Organic Well Being

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

5 Amazing Benefits of Natural Childbirth

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5 Amazing Benefits of Natural Childbirth

Posted: 06 Oct 2014 08:00 AM PDT

The wondrous experience of birth is often destroyed by the routine practice of medicine, with many medical professionals and mothers alike assuming that birth needs pharmaceutical interventions (i.e., epidural). In reality, nothing could be further from the truth! While there are certainly instances when assistance is required, the vast majority of births do not require medical intervention. Still, a natural birth can be successful and rewarding for many mothers.

There are many astounding benefits when delivery is done the way nature intended. ^[1] Giving birth is the ultimate expression of femininity. Sure, giving birth is difficult, that’s why it’s called labor. But work and effort certainly have their rewards, and bringing a new child into the world has its joyous aspects. Handing the process over to a doctor and a bunch of strangers who, with the commonplace coldness inherent in modern medicine, probably think of your delivery as just a job and not a triumph or miracle.

5 Benefits of Natural Childbirth

Childbirth is a liberating, empowering, challenging, and joyful experience. Giving birth fully aware and in a warm and comforting environment, like your own home, may provide memories for years to come. Here are five incredible benefits giving birth the old-fashioned way.

1. Empowerment

Yes, there is pain involved, but women who have opted for natural childbirth often take a different view, thinking of the pain as a rite of passage. Studies have shown that it helps prepare a woman for her new role as a mother and also helps her facilitate the birth process. What could be more empowering than being in charge? The process of birth produces endorphins, nature’s pain reliever. If pain isn’t felt because of unnatural intervention, then safe and joyous natural pain relief can’t happen. ^[2] ^[3]

Women are usually denied the right to refuse episiotomies during childbirth. This unneeded intervention is associated with excessive bleeding and, though it’s claimed that the practice prevents tearing, the reality is that tearing is safer and heals more rapidly. Epidurals also increase the use of other medical interventions. The more interventions, the greater the risks to both mother and baby. A woman who chooses natural childbirth assures that this unnecessary intervention does not happen. ^[4]

2. Safety

Why should you or your baby unnecessarily take the risk of a hospital-acquired infection? The fact is that you are more likely to end up with a life-threatening illness by giving birth in a hospital—and that’s just one of the risks you’ll avoid by choosing a natural delivery. ^[5]

Bleeding is one of the greatest risks during birth and is often given as a reason for validating the safety of hospital deliveries. The reality, though, is that a woman is more likely to bleed to death as the result of a hospital birth than if she chooses a natural birth. ^[6] The best way to assure safety in childbirth is to do it the way nature intended.

3. Healthier Baby

Natural delivery assures that babies are born on schedule—the real schedule, the one nature intended for both infants and their mothers. Now more than ever, deliveries are scheduled for the convenience of doctors and hospitals. Scheduled deliveries are usually earlier than natural ones, resulting in babies that may be deprived of development time.

Recent studies have documented that home deliveries produce slightly better outcomes than hospital births. One of the most important thing a woman can assure through home delivery is that the umbilical cord not be cut right away. ^[7] Yet, that is the standard procedure in hospital deliveries. This single intervention may do more harm than any other, and it may also be the reason so many babies are oxygen-deprived or jaundiced. Waiting just a short time to cut the cord allows the baby’s own blood to flow from the placenta into his or her own body. Premature cord cutting is said to steal a baby’s blood cells, antibodies, iron, and even stem cells. A natural childbirth can prevent all of those losses.

Some people argue that natural-born babies–or babies born without medical intervention–are more alert and vital. Whether this is true or not, many women feel that they would rather have a baby born without direct exposure to medications as soon as they enter the world. Not only can they gain the advantage of maintaining their own blood, but they are also fortunate enough not to suffer the adverse effects of drugs, forceps deliveries, or any other routine interventions. Finally, the process of a natural childbirth helps prepare the newborn for life outside the womb.

