harmful to babies Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Babies at Risk: Glyphosate’s Shocking Toll on Birth Outcomes

The AHA! Team — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 05:23:40 +0000

Patrick Tims via NaturalHealth365 – We will examine this study, which observes the link between premature birth, low birth weight, and other peri/prenatal concerns associated with exposure to glyphosate and other environmental toxins. Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world, accounting for massive spots of agricultural production and invading every part of our communities. While the link between glyphosate and certain types of cancers has already been established, there is emerging data that suggests that glyphosate impacts prenatal health and birth outcomes as well. We will examine this study, which observes the link between premature birth, low birth weight, and other peri/prenatal concerns associated with exposure to glyphosate and other environmental toxins. While environmental toxins like glyphosate are more pervasive than most people realize, we’ll provide actionable steps to help you reduce your exposure and safeguard the health of you and your family. Understanding glyphosate exposure risks to unborn babies Researchers were concerned about the potential harmful effects of glyphosate on fertility and birth outcomes, particularly for individuals living in agricultural areas where glyphosate is heavily used. They focused on communities with lower economic mobility, as these individuals often face the highest levels of exposure. To understand the issue, it’s important to know how glyphosate works. Glyphosate is a powerful herbicide that kills plants unless they are genetically modified (GMO) to resist it. The same company that produces glyphosate also sells GMO seeds designed to survive its application. As a result, glyphosate is often sprayed liberally on fields, eliminating weeds while saturating the soil, groundwater, and air with a highly toxic chemical. Researchers analyzed data from U.S. counties where glyphosate use was especially high, often in areas growing GMO crops like corn and soybeans, which were already well-suited to those regions. After 1996, glyphosate usage soared, and researchers reviewed over 9 million birth records spanning 1993 to 2021 to assess its impact. They compared birth outcomes – such as birth weight and gestational length – in counties with high glyphosate use to those with significantly less exposure. The findings were concerning. On average, babies born in areas with higher glyphosate exposure had gestational periods shortened by a full day and weighed an ounce less at birth. Alarmingly, the effects were even worse for babies who were already at risk of being premature or having low birth weight, although the study couldn’t pinpoint the exact reasons for this heightened vulnerability. Overall, the research demonstrated that glyphosate exposure negatively affects gestational time and birth weight for all babies, with the most severe outcomes seen in already vulnerable populations. Families with lower socioeconomic status, who are often more exposed and have fewer resources to reduce their risk, bear the greatest burden. Compounding risks of other environmental toxins Undoubtedly, the relentless presence of air pollution and the widespread use of plastics have caused significant genetic damage over generations. Heavy metals, air pollutants, BPAs from disposable plastics, pesticides, herbicides, and chemical runoff contaminate groundwater and poison agricultural communities daily. When you combine the impact of glyphosate on farmers and rural populations with these other environmental toxins, the effects on children’s gestational and birth health, as well as their long-term well-being, are deeply concerning. Glyphosate is particularly insidious. Rural communities are exposed not only when it is applied to crops but also through its residue, which remains on food long after harvest. Wheat and potatoes are especially problematic, as they are heavily treated with glyphosate, and traces persist when they reach the market. Despite the position of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that these levels pose ‘no safety concern,’ the continued presence of glyphosate in our food supply raises serious questions about its long-term impact on health. Solutions and preventative measures Unfortunately, those corporations with wealth and power often prioritize profit over public health, leaving vulnerable communities to bear the brunt of harmful practices. Companies like Monsanto (now owned by Bayer) have deep pockets to lobby politicians and keep glyphosate legal. The power to create change lies in grassroots, community-driven efforts where people unite to demand better from their representatives and protect their communities. Start by lobbying your congressional representatives, making it clear that their re-election depends on their support for your stance against glyphosate use. Building local community organizations to educate others about the dangers of glyphosate can also have a significant impact. At the very least, push for transparency by ensuring your community is informed when large-scale glyphosate applications are planned. Advocating for herbicide-free green spaces in your town is another proactive step. On a personal level, you can reduce your exposure to glyphosate by supporting small farms that produce organic crops. In many cases, buying your food from local sources can save you money and the long-term health benefits far outweigh the expense. Investing in a high-quality water filtration system is another critical measure, especially for those living in rural or agricultural areas where contamination risks are higher. While it’s uncertain whether glyphosate will ever be thoroughly scrutinized for its toxicity in the U.S., you can still take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. By wisely investing your time, energy, and resources – whether through advocacy, education, or personal choices – you can help secure a healthier future for your family and your communities. Sources for this article include: PNAS.org Medicalxpress.com To read the original article click here.

