayflies and dragonflies in soil and streams, even when farmers stick to “safe levels.”
The tide is slowly starting to turn, however. Science Daily recently reported that farmers around the world have returned to working with nature instead of against it. (Related: Global food security at risk as crop biodiversity is lost.)
A study by researchers from Michigan State University (MSU) has determined that farmers who have taken proactive steps to increase the number of birds and other vertebrates on their land have been able to increase their crop yields, decrease their use of chemical pesticides, and provide a safe haven for endangered species. The study was published in the journal Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment.
“Our review of research shows that vertebrates consume numerous crop pests and reduce crop damage, which is a key ecosystem service,” noted Catherine Lindell, an MSU integrative biologist and the study’s lead author. “These pest-consuming vertebrates can be attracted to agricultural areas through several landscape enhancements.”
The same research team earlier conducted a study in which they successfully lured American kestrels to some of Michigan’s cherry orchards and blueberry fields by installing nest boxes in strategic places. Kestrels hunt many of the species that cause the most harm on these types of farms, including European starlings, rodents and grasshoppers. They also chase away other smaller birds that damage fruit in cherry orchards.
This movement towards utilizing nature to increase crop yields is bearing fruit around the globe. (Related: Natural bacteria, fungi, found in plants boost crop yields without pesticides.)
In Indonesia, for example, farmers have been able to document increased cacao yields of 290 pounds – worth $300 – per acre. They have done this by encouraging more birds and bats to make their homes on their farms.
In Spain, farmers erect roosts close to rice paddies, increasing the local bat population, thereby reducing the need for chemical pesticides by reducing pests naturally.
Jamaican farmers actively encourage birds in their fields, which in turn eat pests that destroys coffee crops. This has enabled them to save between $18 and $126 per acre, each year.
Farmers in New Zealand have taken this a step further, not only reducing the need for pesticides and increasing crop yields, but in so doing, protecting their only falcon species, which is endangered. Farmers have collaborated with the Marlborough Falcon Trust to reestablish these birds in grape-growing regions of the country, protecting their vineyards and the birds at the same time – a mutually beneficial arrangement for the farmers and the environment. (Related: If you are passionate about the environment be sure to bookmark Environ.news.)
“These scientists have demonstrated a win-win situation for farmers and birds,” said Betsy Von Holle, a director with the program that funded the MSU research. “Increasing native predatory birds in agricultural areas can help control insect pests that damage crops, potentially reducing costly pesticide use. For declining bird species, these efforts can increase the birds’ reproductive success while producing fruit crops attractive to consumers.”
The MSU team hopes that there will be “broad interest” shown by both farmers and environmentalists in refining and implementing these types of programs more comprehensively throughout the country.
