Issue #271: Why is Our Sperm Disappearing?
Good morning. It’s Tuesday, November 28th.
Today’s Quick Win
From the Lab: What’s Happening to Our Sperm?
Speed Read: How to Deal With Envy
Tuesday QR: Turkey and Spinach Burger
“I mean c’mon, does it really make sense to EAT chemicals designed to kill living organisms?”
The number of pounds of the pesticide, Roundup (glyphosate) used in the U.S. every year. Compare this to 11 million pounds used in 1987. (source)
From the Lab
Our sperm is disappearing.
Total sperm count has decreased 62.3% since 1973. Even more concerning - the rate of decline is accelerating.
Annual decline 1972-2000 = 1.16%
Annual decline 2000-2018 = 2.64%
It’s a massive problem and contributing to the many couples (15%) that are struggling with infertility right now - both men and women.
I personally know multiple friends going through this incredibly frustrating challenge right now. Many more have had to go through multiple rounds of IVF in order to have a family.
You might be thinking that this doesn’t matter to you - you’ve had your kids and aren’t looking to have any more.
But it still matters to men and women. Low sperm concentration is connected with higher risk of cancer, chronic disease, overall lower health and all-cause mortality (ahem - dying).
Why is this happening now?
There are multiple factors - but a new study just came out (it’s actually a meta-analysis of 20 studies) that found a “strong association” between pesticides and sperm concentration.
Without getting too technical - these chemicals are actually organophosphates (OPs) and N-methyl carbamates (NMCs).
The results from looking at these many studies and 1,774 men found that:
“The strength of evidence of an association between insecticide exposure and lower sperm concentration is sufficient enough to warrant concern, particularly in light of observed downward trends in semen quality. Health-protective policy and engineering solutions are needed now to reduce exposures to insecticides and prevent continued male reproductive harm.”
I was thinking about this over the holiday weekend - we were dog-sitting so I was taking multiple walks through the neighborhood. I kept seeing signs in the yards saying “Pesticide spray applied - stay off grass until XX date.”
Didn’t make me feel too good about the pup sniffing all the grass and bushes up and down the street.
These chemicals aren’t just to make our yards look good (see Stat of the Day) - it’s on pretty much everything we eat and often gets into the water we drink.
75% of all produce at the store has pesticide residue.
The USDA tested 46 fruits & vegetables - peeling or scrubbing/washing the fruit before the tests. They still found traces of 251 different pesticides.
Monsanto (maker of Roundup) has paid out $11B in lawsuits for failure to properly inform the public of the health dangers of its product that is pretty much everywhere (this is what’s typically being used by your neighbor and lines the shelves of the Garden section at Lowe’s and Home Depot).
Why? Some reports indicate this specific pesticide (it’s actually an herbicide) increases our relative risk for cancer by 41%.
So what can we do?
1. Avoid ‘Em
Whenever possible - buy organic produce and meat. This is especially true for anything on the EWG Dirty Dozen list (note: blueberries just got added to the list). Your health is 100% worth the extra cost when it comes to not eating chemicals.
Don’t use Roundup in your yard. Our yards make up 40M acres in the U.S. - that’s 8x the total acreage of organic farms and can have 10x the amount of pesticides. Look for natural alternatives to keep the grass green - like Sunday.
2. Detox
If you think you’ve been exposed to pesticides, then get ‘em out.
First - drink lots of water.
The more we hydrate (see Issue #190) the more we dilute any toxins in our body and move them quickly through our kidneys to get processed out.
Second - consider a supplement.
Chlorella (see Issue #154) and activated charcoal (see Issue #194) are both supplements known to “bind” to toxins and help you eliminate them more quickly from your body.
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Speed Read
Health & Longevity in the News
The Sanity of Ultramarathons: We highlighted the 108 straight hours that Harvey Lewis ran on Saturday (Issue #270). There’s another race in Queens around a city block (0.5488 mi - I’m already dizzy) with the goal of completing 3,100 miles within 52 days with limited sleep. What makes these ultramarathoners tick? The same things as you and me. (Outside)
Hey Jealousy: Not quite - there’s a difference between jealousy (your relationships) and envy (your status - Issue #144). Pop psychology may say no to envy, but we’re humans, not robots - and envy may actually be liberating. Acknowledge it, don’t react impulsively, assess your feelings, and practice gratitude. PS - the music might be good, but don't be envious of music videos from the 90's. (NYTimes)
Diametrically Opposed: You’re thinking politics, right - democrats vs. republicans? Incorrect. The biggest chasm in thinking is regarding the energy of empty space. Our protagonists - two different theories: general relativity vs. the standard model. The theories disagree by 100 googol quintillion (or 1 followed by 120 zeros). That seems like a lot. (Big Think)
Tuesday QR | Turkey and Spinach Burger
Not sick of turkey yet? Packed with lean protein from organic ground turkey and iron from spinach, this simple yet flavorful blend, enhanced with onion, garlic, and oregano, offers a nutritious option for lunch. For more options - add avocado, bacon, cucumbers, lettuce, tomato, red onions and/or a Primal Kitchen condiment.
EatingWell
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25 Labs, Inc. does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.