4. Healthier You

Many women believe avoiding medical interventions during and after delivery results in healthier mothers. The woman who opts for natural birth often avoids all of the adverse effects of drugs and interventions. She avoids the risk of arachnoiditis–a permanent, debilitating, and horribly painful condition–for the temporary relief of an epidural. ^[8] The new mother, undrugged and non-hospitalized, can recover from labor more quickly and move into the role with vigor and strength.

5. Money in Your Pocket, Not the Medical System

In this time of tight budgets, one of the best things about natural childbirth is the low cost. It’s a shame that saving money should be considered one of the most amazing benefits of natural birth, but the amount involved makes it so. Instead of seeing your hard-earned money lining the pockets of a medical system that, in all likelihood will do more harm than good and will assuredly steal any sense of empowerment, you can use it to provide a more comfortable life for your baby, yourself, and the rest of your family.

Surely there are times when modern medicine can do wonders and even save lives, but the fact is that natural childbirth enriches the lives of both mother and child and possibly provides a more rewarding experience. Natural birth is truly the most awesome experience life can provide, empowering each mother in her new role as caretaker of that most precious of things–a new being.

-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

References:

Judith A. Lothian. Why Natural Childbirth? The Journal of Perinatal Education, 2000 Fall; 9(4): 44-46.
Nicky Leap, Jane Sandall, Sara Buckland, Ulli Huber. Journey to Confidence: Women’s Experiences of Pain in Labour and Relational Continuity in Care. Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health. doi.org/10.1016/j.jmwh.2010.02.001.
Olsen O, Clausen JA. Planned hospital birth versus planned home birth (Review). Issue 9. Art. No.: CD000352. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD0003 52.pub2.
Elizabeth R Cluett, Cheryl VC Nikodem, Rona E McCandish, Ethel Burns. Immersion in water in pregnancy, labour and birth. The Cochrane Library. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000111.pub2.
Ank de Jonge, Jeanette A J M Mesman , Judith Manniën, Joost J Zwart, Jeroen van Dillen obstetrician, Jos van Roosmalen. Severe adverse maternal outcomes among low risk women with planned home versus hospital births in the Netherlands: nationwide cohort study. BMJ 2013;346:f3263 doi:10.1136/bmj.f3263 (Published 13 June 2013).
Romero-Arias AI, Luján-Prior M, Alcázar de San Juan. Incidence and factors related to excessive intrapartum blood loss. Enfermería Cliníca. 2011 Sep-Oct;21(5):256-63. doi: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2011.07.010.
Tonse N. K. Raju, M.D., D.C.H., Nalini Singal, M.D., D.C.H. Optimal timing for clamping the umbilical cord after birth. Clin Perinatol. Dec 2012; 39(4): 10.1016/j.clp.2012.09.006.
Susan Donaldson James. Epidural Steroid Injection Risks Include Incurable Arachnoiditis. ABC News. October 25, 2012.

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Sunday, October 5, 2014

Lone Star Ticks Trigger Allergic Reactions to Meat

Posted: 04 Oct 2014 08:00 AM PDT

Recently, a tick named after the state of Texas has been identified as the cause of meat allergies for at least 1,500 people in the United States. The lone star tick, which is most commonly found in the southeastern US, can actually manipulate the immune system of its victims, causing them to suffer allergic reactions to meat and some other animal products. ^[1]

How a Tick Can Make You Allergic to Meat

The ticks specifically cause an allergy to the sugar alpha-gal. Humans don't make this sugar, but it's found naturally in a number of non-primate animals, including cows, sheep, and pigs. Most people have some form of immunity to this sugar, which allows them to eat products like beef, pork, and mutton. But people who have been bitten by the lone star tick lack this immunity and may suffer serious and potentially fatal allergy symptoms, such as anaphylactic shock.

The unusual connection between the lone star tick and alpha-gal allergies was first uncovered in 2008 when allergy specialists at the University of Virginia noticed that some of their patients—all of whom lived in the southeastern United States—were having allergic reactions to a cancer drug that contains the alpha-gal sugar. The allergy specialists researched medical conditions for the geographical area in which these patients lived and discovered that Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, another tick-borne illness, was common in the region. After some probing, they learned that all their patients had been exposed to ticks prior to the investigation.

