You would think that our food supply is protected from neurotoxins —substances known to harm the central nervous system, unfortunately, a handful of food additives are still found in popular foods even in relatively healthy diets.
Excitotoxins are quickly becoming known as “the taste that kills”. Excitotoxins are substances, usually amino acids, that stimulate taste receptors on the tongue with no nutritional value. Excitotoxins are nothing other than chemicals added to foods to make them taste better.
Studies show that when these chemicals are added to processed foods and when consumed they can damage the parts of the brain cell called the mitochondria (the energy center of the cell) and also throw neurotransmitter activity out of balance.
Many of these chemicals are not only addictive, but they have been proven to cause brain cell death, infertility, inhibit sexual development, cause violent behaviors, mood and hormonal disorders and disease.
The rapidly growing brains of children are even more vulnerable to excitotoxins than adult brains are, and some children may show more dramatic effects than others. A child’s brain is actually four times more sensitive to excitotoxins than the adult brain is. Some children, and some adults, may experience severe headaches, gut issues and mood swings following the ingestion of neurotoxins.
I believe it is best for people of all ages to avoid food additives as much as they can. These additives serve no useful nutritional function, so why take the chance?
Avoid foods containing these chemicals and you will avoid the side effects that come with them.
- Hydrogenated / partially hydrogenated oil (trans-fats)
- Aspartame
- MSG (monosodium glutamate)
- HVP (hydrolyzed vegetable protein)
- BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
- BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
- Acesulfame Potassium (acesulfame K)
- Potassium Bromate
- Sodium Nitrate/Nitrite
- Propyl Gallate
- Sodium Benzoate
- Artificial Colors
- GMO (Genetically modified foods/ingredients)
If you are wanting personal support to navigate the food you and your family are eating book a session with Know Mommy Founder Janelle Johngrass who specializes in women and family health.