Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Excitotoxins and Your Vision

Summerized from, "Avoid MSG and NutraSweet"
by Dr. Russell Blaylock, MD

Aging‑related blindness is rising at an alarming rate, and there are many reasons behind this devastating trend. One of the most overlooked involves excitotoxins—specifically MSG and aspartame.

Glutamate and Vision Loss

One of the leading causes of adult blindness is diabetes, especially insulin‑dependent (type 1) diabetes. Recent research shows that blindness in diabetics is linked to the destruction of retinal nerve cells by the amino acid glutamate.

Multiple studies have found that glutamate—an excitotoxin—accumulates in the vitreous humor (the gel-like substance in the back of the eye) in people with:

Diabetes
Macular degeneration
Glaucoma

While some of this glutamate comes from damaged retinal cells and glial cells, there is growing concern about the extreme amounts of excitotoxins consumed in the modern diet, especially from:

MSG
Aspartame (which contains the excitotoxin aspartate and the neural eye toxin methanol, which breaks down into formaldehyde and formic acid)

Why the Eye Is So Vulnerable

Unlike the brain, the eye has no protective blood‑brain barrier. Anything circulating in the bloodstream—including excitotoxins—can enter the eye rapidly.

Studies show that after consuming foods containing excitotoxins, blood levels can spike up to 20‑fold. Even if excitotoxins don’t directly cause eye diseases, they accelerate them and make them far more severe.

Everyday Foods Can Trigger Damage

Imagine an elderly person eating a bowl of commercial soup and drinking a diet soda. That single meal may contain enough excitotoxins to damage both brain cells and retinal cells.

Some soups contain three or four different excitotoxin additives. Even when each additive is present at levels considered “safe,” combining them creates an additive neurotoxic effect—a phenomenon proven in laboratory studies.

Excitotoxins in Diabetic Eye Disease

In diabetics, vitreous glutamate levels are often significantly elevated, especially in proliferative diabetic retinopathy—the form most likely to cause blindness.

Animal studies show:

A 40% increase in eye glutamate levels
A 100% increase in lipid peroxidation (a marker of free‑radical damage linked to excitotoxicity)

Similar patterns appear in glaucoma. Today, excitotoxicity—not high eye pressure—is considered the primary cause of blindness in glaucoma. Elevated pressure reduces retinal blood flow, triggering the release of destructive glutamate.

A Growing Problem Fueled by the Food Industry

Glutamate excitotoxicity plays a major role in all of these conditions. Meanwhile, the food industry has been doubling the amount of added excitotoxins every decade since 1945.

By 1972, 262,000 metric tons of MSG were added to processed foods.
Aspartame now appears in over 4,000 products, consumed by more than 100 million people.

Ironically, the 17 million diabetics in the U.S. have been specifically targeted by marketing campaigns promoting aspartame‑sweetened products—despite the fact that aspartame poses unique dangers to diabetic vision.

No one should consume these products, but diabetics are especially vulnerable to their toxic effects.

If you’d like, I can help you create a matching SEO label set or format this into a full “Excitotoxin Awareness” series for your blog.

Glutamates: Sudden Infant Death

In a previous post, I explained the connection between glutamates and sudden cardiac death. I also showed that soy contains some of the highest natural levels of glutamates, and that food processing can artificially release these glutamates from the soybean, creating large amounts of free excitotoxins.

So what does this mean for soy infant formula?

To date, no major studies have examined whether there is a link between soy‑based infant formulas and sudden infant death. But considering what we already know about excitotoxins and their effects on adults, it raises serious questions.

There is growing concern about several components found in soy formulas, including:

Fluoride levels
Manganese levels
Glutamate levels

Given what these compounds can do to the developing nervous system, many experts believe this is an area that urgently needs research. Personally, after seeing the effects of excitotoxins on adults, I would be extremely cautious about using soy formulas for infants.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Neurodegenerative Disease: What’s Really Driving the Rise?

Neurodegenerative diseases are exploding in today’s world. Conditions that were once rare—Alzheimer’s, Autism, ADHD, Parkinson’s—are now shockingly common. The natural question is: why?

Researchers know these diseases are linked to exposures such as mercury, aluminum, pesticides, herbicides, and other environmental toxins. These substances damage the brain through excitotoxic mechanisms—the same pathways overstimulated by glutamates and aspartame.

But here’s the problem: scientists often look for one single cause. One study links Alzheimer’s to mercury. Another finds Alzheimer’s in people with no mercury exposure but high pesticide exposure. Each researcher focuses on one toxin, while missing the bigger picture.

