I agree that a high percentage of the population that drinks untreated water do not have GI problems, but of those that do, I know that there are many possible pathogenic scenarios that could be causative, either additively or synergistically. One such possibility to investigate: contamination of drinking water by the ubiquitous presence of very low levels of glyphosate from Roundup formulations as herbicide. Glyphosate has been touted as being 'safe' for humans because it adversely affects the shikamate pathway in plants, but since human cells do not utilize this pathway toxic effect is avoided. It is correct that 'human cells' do not utilize the affected pathway, however, we have more 'non human' cells in our bodies than we have human cells. Some of the bacteria in our efficient gut microbial assemblages, that process our food, DO have the shipmate pathway, AND may possibly be adversely affected by chronic low doses of residual water contaminant glyphosate levels. If some of these beneficial bacteria are reduced, it just might alter tip the balance of the bacterial assemblage into a less beneficial population... perhaps often resulting in GI tract problems. Just saying.... that this is ONE possible research avenue that should be funded to pointedly investigate, especially since higher glyphosate usage by herbicide-ready agricultural crop techniques as 'best management practices' may NOT turn out to be as benign as touted.

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I agree that a high percentage of the population that drinks untreated water do not have GI problems, but of those that do, I know that there are many possible pathogenic scenarios that could be causative, either additively or synergistically. One such possibility to investigate: contamination of drinking water by the ubiquitous presence of very low levels of glyphosate from Roundup formulations as herbicide. Glyphosate has been touted as being 'safe' for humans because it adversely affects the shikamate pathway in plants, but since human cells do not utilize this pathway toxic effect is avoided. It is correct that 'human cells' do not utilize the affected pathway, however, we have more 'non human' cells in our bodies than we have human cells. Some of the bacteria in our efficient gut microbial assemblages, that process our food, DO have the shipmate pathway, AND may possibly be adversely affected by chronic low doses of residual water contaminant glyphosate levels. If some of these beneficial bacteria are reduced, it just might alter tip the balance of the bacterial assemblage into a less beneficial population... perhaps often resulting in GI tract problems.

Just saying.... that this is ONE possible research avenue that should be funded to pointedly investigate, especially since higher glyphosate usage by herbicide-ready agricultural crop techniques as 'best management practices' may NOT turn out to be as benign as touted.  

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