EXCITOTOXINS. -MSG (monosodium glutamate)hydrolyzed vegetable protein

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EXCITOTOXINS. " -MSG (monosodium glutamate)hydrolyzed vegetable protein JoAnn

Guest Dec 15, 2004 13:15 PST

 

 

From the book:

" EXCITOTOXINS THE TASTE THAT KILLS. "

by Russell L.Baylock M.D.

 

MSG (monosodium glutamate) is a taste enhancing and hydrolyzed

vegetable protein. At the time of discovery, MSG was thought to be

safe since it was a natural substance (an amino acid).

 

The amount of MSG alone added to foods has doubled in every decade

since the 1940's and by 1972 262,000 metric tons of MSG were

produced.

 

In 1957 two ophthalmologists, Lucas and Newhouse decided to test MSG

on infant mice in an effort to study an eye disease known as

hereditary retinal dystrophy.

 

When they examined the eye tissue of

the sacrificed animals they made a startling discovery. MSG had

destroyed all the nerve cells in the inner layers of the animals

retina which are the visual receptor cells of the eye.

 

 

Ten years

later John W. Olney, M.D. a neuroscientist working for the Department

of Psychiatry at Washington University in St. Louis repeated Lucus

and Newhouse's experiment in infant mice.

 

He found that MSG was not only toxic to the retina, but also to the

brain.

 

When he examined the animals brains, he discovered that specialized

cells in a critical area of the animals brain, the hypothalamus were

destroyed

after a single dose of MSG.

 

Large amounts of MSG and hydrolyzed vegetable protein (a compound

contains 3 EXCITOTOXINS).

At this time the concentrations of MSG found in baby foods was equal to

that used to create brain lesions in experimental animals and in all

these experiments, immature animals were found to be much more

vulnerable to the toxic effects of MSG than older animals (this was true

for all animal species tested).

 

The FDA refused to take action after Dr. Olney informed the FDA and it

was only after his testimony before a

Congressional committee that the food manufactures agreed to remove

MSG from baby foods.

 

But instead of adding MSG,-- added " hydrolyzed

vegetable protein " .

 

Today EXCITOTOXINS are still added to our food,--

 

usually in the form of *caseinate*,

beef broths, *chicken broth* (as in tuna), or *flavoring*.

 

In experimental animals " MSG babies " are found to be short in stature,

obese and have difficulty reproducing.

This effect only becomes evident long after

the *initial* use of MSG exposure.

 

 

More detailed studies have found that " MSG babies " have severe disorders

involving several hormones

normally produced by the hypothalamus.

 

MSG is not the only " taste enhancing " food additive known to cause

damage to the nervous system.

They all share one important property.

 

When " neurons " are exposed to these substances, they become very excited

and fire their impulses

very rapidly until they reach a state of extreme " exhaustion " .

 

 

Several hours later these neurons suddenly die as if the cells were

excited to death.

 

As a result, neuroscientists have dubbed these class of

chemicals " EXCITOTOXINS. "

 

Several EXCITOTOXINS are man made,-- others are found in nature--

such as 'glutamate, aspartate and cysteine' - all which are 'amino

acids'.

 

MSG

is a modified from of glutamic acid in which sodium is added to the

molecule. But the toxic portion is the *glutamic* acid, not the

sodium.

 

Often manufactures will mix MSG with other substances to

" disguise " it.

 

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein also referred to as " vegetable protein " , or

plant protein is a mixture made from " junk

vegetables " ,-- unfit for sale,

especially selected so as to have " naturally high " content of glutamate.

 

 

The extraction process of " hydrolysis " involves boiling these vegetables

in a vat of *acid*,

followed by the process of neutralization with *caustic soda*.

 

The

resulting product is a *brown sludge* that collects on top. This is

scraped off and allowed to dry and the end product is a " brown powder "

that is high in 3 known EXCITOTOXINS --

glutamate, aspartate and cystoic acid

(which converts in the body to cysteine).

 

This is then added to the foods

..

All these chemicals *stimulate* the *taste* cells in the tongue, thereby

" enhancing " the taste of the food.

