What We’re Loving Right Now: Ion Biome and Dr. Zach Bush
Glyphosate—the world’s most widely used herbicide—has already been linked to cancer in multiple court cases, and research shows it could be quietly undermining your gut, brain, and overall health. It’s a hidden threat in our food, our environment, and even our bodies, and the story is far from over.
We had the privilege of meeting the doctor leading the charge on understanding this issue: Dr. Zach Bush. We first heard him speak as the keynote at the Force of Nature conference on regenerative agriculture, and I was lucky enough to share a lunch with him. Sitting across the table, what struck me wasn’t just his brilliance (though he has that in spades), but his presence: full of compassion, curiosity, and a genuine desire to connect beyond small talk. Zach Bush is one of those rare humans who makes you feel seen, while also opening your eyes to the much bigger picture of what’s happening in our bodies, our food system, and our planet.
And the science he’s sharing isn’t just theory. Courts have already held Monsanto (now Bayer) accountable, awarding billions in damages to people exposed to glyphosate. If that doesn’t make you curious about the connection between soil, gut health, and our future, nothing will.
Who Is Dr. Zach Bush?
Before we get into science, let’s get one thing clear: Zach Bush is not a “wellness influencer” peddling feel-good ideas. He’s a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, endocrinology, and hospice care. He began his career in cancer research at the University of Virginia, steeped in the most conventional (and prestigious) side of medicine.
But during that time, he saw a troubling pattern: no matter how advanced the treatments, cancer rates were climbing. Chronic disease wasn’t slowing down—it was accelerating. This pushed him to look deeper into root causes, and that search eventually led him out of the hospital and into the soil.
Today, Zach is widely known as a thought leader in regenerative agriculture, environmental health, and microbiome science. His message is radical in its simplicity: human health is inseparable from the health of our soil and ecosystems. And if we want to heal ourselves, we need to heal the planet.
Why We’re Loving His Work Right Now
What resonates most about Zach Bush’s message is that it’s both visionary and deeply practical. He isn’t afraid to name the big issues—chemical farming, broken healthcare, political capture—but he always brings it back to empowerment. He reminds us that change starts in the soil, on our plates, and in our daily choices.
At the heart of his work is the conviction that biodiversity equals resilience. Whether we’re talking about soil microbes or the bacteria in our gut, life thrives when diversity is protected. When we reduce it—through chemicals, monocultures, or overly sanitized modern living—we open the door to disease.
And this is where things get serious: because nothing has reduced biodiversity more dramatically in recent decades than glyphosate.
The Gut–Soil Connection
Think of your gut microbiome as your “inner soil.” It’s home to trillions of microbes that digest food, regulate immunity, produce neurotransmitters, and essentially keep the entire system of “you” running. In a parallel way, soil is the planet’s microbiome: teeming with life forms that cycle nutrients, store carbon, regulate water, and sustain plants.
When soil loses its microbial richness, it stops functioning. Crops become weak, requiring more chemical inputs. Erosion accelerates. Water retention disappears. Similarly, when our gut microbiome is diminished, digestion weakens, immunity falters, inflammation rises, and chronic disease takes hold.
Zach Bush’s work is powerful because it connects these dots so clearly: what we do to the soil, we do to ourselves.
Glyphosate — The Silent Disruptor
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is the most widely used herbicide in the world. It’s sprayed on conventional crops, used as a drying agent before harvest, and lingers in our food, water, and even the air.
Most people think glyphosate’s impact ends in the field, but research—including Zach Bush’s—shows otherwise. Here’s what it does inside the body:
Breaks down tight junctions in the gut → This leads to “leaky gut,” allowing toxins, allergens, and bacteria to seep into the bloodstream and fuel chronic inflammation.
Blocks the shikimate pathway in gut bacteria → Humans don’t have this pathway, but our microbiome does. Glyphosate disrupts the bacteria’s ability to produce essential amino acids like tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine.
Why this matters → Those amino acids are precursors to serotonin, dopamine, and melatonin. Translation: glyphosate exposure doesn’t just affect digestion—it impacts mood, sleep, focus, and even mental health.
Destroys microbial diversity → The same way it sterilizes soil, glyphosate diminishes the resilience of our inner ecosystem.
In short, glyphosate is an equal-opportunity disruptor. It doesn’t just kill weeds—it undermines the very foundations of life in soil and in humans.
