Think Muscle - Bodybuilding and Fitness


Get Sloppy With RoundUp and Your Weeds Won’t Be the Only Thing Wilting!

By Bryan Haycock, MS

Environmental chemicals have now permeated every inch of our planet. Whether you live in the rainforest or in downtown Los Angeles, your body is affected by chemical pollutants in the air, land and sea. Many of you may be surprised to learn that it isn’t just the big corporations of the world that are to blame for global pollution. We use in and around our homes that can have a significant effect on our health. One such chemical is weed killer.

In a recent study performed at Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, the explored the effect of a popular consumer weed killer called RoundUp. I personally have used this many times to get rid of dandelions and the like. Anyway, they found that RoundUp significantly blocked testosterone production in testicular cells. They were able to show that Roundup inhibited steroidogenesis by disrupting StAR protein expression. "StAR" stands for, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein. StAR protein mediates the rate-limiting and acutely regulated step in steroidogenesis. This step is the transfer of cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane where the cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage (P450scc) enzyme initiates the synthesis of all steroid hormones. StAR is a very important regulatory hormone for anyone interested in optimal testosterone levels.

This study simply demonstrates the risks involved with introducing foreign chemicals into our environment. Keep in mind that RoundUp is only one of many different chemicals that effect testosterone production.

Next time your out killing weeds, take the time to read the label and take the warnings seriously. If it says where gloves and other protecting clothing, do it or your weeds won’t be the only thing wilting.

Reference

Walsh LP, McCormick C, Martin C, Stocco DM. Roundup Inhibits Steroidogenesis by Disrupting Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory (StAR) Protein Expression. Environ Health Perspect 2000 Aug;108(8):769-776