How to Eliminate Excitotoxins from Your Diet

Manufacturers add excitotoxins to your foods as flavorings and preservatives. An excitotoxin is a substance that affects the cells in the brain. It enters the cell and excites it into frenzied activity until it dies from exhaustion.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Read labels. Look for terms like natural flavorings, natural preservatives, karageenan, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and flavor enhancers.
2. When you go out to eat, request a food information sheet. You can ask that no MSG or other preservatives are used in your food. Some Asian restaurants use MSG and other additives to give their dishes extra flavor.
3. Look for foods that are certified organic. Even foods that say "all natural" can contain some form of excitotoxins. Karageenan is an example. It's all natural, but has the same affect on brain cells as some of the manufactured excitotoxins.
4. Look for different ways of cooking to keep or add flavors. Basting, garnishing and marinating are excellent ways to add flavors. Make some of your favorite foods from scratch. That way you know exactly what is in them.
5. Make your own herbal blends for seasoning your foods. Try different combinations. The choices are endless and you can experiment to find exactly what you like.

Tips & Warnings

• Always read labels.
• Research ingredients you don't recognize.
• Consult your physician about any concerns you may have.