 

Another excitotoxin additive is the artificial sweetener

*Nutra -sweet*,

40% of the compound is composed of the excitotoxin " aspartate " .

 

 

Like glutamate, aspartate is a powerful *brain toxin*, which can produce

similar " neuron " damage.

 

It is well recognized that 'liquid' forms (sodapop, etc) of excitotoxins

are much more toxic to the brain than dry forms, as they

absorb faster and produce higher blood levels than when mixed with

solid foods.

 

But the negative effects of excitotoxins are not limited to small

children.

 

There is growing evidence that excitotoxins play a major role in a whole

group of " degenerative " brain

diseases in adults - especially the elderly.

 

These diseases include Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, Huntington

disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

and more disorders of the nervous system.

 

What all these disease have in common is a " slow destruction " of brain

cells that are specifically sensitive to excitotoxin damage.

 

More and more diseases of the nervous system are being 'linked' to

excitotoxin buildup in the brain.

 

For example, disorders such as strokes, hypoxic brain injury,

hypoglycemic brain damage, " seizures " ,

migraine headaches, hypoxic brain damage, ADD, ADHD, and even AIDS

dementia have been linked to excitotoxins damage.

 

There is evidence that some individuals born with metabolic defects in

certain brain cells may be

particularly susceptible to excitotoxin damage.

 

The food industry and representatives of the glutamate manufactures

have joined together to fight anyone who would dare criticize the use

of flavor enhances, infact they have formed a special lobby group to

counter any negatives about their product.

 

This group is called the

Glutamate Association and is made up of representatives of major US

food mfgs. and the Ajinomoto G. based in Japan, the chief

manufacturer of MSG and hydrolyzed protein.

 

The neuron system within the hypothalamus appears to use " glutamate " as

a *neurotransmitter*.

 

The pituitary gland " Master Gland " controls the

other endocrine glands, such as the " adrenals " , the thyroid and

reproductive organs by releasing small amounts of it's 'controlling

hormones' into the blood.

 

What controls the pituitary gland,....

the hypothalamus - controls hormone releasing factors that stimulate

the pituitary to release hormones.

 

By the feed back control, the hypothalamus " regulates " the hormone

balance in the body. Sort of a

hormone thermostat.

 

The discovery by Dr. Olney was particularly important, because the

hypothalamus plays an important role in controlling so many areas of the

body.

 

The hypothalamus " regulates growth " , the onset of puberty, most of the

endocrine glands, " appetite " ,

sleep cycles and waking patterns, the biological clock and even

consciousness itself.

 

When MSG is fed in doses similar to those found in human diets, it

destroys " hypothalamic neurons " in animals.

 

Later experiments

demonstrated that MSG could cause the hypothalamus to secrete

excessive amounts of a reproductive hormone (luteinizing hormone)

which is associated with an early onset of puberty. many of these

endocrine effects appeared at an older age.

 

The primary purpose of

us eating is to support the " chemical reactions " of the body. Many of

the substance absorbed from our food plays a vital role in the

overall metabolic process of life.

 

When adult humans are fed 100-150 milligrams per kilogram of body

weight of MSG, their blood levels rise 20 times higher than normal as

compared to a four fold rise seen in experimental mice fed a

comparable dose.

 

A child's brain is four times more sensitive than

an adult brain to these toxins.

 

Glutamate and aspartate are " neurotransmitters " (the keys) found

normally in the brain and spinal cord and even though they are two of

the most common transmitter chemicals in the brain and spinal core,

when their concentrations rise above a critical level they become

" deadly toxins " to the neurons containing " glutamate receptors " (the

locks).

 

What this means is that excessive glutamate will not only

" kill " the 'neurons' with the " receptors " for glutamate, but it will

also

kill any neuron that happens to be connected to it, even if that

neuron uses another type of transmitter.

 

Both glutamate and apartane can cause neurons to become extremely

" excited " and if given in large enough doses, they can cause the cells

to degenerate and die.

 

It is for this reason that the nervous system

carefully " controls " the concentration of these two amino acids in the

fluid surrounding the neurons (called the extracellular space).

