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Is the chemical glyphosate really in food?
4 minutes
Learn why glyphosate may be harmful to your health, how it gets into food, and how you can avoid glyphosate in food.

Glyphosate—the main ingredient in Roundup, a weed killer sold for commercial and home use—has become a common topic of discussion in recent years. Many people who experienced repeated exposure to the chemical (including farmers, landscapers, and groundskeepers) later developed cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma. While the parent company of Roundup maintains that there's no link between cancer and glyphosate, many studies have suggested otherwise. Here, we'll explore more about glyphosate, how the chemical can get into food, and steps you can take to lower the amount of harmful chemicals in your diet.

What is glyphosate?

Glyphosate is a commonly-used herbicide (weed killer) that's used across a variety of settings, including farming and home gardening. The chemical was developed by the Monsanto company in the 1970s. The chemical works by interfering with an enzyme called EPSP synthase, which is essential for plant growth. Plants can't survive without this enzyme, and the application of glyphosate results in swift plant death.

Some crops have been genetically modified to tolerate glyphosate. This means that farmers can use glyphosate to kill weeds without killing certain genetically modified crops. Usually, glyphosate is applied directly to plant leaves.

Debates about the safety of glyphosate have been ongoing over the recent decade. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified the chemical as a probable human carcinogen (meaning it has the potential to cause cancer in humans). Other regulatory bodies refuted the studies from the IARC, stating that their evidence was not sufficient.

How does glyphosate get into food?

There are a few different ways that glyphosate can get into food sources, including:

Glyphosate and your health

When landscaping the area around your home, it makes sense to use natural products instead of glyphosate-based weed killers. While occasional use in accordance with package directions is unlikely to cause ill effects, many people prefer to use natural weed killers for home gardens.

While glyphosate can cause cancer at high doses, current research does not suggest that the low doses found in foods have the same effect. Some studies completed with in vitro cells (collected cells from a living organism that are studied, in isolation, in a lab) have shown that the introduction of glyphosate can disrupt hormones.

While these studies have yet to be replicated in any in vivo (inside the body) studies, the in vitro studies suggest that glyphosate may be associated with fertility issues and other reproductive hormone problems. Some studies also show that glyphosate exposure may create digestive issues similar to celiac disease.

The bottom line: The jury is still out on exactly how glyphosate in food may affect human health. The World Health Organization, the Food and Drug Administration, and the United States Department of Agriculture all regulate pesticide and herbicide levels in food due to potential harmful effects, and it makes sense to try to lower the amount of pesticides and herbicides in your diet as much as possible.

Tips to keep glyphosate and other harmful chemicals out of your diet

If you've decided that you'd like to keep glyphosate out of your diet as much as possible, there are simple steps you can take to reduce your exposure, including:

It's important to remember that even when you take conscious steps to reduce your glyphosate intake, it's likely impossible to completely eliminate the chemical from your diet. Runoff and wind transfer can make it difficult for organic farmers and other farmers who choose not to use the herbicide to avoid it completely.

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Mythbusting: can you lower cholesterol with homemade juice?
4 minutes
While juicing can be a delicious way to get an extra nutrient boost, it's not likely to lower your cholesterol. Learn more here.

If your doctor has told you that you need to lower your cholesterol levels, it's normal to feel unsure where to start. Often, high cholesterol levels come as a surprise, especially if you work to eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise. If you're not interested in taking medication to lower your cholesterol levels, you may be interested in holistic methods that can help you reduce your cholesterol levels.

What is cholesterol?

You may already know that you need to keep an eye on your cholesterol levels, but many people are unsure of what cholesterol actually is—and why having some of it in your body is essential for your health.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that naturally occurs in the body, as well as in certain foods. This substance is vital for many bodily functions that keep you well, including building cell membranes, synthesizing vitamin D, and producing hormones like estrogen and testosterone.