Scientists have discovered that the lone star tick actually changes the way Immunoglobulin E antibodies react with the alpha-gal sugar. Although there are only about 1,500 documented cases of meat allergies caused by the lone star tick so far, the number of cases has been increasing quickly in the past few years as the tick has spread from the southeast to the northeastern coast of the United States. It is currently found in parts of at least 30 states.

Evidence suggests that the allergy caused by the lone star tick may only last for several months to several years, as long as the affected individual is not bitten again. Unfortunately, it is difficult for these people who live in the more rural areas of the southeast–where the tick is populous–to entirely avoid being bitten. Avoiding wooded, overgrown natural areas as much as possible may be the best technique for protection from the lone star tick. For the time being, those who have been bitten must adapt to a vegetarian diet.

Why You Should Eat Less Meat

If you’re trying to give up meat or reduce your consumption, you don't need a tick to help you kick the meat habit. First off, if you're a meat eater, then me telling you to eat a vegan diet probably won't sway your mind. I do urge, however, that meat eaters choose organic, free-range, and grass-fed meat whenever possible to minimize their exposure to chemical toxins that accumulate in meat that is factory farmed. Also, balance out your meat consumption by loading your plate with plenty of raw or cooked vegetables. By vegetables, I don't just mean potatoes and corn. Choose steamed or roasted greens like collards, spinach, and broccoli. This will go a long way in keeping you feeling full and satisfied between meals, perhaps reducing the amount of meat you will have to eat in each sitting.

-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

References:

The University of Wisconsin-Madison. Amblyomma americanum (Lone star tick). Department of Entomology.

The post Lone Star Ticks Trigger Allergic Reactions to Meat appeared first on Natural Health & Organic Living Blog.

Friday, October 3, 2014

What Is Pygeum Bark and Can It Help Prostate Health?

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 08:00 AM PDT

Pygeum herb is derived from the bark of the special evergreen tree called Prunus africana that grows in mountainous regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. The herb might've been known among natives of southern Africa–having used it to support the bladder and urinary tract–as early as the 1700s. The botanical term Pygeum, of Greek origin, means "buttock," mostly because of the rounded shape of the fruit. Researchers have discovered a few key phytochemical constituents (phytosterols, triterpenes, and ferulic esters, just to name a few) inherent to Pygeum that are believed to produce the majority of its therapeutic benefits.

This incredible, ancient herb may reduce swelling and provide protection to the body via its high concentration of antioxidants. Pygeum extracts have been used therapeutically since the 1960s in Europe and North America for various prostate issues, particularly benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. Although Pygeum plants bear fruit, the bitterness deters most animals away from consuming it. ^[1] ^[2]

Pygeum Bark and How It Benefits Prostate Health

An extensive analysis of Pygeum bark published in the 2002 Cochrane Database Systematic Review looked at 18 double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trials that were conducted with over 1,500 male study participants with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Researchers assessed the results of the studies based on urological symptom scales, nocturia (night urination), and urodynamic measurements (peak/mean urine flow and prostate size). Patients supplemented with Pygeum experienced a moderately large improvement (more than double) of overall symptoms as compared to the placebo groups, with little to no side effects noted. ^[3]

An efficacy/safety study of Pygeum extract intervention in 50-75 year old men with BPH was published in a 1998 issue of Current Medical Research & Opinion. The purpose of the 2-month study was to assess if any improvements in multiple urinary symptoms and quality of life (QOL) were gained. Participants were assessed immediately after the study and again one month post study. Even after ceasing Pygeum supplementation, participants were found to have maintained all the benefits of the prior Pygeum intake. ^[4]

Another double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to investigate the benefit of an herbal supplement containing Pygeum extract (among others) on subjects with BPH. Overall symptom scores were reduced by an impressive 36% in the Pygeum supplemented group compared to just 8% reduction in the placebo group. Daytime urinary frequency was reduced 16% in the Pygeum group compared to no reduction in the placebo group. Meanwhile, nocturia was reduced an astonishing 39% in the Pygeum group compared to just 7% in the placebo group. ^[5]

