“Healthy Foods” Now Contain Brain Damaging Excitotoxins

http://www.healthiertalk.com/healthy-foods-now-contain-brain-damaging-excitotoxins-4776

How Excitotoxins Got Into the Food Supply

Right after World War II, researchers isolated monosodium glutamate from the Japanese sea weed kombu. This involved stripping away the healthy components, including enzymes and minerals.
Today, MSG shows up in virtually all prepared foods, including restaurant food, even when their menus proclaim, “We add no MSG.” That’s because they don’t have to add it; it’s already in the food they receive from suppliers.
As for aspartame, that comes from the amino acid aspartate. We take it in through diet sodas, sugarless candy and desserts, and from those little pink and blue sweetener packets.

Nutritional Protection Against Excitotoxins
Eating mostly fresh, whole foods is the best way to avoid excitotoxins. When you do buy processed food, read labels with care. No matter how careful you are, you will ingest excitotoxins as long as you eat in restaurants, at the homes of friends, etc. For this reason you may want to take nutritional precautions against the damage these chemicals cause.
Natural health practitioners, including Dr. David Blyweiss, recommend the following nutrients and supplements:

• Vitamins C and E—These vitamins may neutralize the impact of excitotoxins in the brain. Choose at least 1,000 mg. of vitamin C daily.
• Other Antioxidant Vitamins—Beta carotene, Vitamin K, and Vitamin D are valuable support.
• Minerals—Magnesium, zinc, and selenium also shield cells by protecting glutamate receptors from excessive excitotoxin absorption.
• Vinpocetine—This natural antioxidant from the seeds of the periwinkle plant might safeguard brain cells from the damage induced by excitotoxins like aspartame. Vinpocetine also acts as a vasodilator, which means it increases circulation and helps deliver more oxygen to the cells. “Vinpocetine appears to have an amazing track record for safety up to 60 mg. a day,” says Dr. Blyweiss. “But, since vinpocetine does have blood thinning effects, if you’re currently taking aspirin or any other blood-thinning supplement or drug, or are being treated for a cardiac or vascular disorder, make sure you talk to your doctor before trying this herb.”