Animal Farmers More Likely to Suffer Nerve Damage

New analysis from the Agricultural Health Study is shedding light on the damaging effects of animal agriculture on farmers. The study, consisting of 16,340 participants, reveals that beef and dairy farmers are more prone to numbness and weakness. These symptoms are characteristics of peripheral neuropathy—nerves responsible for transmitting information to and from the brain, as well as sending signals to the spinal cord and rest of the body, fail to work properly. The study’s authors estimate that a farmer’s exposure to intestinal bacteria leads to an increased risk of symptoms linked to autoimmune disorder Guillian-Barré Syndrome. Dairy farmers were also more likely to suffer from blurred vision compared to non-animal farmers.