 

Even

small doses can damage these neurons without actually killing them.

 

Within 15-30 minutes after being exposed to high doses of MSG,

neurons 'suspended' in " tissue culture " are seen to swell like balloons.

 

 

Within 3 hrs. those neurons are not only dead, but the bodies defense

mechanism begins to 'haul away' the " debris " .

 

 

 

Be aware, the FDA does not regulate the amount of " carcinogens " allowed

in " hydrolyzed vegetable protein " or the amount of hydrolyzed vegetable

protein allowed to be added to food products.

 

Manufacturers disguise MSG- in foods it is disguised as " hydrolyzed

vegetable protein " ,

" natural flavorings " and " spices " , each of which may contain 12%-40%

MSG.

_________________

====================================================================

MSG-free: Avoiding the hidden sources

 

--

 

MSG-free: Avoiding the hidden sources

July 23, 1999

Web posted at: 11:27 AM EDT (1527 GMT)

----In

this story:

What is MSG toxicity syndrome?

Symptoms that MSG can bring on

What the future may hold for the players in the MSG debate

 

RELATEDS

--------------------------------

(WebMD)

-- Sufferers of monosodium glutamate (MSG) toxicity syndromes have

long been dismissed by the makers of glutamate and food additives

and by the FDA, whose labeling standards for foods containing the

controversial flavor enhancer are fairly lax.

 

For many of these MSG

sufferers, the experience of coping with the ambiguities of food

labeling leaves them feeling like Han Solo navigating his way

through an asteroid field.

 

Not only is it confusing -- it can be very dangerous.

 

What is MSG toxicity syndrome?

 

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) toxicity syndrome occurs in response to

free-glutamic acid, which is a breakdown product of protein after it

has been processed by a food manufacturer.

 

While all protein has glutamic acid bound in it, it is only the

glutamic acid that has been freed from the protein before it is

consumed that causes the reactions.

 

Growing numbers of patients and physicians and some scientists are

convinced that the ingestion of this processed free-glutamic acid

can cause adverse reactions in one or more organs of the body.

 

In 1969, H. H. Schaumburg, an MSG researcher who helped educate the

public and the medical industry about the dangers of MSG, concluded that

up to 30 percent of the population had sensitivity reactions from the

MSG in an ordinary diet.

 

Symptoms that MSG can bring on

 

Reported MSG reactions, which can occur as a result of consuming

even small amounts (much less than the 1/2 gram the FDA considers to

be low), include migraines;

hives; mouth eruptions; numbness; tingling;

swelling of mucous membranes in the oral, gastrointestinal or

reproductive tract; asthma; runny nose; insomnia; seizures; mood

swings; panic attacks; diarrhea; and cardiac irregularities.

 

Sufferers of MSG's effects are not experiencing an " allergy. "

Instead, they are experiencing the results of direct " nerve

stimulation " and possible 'nerve damage', although the latter has not

been verified in humans.

 

Emergency room physician George R. Schwartz, author of " In Bad

Taste: The MSG Symptom Complex, " says MSG is a " neurotoxin, " a

substance that actually induces nerve changes and possible nerve damage.

 

 

Despite the fact that MSG causes known toxic reactions, and despite

the fact that some labeling does exist, MSG-sensitive individuals

are still at risk for becoming severely ill from food they buy at the

store or order off a menu.

 

1. Most " processed " foods contain MSG.

 

Kathleen Schwartz, president of " NoMSG " , a New Mexico-based nonprofit

group, explains that MSG is

'deceptively' represented as a " natural " additive on many containers

and in some natural-food departments as well.

 

" Anything that tastes good ...

all of the fast foods, flavored chips, most of the condiments, most

salad dressings, most processed lunch meats, most sausages, soups

off the grocery shelf, "

she says, are likely to contain MSG.

 

2. Seasonings and basic food staples contain MSG.

 

Adrienne Samuels,

Ph.D., co-director and founder of the Truth in Labeling Campaign

(TLC), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote " full and

clear labeling " of all food, says that the unwary consumer is quite

vulnerable to the " unintended ingestion " of MSG.