The truth is simple:
We are exposed to hundreds of excitotoxic compounds every single day.
And the cumulative effect is what’s driving this epidemic.

A Look at the Modern Morning Routine

Think about what happens before you even leave the house.

1. The Shower

You start your day with a hot shower.
Hot water opens your pores, increases circulation, and wakes up your brain.

But with those pores wide open, you apply:

Chemical‑rich shampoos
Conditioners
Body washes

These products contain dozens of synthetic compounds that absorb directly into your bloodstream—just like medicated patches designed to deliver drugs through the skin.

2. Fragrances and Scents

Next, you apply perfumes, colognes, or body sprays.
These contain benzene‑based compounds that you inhale deeply into your lungs, where they enter your bloodstream instantly.

3. Deodorant, Toothpaste, Lotions, Makeup

Many of these contain:

Aluminum hydroxide
Sodium fluoride
Parabens
Synthetic preservatives
Chemical fragrances

All absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes.

4. Breakfast

Then you head to the kitchen:

Coffee sweetened with aspartame
Artificial creamers
Factory‑processed breakfast foods
Glutamate‑laden ingredients
Chemical preservatives

And that’s just the morning.

The Bigger Picture

Even without scientific training, it’s easy to see the pattern:

These diseases are multifaceted.
We are being bombarded from every direction.

Neurotoxins in personal‑care products.
Excitotoxins in processed foods.
Environmental toxins in the air and water.
Chemical exposures layered on top of each other, day after day.

No single toxin explains the epidemic—
the combination does.

Is It Hopeless? Absolutely Not.

You are not doomed. You can take control.

Here’s where to start:

Alkalize your body to reduce internal acidity
Eliminate topical toxins wherever possible
Choose clean, organic foods and avoid excitotoxins
Supplement wisely with essential vitamins, minerals, bioflavonoids, and antioxidants
Support natural repair by giving your body the tools it needs

You can dramatically reduce your exposure—and protect your long‑term health—by making informed choices.

If you want guidance, I’m here to help you reduce your toxic load and transition to 100% chemical‑free, organic, wild‑crafted products that fit your lifestyle and your budget.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Glutamate Fact: 100% All‑Natural Foods

Glutamates do occur naturally in foods like tomatoes and seaweed—but in their natural state, they do not pose the same risks as processed glutamates. The difference lies in how they exist within the food.

Why Natural Glutamates Aren’t a Problem

In whole, unprocessed foods, glutamates are bound within larger molecular structures called oligopeptides and polypeptides. These are long chains of amino acids that must be broken down slowly through normal digestion before the body can use them.

Because these large amino‑acid structures are not naturally present in the bloodstream, they are filtered through the liver, which releases only the small, safe amounts of glutamic acid the body actually needs.

This slow, controlled process prevents glutamate overload.

What Happens When Foods Are Processed

When proteins are hydrolyzed during food manufacturing—using enzymes, yeasts, or chemical processes—they are broken apart into free amino acids. These “free” glutamates are no longer natural.

Once consumed:

They are absorbed rapidly in the digestive tract
They enter the bloodstream as free glutamic acid
They bypass the liver’s filtering process
Blood levels can spike 20–40 times higher than normal in a single meal

These unnaturally high levels overwhelm the body’s natural defenses.

Impact on the Brain

The blood‑brain barrier cannot handle such extreme spikes in glutamic acid. As a result, large amounts reach the brain and overstimulate glutamate receptors.

This chronic overstimulation has been linked to:

Dementia
Brain tumors
Neurodegenerative conditions
Other cognitive and mental health issues

It’s not the natural glutamates causing harm—it’s the processed, free‑form glutamates added to modern foods.

How to Protect Yourself

While it’s nearly impossible to avoid glutamates completely, you can reduce your risk:

Become a label‑savvy consumer
Avoid processed foods containing hydrolyzed proteins, yeast extracts, and other glutamate sources
Support your body by reducing acidity
Eat antioxidant‑rich, flavonoid‑dense foods to counter excitotoxicity

Small daily choices add up to major long‑term protection.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Glutamate Fact: Arrhythmias

Most cardiologists are never taught that glutamate receptors exist throughout the heart’s electrical conduction system—and even within the heart muscle itself. Yet this fact has enormous implications for the millions of people living with life‑threatening arrhythmias.

Despite this, patients are rarely warned about two major dietary sources of cardiac irritability:

MSG
Aspartame

Both dramatically raise glutamate activity in the body, and both can overstimulate the heart’s glutamate receptors. For someone already prone to arrhythmias, this can be a dangerous—and completely avoidable—trigger.

