Excitotoxins – Killing Brain Cells

Excitotoxins are substances added to foods and beverages that literally stimulates neurons to death, causing brain damage of varying degrees. They can be found in such ingredients as monosodium glutamate, aspartame (Nutrasweet®), cysteine, hydrolyzed protein, and aspartic acid. Dr. Blaylock’s Book “Excitoxins: The Taste That Kills” describes what excitotoxins are, where they are found, and how they react in the body. Dr. Blaylock, a board-certified neurosurgeon, presents the latest research findings to demonstrate how exposure to excitotoxins will damage nerve cells in the brain. 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 is so overwhelming that it can no longer be ignored. The message contained in this book is of particular importance to members of high-risk groups; the elderly, young children and those people at risk or with a family history of neurodegenerative diseases.

There is clear evidence of the dangers of MSG & Aspartame to children. Dr Blaylock writes a story of brain damage and betrayal worthy of wide attention, especially among women of child-bearing age and parents. He presents clear evidence of severe damage to the hypothalamus, the regulator of most hormone systems, when glutamates and aspartates are ingested by pregnant and nursing women or by children. The relationship between low blood sugar levels and enhanced damage should be a wakeup call for diabetics and hypoglycemics, as well. The future of our children is truly endangered!

Ingestion of monosodium glutamate (MSG) is also known to produce a variety of adverse reactions in some people. These reactions, although seemingly dissimilar, are no more diverse than the reactions found as side effects of certain neurological drugs. We do not know why some people experience reactions and others do not. We do not know whether MSG “causes” the condition underlying the reaction, or whether the underlying condition is simply aggravated by the ingestion of MSG. We only know that the reactions listed below are sometimes caused or exacerbated by ingestion of MSG.

Ingredients that contain processed free glutamic acid (MSG) and free aspartic acid – known neurotoxins — are used in baby formula. The fact that neurotoxins are present in baby formula is of particular concern since the blood brain barrier is not fully developed in infants, allowing neurotoxins to be more accessible to the brain then is the case in healthy adults.

The amounts of aspartic acid and glutamic acid found in the formulas analyzed have been listed separately in the above schedules. However, in studies using experimental animals, neuroscientists have found that glutamic acid and aspartic acid load on the same receptors in the brain, cause identical brain lesions and neuroendocrine disorders, and act in an additive fashion. Symptoms of MSG toxicity are;

Cardiac: Arrhythmia, Extreme rise or drop in blood pressure, Angina
Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), Circulatory Swelling

Muscular : Flu-like achiness, Joint pain Stiffness

Respiratory : Asthma, Shortness of breath, Chest pain, Tightness, Runny
Nose, Sneezing

Neurological : Depression, Migraine headache, Dizziness, Light-headedness,
Loss of balance, Disorientation, Mental confusion, Anxiety, Panic attacks,
Hyperactivity, Behavioral problems in children, Lethargy, Sleepiness,
Numbness or paralysis, Insomnia, Seizures, Sciatica, Slurred speech

Visual : Blurred vision, Difficulty focusing, Loss of Vision

Gastrointestinal : Diarrhea, Nausea/vomiting, Stomach cramps, Irritable bowel
Bloating

Urological : Swelling of prostate, Nocturia

Skin : Hives or rash, Mouth lesions, Temporary tightness or partial paralysis,
(numbness or tingling) of the skin, Flushing, Extreme dryness of the mouth

Millions of people in over 90 countries will suffer and even die due to FDA approved food additives currently found in over 5000 products. These deadly chemicals called excitotoxins are as common as every sugar-free and salt-free label you see in your supermarket. The most deadly is probably being consumed in mass quantities by yourself and your children RIGHT NOW! Aspartame commonly known as Nutrasweet, Equal, or Spoonful and soon to be many other brands now that may trigger clinical diabetes.