 

In doing research for a TLC report, Samuels found that the glutamate

and food-additive industry is adept

at " disguising " the presence of MSG in foods.

 

" Bouillon, stock, broth, malt flavoring, barley malt, seasonings,

carrageenan, soy sauce, soy protein,

whey protein and anything enzyme-modified, " she writes, " always

contain MSG. "

 

3. MSG by any other name is just the same. Samuels notes that the

FDA has demonstrated a curious relaxation of its usual standards for

product labeling. " With some exceptions, " she writes, " the FDA

requires that

ingredients -- MSG-containing ingredients included -- must be called

by their common or usual names. "

 

The FDA uses the term " monosodium glutamate " for ingredients that

are a 99 percent pure combination of

glutamic acid and sodium.

 

However, most of the MSG-containing foods

that cause MSG syndrome are not 99 percent pure and are allowed to

be labeled obscurely:

 

" monopotassium glutamate, " " autolyzed yeast, " " hydrolyzed soy protein "

and " sodium caseinate " are examples of ingredients that always contain

MSG.

 

4. The FDA won't tighten its standards. In 1994 TLC attempted

through a petition to pressure the FDA " to require that processed

free-glutamic acid be clearly labeled when used in food. "

 

That petition -- and a

subsequent lawsuit -- were not successful.

 

The court ruled that the FDA, being a food-industry " expert " , did not

have to " disclose " the

basis of its 'conclusion' that current labeling standards adequately

protected the public.

 

What the future may hold for the players in the MSG debate

 

MSG proponents are currently facing a new battle -- one with

potentially far-reaching legal repercussions. In a recent, well-

publicized legal

case, a California man, Mr. Livingston, initially lost a suit that

was recently reversed on appeal and set for retrial.

 

Livingston's complaint is against a restaurant that had served him a

vegetable soup that

had been made with a beef base containing MSG.

 

After consuming it, he suffered an asthma attack and cardiac

arrest.

 

" The restaurant had a 'duty to warn' this man of the dangers of the MSG

content of the food, " says attorney Howard Goldstein, who represented

Livingston and who likens the case to the current tobacco industry

lawsuits.

 

Goldstein says he is more aware of the dangers of MSG as a result of

his involvement with this case. A member of his own family suffered

from MSG

sensitivity. " At a time when we were eating a lot of foods

containing MSG, " he says, " during the meal she would start having

vision changes, cramping and asthma.

 

At least once or twice a year for a dozen or so years we would be

making emergency room visits, usually on the Friday or

Saturday night after eating out, to get to respiratory therapy. "

 

Goldstein says that after getting involved in the Livingston case

and learning to eliminate MSG from the family diet, the trips to the

emergency room have not occurred for five years.

 

But until relief arrives, consumers must navigate on their own.

________________

====================================================================

 

Health and Nutrition Secrets that Can Save Your Life

--

 

Health and Nutrition Secrets that Can Save Your Life

by Dr. Russell Blaylock

 

Health and Nutrition Secrets That Can Save Your Life covers some of

the hottest topics in health and nutrition:

heavy metal toxicity the " food additive " controversy

 

Health and Nutrition Secrets also presents the latest information on

strokes and heart attacks, diabetes, protecting the digestive system,

and the best ways to keep the immune system young and powerful.

 

Dr. Russell Blaylock, a board-certified neurosurgeon, combines many

years of medical practice with study of thousands of research studies to

create this monumental book.

----

Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills

Book Description (from the publisher)

 

Nutrasweet (Aspartame) has been scientifically linked to brain

tumors, brain cell damage and neurological conditions such as

Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

 

According to author Russell Blaylock, MD, a practicing, board-certified

neurosurgeon, we are witnessing enormous damage to the brain and nervous

system due to the ever-increasing amount of Nutrasweet and other

excitotoxic subtances

added to our foods.

 

With detailed accuracy citing well over five hundred scientific

studies, Neurosurgeon Blaylock explores the " must-know " dangers of

these substances being added indiscriminately to our food supply.

