Are you eating Excitotoxins?
They are found in so many foods, find out how to avoid them below!
In an attempt to eat healthier, many people consume sugar free, low fat products that have chemicals added to amp up the flavor. This is also common in meat-analogs or fake “meat” products. Many low-calorie sodas, highly flavored snacks and processed foods of all kinds contain these substances known as excitotoxins – substances that could very well be damaging your brain and your entire body.
So, what exactly is an excitotoxin?
An excitotoxin is a chemical that causes a brain cell to become overexcited and fire uncontrollably, leading to cell death. MSG (and other excitotoxins like aspartame) has the potential for inflicting permanent damage to the brain and nervous system. These chemicals also cross the placental barrier, harming the brains of unborn children.
One of the most common is Sucralose (Splenda®)
Now, an in-depth scientific review1, 2 of sucralose published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health3 reveals an extensive list of safety concerns, including toxicity, DNA damage, and heightened carcinogenic potential when used in cooking.
Which foods have excitotoxins?
Carrageenan (E 407)
Some Bouillon and broth
Stock
Any unnatural “flavors” or “flavoring”
Maltodextrin
Citric acid, Citrate (E 330)
Anything “ultra-pasteurized”
Barley malt
Pectin (E 440)
Protease
Anything “enzyme modified”
Anything containing “enzymes”
Malt extract
Soy sauce
Soy sauce extract
Anything “protein fortified”
Anything “fermented”
Seasonings
Any ingredient listed as the following can contain a dangerous excitotoxin: spices, natural flavoring, yeast extract, textured protein, soy protein extract, hydrolyzed vegetable protein.
In other words, excitotoxins are amino acids, which react with specialized receptors in the brain. When excitotoxins encounter these receptors, the result is destruction of certain brain cell types.
Effects of Excitotoxins on the brain:
Migranes
Autism
Allergies
Endocrine disruption
Obesity
Infections
And nervous system impairment
Alzheimers
Parkinsons
ALS
Huntingtons Disease
Excitotoxins stimulate our taste buds, making them very attractive to the food industry. The chemicals in excitotoxins stimulate the taste cells in the tongue, causing the flavor of the foods we eat to be greatly enhanced. Soups, snacks, sauces, gravies, and especially low-fat and vegetarian processed foods – manufacturers often pack them with “flavor enhancers” in an effort to make them taste better.
Some Examples of Excitotoxins?
Glutamic acid (E 620)
Glutamate (E 620)
Monosodium glutamate (E 621)
Monopotassium glutamate (E 622)
Calcium glutamate (E 623)
Monoammonium glutamate (E 624)
Magnesium glutamate (E 625)
Natrium glutamate
Yeast extract
Anything “hydrolyzed”
Any “hydrolyzed protein”
Calcium caseinate, Sodium caseinate
Yeast food, Yeast nutrient
Autolyzed yeast
Gelatin
Textured protein
Soy protein, soy protein concentrate
Soy protein isolate
Whey protein, whey protein concentrate
Whey protein isolate
Learn how to avoid foods with chemicals with me in my ecourses and ebooks! For in home assistance with kitchen revamping and food prep book a coaching session! Find out how to detoxify the body and eat clean! Visit my website now at www.healthywithnicole.com