With more than a million Americans struggling with serious rhythm disorders, it’s astonishing that so few are ever advised to reduce or eliminate these additives.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Glutamate Fact: Sudden Cardiac Death

For years, researchers have known that glutamate receptors are found throughout the brain. What’s now understood is even more alarming: glutamate receptors exist throughout the entire body—in virtually every organ and tissue.

These receptors are found in:

The entire GI tract, from the esophagus to the colon
The heart’s electrical conduction system
The lungs
The ovaries and reproductive system (including sperm)
The adrenal glands
The bones
The pancreas

All of these areas respond to glutamate stimulation.

What Happens When You Consume MSG

When you eat foods containing MSG (see my post “Glutamates: What Are They?” for the full list of hidden glutamates), blood glutamate levels can rise 20‑fold. This surge overstimulates glutamate receptors throughout the body.

This helps explain why:

Some people experience explosive diarrhea or dyspepsia
Others develop irritable bowel symptoms
Some notice increased reflux

These reactions occur because glutamate receptors in the esophagus and small intestine are being overstimulated.

But the most concerning effect may be what happens in the heart.

Glutamates and Sudden Cardiac Death

The heart’s electrical conduction system is lined with glutamate receptors. When blood glutamate levels spike, these receptors can become overstimulated—potentially contributing to the rise in sudden cardiac death.

There’s another factor at play: magnesium levels.

Low magnesium makes glutamate receptors hyper‑sensitive. Athletes, in particular, are at risk because they lose electrolytes—including magnesium—through constant sweating. When magnesium is low and a high‑glutamate meal is consumed (often paired with a diet drink), the combination can create extreme cardiac irritability.

This can trigger:

Dangerous arrhythmias
Coronary artery spasms
Sudden cardiac death

It’s a perfect storm: low magnesium + high glutamate exposure + physical exertion.

Aspartame: Silent Killer

Italian researchers conducted a lifetime study in which animals were fed aspartame from birth until natural death. The results were alarming: there were dramatic, statistically significant increases in lymphoma, leukemia, and especially primary brain lymphoma.

These findings weren’t new. In fact, the original studies by G.D. Searle & Co.—the company that invented aspartame—also found lymphomas, primary brain tumors, and multiple organ tumors. Those early red flags were never fully addressed.

What Happens to Aspartame Inside the Body

A Spanish research team took the investigation further by radiolabeling aspartame. This allowed them to track exactly how it breaks down in the body. They discovered that aspartame converts into a formaldehyde compound—and they could actually see it attaching to cellular DNA.

Once formaldehyde binds to DNA, it is extremely difficult for the body to remove. That means:

A single diet soda or product sweetened with NutraSweet can cause DNA damage that lingers.
Repeated exposure over time can lead to enough DNA damage to trigger mutations, which are the foundation of many cancers.

The Aspartic Acid Problem

Another breakdown product of aspartame is aspartic acid, which creates an acidic environment in the body. Cancer cells thrive in acidic conditions, and this environment can accelerate their growth.

A Dangerous Combination

Now combine these effects with the high levels of glutamates in the modern diet (see my post “Glutamate Fact: Cancer Growth”). Both aspartame and glutamates can fuel cancer development and spread.

Is it any wonder cancer rates continue to climb?

Friday, June 10, 2011

Glutamate Fact: Cancer Growth

Researchers have discovered a troubling connection between glutamates and cancer behavior. When cancer cells were exposed to glutamates—including MSG—they became significantly more mobile. In fact, the glutamate‑exposed cells developed pseudopodia (tiny “feet” used for movement) and began migrating through tissue. This increased mobility is a key factor in metastasis, the spread of cancer.

But mobility isn’t the only concern.

Studies also found that elevated glutamate levels caused cancer cells to grow rapidly—almost like wildfire. When researchers blocked glutamate activity, cancer growth slowed dramatically.

Even more promising, when glutamate‑blocking drugs were combined with conventional chemotherapy, the cancer treatments became noticeably more effective.

These findings raise an important question: if glutamates can influence cancer growth and spread, how much exposure are we getting from our food and personal‑care products?

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Chemicals From Makeup Found in Teen's Bloodstream

A recent study revealed something every parent—and every teen—should know:
Sixteen different chemicals from makeup and personal‑care products were found in the bloodstream of teenage girls.

The average teen girl uses 17 personal‑care products every single day. In this study, researchers tested for 25 different chemicals. Every girl tested had 11 to 16 of those chemicals in her body—often at extremely high levels.