 

Mike Wallace of " 60 Minutes " and his research team used the book

Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills, as one of their sources to report on

the increasing evidence of a brain tumor connection.

 

Their December 29, 1996, program didn't, however, delve into the

enormous " epidemic " of illness caused by the increasing use of these

substances.

 

Dr. Blaylock's book exposes it all in detail--from the questionable

history of " approvals " in the 1970s and the 1980s to the increasing

body of evidence showing serious brain effects, government inaction,

and industry propaganda and cover-up.

 

The use of aspartame, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and monosodium

glutamate in prepared foods and beverages continues to increase on a

yearly basis.

 

Dr. Blaylock clearly demonstrates that the neurotoxic

potential of excitotoxins such as MSG and aspartame (NUTRASWEET ) is

so overwhelming that it can no longer be ignored.

 

Table of Contents:

A Crash Course in How the Brain Works - Very Special Amino Acids -

What Is an Amino Acid? -

Exciting Cells to Death - Effect of Excitotoxins on the Developing Brain

- Creeping Death: The Neurodegenerative Diseases -

 

Alzheimer's Disease: A Classic Case of Excitotoxin Damage - Seizures -

Headaches - Brain Injury - Strokes:

Ischemia-Anoxia Hypoglycemia - AIDS Dementia - Aspartame, Brain

Tumors and the FDA

---

So what are " excitotoxins " ? Basically, they are a group of compounds

that can cause special neurons within the nervous system to become

overexcited to the point that these cells will die. That's right,

they are excited to death.

 

Excitotoxins include such things as monosodium glutamate (MSG),

aspartate (a main ingredient in

NutraSweet), L-cysteine (found in " hydrolyzed vegetable " protein) and

related compounds.

 

What makes this all the more intriguing is that " excitotoxins " appear

to play a key role in degenerative nervous system diseases such as

Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's, ALS (Lou

Gehrig's disease) and many others.

 

But the story doesn't stop there. It appears that an imbalance of

these excitotoxins during critical periods of brain development can

result in an abnormal formation of brain pathways; that is,

a " miswiring of the brain. "

 

This may lead to serious disorders such

as behavioral problems (hyperactivity, aggression, attention deficit

disorders, learning disorders, poor learning ability, and ADD)-and a

lifetime of endocrine problems such as menstrual difficulties,

infertility, and premature puberty.

 

One of the earliest observations seen in animals exposed to large

doses of MSG was gross obesity. Some neuroscientists have voiced

concern that America's explosion of childhood obesity may be related

to excitotoxins in food.

 

 

---

 

MANIPULATING THE LANGUAGE (AND THE DATA)

 

The defenders of 'glutamate safety' have gone through an evolving

litany of defenses.

 

First, they denied that brain lesions could

result from any dose of glutamate. Then, when the evidence became

overwhelming, they claimed that these lesions only occurred when MSG

was injected and not ingested.

 

When this was disproved, they denied

that human blood levels could reach concentrations that would be

toxic to the brain.

 

When this was shown not to be true, even by one of their own

defenders, they simply stated, " So what?

 

It still cannot enter the brain because of the blood brain barrier. "

(This is a

special " gatekeeper " that normally excludes toxic chemicals from

entering the brain from the blood.)

 

But, as even shown by the government-sponsored FASEB report, the

brain has several vital areas that have no barrier.

 

(For example, the hypothalamus.)

 

And it was shown that glutamate can pass into

protected areas of the brain by seeping through the unprotected

areas. Also, there are many medical conditions that cause the barrier

to fail, such as hypertension, diabetes, brain tumors, brain trauma,

heat stroke, vascular stroke, multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerate

diseases, and with some medications. All of these people would be at

great risk.

 

 

---

 

BRAIN DAMAGE, NOT AN ALLERGIC REACTION

 

I often hear people say, " But I'm not sensitive to MSG. Chinese food

doesn't bother me. " This is a dangerous mistake. The destructive

effects of MSG and related compounds is not an allergic reaction, it

is a toxic reaction that occurs in virtually everyone. Some are more

sensitive to these destructive effects than others, but everyone is

affected to some degree.