When the temperature of Aspartame exceeds 86 degrees F, the wood alcohol in Aspartame coverts to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which in turn causes metabolic acidosis. (Formic acid is the poison found in the sting of fire ants.) The methanol toxicity mimics multiple sclerosis; thus people were being diagnosed with having multiple sclerosis in error. The multiple sclerosis is not a death sentence, where methanol toxicity is. Aspartame as Andy Ho the health writer in Straits Times has pointed out is deadly ant poison. I treated a patient who was incorrectly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when it was actually aspartame poisoning. We reversed the condition right down to the threatening loss of vision in the left eye in three months with a precision nutritional program that detoxified the toxic by by-products of aspartame in three months.

be well
Dr Sundardas

http://www.naturaltherapies.com/detox.htm

What does your tongue say about you – Tongue Diagnosis

Embryologically the tongue develops from the foregut. The primitive pharynx develops from the foregut. The pharyngeal apparatus consists of arches, grooves, membranes, and pouches. Each pharyngeal arch consists of a core of mesenchyme covered externally by ectoderm and containing an aortic arch artery, a bar of cartilage, a nerve, and muscle tissue.

The first pharyngeal arch produces two distal tongue buds (lateral lingual swellings) that form the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, and a median tongue bud (tuberculum impar) that has no identifiable adult derivatives.. The hypobranchial eminence overgrows the copula, forming the posterior third of the tongue. Some of the tongue muscles probably develop in situ from mesenchyme, but most develop from myoblasts that migrate from the occipital myotomes. The connective tissue, lymphatic vessels, and blood vessels of the tongue arise from pharyngeal arch mesenchyme.

The hypoglossal nerve innervates all intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles, except M. palatoglossus innervated by the vagus nerve. The general sensory innervation of the tongue depends upon pharyngeal arch contribution.

In a healthy individual, the tongue should have a solid, fleshy pink colour, with a thin whitish coating over the whole area. There should be an absence of other distinguishing features. As an acupuncturist and naturopathic physician I continue to remain fascinated by the diagnostics of the tongue.

The tongue can give valuable information on organ function. Many meridian lines run through the tongue and thus it is an important location of bodily function. During sickness the tongue will appear duller and even a different colour and texture than when it is healthy. Similarly the tongue may appear bloated when the body is experiencing edema or disorders that cause water retention. Marking on the tongue can relate to the lungs, gastro-intestinal, spleen, gall bladder and liver, kidney, urinary bladder and sex hormones.

Patients with pulmonary and or respiratory problem, the area just behind the tip of the tongue will be red or spotted like a strawberry. Tip of the tongue red refers to heart problems as well as worrying too much, nervousness. It also extends to hyperthyroid activity, acute appendicitis or the symptoms of PMS. (herbals like hawthorn will be useful)

Liver/ gall bladder problem – Sides of tongue reddest (Liver herbals like Milk Thistle or Dandelion, no alcohol).

If whole tongue is red and patient experiences dry mouth, then stomach problem.(Herbals like licorice, lotus root).May also be due to bacteria infecting the blood. (herbals like Echinacea)

Red spot on the tip of the tongue- person overworking, may experience insomnia and stress. Also deficiency of vitamins and nutrition.( Rest, relaxation , a spa holiday, multivitamins, valerian to help in sleep).If both sides of tongue are red, person may suffer from high blood pressure and a hyperactive thyroid.

Cracks in the tongue refer to B complex deficiency, chronic digestive problems, kidney, spleen and stomach problems (TCM style).

Cracking down the centre of the tongue towards the back is due to poor kidney function. Cracking closer to the centre is due to stomach or gastrointestinal problems and is also known as fissured tongue. If there are cracks running horizontally across the tongue in the middle area, it may also be a kidney problem and if there is a crack along the edges it’s a spleen problem. Any crack over 2 mm should be considered a serious condition and be given attention immediately. Asparagus extracts, Digestive enzymes and B Complex may be useful.

Tongue coating refers to the influential levels of heat and cold in the body. If you don’t feel well, obviously the sense of self esteem will take a beating. Generally the thicker the coating, the worse the problem. If the root of the tongue has a coating but no coating elsewhere, the condition is acute.

Respiratory – A thick coating all over the tongue. Thicker the coating and more mucosy, the worse the problem. Use herbal formulas for the lungs like mullein. Adopt a diet that is bland, warm food (cold hurts the lungs).

Stomach problems – yellowish white coating signals digestive problems. A diet like the above. Herbs like licorice or lotus root can be useful.

Be well
Dr Sundardas

http://www.naturaltherapies.com/detox.htm