Lipoproteins—round particles that travel through the bloodstream—carry cholesterol throughout your body. You've likely heard of "good" and "bad" cholesterol, known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL, the "good" cholesterol) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, the "bad" cholesterol). HDL cholesterol works to remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and transport it to the liver for disposal, while LDL cholesterol can lead to the accumulation of plaque in the arteries, causing blockages that can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

When you have your total cholesterol tested, the number you’ll see is a combination of your HDL and LDL cholesterol, as well as the triglycerides (fats) in your blood. Your doctor will talk with you about your target numbers and go over changes you may need to make to regulate your cholesterol levels to support heart health.

Causes of high cholesterol

Your body naturally produces all the cholesterol it needs, and also gets additional cholesterol from dietary sources, like meat, cheese, and eggs. Cholesterol is not found in plants. It's important to maintain a healthy balance of HDL and LDL cholesterol.

Most healthy adults should have their cholesterol levels checked every four to six years, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Often, high cholesterol has no symptoms, so it's important to talk with your doctor about regular screenings. They may recommend more frequent screenings if you have certain health conditions (like high blood pressure), smoke, or have other factors that could increase your risk of developing heart disease.

Does juicing lower cholesterol?

When you search to learn more about ways to lower your cholesterol, it's likely that you'll come across a wide variety of recommendations—some helpful, others not so much. Juicing typically falls into the latter category, unfortunately.

Some studies show that juice fasting can decrease the amount of LDL cholesterol in your blood. That being said, juice fasting is typically regarded as a dangerous practice, and not something you should try unless it's recommended by your healthcare provider.

Recent research shows that the consumption of fresh fruit juice%20concentrations%20or%20systolic%20blood) does not have a significant effect on cholesterol levels. That being said, increasing your daily intake of whole fruits and vegetables is shown to significantly decrease the likelihood of heart disease. Juicing removes valuable fiber from fruits and vegetables, so it's a better idea to eat whole pieces of produce whenever possible.

This isn't to say that it's a bad idea to enjoy a glass of fresh juice every now and then—you just shouldn't make it a part of your plan to lower your cholesterol.

Lowering your cholesterol

If a test from your doctor reveals that you have high cholesterol, you aren't alone. The CDC estimates that about 25 million adults in the United States are living with high cholesterol, with total cholesterol levels above 240 mg/dL.

Thankfully, there are many effective lifestyle changes you can make to help you lower your cholesterol. Eating a healthy diet that prioritizes fruits, vegetables, fiber, and unsaturated fats (like the fat in avocados and olive oil) can help. Since plants don't contain cholesterol, it can be helpful to shift toward a plant-based diet. While it's OK to have animal products sometimes, making fruits and veggies the stars of your meals can help to protect your heart health. Your doctor may also recommend a soluble fiber supplement (like Metamucil) to help carry excess LDL cholesterol out of your body.

Getting at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week can also help to lower your cholesterol. Research suggests that the increased blood flow associated with exercise makes it easier for your good cholesterol to help your bad cholesterol move out of your body. If you're new to exercising and are concerned about your heart health, it's a good idea to talk with your doctor about safe, sustainable ways to get started.

Your doctor may also recommend that you use medication to lower your cholesterol. Statins are a type of drug used to reduce cholesterol levels. These drugs work by interfering with your body's natural production of cholesterol, as well as by helping your liver eliminate bad cholesterol from your body. You may also find that taking statins increases your good cholesterol, which also supports the process of removing bad cholesterol from the bloodstream.

Health Mythbusting: Does eating turkey really make you tired?

Eating turkey this holiday? Worried about feeling sleepy afterward? Learn why turkey may not be the cause—and steps to take to avoid feeling tired.

This holiday season, Americans will consume around 87 million turkeys.

And after they gobble down their turkey dinners, they might experience post-meal sleepiness. Often, people blame turkey as the cause.

In today’s article, we’ll break down the health myth of whether eating turkey really makes you tired.

Why does turkey make you sleepy?

Theories say the sleepiness that comes after eating turkey is caused by an essential amino acid called L-tryptophan—or just tryptophan.

Turkey has tryptophan—but many other foods do too, including:

So do these meals cause drowsiness? It’s possible—but unlikely.