 

The MSG-symptom complex differs from the excitoxic reaction. The

former is quite obvious to the person (headaches, pressure in the

chest, heart palpitations, numbness in the arms and face, etc.),

while the latter may remain clinically silent for many years.

 

 

---

 

SILENT LESIONS

 

What makes " excitotoxins " so dangerous is the subtle way in which

they damage the nervous system. Often the damage goes on for years,

even decades, before clinically recognizable disease is evident. For

example, when an unborn child is exposed to MSG in the mother's diet,

behavioral and learning difficulties may not become evident until the

child starts school.

 

Endocrine problems may not surface until puberty

or when the person is trying to start a family.

 

Degenerative brain diseases, such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's

disease may take even longer.

 

It is the slow, unrelenting destruction

of brain cells-secondary to exposure to " food-borne " excitotoxins-that

may lead to either the precipitation of these diseases or their

aggravation. Most likely they are not caused by excitotoxins in the

food.

 

 

---

 

SO WHY WON'T THE FDA COME OUT AND SAY MSG IS DANGEROUS?

 

For one thing, there appears to be a revolving door between the FDA

and the manufacturers of and companies that use MSG. We often see

that directors of the FDA on review panels suddenly appear some time

later either working for the industry or with firms that support the

industry.

 

In the FASEB report, the FDA gleaned the wording that it wanted and

packaged it so that it would say exactly what they wanted. For

example, they reported that the study found no link between ingested

MSG and neurodegenerative diseases. But in truth, what the report

said was that no studies have been done to even see if there is a

link. That is, no one is looking at these critical questions.

 

Second, the FASEB investigators took the industry's studies on daily

intakes of MSG at face value. This is ludicrous. Why won't the food

processors release the data on how much MSG and other excitotoxic

additives they add to each food item?

 

What is interesting is that the FASEB study did say that they did

consider concentration less than three grams a day as safe, which

would imply that more than that is definitely dangerous. But even

this is questionable.

 

 

----

----------

 

NUTRASWEET AND CANCER

 

Can NutraSweet cause brain tumors, uterine and ovarian cancer?

Research from its own laboratories says it can. In fact, that was why

it was first rejected by the FDA for human consumption. This study

found that, in all concentrations examined, NutraSweet produced a

very high incidence of brain tumors.

 

 

(The high dose NutraSweet caused

a 47X increase in brain tumors over control animals.) Also found were

uterine and ovarian tumors.

 

The number of tumors produced seemed to be dose related.

 

That is, the

more NutraSweet consumed, the more likely tumors would develop.

 

It

appears that it is a breakdown product of NutraSweet called

diketopiperizine (DKP) that is causing the tumors.

 

Interestingly,

with the passage of time more and more NutraSweet breaks down into

DKP. This is why the soft drink companies have started to date diet

colas.

 

Heating NutraSweet also speeds up this process. This is why

using NutraSweet in hot beverages and for cooking is especially

hazardous.

 

There has been an enormous increase in the number of brain tumors

reported over the last decade. No other explanation has been given

for this incredible explosion of brain tumors. If the early

experiments linking NutraSweet with brain tumors is confirmed, we

should all be outraged, both at the industry and at the FDA, our

federal watch dog.

 

 

----

----------

 

LIST OF HIDDEN SOURCES OF MSG

 

As discussed previously, the glutamate manufacturers and the

processed food industries are always on a quest to disguise MSG added

to food. Below is a partial fist of the most common names for

disguised MSG. Remember also that the powerful excitotoxins aspartate

and L-cysteine are frequently added to foods and according to FDA

rules require no labeling at all.