Prostate Cancer

Two investigational studies by the same lead researcher set out to isolate and determine potential therapeutic compounds and mechanisms of action of Pygeum africanum herb on prostate maladies such as prostatitis, BPH, and prostate cancer. Researchers discovered that a compound inherent in Pygeum called atraric acid imparted therapeutic properties in relation to prostate diseases. Atraric acid was found to inhibit transport of androgen signals that induce cell growth in the prostate, thereby reducing prostate growth.

This mode of action may also target prostate cancer cells, specifically both LNCaP (androgen dependent) and C42 (androgen independent) cells. Atraric acid also inhibits expression of the cancerous gene in prostate cells. Another compound called N-butylbenzenesulfonamide (NBBS) was also shown to work via blocking androgenicity thereby inhibiting potential harmful effects. Additionally, Pygeum extract has been shown to promote apoptosis, or cell death, of prostate cancer cells. While this is by no means the be-all and end-all of prostate cancer solutions, this research does point to a viable link between natural plant compounds and whole body health support. ^[6] ^[7] ^[8] ^[9]

As can be seen from some of the impressive research studies that have been conducted on Pygeum bark, this revered herbal compound may prove very effective in many future approaches to prostate health. If you're thinking about taking the bark and similar plant extracts, consult with your doctor to see if the herb is right for you. For full prostate support, it may be helpful to take Pygeum along with other herbs that are known to support prostate health, like saw palmetto, stinging nettle, and turmeric.

-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

References:

Life Extension Foundation. Pygeum. LEF.
Meschino Health. Pygeum. James Meschino DC, MS, ND.
Wilt T, Ishani A, et al. Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(1):CD001044. PMID: 11869585.
Breza J, Dzurny O, Borowka A, et al. Efficacy and acceptability of tadenan (Pygeum africanum extract) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): a multicentre trial in central Europe. Curr Med Res Opin. 1998;14(3):12739. PMID: 9787978.
Coulson S, Rao A, Beck SL et al. A phase II randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the efficacy and safety of ProstateEZE Max: a herbal medicine preparation for the management of symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Complement Ther Med. 2013 Jun;21(3):1729. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2013.01.007.
Papaioannou M, Schleich S, Prade I, et al. The natural compound atraric acid is an antagonist of the human androgen receptor inhibiting cellular invasiveness and prostate cancer cell growth. J Cell Mol Med. 2009 Aug;13(8B):221023. doi: 10.1111/j.15824934.2008.00426.x. PMID: 1862.
Papaioannou M, Schleich S, Roell D, et al. NBBS isolated from Pygeum africanum bark exhibits androgen antagonistic activity, inhibits AR nuclear translocation and prostate cancer cell growth. Invest New Drugs. 2010 Dec;28(6):72943. doi: 10.1007/s106370099304y. PMID: 19771394.
Santa María Margalef A, Paciucci Barzanti R, et al. Antimitogenic effect of Pygeum africanum extracts on human prostatic cancer cell lines and explants from benign prostatic hyperplasia. Arch Esp Urol. 2003 May;56(4):36978. PMID: 12830609.
Shenouda NS, Sakla MS, Newton LG, et al;. Phytosterol Pygeum africanum regulates prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo. Endocrine. 2007 Feb;31(1):7281. PMID: 17709901.

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Thursday, October 2, 2014

Organic.org

Home Remedies for Headache Treatment

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 06:07 AM PDT

Headaches, including migraines, are extremely common. Because headaches can stem from a variety of causes, some headache sufferers seek treatment on a near-daily basis. Fortunately, there are several home-remedy treatments that can help alleviate migraine pain and other types of headaches.

