GLYPHOSATE–NAD–DEUTERIUM
Glyphosate disrupts NAD’s central role in mitochondrial functioning by disrupting the supply of deuterium-depleted protons to the mitochondrial matrix.
Glyphosate, originally patented as an antibiotic, is the most frequently applied herbicide worldwide for which core crops (soy, corn, sugar beets) have been genetically modified to be able to withstand massive amounts of application since 1992. Since 1996 it has been used as a desiccant (wheat) as well. It is the main active ingredient of Roundup.
In the context of deutenomics, glyphosate’s inhibition of the Shikimate pathway in our gut bacteria is the key to the damage this pervasive poison causes in humans.
Tryptophan is the major product of this blocked pathway. Tryptophan is the precursor of NAD or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. NAD is a proton carrier.
Mitochondria depend on NAD to supply deuterium-depleted protons for metabolic water production. NAD exists in four forms, with and without hydrogens and with and without phosphate: NAD+ NADH NADP+ NADPH.
The enzymes that supply NAD+ and NADP+ with hydrogens are especially designed to avoid deuterium and glyphosate disrupts these enzymes. Low NAD+ reduces the efficiency of the electron chain transport and therefore oxidative phosphorylation, which are tightly coupled processes. NAD+ deficiency is associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. NAD+ is a co-factor for sirtuins, important regulators of metabolism.
Low NADP+ levels will deplete glutathione. The G6PD enzyme replaces hydrogens on NADP+ restoring it to NADPH and if G6PD is deficient, it will lower the amount of reduced glutathione as NADPH reduces oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to reduced glutathione (GSH).
The two other essential aromatic amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine that are affected by this pathway along with tryptophan are the precursors for melatonin; thyroid hormone; melanin; neurotransmitters including GABA, serotonin, acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine; and vitamins B2 (Riboflavin) and B3 (Niacin).
Riboflavin and niacin are critical in keeping levels of deuterium low in mitochondria as enzymes convert these to NAD and FAD, which in turn are essential for collecting and transferring hydrogen from naturally deupleted ketogenic substrates, which then goes on to produce the most efficient source of deuterium depleted metabolic water for the human body.
Stephanie Seneff, B.S., M.S., E.E., Ph.D., describes the myriad of ways that glyphosate causes major disease in Toxic Legacy, her new book.