What's In That? How Food Affects Your Behavior

[Guest guest]

Poster's Comment: There are several links throughout this article that are

worth checking out.

 

What's In That? How Food Affects Your Behavior

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Food additives and poor diet could help explain poor school performance,

criminal behavior, alcoholism, and the growing numbers of Alzheimer's patients.

According to Dr. Russell Blaylock, high sugar content and starchy

carbohydrates lead to excessive insulin release, which in turn leads to falling

blood

sugar levels, or hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia causes the brain to secrete

glutamate in levels that can cause agitation, depression, anger, anxiety, panic

attacks and an increase in suicide risk.

The glutamate that causes this is identical to the flavor-enhancing

monosodium glutamate (MSG) and its chemical cousins, which are found in

thousands of

food products, further exacerbating the problem.

Repeated hypoglycemic episodes increase the risk of neurodegenerative

diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's and ALS (Lou Gehrig's). In

children, hypoglycemia often leads to hyperactivity. In both children and

adults,

it can cause violent and aggressive behavior. In older people, there can be

mental confusion.

An anti-hypoglycemic diet would consist of lean meat and lots of fresh

vegetables. Another key is limiting sugars and starches.

Sources:

 

* _CBN News July 1, 2008_ (http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/353246.aspx)

 

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

 

 

 

Americans spend about 90 percent of their food budget on _processed foods_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2006/12/10/the-dangers-of-pr

ocessed-meats.aspx) , which contain a staggering number of artificial food

additives, preservatives, colors and flavor enhancers. It’s virtually

impossible to identify them all and ascertain their true impact on your health.

However, some we know more about than others. For example, there’s a

substantial body of evidence backing up the claim that sugar, artificial

sweeteners

and MSG have a radically negative impact on your body.

As you may know, I wrote an entire book just on artificial sweeteners,

called _Sweet Deception_ (http://www.sweetdeception.com/) .

Another _recent article_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/06/24/12-food-additives\

-to-avoid.aspx) addressed other hazardous food

additives that should be avoided, such as:

* Sodium nitrate

* Sodium Benzoate

* BHA and BHT

* Propyl gallate

* Trans fats

* Acesulfame-K

* Food dyes

* Olestra

* Potassium Bromate

Food Dyes and Preservatives That Make You See Red

The issue of whether or not food additives such as artificial colors

contribute to behavioral problems in children has been disputed for many years.

However, the tide is finally turning.

A carefully designed, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

published in the journal The Lancet last year (for a free PDF of the full study

see _this link_

(http://hinari-gw.who.int/whalecomwww.sciencedirect.com/whalecom0/science?_ob=MI\

mg & _imagekey=B6T1B-4PKP4D9-1-1 & _cdi=4886 & _user=2778664 & _orig

=browse & _coverDate=11/09/2007 & _sk=996290401 & view=c & wchp=dGLbVlb-zSkzS & md5=f739

9c83a8c8091e00cbe2ba295396c0 & ie=/sd) ) concluded that a variety of common

food dyes, and the preservative _sodium benzoate_

(http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/drink-soda-and-damage-your-dna-18075.asp\

x) – found in many soft

drinks, fruit juices and salad dressings – do cause some children to become

measurably more hyperactive and distractible.

The study also found that the E-numbered food dyes do as much damage to

children's brains as lead in gasoline, resulting in a significant reduction in

IQ.

The results of this study have prompted the British Food Standards Agency

(FSA) to issue an _immediate advisory_

(http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/board/fsa080404a.pdf) to parents,

warning them to limit their children's

intake of additives if they notice an effect on behavior. They’re also

advising

the food industry to voluntarily remove the six food dyes named in the study

by the end of 2009, and replace them with natural alternatives if possible.

The U.S., however, has not followed suit in issuing any similar warnings to

American parents.

Beware of Banned Food Additives in Children’s Medicines Too!

Another thing you need to be aware of, as a parent, is that when an

ingredient is banned for use in food, it is not automatically banned for use in

other

areas such as medicine. According to an _expose’ by the British Food

Commission_ (http://www.foodcomm.org.uk/latest_medicines_Mar07.htm) last year,

food

additives that have already been banned for use in food and beverages are

still used in a majority of pediatric over-the-counter medicines.

Their survey found that ALL BUT ONE medicine out of 41 contained an additive

that had been banned.

