Excitotoxins

The name excitotoxin may not be familiar to you, but it is very likely that you consume it on a regular basis. So what is an excitotoxin? An excitotoxin is a substance, usually an amino acid that reacts with the brain receptors. They stimulate the brain nerves to fire rapidly to extreme exhaustion, causing the neurons to die in "exhaustion", killing off brain cells. Sadly, many of you consume these excitotoxins on a daily basis. As these brain cells are killed off, neurological diseases can form in your body, such as ALS, Parkinsons, migraines, seizures, diabetes, endocrine problems, learning disabilities, eye problems and possibly aggravating certain health conditions. The brain, in its own innate wisdom, does protect itself from excitotoxins, but when overwhelmed, it has little defense and the barrier will be broken. Many even have strong sensitivities, such as headaches and digestive issues to the food additive when consumed. So what are common excitotoxins? Aspartate and glutamate are the most common excitotoxins. Aspartate is most known as aspartame. Glutamate is most known as MSG, or monosodium glutamate. Unfortunately, the FDA has consistently overlooked the dangers of these food additives, with the exception that food manufacturers voluntarily removed MSG from baby food. But, knowing how some consumers are more informed, they have created new ingredients containing these excitotoxins. These ingredients are, or can be found in: hydrolized vegetable protein nutrasweet aspartame MSG/ monosodium glutamate L-cysteine sodium caseinate calcium caseinate textured vegetable protein malt extract malt flavoring So when you are consuming aspartame, 10% of the product is methanol, or a wood alcohol that turns into embalming fluid. 40% is aspartic acid, or the excitotoxin. The remaining 50% is a substance that causes sugar cravings! Brain tumors in women, the largest consumers of diet sodas, have increased 600% since the introduction of aspartame. But what about our children? These excitotoxins are found in flavored snacks such as BBQ chips, jellos, puddings, koolaid, vitamins, spices, broths, frozen dinners, etc. So why are they used? Excitotoxins either sweeten a food, stimulate the appetite or make a tasteless food tasty. And did you know that aspartame was discovered when a scientist was trying to create a drug for ulcers? So the next time you reach for that diet soda or bag of chips, think twice to what you are doing to your body. Now you know why it's so hard to eat just a few chips- excitotoxins.