Natural Glyphosate Detox Strategies

Written By Sarah White

Tomorrow (August 20th, 2025) is the day that the provincial government intends to begin spraying glyphosate based herbicides throughout the area. The proposed spray spans from slightly north of Sundridge to south of Temagami, with the goal of managing overgrowth in the Nipissing forest area. While local community & Indigenous groups have created petitions and protests, citing potential impacts on wildlife and human health, it appears as through the project is set to move forward this week.

So what does this mean for our health as Almaguin residents?

Glyphosate is the most commonly used agricultural pesticide in the world. As effective as it is at killing weeds, it unfortunately does the same thing to internal ecosystem. It kills off beneficial bacteria (probiotics) while giving dangerous pathogens (including salmonella and E. coli) a competitive advantage, resulting in the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria in the gut. It has also been shown to deplete minerals like manganese & iron, and disrupts the body’s natural detox processes which can lead to toxin overload, and subsequent disease. Research also shows that glyphosate can reduce neurotransmitter production, which can cause depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.

Once sprayed, wind drift and water contamination make this pesticide unavoidable, but you can take steps to protect yourself. There are several things you can do to minimize — and even eliminate — glyphosate contamination, but the most important is to load your body with antioxidants that upregulate your natural detox systems.

This Naturopathic doctor’s top foods & supplements for glyphosate exposure;

Glutathione - Glyphosate has been shown to deplete glutathione levels; an antioxidant that supports your body’s natural detox pathways! Glyphosate exposure has been linked to increased glutathione synthesis, which shows a compensatory mechanism to counteract the herbicide's effects. Glutathione is absorbed and utilized most efficiently in the body when taken orally in a liposomal form, or via IV or IM injection. You can also increase your intake of the following foods that directly contain high levels of glutathione,

  • Asparagus

  • Avocado

  • Watermelon

  • Spinach and other leafy greens

  • Okra

  • Tomatoes

  • Walnuts

As well as foods that can naturally help your body produce more glutathione due to their high cysteine content – an amino acid that helps your body make glutathione;

  • Garlic

  • Onions

  • Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage)

  • Eggs (especially the yolk)

  • Poultry (chicken, turkey)

  • Red meat and organ meats (liver)

  • Fish and shellfish

  • Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, soy)

  • Whey protein (rich in cysteine)

Citrus pectin – this soluble fibre may help reduce glyphosate absorption and promote elimination by binding the compound and its metabolites in the gut, limiting reabsorption and increasing it’s excretion (via your intestines!). Citrus pectin can be found at most healthfood stores as supplement, or in the peels and white pith of citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes.

Glycine - A safe and relatively inexpensive amino acid that helps your body to create glutathione (see above). Since glycine also has a similar molecular structure to glyphosate your body can mistake glyphosate for glycine during protein synthesis, tricking it into storing toxic glyphosate in tissues and organs. By supplementing with extra glycine, we can prevent glyphosate from being stored and enhance glutathione activity. The top glycine-rich sources include:

  • Organic collagen

  • Bone broth

  • Legumes

  • Meat, poultry, eggs

  • Fish

  • Spinach

  • Cabbage

  • Kale

  • Bananas

  • Cauliflower.

Gingko biloba - Ginkgo biloba extract has shown protective effects against glyphosate toxicity in human studies. Specifically, ginkgo has demonstrated antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties that can help mitigate the harmful effects of glyphosate on cells. Note; the following people should not take this herb due to increased risk of bleeding – people with epilepsy or known bleeding conditions & pregnant women.

Probiotics and prebiotics - We’re definitely going to be taking a good probiotic for the next few months; these beneficial bacteria help to restore levels of healthy bacteria in the gut and prevent your existing bacteria from being killed off by glyphosate. You can also increase your intake of probiotic rich foods including kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles, olives, yoghurt, tempeh and kombucha.

Prebiotics are fibers that act as fuel for bacteria of the digestive system – aim for min 1/2 cup daily of at least one of the following foods;

  • Jerusalem artichoke

  • Chicory root

  • Onions, shallots, leeks & garlic

  • Bananas (the greener the better!)

  • Cabbage

  • Root vegetables

  • Apples

  • Beet root

  • Beans & legumes

  • Asparagus

  • Flax seeds, nuts and seeds

As always please consult a professional before taking any natural therapies. In my practice I recommend targeted / personalized detox protocols to safely remove glyphosate and prevent this pesticide from being stored in the body.

Sarah White
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