The most common neurotoxins in food are monosodium glutamate (MSG or glutamic acid), aspartame (aspartic acid), and autolyzed yeast. Dr. Russell Blaylock—neurosurgeon, nutritionist, and author of Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills—says that this group also includes hydrolyzed protein of any type and yeast extract.ⁱ

Some neurotoxins are hidden in foods under the terms “spices,” “natural flavors,” or “artificial flavors.” At least one excitotoxin is found in most prepared foods, including soups, and particularly in prepared vegetarian foods such as meat substitutes.

MSG and autolyzed yeast are prevalent in low-fat and no-fat foods, packaged foods, fast food restaurant meals, and instant meals such as soups and noodles. Even baby food and infant formulas may contain both MSG and processed aspartame.ⁱⁱ Aspartame is the technical name for commercial artificial sweeteners such as Spoonful, NutraSweet, Equal, EqualMeasure, and others.ⁱⁱⁱ

The health risks of excitotoxins are documented and significant. “By the early 1980’s, evidence of monosodium glutamate-induced brain lesions was…well established.”ⁱⁱⁱ

A mountain of evidence connects neurotoxins with an alarming array of symptoms and diseases: insomnia, depression, slurred speech, fatigue, irritability, vision loss, hearing loss, anxiety attacks, asthma, vertigo, joint pain, Parkinson’s, ALS, seizures, leukemia, other cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, migraines, Alzheimer’s, tinnitus, and retinal damage,^iv to name just a few.

In the US, incidence and severity of human adverse reactions following ingestion of processed free glutamic acid (MSG) is increasing at an alarming rate. Yet both the United States government and many in the medical community have:
(1) ignored the literature that reports adverse reactions following ingestion of processed free glutamic acid (MSG),
(2) ignored consumer reports of adverse reactions filed with the FDA,
(3) ignored incontrovertible evidence that glutamic acid kills brain cells and causes neuroendocrine disorders in laboratory animals, and
(4) ignored a growing body of evidence that suggests a role between elevated brain glutamate levels and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and ALS.^v

MSG’s connection to gross obesity is also interesting. Scientists “create” obese mice and rats to use in research on diets or diabetes by injecting them with MSG at birth. The MSG greatly increases the amount of insulin the pancreas secretes, causing obesity. The rodents also become insulin resistant.^vi Given the popularity of excitotoxins in our food supply, it is no wonder that insulin resistance in humans is increasing rapidly, greatly multiplying the rate of diabetes and obesity. Ironically, “diet” sodas, which contain aspartame, actually cause weight gain, just as the excitotoxin did in the infant rats.

Many people drink diet sodas, thinking they’re healthier than sugar-loaded sodas, but diet sodas contain aspartame.

“We also know liquid forms of excitotoxins are significantly more toxic because of rapid absorption and higher blood levels,” says Dr. Blaylock, neurosurgeon.^vii At least one brand of regular soda and many fruit juices have “natural flavors” in its ingredients. Before drinking any of these beverages, we should ask some pointed questions of the manufacturer.

Consider the physical and mental harm done to millions of unsuspecting consumers drinking an excitotoxin-enhanced soda along with their excitotoxin-enhanced fast food meal. Blaylock says that excitotoxins can create lesions in the brain, similar to Multiple Sclerosis (MS):

When aspartate (as aspartame) is combined in the diet with monosodium glutamate (MSG), blood levels are several-fold higher than normal. With the blood brain barrier damaged, as in MS, these excitotoxins can freely enter the site of injury, greatly magnifying the damage.^viii

As far back as 1996 it was shown that the lesions produced in the myelin sheath of axons in cases of multiple sclerosis were related to excitatory receptors on the primary cells involved…The loss of myelin sheath on the nerve fibers characteristic of the disease is due to the death of these…cells at the site of the lesions (called plaques). Further, these studies have shown that the death of these important cells is a result of excessive exposure to excitotoxins at the site of the lesions.^xi

Learn more about aspartame

Those who have chosen vegetarianism in order to avoid the dangers of a flesh-based diet must also avoid the pitfall of harmful meat substitutes such as meat analogs. The cell-destroying excitotoxins in them not only stimulate appetite but also are associated with food addiction.^x 

Meat Analogues
Some “health food” stores sell meat analogs—vegetarian meat replacements, usually soy-based—and various broths and gravies to accompany them. They are sold to support transitions from flesh-based diets to vegetarian diets. However, each label’s list of ingredients, without exception, contained neurotoxins.

In addition to various other harmful ingredients such as refined sugars and propylene glycol (also found in antifreeze), meat analogs almost always contain MSG. Autolyzed yeast is also a common ingredient. Some packages say “No MSG,” but these claims are deceptive because the MSG is just replaced by another excitotoxin, autolyzed yeast. Only informed label-readers would be aware of the misleading nature of these claims; those who take labels at face value are at risk for cell death.

Textured Vegetable Proteins
Textured vegetable protein (TVP) and soy protein isolate are used by some vegetarians as ground meat substitutes in chili, meatloaves, fillers, and stuffing. TVP and soy protein isolate are extremely processed. In addition, vitamins, minerals, fats, amino acids and enzymes have been removed in processing. What’s left is essentially a synthetic food, which the body can neither recognize nor utilize. It is a stressor rather than a benefit.

Remember, our God-given counsel is simple foods, simply prepared (Gospel Workers, 362). More nutritious, more digestible, less concentrated protein alternatives exist. Foods such as unprocessed grains and legumes do not stress the liver and digestive organs the way processed foods do.

The same applies to meat substitutes that contain concentrated wheat gluten. While those foods do not always contain excitotoxins, the liver is greatly burdened as it works to rid the body of this manufactured, alien protein. In contrast, a simple diet of variety of grains, legumes, vegetables, and nuts can give us all the good protein we need without harming our digestive organs.