Are Excitotoxins Bad For You?
Short answer
Excitotoxins are bad for you. There are absolutely zero health benefits associated with excitotoxins.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Excitotoxins are another name for excitatory neurotoxins which are often added to foods to make them seem more flavorful. Excitotoxins are basically non-essential amino acids that serve to stimulate the umami sensory which can cause you to eat more than you intended or were even hungry for.
The most common excitotoxins are glutamate, aspartate, and cysteine, although there are many others we are exposed to every day. These neurotoxins have various effects on the brain including the destruction of neurons, brain damage and memory impairment. Many people are also allergic to them which is unfortunate because of how prevalent they have become in our American food sources.
Glutamate is commonly listed on ingredient lists as monosodium glutamate (MSG) - yep! You can already feel how bad for you this is just hearing those initials. Chronic consumption of MSG is known to cause thyroid problems, obesity, short stature and infertility. The really scary part is that it can cross the placenta, causing similar effects in the fetus. Glutamate can also freely penetrate areas of the brain leading to over-activation of the NMDA glutamate receptors which during nervous system development can cause glutamate excitotoxicity and neuron destruction. The elderly are also at risk of brain damage from this excitotoxin. Glutamate goes by a ton of other names as well, including natural flavors, flavoring, anything glutamate, and carrageenan to name a few.
Aspartate acts on the brain’s NMDA receptor cells the same as glutamate. It is typically consumed as aspartame, an artificial sweetener in processed foods and drinks. It has been linked to several neurological effects the most common of which is headaches, followed by sleep disorders and even seizures.
Ok, be ready for this. Cysteine is made in a lab with an ingredient you’re not expecting – hydrolysis of human hair and poultry feathers…yeah, gross! When combined with sugar it increases the umami sensation and the savory flavor. Cysteine easily penetrates the blood-brain barrier, a major defense system in our bodies that protects our neurons, and leads to degenerative brain diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
Possible short-term side effects
- allergic reaction
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headaches
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sleep disturbance
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seizures
Possible long-term side effects
- destruction of neurons
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obesity
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thyroid conditions
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infertility
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brain damage
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degenerative brain diseases
Commonly found in
- processed foods and drinks
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artificial sweeteners
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frozen dinners
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diet foods
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gravy mix
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soups
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fast food
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Written by Kristin Brown, DC, MS
Published on: 07-23-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Kristin Brown, DC, MS
Published on: 07-23-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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