Why This Matters

The chemicals detected are linked to:

Hormone disruption
Reproductive problems
Obesity
Increased cancer risk

Look at the rates of these conditions in young people today. Premature puberty, cancer, diabetes, and hormonal disorders are rising at alarming rates. So it’s fair to ask:

Is it possible these chemicals are contributing?
How is this happening?

Doesn’t the Skin Protect Us?

Many people assume the skin acts as a barrier—but drug manufacturers have proven otherwise. Medications can be delivered directly into the bloodstream through patches and creams, bypassing the liver entirely.

If medications can enter the bloodstream this way, so can chemicals from personal‑care products.

The Morning Routine Problem

Think about what happens first thing in the morning:

You shower.
Hot water opens the pores of your skin.
Then you apply product after product—lotions, makeup, deodorant, hair products, fragrances.

For teenage girls, that can mean exposure to chemicals from 17 different products before breakfast. With open pores, absorption increases dramatically.

It’s a perfect storm—and a preventable one.

What Can You Do?

Start by asking yourself a simple question:

Would you rather use products filled with harmful chemicals—or safer alternatives?

You have choices. Your skin—and your health—deserve better.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Cancer Fact! What’s Really Hiding in Your Products

Here’s a fact that should make every consumer stop and think:

98% of all breast‑cancer tissue samples contain parabens, phenoxyethanol, butylene glycol, and PEGs.

These chemicals show up again and again in lab analyses—and they’re the same ingredients found in countless everyday personal‑care products.

So ask yourself:

What’s in the products you put on your skin every single day?

Your skin absorbs far more than most people realize, which makes label awareness essential.

Start Comparing Labels

Pick up the products in your bathroom, shower, or makeup bag.
Look closely.
Are these ingredients hiding in your formulas?

They don’t have to be.

You have choices—and safer options exist.

Essante Organics

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Glutamates, Effects on Child Development

Welcome back to my continuing series on the chemicals we’re exposed to—both in our food and through products we put on our skin. Today’s topic takes a deeper look at glutamates and their impact on early brain development.

Why Glutamates Matter in Childhood Development

Research has shown that glutamates play a major role in how the brain forms during early life. The fetus, infant, and young child are four times more sensitive to MSG toxicity than adults, making early exposure especially concerning.

When someone eats several foods containing MSG—such as corn chips, a frozen dinner, and commercial soup—blood glutamate levels can rise 20‑fold. Add a diet soda to that meal and levels can spike 40‑fold, or 4,000%. And these numbers only reflect glutamate from food. Many personal‑care products also contain glutamates, which are absorbed through the skin, adding even more exposure that isn’t included in these calculations.

Many Americans, including pregnant women, consume diets high in glutamates while also using glutamate‑containing personal‑care products daily.

Impact on Pregnancy and Early Brain Development

Studies show that when a pregnant woman consumes a diet high in MSG, the developing baby’s glutamate levels can rise to twice the level of the mother. This can significantly alter how the baby’s brain develops.

High glutamate intake during pregnancy has been linked to:

Abnormal learning patterns
Increased addiction risk
Behavioral and emotional regulation problems
Endocrine system disruption later in life

What Animal Studies Reveal

Animal studies provide additional insight. When young animals were fed MSG early in life, they developed:

Short stature
Small endocrine organs
Higher risk of seizures
Impaired learning

Glutamate is the primary neurotransmitter controlling the hypothalamus. When overstimulated, the hypothalamus can malfunction, affecting:

Hormone regulation
Eating behavior
Temperature control
Pain response
Sleep patterns

Overstimulation also disrupts autonomic functions involving the heart, lungs, GI tract, and bladder.

A Look at Today’s Childhood Health Trends

When we step back and look at the rising health issues in children today, the patterns are hard to ignore:

Childhood asthma has increased over 200%
Childhood obesity has risen over 400%
Neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD and autism have surged
60% of children now have at least one cardiovascular risk factor
30% have two or more
Chronic illnesses in young people have increased nearly 500% in the last 40 years

Children with chronic illnesses are three times more likely to develop acute conditions requiring hospitalization—and many do not survive.

**What You Can Do**

While we can’t avoid glutamates completely, we can reduce exposure and support the body’s natural defenses.

1. Avoid Glutamates When Possible

Check ingredient labels and revisit my post “Glutamates, HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT” to learn the many names glutamates hide under.

2. Increase Glutamate Receptor Blockers

Certain nutrients help protect the brain from glutamate toxicity:

Magnesium — naturally blocks glutamate receptors
Flavonoids — found in high‑antioxidant fruits such as:
- Acai
- Raspberry
- Pomegranate
- Blackberry
- Blueberry
- Cranberry
- Mangosteen
- Noni
- Goji
- Papaya

These foods help reduce excitotoxicity and support healthier neurological function.

