The Devil’s in the Details

In continuing to observe my body’s response to known or suspected exposures, I have formed more specific hypotheses for cure that may allow others suffering from emerging epidemics to recognize when biocides may be harming their tissues.

1

Eating neonicotinoid-contaminated foods may cause peripheral neuropathy that feels like shooting pains or tender aches in your extremities or torso. These poisons may enter foods in several ways: farmers may apply them to food crops, bees may spread them, or chefs—even “organic” or “natural” ones may add them in gourmet seasonings, garnishes, or condiments. If you experience peripheral neuropathy in relation to foods, you can take several steps to avoid taking in neonicotinoids. When you cook at home, you can buy biocide-free foods from trusted producers, avoiding bee-related foods, and omit seeds, flowers and seasonings from recipes. When you eat out, you can choose an organic restaurant, call ahead to inquire about meals that are free of pesticides and herbicides, and speak with your server to confirm that a safe meal is available. Unfortunately, farming and cuisine are subject to paradigms that divide them from biological realities. For example, farmers and chefs may interpret the word organic in a bureaucratic way that leads farmers to apply “natural” poisons like Bt or Rotenone to crops in response to pests and lead organic chefs to add contaminated additives in order to meet the culinary expectations of foodies. To protect yourself, you can prepare to over-communicate and to meet with unanticipated hazards.

2

Organophosphates and organophosphorus compounds like glyphosphate (Roundup) can cause symptoms that simulate flu. You may get a headache, runny nose, cough or asthma, brain fog, fatigue, and discomfort that you can ease with over-the-counter pills. You may be exposed to such poisons when you use household pesticides like “roach bombs;” buy and wear fabrics treated with pesticides; pass through grounds that have been sprayed; or eat contaminated foods. You may inhale, ingest, or absorb them. When such compounds are applied to the grounds of a campus or other area that you frequent, many others may get sick, and you may all think that you’ve caught “what’s going around.” I made that mistake for years. You can avoid these compounds by avoiding areas that seemed unnaturally green or weed-free and keep to areas that resemble natural habitat.

3

Mycotoxins may contaminate beautiful, carefully grown organic fruits if farmers or distributors transport those fruits in moldy crates. In locales where such crates are used, you can avoid mycotoxins by washing all produce thoroughly.

4

Even if your flesh tends to be insensitive to the agents of biological warfare routinely used as pesticides, the bacteria in your gut may be sensitive. Your ingestion of biocides may therefore seem to have no effect on your body but may degrade your microbiome and thus lead to yeast overgrowth and all kinds of digestive problems. If you seek help for these problems, you have probably found that many people blame them on food sensitivities or allergies. If you are struggling with digestive symptoms, you can consult a naturopath. While naturopaths in the US are generally unaware of the health effects of biocides, they may be helpful in restoring your microbiome. If you can’t find a helpful naturopath, you can try my regimen: one probiotic capsule three times a day. I take turns with three brands: the Garden of Life RAW Probiotics for Women 50 & Wiser; Dr. Michael Murray’s Ultimate Probiotic Women’s Formula; and Interplexus Fortefy dietary supplement. I also avoid sugars and complex carbohydrates, though I enjoy social eating and tend to backslide on that. If I overdo or encounter an unpleasant surprise when eating out, I take anti-yeast antibiotics. This regimen can lead to dependence and complications. It’s a bit of a tightrope walk. If your microbiome is still in good shape, you may be able to avoid difficulties by restricting your intake of sugars and gluten and other specific foods. If you pay attention to your experience and learn from it, you’ll take good care of the gut flora that provide essential nutrients and otherwise serve your digestion and nutrition.

5

Any biocide can disturb your appetite and cause obesity. Cheap food is an oxymoron; undervaluing food leads to short cuts that degrade and contaminate food. Cheap food production degrades soils and crops. It deprives food of nutrients; adds biocides that act as obesogens; and poisons the microbiome while at the same time bathing it in sugars that cause yeast overgrowth, food cravings and overeating. If you crave food between meals, restrict your diet to local organic foods produced by farmers you trust; cut out added sugars and excess carbs; develop the will to eat the amounts you choose in advance, and consult carers as needed.

6

Smoked foods can cause the same symptoms as biocides. I learned this the hard way when I packed jerky for a trip during which I had no access to organic meals. I infer that even light smoking of foods can harm the flesh directly, or indirectly by inducing xenobiotic enzymes that cause the liver to produce toxic byproducts.