 

Additives that always contain MSG:

Monosodium Glutamate

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein

Hydrolyzed Protein

Hydrolyzed Plant Protein

Plant Protein Extract

Sodium Caseinate

Calcium Caseinate

Yeast Extract

Textured Protein

Autolyzed Yeast

Hydrolyzed Oat Flour

 

Additives that frequently contain MSG:

Malt extract

Malt Flavoring

Bouillon

Broth

Stock

Flavoring

Natural Flavoring

Natural Beef or Chicken Flavoring

Seasoning

Additives that may contain MSG or excitotoxins:

Carrageenan

Enzymes

Soy Protein Concentrate

Soy Protein Isolate

Whey Protein Concentrate

Additives that may contain MSG or excitotoxins:

Carrageenan

Enzymes

Soy Protein Concentrate

Soy Protein Isolate

Whey Protein Concentrate

 

Protease enzymes of various sources can release excitotoxin amino

acids from food proteins

 

http://www.lauralee.com/blaylock.htm

_________________

 

 

Health and Nutrition Secrets that Can Save Your Life

 

--

 

 

Health and Nutrition Secrets that Can Save Your Life

by Dr. Russell Blaylock

 

Health and Nutrition Secrets That Can Save Your Life covers some of

the hottest topics in health and nutrition:

 

heavy metal toxicity -the food additive controversy

 

Health and Nutrition Secrets also presents the latest information on

strokes and heart attacks, diabetes, protecting the digestive

system, and the best ways to keep the immune system young and

powerful.

 

Dr. Russell Blaylock, a board-certified neurosurgeon, combines many

years of medical practice with study of thousands of research

studies to create this monumental book.

---

- Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills

Book Description (from the publisher)

---

Nutrasweet (Aspartame) has been scientifically linked to brain

tumors, brain cell damage and neurological conditions such as

Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. According to author Russell

Blaylock, MD, a practicing, board-certified neurosurgeon, we are

witnessing enormous damage to the brain and nervous system due to

the

ever-increasing amount of Nutrasweet and other excitotoxic subtances

added to our foods.

 

With detailed accuracy citing well over five hundred scientific

studies, Neurosurgeon Blaylock explores the " must-know " dangers of

these substances being added indiscriminately to our food supply.

 

Mike Wallace of " 60 Minutes " and his research team used the book

Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills, as one of their sources to

report

on the increasing evidence of a brain tumor connection.

 

Their December 29, 1996, program didn't, however, delve into the

enormous

epidemic of illness caused by the increasing use of these

substances.

 

Dr. Blaylock's book exposes it all in detail--from the questionable

history of " approvals " in the 1970s and the 1980s to the increasing

body of evidence showing serious brain effects, government inaction,

and industry propaganda and cover-up.

 

The use of aspartame, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and monosodium

glutamate in prepared foods and beverages continues to increase on a

yearly basis.

 

Dr. Blaylock clearly demonstrates that the neurotoxic

potential of excitotoxins such as MSG and aspartame (NUTRASWEET ) is

so overwhelming that it can no longer be ignored.

 

Table of Contents:

A Crash Course in How the Brain Works -

Exciting Cells to Death - Effect of Excitotoxins on the Developing

Brain - Creeping Death: The Neurodegenerative Diseases -

 

Alzheimer's Disease: A Classic Case of Excitotoxin Damage -

Seizures - Headaches - Brain Injury - Strokes:

Ischemia-Anoxia Hypoglycemia - AIDS Dementia - Aspartame, Brain

Tumors and the FDA

---

 

So what are " excitotoxins " ? Basically, they are a group of compounds

that can cause special neurons within the nervous system to become

overexcited to the point that these cells will die.

 

That's right, they are excited to death.

 

Excitotoxins include such things as monosodium glutamate (MSG),

aspartate (a main ingredient in NutraSweet),

L-cysteine (found in hydrolyzed vegetable protein) and

related compounds.

 

What makes this all the more intriguing is that " excitotoxins "

appear

to play a key role in degenerative nervous system diseases such as

Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's, ALS (Lou

Gehrig's disease) and many others.

 

But the story doesn't stop there. It appears that an imbalance of

these excitotoxins during critical periods of brain development can

result in an abnormal formation of brain pathways;

that is, a " miswiring of the brain. "

 

This may lead to serious disorders such

as behavioral problems (hyperactivity, aggression, attention deficit

disorders, learning disorders, poor learning ability, and ADD)-and a

lifetime of endocrine problems such as menstrual difficulties,

infertility, and premature puberty.

