| According to the author, Dr. Blaylock, "Excitotoxins" | | | | pump turns on which remove the calcium. This is the |
| are special amino acids, such as glutamate and | | | | second problem. The calcium pump requires a |
| aspartate (which are commonly found in MSG and | | | | tremendous amount of energy also. In a |
| Nutrasweet). These "Excitotoxins" are added to | | | | hypoglycemic condition these calcium pumps fail to |
| processed food to enhance the taste. Normally they | | | | operate allowing the neurons to fire repeatedly until |
| act as neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord. | | | | they die. |
| However, when these common food additives are | | | | The solution may seem to be to eat more so that |
| consumed (by eating certain processed foods) | | | | there is never a hypoglycemic state. This may seem |
| excessive amounts can develop which kill certain | | | | possible, but the reality is that (as Dr. Blaylock points |
| neurons in the brain by causing them to fire | | | | out) the FDA has allowed the food industry to |
| repeatedly (and needlessly) until they die. | | | | include these "excitotoxins" in so many hidden forms |
| How do they do this? Dr. Blaylock explains that there | | | | that the consumer may not be aware that they are |
| are two problems. First, we must understand that | | | | actually eating the same substances that they usually |
| glutamate is normally in the brain and use to signal a | | | | try to avoid (MSG.) This massive consumption of |
| neuron when it is time to fire. When it is done there | | | | glutamates and aspartates may be impossible to |
| is a cellular mechanism which transfers excess | | | | overcome with normal brain processes. A diet rich in |
| glutamate back into the surrounding glial cells. The glial | | | | natural unprocessed foods is very important. |
| cells encase the neurons in the brain and supply them | | | | The only true solution is to avoid consuming |
| with energy (in the form of ATP). The amount of | | | | "excitotoxins." Dr. Blaylock points out in Appendix 1 |
| energy required to do this is very high. This points to | | | | other common food additives which have hidden |
| the first problem which is that in a hypoglycemic (low | | | | sources of MSG. These include: Hydrolyzed Vegetable |
| blood sugar) condition there is not enough ATP | | | | Protein, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein, Hydrolyzed Protein, |
| present to transfer the glutamate. In the constant | | | | Sodium Caseinate, Calcium Caseinate, Yeast Extract, |
| presence of glutamate the neurons fire repeatedly | | | | Textured Protein, Autolyzed Yeast and Hydrolyzed |
| until they die. | | | | Oat Flour. Some food additives may have MSG |
| Specifically, as a part of the signal process, glutamate | | | | include: Malt Extract, Malt Flavoring, Bouillon, Broth, |
| and aspartate act as a sort of key to unlock calcium | | | | Stock, Flavoring, Natural Flavoring, Natural Beef or |
| channels into the neuron which chemically initiate the | | | | Chicken Flavorings and seasoning. |
| neurons to fire (their normal task). The cellular calcium | | | | |