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Prenatal Stress Impacts Babies, Especially Girls, Later On

The AHA! Team — Fri, 30 May 2025 05:24:33 +0000

John Jeffay via Israel21c – Study finds that even before babies take their first breath, the stress their mothers experience can shape how their own bodies will manage stress. Experts believe mothers who report high stress levels during pregnancy are more likely to have babies who will suffer neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions in later life. A team at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem says perceived prenatal stress (PPS) actually reprograms key molecular pathways in the baby’s body – and has a far more significant effect on girls than boys. PPS alters the expression of RNA – the tiny molecules that helps make proteins — in the blood of newborn babies, especially girls. That, in turn, affects key enzymes in the brain’s stress-regulation system. “We found that even before babies take their first breath, the stress their mothers experience can shape how their bodies manage stress themselves,” said Prof. Hermona Soreq, who jointly led the study with PhD student Shani Vaknine Treidel at the university’s Edmond and Lily Safra Center of Brain Science. The research team says these changes may explain why some children are more vulnerable to developmental or psychiatric challenges – and point to new possibilities for early diagnosis and interventions targeting stress-related health risks. “This study provides a powerful glimpse into how the maternal environment can leave a lasting biological imprint on the next generation,” said Vaknine Treidel. “It also underscores the importance of recognizing and supporting mental health during pregnancy — not just for the mother, but for the lifelong health of the child.” The team used a standard questionnaire to measure perceived stress among women in their third trimester at Klinikum Rechts der Isar Hospital, part of the Technical University of Munich, Germany. They then analyzed blood from the umbilical of babies born to 120 mothers aged 28 to 45 who recorded some of the highest scores. The changes they detected in the RNA molecules were sex-specific, they said, and showed more dramatic shifts among newborn girls than boys — which could explain why children exposed to high maternal stress during pregnancy may be more vulnerable to neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions later in life. Using machine learning techniques, the researchers were also able to accurately determine whether or not newborn girls had been exposed to maternal stress based on profiles of small RNA molecules (or tRNA fragments) that govern a neurotransmitter essential for brain function. This opens the door to new diagnostic tools for detecting prenatal stress effects and possibly even early interventions, the team said. The research paper was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. To read the original article click here.

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Decades of Research Confirms: Popular OTC Drug Linked to Harm in Developing Babies

AHA Publisher — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 07:00:45 +0000

Karen Sanders via NaturalHealth365 – Is taking acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol®) during pregnancy harmful to developing babies? A growing scientific consensus says yes. Unfortunately, this growing consensus is not based on “new” data. In fact, the call for “precautionary action” is based on at least 25 years of scientific data involving thousands of mothers and children. Household Painkiller Taken During Pregnancy Harms Developing Fetus in MULTIPLE Ways, Growing Research Shows Acetaminophen (also called APAP, or paracetamol outside the United States) is in the spotlight thanks to a consensus statement published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology. The September 23, 2021, statement, endorsed by an international team of 91 scientists, public health experts, and medical doctors, states that pregnant women should “forego [acetaminophen] unless its use is medically indicated.” One possible medical indication would be fever reduction, as maternal fever is a known cause of neural tube defects. However, research indicates the majority of pregnant women who take acetaminophen are doing because of things like headaches and back pain – not fever. The question is: Do pregnant women (and their healthcare providers) truly understand the possible risks associated with this common over-the-counter drug? Just looking at the drug insert for acetaminophen should be a reason to pause, where it admits that it “is not known whether acetaminophen can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.” It’s known now, however. In a statement to CNN, Dr. Shanna Swan, co-author of the consensus paper and professor of environmental medicine and public health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, says there’s a “significant body of evidence that suggests that [acetaminophen] disrupts the reproductive development of animals and humans.” This includes evidence showing that acetaminophen use in pregnancy increases the risk of undescended testicles in male offspring, which is associated with decreased fertility and sperm count later in life. In their consensus statement, the global team of researchers points to years of concerning data, including 29 observational studies including more than 220,000 mother-child pairs showing adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. It’s not clear yet how acetaminophen can damage developing babies, but the drug is known as an endocrine disruptor. (Two other popular pain relievers, aspirin, and ibuprofen are already linked to birth defects.) Of course, acetaminophen is no stranger to adverse health effects. It remains the leading cause of drug-induced acute liver failure in the United States and is a leading cause of emergency department visits and hospitalizations. The negative impact of acetaminophen isn’t limited to fetuses only. Ten years ago, Reuters reported on a study from The Journal of Urology which found that men who regularly used over-the-counter painkillers like Tylenol were almost 40% more likely to suffer from impotence. Why Would Officials Rush to Expose Pregnant Women and Young Children to New Injections? You might wonder: why now? Why, after years of support from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and other organizations, is acetaminophen during pregnancy coming under fire? Dr. Swan puts it simply: the growing accumulation of data over time. “As time progresses,” she states, “stronger and stronger evidence suggests that we’ve only been underestimating risk [of maternal acetaminophen use.]” This is an important statement, especially in the context of brand-new mRNA injections currently being pushed on pregnant women and children – despite the complete lack of long-term safety data. Is the potential benefit of these drugs truly work the known and unknown risks? Should pregnant, nursing, and trying to conceive women truly have to choose between taking these drugs or else lose their jobs and lose access to public spaces? Is this ethical? Sources for this article include: CNN.com Nature.com NIH.gov Medlineplus.gov Statnews.com Reuters.com AAFP.org FDA.gov NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

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