In this episode of The Smart Human Podcast, host Aly welcomes Dr. Robin Mesnage, a toxicologist and research fellow at King's College London, to discuss the toxicology and pharmacology of glyphosate, commonly known as Roundup. The conversation delves into the effects of glyphosate on the microbiome and cellular health, vulnerable periods of exposure, and ways to reduce exposure. Dr. Mesnage also shares insights from a significant 2025 rat study highlighting the carcinogenicity of glyphosate. The discussion extends to the broader implications of pesticide use on human health, food safety, and agricultural practices. Practical tips for reducing exposure to glyphosate and other chemicals at home are also provided.
00:00 Introduction to the Smart Human Podcast
00:50 Meet Dr. Robin Mesnage: Toxicologist and Research Fellow
01:31 Groundbreaking Glyphosate Study
02:27 Study Design and Findings
03:36 Implications of Glyphosate on Human Health
10:20 Glyphosate in Agriculture and Its Widespread Use
17:04 Glyphosate's Impact on the Gut Microbiome
20:58 Daily Exposure to Glyphosate
24:06 Protecting Vulnerable Populations
26:21 Environmental and Airborne Exposure
29:33 The Glyphosate Controversy: Legal Battles and Health Concerns
32:34 The Impact of Glyphosate on Agriculture and Sustainability
36:24 Organic Farming and Certification Standards
39:14 Practical Tips to Reduce Glyphosate Exposure
51:59 The Importance of Healthy Lifestyle and Vulnerable Populations
53:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
🔹 What glyphosate is and why Roundup matters
🔹 How widely glyphosate is used in farming and gardening
🔹 Air, water, and environmental impacts
🔹 How glyphosate works at the cellular level
🔹 Its effect on the gut microbiome
🔹 Links to cancer and other health concerns
🔹 Highlights from a major new glyphosate study
🔹 Where it appears in food and drinking water 💦
🔹 How to reduce everyday exposure
🔹 Why organic farming and USDA certification matter
🔹 How healthy habits support detoxification
Robin Mesnage
Scientific Director at Buchinger Wilhelmi Clinics, The Fasting Experts
Research Fellow in the Department of Nutrition, King's College London
Scientific Director, Buchinger Wilhelmi Clinics
Unleash the self-healing abilities of your body with fasting! I am the scientific director of the Buchinger Wilhelmi clinic, which specializes in therapeutic fasting. I oversee the research and development activities to scientifically document the health effects of fasting, develop new therapeutic strategies, and most importantly empower our patients to live healthy and fulfilling lives. With over 10 years of experience in molecular biology and bioinformatics, I have the ability to leverage data to optimize fasting protocols, monitor patient outcomes, and identify novel biomarkers for personalized healthcare.
Research at King’s College London
I also collaborate with the Department of Nutrition at King's College London, where I hold a visiting research fellow position. I work with Dr. Ana Rodriguez-Mateos to investigate the role of the gut microbiome in the health benefits of plant foods and phytochemicals.
Scientific Editor
I am a keynote speaker, regularly offering lectures on scientific topics. I have served as an expert on the regulation of human health effects of chemical pollutants for the French government and occasionally for the European Parliament. My research has resulted in the publication of over 100 scientific articles, cited more than 8,000 times. I have authored and edited the book Herbicides: Chemistry, Efficacy, Toxicology, and Environmental Impacts which offers a comprehensive overview of herbicide toxicology presented by internationally recognized experts. Altogether, I am among the top 1 percent of cited scientists worldwide for my work on the health effects of pollution.
Studies PDFs:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12150505/pdf/12940_2025_Article_1187.pdf
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8883356/pdf/kfab143.pdf
#GutHealth #microbiome #CleanEating, #OrganicFood, #PublicHealth