And here’s the unsettling twist: while Bayer has announced it will phase glyphosate out of consumer products like Roundup for home use, it remains heavily sprayed across U.S. agriculture—so it’s still ending up in our food and water. Worse, many of the replacement herbicides being introduced (such as glufosinate ammonium) may be even more toxic, raising new concerns about long-term health and ecological safety.
This isn’t just about one chemical—it’s about a system that keeps trading one harmful input for another. Which makes the case for soil health, biodiversity, and resilience all the more urgent.
A Pattern of Accountability in Court
It’s important to remember that glyphosate has already been at the center of massive legal battles. Monsanto (now owned by Bayer) has lost multiple lawsuits brought by people who developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after long-term Roundup exposure. Juries have awarded damages in the tens and hundreds of millions, and in 2020 Bayer agreed to a $10.9 billion settlement to resolve roughly 100,000 claims.
This history of accountability makes current legislative proposals even more concerning. If pesticide companies are granted broad immunity from future lawsuits, it could close one of the only avenues ordinary people have to seek justice when their health is harmed.
Ion Biome — A Tool Born from the Soil
Ion Biome (formerly RESTORE) is the product that came out of Zach Bush’s soil research. While studying ancient soils, his team discovered a carbon-rich extract that supports the body’s natural cellular communication pathways.
Here’s what that means in practical terms:
Strengthens gut lining – Ion Biome helps repair “tight junctions” in the gut lining, which can be damaged by toxins like glyphosate. These tight junctions act as the gatekeepers, keeping harmful substances out of the bloodstream.
Supports microbial diversity – By creating a favorable environment for beneficial gut bacteria, Ion Biome helps restore the balance of the microbiome, which is critical for digestion, immunity, and neurotransmitter production.
Enhances nutrient absorption – By restoring gut barrier integrity and supporting a healthy microbial ecosystem, Ion Biome improves the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food. A published study even showed that when curcumin (turmeric extract) was taken with Ion Biome, absorption and bioavailability were significantly increased. This effect is likely due to better tight junction function and the presence of microbial species that metabolize polyphenols effectively.
Enhances cellular communication – The carbon molecules in Ion Biome act as signaling compounds, helping cells coordinate their responses to inflammation and environmental stressors. This contributes to overall resilience at the cellular level.
Mitigates toxin impact – While it’s not a cure-all, Ion Biome helps the body better tolerate environmental toxins, including glyphosate and other chemical residues, by supporting the pathways that detoxify and repair damage naturally.
We love it not just because of what it does, but because of what it represents: a bridge between science, nature, and practical tools for everyday life. It’s a reminder that sometimes the solutions to modern health challenges are rooted in the same wisdom found in ancient soils.
Simple Ways to Support Gut + Soil Health
Choose organic or regeneratively grown foods whenever possible.
Support farmers and brands prioritizing soil health.
Grow something—whether a backyard garden or a pot of herbs.
Minimize household chemicals and processed foods.
Stay informed about legislation impacting our food system. (and take action)
Ion Biome can be part of that toolkit, but the bigger shift is about awareness and reconnection.
FAQ
Who is Dr. Zach Bush?
A triple board-certified physician, former cancer researcher, and thought leader in regenerative health, agriculture, and the microbiome.
What does glyphosate do to the body?
It disrupts the gut lining, kills beneficial bacteria, and interferes with amino acid pathways essential for brain and immune health.
How does glyphosate affect amino acids and neurotransmitters?
By blocking the shikimate pathway in gut bacteria, it reduces production of amino acids that create serotonin, dopamine, and melatonin—impacting mood, focus, and sleep.
Is Ion Biome legit?
It’s not a quick fix, but a soil-derived supplement designed to support gut resilience and repair tight junctions disrupted by toxins like glyphosate.
How are soil health and gut health connected?
Both rely on biodiversity. When we destroy microbes in soil, we lose biodiversity in our food and, ultimately, in our own bodies.
Why is glyphosate legislation controversial?
Granting pesticide companies immunity would remove accountability, despite growing evidence of glyphosate’s environmental and health harms.
Final Thoughts
Meeting Zach Bush in person confirmed what his work had already suggested: he is the real deal. A brilliant scientist, a compassionate human, and a visionary connecting the dots between soil, health, and humanity’s future.
Ion Biome is just one piece of his work, but the larger message is what we’re holding onto right now: healing ourselves means healing the earth. And that starts with paying attention—to our food, our choices, and the policies shaping our world.