Lavender Oil

Not only does lavender smell great — it's also a useful home remedy for headaches and migraine pain. Lavender oil can be either inhaled or applied topically. Two to four drops for every two to three cups of boiling water are recommended when inhaling lavender-oil vapors as a headache treatment. Unlike many medicinal oils, this home remedy can also be safely applied externally without the need to dilute it. Lavender oil should not be taken orally.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint is a soothing home remedy that has been shown to benefit tension headaches. This fresh-smelling oil has vaso-constricting and vaso-dilating properties, which help control blood flow in the body. Headaches and migraine pain are often due to poor blood flow, and peppermint oil helps to open and close the vessels that promote flow. Peppermint home remedies also open up the sinuses so that more oxygen can get into the bloodstream.

Basil Oil

Basil, the strong-scented herb used as a topping for pizzas and pastas, certainly tastes and smells good. And for people in need of a natural headache treatment, the oil derived from basil plants can also be a useful home remedy. Basil works as a muscle relaxant, so it is especially helpful for headaches caused by tension and tight muscles.

Diet Fixes

One of the most useful home remedies for reducing headaches and migraine pain involves making changes to your diet. Certain foods have been shown to affect the frequency and severity of headaches and migraine pain, including dairy; chocolate; peanut butter; certain fruits, such as avocado, banana, and citrus; onions; meats with nitrates, such as bacon and hot dogs; foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG); foods containing tyramine, an amino acid found in red wine; and foods that are fermented or pickled. Keep track of these trigger foods and your reaction to them with a food diary.

DIY Scalp Massage

Do-it-yourself scalp massages can be an effective way to alleviate migraine pain, and they feel great. Researchers in Brazil showed that massaging the greater occipital nerve — the area in the back of the head, at the base of the skull — reduces migraine pain. Massage in general has been identified as a useful home remedy for headaches, especially reflexology (massaging reflex points on the hands and feet).

Feverfew

Feverfew, as its name suggests, is used to treat fever, but it's most commonly known as an herbal headache treatment. This home remedy became popular in the 1980s, when a landmark study in Great Britain showed that 70 percent of participants had less migraine pain after taking feverfew daily. Since then, more studies have demonstrated feverfew's benefit in preventing and treating migraine pain. One study showed improvement in migraine pain among people who took daily feverfew in combination with white willow, another herbal home remedy, which contains properties similar to aspirin.

Flaxseed

Some headaches are caused by inflammation, which can be reduced by consuming omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed can help provide headache relief because it's rich in omega-3s. Flaxseed can be used as a home remedy in several forms, including as an oil and ground or whole seeds.

Buckwheat

Buckwheat's usefulness as a home remedy for headaches and migraine pain comes from a flavonoid known as rutin. Flavonoids are phytochemicals, which are found in plants, and have been shown to contain antioxidant properties, which counteract damage to cells. In addition, researchers in Taiwan have demonstrated the effects of flavonoids on inflammation, a common cause of headaches.

[via Everyday Health]

Is Apple Cider Good For Weight Loss? And Four More Things You Need to Know

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 05:47 AM PDT

You probably have a bottle of apple cider vinegar (ACV) in your pantry right now. It's a tasty addition to homemade pickles, marinades, salad dressing, and more - but is it good for you? Many of its supposed benefits are anecdotal, but some experts think that adding a little of this tangy vinegar to your life may have some health benefits.

Weight

Have you heard that apple cider vinegar will help you lose weight? There's not much formal research on the topic, but one study did find that people who drank apple cider vinegar daily lost a couple of pounds versus those who didn't (both groups had a similar diet). The researchers suggest that vinegar may affect certain genes involved in breaking down fats thus improving digestion – which ultimately could lead to weight loss.

Blood Sugar

While apple cider vinegar most likely isn't the weight loss magic bullet, it does appear to help with blood sugar control. Arizona State University's Nutrition Program Director, Carol Johnston, PhD has been studying apple cider vinegar for years and believes it can have pronounced affects on blood sugar. Johnston says that the vinegar prevents at least some dietary starches from being digested and thus raising blood sugar. It's still advisable to focus on your overall diet if you have or want to prevent blood sugar issues – but adding ACV on salads might help too!

