What's In That? How Food Affects Your Behavior

[Guest guest]

What's In That? How Food Affects Your Behavior

 

 

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

 

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Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Americans spend about 90 percent of their food budget on processed

foods, 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.

 

Another recent article 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) concluded that a variety of common

food dyes, and the preservative sodium benzoate – 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 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 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

Maltitol and sorbitol

Benzoate and sulphite preservatives

Chloroform

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, 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, 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 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.

 

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, 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 (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, 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 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

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

 

Aspartame: Killing You By Degrees

 

How to Find Hidden MSG on Food Labels

 

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