The debate regarding the health effects of GMO’s has been hotly contested as of late. Humans have been modifying plants for thousands of years, so we shouldn’t be worried, right? Are there really negative health effects as a result of GMO consumption? New research is pointing us in  that direction, and we’re hoping to shine a light on the truth.

CYP Inhibitor  

GMO consumption disrupts a person’s CYP enzymes. CYP enzymes play a crucial role in our bodies, as they are responsible for detoxifying xenobiotics from the body. These xenobiotics include harmful chemicals from substances such as pesticides, drugs, and carcinogens. After glyphosate consumption, the CYP enzymes do not act as they normally should, and our bodies have a harder time detoxifying xenobiotics.

Worsen Gluten Disorders

The Institute for Responsible Technology recently found that GMOs have the potential to cause or worsen gluten-related disorders, which includes the autoimmune disorder Celiac Disease. The health issues that can lead to gluten related disorders that are caused by GMOs are imbalanced gut bacteria, intestinal permeability, immune activation and allergic response, impaired digestion, and damage to the intestinal wall

Endocrine Disruptors

A recent study by the U.S. National Library of Medicine concluded that GMOs can be endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that can be incredibly harmful to hormone systems in mammals. Theses chemicals can cause alarming health effects to humans such as developmental disorders, birth defects, and cancerous tumors. This study also concluded that GMOs contain xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogen is an estrogen that actually mimics real estrogen found inside the human body. This can also lead to many negative health effects including various cancers, early onset of puberty, thyroid issues, and infertility.

Antibiotic Resistance

As people begin to become sicker due to GMOs, they will turn to medicines such as antibiotics to combat these diseases. Unfortunately, these antibiotics will not be as effective if these same people have consumed GMOs. In the early stages of genetic modification, some GMOs are modified to become antibiotic resistant. Thus, you begin to receive the antibiotic resistance trait that these GMOs were modified to possess when you consume GMOs. As a result, certain infections and diseases will be harder to combat with antibiotics. This could become a serious issue to human health if more and more people continue to become antibiotic resistant.

Allergic Reactions

GMOs also have the potential to trigger allergic reactions. For example, a person could have no problem eating wheat, but could be incredibly allergic to corn. The combination of a gene from corn into any wheat gene could cause someone to have an allergic reaction. This could be incredibly dangerous. Some GM soybeans have been found to have a Brazil nut protein gene inside them, and as a result, people suffered allergic reactions. These GM soybeans were removed from production

Humans first priority should be their health, and this is exactly why we need to stop eating GMOs. These genetically modified organisms are in about 70% of processed foods at your local supermarket, and it will not be easy to avoid them. Unfortunately, GMOs are probably in some of your favorite foods to eat. There are many companies today ,thankfully, that are committed to providing GMO alternatives to some of your favorite foods. Organic Merchant CO is one company we support, as they make it their goal to deliver the highest quality organic, non-gmo foods to their customers. It’s time to take a stand against GMOs, and look towards food that don’t contain them.