I hope you found this information helpful. Stay tuned for the next post in this series as we continue exploring the hidden chemicals affecting our health.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Why Cleanse?

If you’ve ever wondered whether your body could benefit from an internal cleanse, start by asking yourself a few simple questions:

Do you experience fatigue or low energy levels
Do you struggle with brain fog, poor concentration, or memory issues
Do you eat fast food, fried foods, fatty foods, or pre‑prepared meals
Do you rely on coffee or sodas to get through the day
Do you smoke
Do you crave sugary snacks, candy, or desserts
Do you have fewer than two bowel movements per day
Do you feel sleepy, bloated, or gassy after meals
Do you experience indigestion
Are you overweight or rarely exercise
Do you have frequent aches, pains, or stiffness
Do you take sedatives or stimulants
Do you experience frequent headaches
Do you live near polluted air, water, or other environmental toxins
Do you have bad breath or excessive body odor
Do you experience mood swings
Do you have food allergies or skin problems
Are you showing signs of premature aging
Have you ever completed a full internal cleansing program

If you answered yes to three or more questions—or no to question 19—you’re likely a good candidate for an internal cleanse.

In a Nutshell

Poor Digestion = Toxic Build‑Up
Toxic Build‑Up = Dis‑Ease

How We Become Toxic

Now that you understand the basics of internal cleansing and why it matters, let’s look at the seven most common causes of toxic build‑up in the body. Once you understand these patterns, you can make daily choices that support better health.

1. Constipation

When waste doesn’t move through the body efficiently, toxins accumulate. Regular elimination is essential for detoxification and overall health.

2. Poor Diet

A modern diet often includes dead, over‑processed, low‑fiber, fried, or devitalized foods. As a society, we’ve drifted away from raw, organic fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—foods rich in natural fiber, nutrients, and enzymes. Over time, this shift contributes to toxic build‑up and sluggish digestion.

3. Over‑Consumption

Eating too much—or too quickly—puts tremendous stress on the digestive system. Food that isn’t properly broken down can lodge in the intestines, preventing the absorption of vital nutrients.

4. Lack of Water

Water makes up 65–75% of the human body and is second only to oxygen in importance. It cleanses the body from the inside out, supports digestion, and helps flush toxins.

5. Stress

Stress affects every cell and tissue in the body. It weakens the immune system, strains major organs, and contributes to toxic overload. Stress itself is toxic.

6. Lack of Exercise

Movement strengthens the entire body. Exercise stimulates circulation and the lymphatic system while supporting muscles, nerves, glands, lungs, the heart, and even mood.

7. Eating Late at Night

During sleep, the body repairs, rebuilds, and restores itself. This is also when detoxification occurs. Eating late forces the body to digest instead of cleanse, interfering with its natural healing cycle.

A Final Reminder

Your health is not everything,
but everything is nothing without your health.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

MSG, HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

Glutamates, HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

Most people recognize MSG as the most familiar member of the glutamate family, but what many don’t realize is how often glutamates show up in everyday foods under completely different names. Thanks to federal labeling laws, any ingredient that contains less than 99% pure MSG can be listed however the manufacturer chooses. That means glutamates can hide behind a long list of innocent‑sounding terms.

Here are some of the most common names used to disguise glutamates on ingredient labels:

Hydrolyzed protein
Vegetable protein
Soy protein isolate
Soy protein concentrate
Whey protein
Natural flavoring
Spices
Enzymes
Autolyzed yeast extract
Stock or broth
Carrageenan

Manufacturers know consumers are wary of MSG, so instead of removing it, they often rename it. Understanding these hidden sources helps you make more informed choices about what you’re eating and how it may affect your health.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

MSG (and Other Glutamates) and Their Effects on Sexual Function

Concerns about monosodium glutamate (MSG) usually focus on food, but its impact goes far deeper—especially when exposure happens early in life. Research shows that MSG can disrupt the endocrine control system in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for regulating hormones. Even more troubling, this disruption can be permanent.

How MSG Affects the Developing Brain

Early exposure to MSG doesn’t just interfere with hormone regulation—it can actually alter the wiring within the hypothalamus itself. Because this area of the brain plays a central role in reproduction and sexual development, these changes may influence how a child’s sexual characteristics form over time.

Glutamate Receptors and Reproductive Health

Recent studies have also shown that both male and female reproductive organs contain glutamate receptors. High levels of glutamate have been well documented to damage or destroy these receptors. Since these receptors help regulate reproductive function, their destruction may have significant long‑term consequences.