By Clare Broderick, Founder of Greener Cleaner LIVING, LLC
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is commonly used to kill weeds but gets sprayed on our food crops at the same time. It poses serious health risks. Research links it to leaky gut syndrome, which can lead to inflammation and various health issues.
Here’s how to protect yourself and your family:
- Choose Organic: Opt for organic produce, which is less likely to be treated with glyphosate and Organic-labelled products.
- Support Local Farmers: Buy from local farms that practice natural farming methods.
- Advocate for Change: Join organizations working to ban glyphosate and promote safer agricultural practices.
- Educate Yourself: Stay informed and share the risks of glyphosate with others.
- Detox Your Home: Switch to natural cleaning and gardening products free from harmful chemicals.
By taking these steps, we can reduce glyphosate exposure and foster a healthier environment. If you want more tips on low-tox living or cleaner products, grab my free guide here!
Understanding Leaky Gut: What It Means and How to Address It
You may have heard the term “leaky gut” floating around in wellness circles, but what does it really mean?
What is Leaky Gut?
Leaky gut, or increased intestinal permeability, occurs when the lining of your intestines becomes damaged, allowing undigested food particles, toxins, and bacteria to “leak” through the intestinal wall into your bloodstream. This can trigger inflammation and an immune response, leading to a range of health issues.
What Causes Leaky Gut?
Several factors can contribute to leaky gut, including:
- Poor diet: Processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can irritate the gut lining.
- Chronic stress: Stress hormones can weaken the gut barrier over time.
- Toxin exposure: Pesticides, like glyphosate, and other environmental toxins can disrupt the gut lining.
- Medications: Overuse of antibiotics, NSAIDs, and other medications can harm gut health.
- Infections: Chronic infections, such as Candida overgrowth or SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth), can also contribute to leaky gut.
What Can You Do About It?
Healing a leaky gut involves taking steps to restore and maintain the health of your gut lining. Here are the most important ones:
- Clean up your diet: Focus on whole, organic foods, rich in fiber, and free from processed ingredients.
- Manage stress: Incorporate mindfulness, exercise, and relaxation techniques into your daily routine.
- Support your gut with supplements: Consider prebiotics, probiotics, and nutrients that support gut health.
- Reduce toxin exposure: Choose non-toxic household and personal care products, and avoid processed foods.
My Gut Health Journey: Finding Balance and Healing
I’d like to share a personal story with you—one that has transformed my approach to health. Not too long ago, I struggled with gut issues that left me feeling drained, anxious, and far from my best self. It was a time when I couldn’t quite understand why I wasn’t feeling well, despite doing what I thought was “healthy.”
It wasn’t until I learned about the connection between gut health and overall well-being that things started to make sense. I realized that my diet, stress levels, and even the products I was using were all contributing to my irregularity and digestive issues.
The journey to healing wasn’t overnight, but through small, intentional changes, I began to notice improvements. I cleaned up my diet, focused on gut-supportive foods, reduced my toxin exposure, and found ways to manage stress more effectively. Over time, I felt like a new person—more energetic, more balanced, and more in tune with my body.
If you’re curious about the steps I took and want to start your own journey to better gut health, I’d love to share more with you. Let’s take this journey together. You can learn more here about my first steps to digestive comfort.
Clare Broderick is the Director of Partnership Development at the WEforum Group and is the founder of Greener Cleaner LIVING, LLC, a sustainable home and lifestyle consultancy. Clare uses her extensive professional experience in healthcare environment & building design to help women learn to live a more natural, non-toxic lifestyle & make changes to detox your family’s home & health. Want to create a healthier kitchen with sustainable swaps? Download my Healthy Kitchen Guide here.