The additives found in these drugs included:

* Synthetic _azo dyes_

(http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/cancer-causing-food-coloring-used-in-sau\

sages--burgers-27350.aspx)

* Maltitol and _sorbitol_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/01/02/fruit-juice-and-r\

estlessness-in-infants.aspx)

* _Benzoate_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2006/04/25/do-benzene-lawsui\

ts-worry-soft-drink-manufacturers.aspx) and sulphite

preservatives

* _Chloroform_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/04/30/dishwashing.aspx)

This is just one more reason why it’s so important to question what your

doctor or any other health professional may prescribe or recommend for your

child, no matter what side of the counter it comes from, as many pediatric

drugs

can certainly be harmful, if not downright toxic to your child’s health.

Sugar Does Nothing to Sweeten Your Demeanor

One study that measured the visible effects of sugar consumption gave kids

the amount of sugar equal to one soda. As a result, their test scores went

down. In fact, one hour after consuming the sugar, they made twice as many

mistakes. The sugar-loaded students also showed more " inappropriate behavior "

during free play.

As Dr. Blaylock explains, sugar has a profound influence on your brain

function, and hence your psychological function. When you consume excess

amounts

of sugar, your body releases excess amounts of insulin, which in turn causes a

drop in your blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia in turn causes your brain to secrete glutamate.

Glutamate is a “messenger molecule†that serves an important function in

your body. However, when excess amounts of glutamate are excreted it can wreak

havoc with your brain and nervous system, causing a variety of side effects

such as agitation, depression, anger, anxiety and panic attacks.

The glutamate produced in your body is identical to the flavor-enhancing

monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is added to thousands of food products that

boost your body’s glutamate load even higher.

The Bitter Impact of Added MSG

MSG is used in countless foods in your supermarket, _local restaurants_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2006/05/11/msg-is-why-you-wa\

nt-

to-avoid-mcdonalds-like-the-plague.aspx) , school cafeterias, and more.

Everything from soup to crackers to meats may contain it because MSG, as

dangerous

as it is, makes food taste good and it is dirt cheap, just like sugar.

There are a couple of main reasons why MSG is one of the worst food

additives on the market. First, as Dr. Blaylock explains in his book

_Excitotoxins:

The Taste that Kills_

(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0929173252/optimalwellnessc) , MSG is an

excitotoxin, which means that it acts as a poison that

overexcites your cells to the point of serious damage. MSG is

non-discriminatory in its destructive path and can cause serious _side

effects_

(http://www.truthinlabeling.org/adversereactions.html) throughout your bodily

systems,

including:

* Cardiac

* Circulatory

* Gastrointestinal

* Muscular

* Neurological

* Visual

* Respiratory

* Urological/genital

* Skin

Other studies have confirmed that early exposure to MSG and other

excitotoxins can destroy neurons in a crucial part of your brain, which can

lead to

gross obesity.

The second part of the equation is that MSG can be literally hidden in food

labels, under names like broth, casein, hydrolyzed, autolyzed, natural

flavors, and more, making it extremely difficult to identify.

MSGMyth.com has done a good job trying to uncover the many _hidden

references that MSG can hide beneath_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/07/12/how-to-find-hidde\

n-msg-on-food-labels.aspx)

_http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/07/12/how-to-find-hidde\'>http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/07/12/how-to-find-hidde\

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ls.aspx_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/07/12/how-to-find-hidde\

n-msg-on-food-labels.aspx)

Incredibly, even infant formulas and baby food contain this poison, even

though babies and infants, who are four times more sensitive than adults to the

toxic effects of this chemical, are the most at risk.

In the 1970’s, food processors " voluntarily " took processed free glutamic

acid (MSG) out of baby food. But that didn’t mean it was entirely removed. It

was merely hidden deeper.

According to Dr. _Blaylock’s Wellness Report_

(http://209.85.215.104/search?q=cache:iAJIJriUr3cJ:www.snwcenter.com/images/blkr\

eports/blaylock_fatcure_14.pd

f+auxigrow & hl=en & ct=clnk & cd=29 & gl=us) , a 1995 review of MSG toxicity by the

Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) concluded

that infant formula contained a dose of glutamate (the toxic ingredient in

MSG) in the form of caseinate (cow’s milk protein) that can produce the very

same brain injury seen in experimental animals.

