Low on Iron? These Two Commonly Overlooked Causes Are Often Combined

Conditions like celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or any condition that affects the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine can lead to iron malabsorption. This results in insufficient iron being absorbed from the digestive tract. It's possible that glyphosate residue on wheat products could exacerbate issues for people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, potentially worsening iron absorption and other nutritional issues. Here's how:

1. Glyphosate and Celiac Disease/Gluten Sensitivity:

• Celiac Disease: In people with celiac disease, gluten triggers an autoimmune response that damages the small intestine, specifically the villi, which are responsible for nutrient absorption. This damage can result in malabsorption of several nutrients, including iron. If glyphosate is present on wheat products, it could potentially worsen this damage by adding another layer of stress on the gut and microbiome, further impairing nutrient absorption.
• Gluten Sensitivity: While gluten sensitivity doesn't involve the autoimmune response seen in celiac disease, it can still cause inflammation in the gut, leading to digestive issues and nutrient malabsorption. Glyphosate may exacerbate these symptoms by further disrupting the gut’s ability to absorb nutrients.

2. Impact on Gut Health and Microbiome:

Glyphosate is known to alter the gut microbiome, which is crucial for proper digestion and nutrient absorption. A healthy microbiome helps break down food, absorb nutrients like iron, and maintain intestinal health. Studies suggest that glyphosate exposure can disrupt the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, leading to dysbiosis (microbial imbalance), which can exacerbate malabsorption problems in people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.

• Iron Absorption: The gut microbiome plays a key role in iron metabolism. Some beneficial bacteria in the gut help with the absorption and regulation of iron levels. If glyphosate affects these bacteria, it could further impair the absorption of iron in individuals who are already at risk of iron deficiency due to celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

3. Increased Intestinal Permeability ("Leaky Gut"):

There is evidence that glyphosate may contribute to increased intestinal permeability, often referred to as "leaky gut." In people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, the gut lining is already compromised, and glyphosate could further exacerbate this by weakening the tight junctions between cells in the intestinal lining. This could lead to more inflammation, worsening the malabsorption of nutrients like iron and potentially allowing harmful substances to enter the bloodstream, further impacting health.

4. Glyphosate’s Effect on Iron in Wheat:

Glyphosate is sometimes applied to wheat crops as a desiccant (drying agent) just before harvest, which means that traces of glyphosate may be present in the final product. While glyphosate is not directly toxic to humans at the levels found in food, it may interfere with the bioavailability of nutrients in the wheat itself. If glyphosate affects the iron content or availability in the wheat, it could further contribute to the deficiency in people who already have trouble absorbing iron due to their gluten-related disorders.

5. Nutrient Depletion from Gluten Sensitivity/Celiac Disease:

Individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity are already at risk for nutrient deficiencies, particularly iron, due to the damage that gluten causes to the small intestine and the reduced ability to absorb essential nutrients. Adding glyphosate exposure to this already compromised system could amplify the risk of deficiencies.

Note:

• Some medications, especially those that cause gastrointestinal irritation or blood loss (e.g., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs), can further worsen iron deficiency over time. Women who regularly use NSAIDs for pain management (e.g., for menstrual cramps or arthritis) may be at increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, leading to a gradual loss of iron.

Conclusion:

For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, glyphosate residue on wheat products could potentially make the situation worse by further impairing gut health, exacerbating inflammation, and affecting nutrient absorption, including iron. Since both conditions already compromise the ability to absorb iron, glyphosate could add an additional layer of challenge to maintaining optimal nutrient levels.

To minimize potential risks, individuals with these conditions may want to focus on:

• Choosing organic wheat: Organic farming prohibits the use of glyphosate as a desiccant.
• Increasing iron-rich foods: Focus on non-gluten sources of iron, such as legumes, spinach, and fortified gluten-free grains.
• Iron supplements: If advised by a healthcare provider, iron supplements may be necessary to address deficiencies.

Sources

1. Samsel A & Seneff S. “Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases II: Celiac sprue and gluten intolerance.” Interdisciplinary Toxicology. This analysis proposes mechanisms by which glyphosate might chelate metals (including iron), disrupt gut microbes, and contribute to nutrient deficiencies.

2. Barnett JA & Gibson DL. Front. Microbiol. (2020). “Separating the empirical wheat from the pseudoscientific: evaluating glyphosate’s effects on the gut microbiome.” Reviews evidence on glyphosate residue on wheat and potential impacts on gut microbial balance.

3. Puigbò P et al. PMC (2022). “Does glyphosate affect the human microbiota?” Assesses sensitivity of gut bacteria to glyphosate and implications for microbiome composition. 

4. “Does glyphosate affect the gut microbiome?” Gut Microbiota for Health (2020). Discusses laboratory/animal studies showing effects of glyphosate exposure on gut bacteria, with reference to dysbiosis that could affect nutrient absorption.

5. Izumi Y. “Glyphosate as a direct or indirect activator of...” Nursing Research and Reviews (2024). Suggests possible indirect effects of glyphosate via dysbiosis, inflammation, and gut permeability. 

6. Yilmaz B et al. PMC (2018). “Gut microbiota and iron: the crucial actors in health and disease.” Reviews how gut microbes influence iron absorption and systemic iron homeostasis.

7. Sun B et al. Food & Function (2024). “Iron deficiency anemia: a critical review on iron absorption, supplementation and its influence on the gut microbiota.” Discusses interactions between iron status, absorption efficiency, and gut microbiome effects. 

8. Baryshnikova N et al. Exploration EDD (2025). “Microbiota and iron metabolism.” Highlights the bidirectional relationship between iron metabolism and gut microbial composition.

9. Freeman HJ. PMC (2015). “Iron deficiency anemia in celiac disease.” Provides mechanisms and clinical evidence on why iron absorption is impaired in celiac disease due to mucosal damage. 

10. Halfdanarson TR et al. Blood (2007). “Hematologic manifestations of celiac disease.” Discusses iron deficiency and other blood abnormalities frequently seen in celiac disease patients.