 

One of the earliest observations seen in animals exposed to large

doses of MSG was gross obesity. Some neuroscientists have voiced

concern that America's explosion of childhood obesity may be related

to excitotoxins in food.

---

 

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Dear JoAnn, recently I have noticed even in so called Organic packaging a

list of ingredients and at the end something called NATURAL FLAVOR(S) . Is

this another disguise for msg...I just put the stuff down, if they can't SAY

what the flavor is right up front, why take a chance? Any ideas? NoraG

-

" JoAnn Guest " <angelprincessjo

;

<DietaryTipsForHBP >

Wednesday, December 15, 2004 4:20 PM

EXCITOTOXINS. " -MSG (monosodium

glutamate)hydrolyzed vegetable protein

 

 

>

>

>

> EXCITOTOXINS. " -MSG (monosodium glutamate)hydrolyzed vegetable protein

JoAnn Guest Dec 15, 2004 13:15 PST

>

>

> >From the book:

> " EXCITOTOXINS THE TASTE THAT KILLS. "

> by Russell L.Baylock M.D.

>

[Guest guest]

, " Nora Gottlieb "

<nwgott@i...> wrote:

>

> Dear JoAnn, recently I have noticed even in so called Organic

packaging a list of ingredients and at the end something called

NATURAL FLAVOR(S) . Is this another disguise for msg...I just put

the stuff down, if they can't SAY what the flavor is right up

front, why take a chance? Any ideas? Nora G

 

 

Hi Nora,

 

I agree, it is very troublesome to see additives in our natural

foods. I believe that we deserve much better options than are

available now. I have been observing the organic movement unfold

within the past five or six years. Although there is a lot to be

desired right now, I believe that there will be more and better

options in the years ahead. I like to think that we have made a

major contribution in these areas, for as more and more people

become aware, I am quite convinced there will be major changes put

in place. For example, just this past week, there was a large sign

posted in the dairy case in our farmer's market offering hormone,

antibiotic free milk (the first dairy in our state to do this,

actually). People are becoming curious about the need for organic

foods,and asking why they are cropping up in so many places

recently. I have had more inquiries into my organic purchases

recently than I have ever had. Explanations are not forthcoming from

the media and other sources, however I believe that the impact is

being felt throughout the internet! Every message board that I have

visited has some reference to genetically engineered or organic

foods. Although many say that the fight has just begun, I firmly

believe we will prevail!

Truthfully, there are very few boxed or canned items that I evern

pick up. Initially I bought many of these items. Now I do not,

mainly because these things cannot be verified. Whenever I see a

label with expeller pressed canola oil, I turn the other way.

Expeller pressed although it may be healthier, is not organic. Now

the average person who is not aware that canola is genetically

engineered may think that expeller pressed canola or soybean oil is

a wonderful major improvement over refined. I simply do not agree.

As for natural, I take that label with a grain of salt always! :-)

Labels are deceiveing. My grandson had a bag of Cheetos in hand

yesterday. The front of the bag said zero transfat! The back

said 'hydrogenated' soybean oil!! These things ought not to be, but

who is at fault, really?? In the UK for example, the GE foods are

being rejected! Until we as a nation, demand better, we will always

be deceived. Take margarines for instance. I am convinced that they

are the major sources of heart attacks in this country. The shelves

are lined with them, thirty different brands in every store! Heart

attack is the number one cause of death in this country. This is not

at all surprising when we see the abundance of transfats and msg in

our foods!!

Initially I ate Paul Newmans pretzels and fig bars too. Now I read

the labels, go home and make my own instead. Extra virgin, cold

pressed olive oil is my oil of choice. There are very few

commercially boxed products that contain them. Until that time, I

believe I'll continue to do so. It is important to know what's in

our foods. Just one little red dye or chemical contributes to our

demise. Free radicals are very real to me now. They can go to your

heart, damage your lungs, clog your arteries and overload your

liver! I'd like to die a natural death, but I'm not at all sure

that's possible in the current scheme of things. However, that is my

goal. Organic is the best at the moment. Until I find a better way,

unless it specifically states organic in every little detail, I'm

with you I believe I'll pass on that!

Blessings, JoAnn