MSG also finds its way into baby food in the form of fertilizers called

" Omega Protein Refined/Hydrolyzed Fish Emulsion " or " Steam Hydrolyzed Feather

Meal, " both of which contain hydrolyzed proteins.

Battle Against MSG Goes Sour as Fresh Produce May be Tainted as Well

The use of MSG in food manufacturing and processing is so pervasive, they’ve

even found a way to use it on fresh produce. A product called AuxiGro WP

Plant Metabolic Primer (AuxiGro), produced by _Emerald BioAgriculture_

(http://www.emeraldbio.com/) (previously Auxein Corporation) contains both

hydrolyzed

protein(s) and about 29 percent monosodium glutamate.

AuxiGro is used as a desiccant, disinfectant, fertilizer, fungicide, and

growth regulator to increase yield and prevent powdery mildew in various crops.

It’s a “Metabolic Primer†that increases plant productivity by priming

plant

metabolic pathways associated with growth, plant disease resistance,

flowering, and “quality characteristics†of the produce.

Despite a fervent online search, finding in-depth information on this

product proved to be profoundly aggravating, as virtually all official links

related to it were mysteriously broken… However, it wasn’t entirely

fruitless.

According to _TruthInLabeling.org_

(http://www.truthinlabeling.org/msgsprayed.html) , AuxiGro has been sprayed on

fruits, vegetables and nuts for at least a

decade.

On September 12, 2000, the Auxein Corporation Web site gave the following

information about its use:

Crops registered include: Celery; Fresh Market Cucumbers; Edible Navy and

Pinto Beans; Grapes; Bulb Onions; Bell, Green and Jalapeno Peppers; Iceberg

Head Lettuce; Romaine and Butter Leaf Lettuce; Peanuts; Potatoes; Snap Beans;

Strawberries; Processing Tomatoes; Fresh Tomatoes; and Watermelons.

As of 2002, _AuxiGro was registered for use_

(http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0199-1715612_ITM) in California on

tomatoes, almonds, apricots,

cherries, plums, nectarines, peaches, prunes, grapes (including grapes to be

used in wine), and onions. And in 2004 they requested approval to add cole

crops (including broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale,

collards, turnips, rutabaga, mustard, watercress, and kohlrabi) to the list of

crops

approved for AuxiGro use.

Today, there is no known commercial crop that has not been approved for

treatment with MSG by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Emerald BioAgriculture have also requested approval to use AuxiGro on

ORGANIC CROPS, in all states. It does not appear as though their request for

use on

organic crops has ever been approved, per se. However, MSG-containing

ingredients are not specified on the National Organic Program’s list of

prohibited

substances either, so it’s difficult to discern whether or not it’s being

used in some organic farming as well.

To be on the safe side, I recommend purchasing your produce locally from

organic farmers, and simply ask them if they use AuxiGro on their crops.

Behavior Modification Through Diet

Just as Dr. Blaylock recommends, an anti-hypoglycemic diet is your best bet

when dealing with behavioral problems in children, as well as for the

prevention of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Here are my best

recommendations:

* Eat a healthy diet that includes lots of fresh, locally-grown

organic vegetables and fruits, based on _your nutritional type_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/02/26/metabolic-typing-\

part-three.aspx)

* Take a high quality omega-3 supplement such as krill oil or fish oil

* Avoid sugar and grains, including fruit juices, breads, white rice,

pasta and potatoes

* Avoid anything with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)

* Avoid ALL artificial sweeteners

* Limit MSG intake by avoiding most processed foods

 

 

Related Articles:

 

_Counting the Many Ways Sugar Harms Your Health_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/05/04/sugar-dangers-par\

t-two.aspx)

_http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/05/04/sugar-dangers-p

art-two.aspx_ (http://articles.mercola.com/si

tes/articles/archive/2005/05/04/sugar-dangers-part-two.aspx)

 

_Aspartame: Killing You By Degrees_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/10/06/aspartame-killing\

-us-by-degrees-part-i.aspx)

_http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/10/06/aspartame-killi

ng-us-by-degrees-part-i.aspx_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/10/06/aspartame-killing\

-us-by-degrees-part-i.aspx)

 

_How to Find Hidden MSG on Food Labels_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/07/12/how-to-find-hidde\

n-msg-on-food-labels.aspx)

_http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/07/12/how-to-find-hid

den-msg-on-food-labels.aspx_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/07/12/how-to-find-hidde\

n-msg-on-food-labels.aspx)