Once in the body, glyphosate must be broken down. Its metabolism yields two main products--aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), which is at least as toxic as its progenitor, and glyoxylate, a highly reactive glycating agent. Glycation occurs when a sugar molecule binds to a protein or lipid without enzymatic support. Although want of an enzyme may sound trivial the process is disorderly and, worse, hampers the function of an array of proteins in exposed cells, and glycating agents promote such disorder. Neurons comprise the electrical system through which our body communicates with itself, and glyphosate damages neurons. Glycation is strongly implicated in Parkinson's Disease, and according to the EPA, in 2009 over one-third of cases of acute glyphosate poisoning involved neurological symptoms.
One of the minerals that glyphosate binds is manganese. Said to derive its name from the word magic, manganese is a self-effacing metal with a treasure trove of behind-the-curtain effects. In the next section we'll make the acquaintance of manganese.
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