When tryptophan is consumed, the amino acid travels from the digestive system to the brain. There, the brain turns tryptophan into a chemical known as serotonin.

Serotonin plays many roles in the healthy function of our body. One of those roles is regulating sleep.

So does tryptophan in turkey cause drowsiness?

It can—but scientists learned that tryptophan can only make us tired if it’s ingested on its own. And just like the protein found in milk, chicken, and egg whites—the protein in turkey contains several amino acids.

For tryptophan to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and produce serotonin (the hormone that regulates sleep), it first has to compete with the other amino acids in turkey. The BBB helps keep our brains safe by tightly regulating what can cross into the brain—acting like the security checkpoint at an airport. Even molecules that aren’t harmful, like tryptophan, have to compete with each other to gain access. This slows the process down and means not everything gets through.

So what does this all mean?

Turkey itself may not cause sleepiness.

Other factors that may cause fatigue

If tryptophan isn’t what’s making you sleepy after a turkey dinner, what is?

Researchers believe this drowsiness may be a result of increased blood flow to the stomach to help digest a big meal. When more blood is sent to your stomach, there’s less blood left for the brain and the rest of the body—which may lead to tiredness.

When we overeat, the digestive process takes up even more of our energy.

Research also suggests, high-fat and high-carb meals—like a turkey dinner—may produce sleepiness after eating.

High-glycemic-index (HGI) meals may also make us fall asleep faster. HGI foods, like potatoes, baked goods, and sugar-containing beverages, create a quick spike in blood sugar (blood glucose) and insulin.

When eating high-glycemic foods, it’s normal to feel a surge of energy as glucose pours into the blood. The body will then produce insulin to metabolize—or break down—the glucose. This insulin rush can deplete blood glucose within a few hours, and if it drops too suddenly, it can create feelings of exhaustion.

Another thing that can make you sleepy after consuming it? Alcohol, which is often served on festive holidays. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which slows down brain activity, and can make you fall asleep faster than usual.

In short, a turkey dinner serves up plenty of ways to make you sleepy—turkey shouldn’t get all the blame.

How to avoid drowsiness after your turkey dinner

Despite all these forces working to make you sleepy this holiday, there are steps you can take to avoid feeling drowsy:

Conclusion

Turkey itself may not be the main reason we experience drowsiness after a meal—or if it mistakenly gets the blame.

Health Mythbusting: Do carbs really make you gain weight?

Carbs play an important role in providing us with energy to go about our day. From simple carbs to complex, they both turn into glucose in your body and provide us with energy.

We’ve all heard the notion before about how carbs can make us gain weight. Because of this, they’re often painted as the culprit of all our weight gain woes.

And with an obesity percentage of 42.4% in 2017-2018 in the United States, people are genuinely curious about what causes weight gain.

If they do, how and why?

In today’s article, we’ll be breaking down carbs and whether they really do cause weight gain. Keep reading to find out more!

What are carbs and what do they do?

Carbohydrates play a vital role in the healthy function of our body. They make up ⅓ of what’s considered “macronutrients.”

Macronutrients include fat, protein, and carbs. All three are important nutritious components our body needs to maintain our systems and structure and give us energy.

When we consume carbohydrates, our digestive systems break them down into blood sugar or glucose. Glucose is then absorbed by our bloodstream and used as energy.

Different types of carbs

So, what different types of carbohydrates are there?

We can separate carbohydrates into two categories: complex carbs and simple carbs.

Complex carbs vs. Simple carbs

Complex carbs actually take longer to digest. This means they increase glucose levels for a longer span of time, producing a more lasting feeling of energy and helping you stay full for longer. They also provide fiber, minerals, and vitamins.

In general, your weight depends on:

With that said, typically if you consume more calories than you burn, you’ll gain weight, and if you burn the calories that you ingest every day, your weight will stay the same.

Conclusion - Do carbs really make you gain weight?

The idea that carbs can increase your weight on their own is a false narrative.

There are so many other factors that affect our weight, that carbs alone can’t be responsible.