Page 24 - Spring2013

The general with a gluten-free diet. 61 etables can be sources of MSG! A product called
Schizophrenia is the mental disease with
rule is that the strongest relationship to gluten intolerance. Auxi-Gro, which contains MSG, is sprayed on
crops such as wine grapes as a growth enhancer,
the more It was known as far back as 1953 that patients and MSG can end up in supposedly healthy fruits

processed with celiac disease had hallucinations. A high and vegetables. Organic fruits and vegetables are
prevalence of depressive symptoms, hypotheti-
less likely to be sprayed with Auxi-Gro.
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a food, the cally related to serotonin dysfunction, has been Fast foods and processed foods are loaded
more MSG reported among adults with celiac disease. with excitotoxins and should not be consumed,
Several studies have shown that the majority
especially by growing children. Cooking home-
it contains. of adolescents with CD displayed depressive made meals from simple basic ingredients is the
behavioral symptoms and disruptive behavioral solution to avoiding most excitotoxins at home.
disorders before the diagnosis of CD. They also MSG and its evil twin aspartame are the
had low free tryptophan levels. 62 darlings of the food industry because they en-
hance the flavor of foods, thus making relatively
EXCITOTOXINS: MSG AND ASPARTAME tasteless processed foods more flavorful.
Excitotoxins are substances in foods that The artificial sweetener aspartame is found
overstimulate neuron receptors in the brain and in many products, from soda to candy to flavored
damage brain cells. These neurons then become yogurt to beer. Parents, unaware of aspartame’s
exhausted and die. Scientists have especially damaging effects on the growing brain, may buy
noted this effect in the hypothalamus, the part food products containing aspartame if weight
of the brain that modulates behavior, impulse control is an issue in the household.
control, the onset of puberty, sleep and immunity. The FDA lists more than ninety symptoms
Headaches are the most common side effect. of aspartame toxicity, even rashes, cramps and
The main two excitotoxins are monosodium pain in the tendons and ligaments. Documented
glutamate (MSG) and aspartame, an artificial neurological events include vertigo, ringing in
sweetener, also called Equal or NutraSweet. 63 the ears, headaches and depression. Aspartame
Symptoms of MSG ingestion can mimic releases methanol upon heating and digestion,
allergic reactions, such as rashes, wheals on the and methanol poisoning causes headaches, be-
skin, swollen face, hives, asthma, runny nose, havioral disturbances and inflammation of the
flushing, rapid heartbeat, diarrhea, stomach nerves. Another breakdown product of aspar-
cramps and arthritis. Neurological symptoms tame is poisonous formaldehyde, the same sub-
include depression, insomnia, anxiety, confu- stance used by undertakers to preserve corpses. 67
sion and paranoia. MSG has also been linked Aspartame is composed of two amino acids,
in scientific studies with death of brain tissue aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Seizures and
in lab animals, obesity, reproductive disorders, other mental symptoms associated with aspar-
behavioral disorders, hyperglycemia, learning tame consumption are related to low serotonin
and memory disorders, stroke, epilepsy, brain resulting from the phenylalanine component.
trauma and schizophrenia. Aspartic acid is synthesized from glutamate,
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The general rule is that the more processed a a major excitatory transmitter in the brain. A
food is, the more MSG it contains. Canned soups, lack of the calming neurotransmitter serotonin
soup mixes, potato chips, crackers, soy sauce, and increased levels of an excitatory transmitter
infant formula, vaccines, some wines, protein further stimulate the brain. 68
bars, dietary supplements, and especially soy Thousands of adverse reactions to aspartame
products contain MSG. When a food contains have been reported to the FDA, mostly concerned
less than 99 percent MSG, the ingredient does not with abnormal brain function, brain tumors,
require a label. However, hydrolyzed vegetable epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. Children’s
protein must be on the label and that always brains are four times more susceptible to damage
contains MSG. “Flavors” and “natural flavoring” from excitotoxins than the brains of adults, and
are probable sources of MSG. 65 they react with ADD-ADHD-type symptoms,
Believe it or not, conventional fruits and veg- impaired learning, depression and nausea.
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24 Wise Traditions SPRING 2013 SPRING 2013 Wise Traditions