Antimicrobial

Vinegar is known to help kill pathogens, including bacteria and ACV has traditionally (not confirmed by research) been used for cleaning and disinfecting, treating nail fungus, lice, warts and ear infections. It's even said that Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used vinegar for wound cleaning over two thousand years ago. Because vinegar is acidic, it has been used as a food preservative, and studies show that it inhibits bacteria from growing in the food and spoiling it.

Great Flavor Enhancer

ACV should be consumed! Use it in your food – from dressings, to dips, apple cider vinegar can be a great flavor addition to many dishes. Try alternating balsamic for apple cider vinegar to change the flavor and add more variety to your diet. Add a punch to a fish dish with a splash of ACV on top!

Home Cleaning

If you don't mind the smell, or are sensitive to chemicals try using ACV to clean your home. A mix of 1 part ACV and 9 parts water will clean just about any surface. It's easiest if transferred to a spray bottle. You can also pour full strength ACV into the toilet, bath, babies tub, etc. and leave overnight. Some appliances (coffee makers, etc.) can be descaled with ACV as well.

[via Supermarket Guru]

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

The 7 Most Dangerous Excitotoxins

Posted: 30 Sep 2014 08:00 AM PDT

If you've ever felt compelled to take another bite, despite feeling full, the problem may not be a lack of self control. In fact, the issue may not even be with you at all as it's very likely that an excitotoxin is the culprit. These non-essential amino acids stimulate or "excite" the umami or savory taste buds making food seem more flavorful than it really is. These compounds are abundant in most processed foods and restaurant meals, and many people are unknowingly consuming these compounds in large amounts on a daily basis.

Know Your Food

Despite public outcry, processed foods remain loaded with excitotoxins, all of which have been linked to brain cell death, infertility, problems with sexual development, violent behaviors, and hormonal disorders. Here's a list of the 7 most dangerous excitotoxins you need to avoid.

1. MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)

This salt form of glutamate, or glutamic acid, has been known to trigger headaches for decades. Glutamate easily crosses the blood-brain barrier, stimulating cell receptors that triggers cell death. ^[1] While the body naturally produces glutamate when needed to trigger cell termination, flooding the body with dietary glutamate can seriously disrupt normal cellular function, especially in the brain. Avoid foods with MSG, but don't think food is MSG-free just because you don't see it in the ingredients list. ^[2] MSG also appears under the names:

Natural flavor(s)
Flavoring
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
Autolyzed protein
Plant Protein
Textured Protein
Yeast extract
Nutritional yeast
Carrageenan
Anything with glutamate

2. Aspartate

Aspartate, or aspartic acid, acts very similarly to glutamate. ^[3] This non-essential amino acid triggers NMDA receptors in cells, another of the cellular receptors used to initiate cell death. Most humans receive aspartate through consuming aspartame, an artificial sweetener often hidden in many processed foods. It has been linked with serious neurological effects such as headaches, sleep disorders, and seizures. ^[4]

4. Domoic Acid

Another non-essential amino acid, domoic acid occurs naturally in shellfish. Excessive overconsumption has shown to lead to the development of epilepsy, especially in the elderly. ^[5] If you're a seafood eater, pick wild-caught varieties of fish like salmon, trout, and tuna. This way you are receiving your omega-3 fatty acids without the excitotoxins and pollutants common in shellfish and farm-raised seafood.

5. L-BOAA

Also known as ODAP, this protein is another excitotoxin that behaves in similar fashion as glutamate. It naturally occurs in the grass pea and similar plant species. Overexposure to grass pea and L-BOAA leads to neurolathyrism, a disorder that affects motor skills and movement and can lead to paralysis. ^[6]

6. Cysteine

Industrially created by hydrolysis of human hair and poultry feathers, this excitotoxin is important for artificial flavor creation. It reacts with sugars in a process known as the Maillard reaction, resulting in meaty and savory flavors. High cysteine levels are associated with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. ^[7]

7. Casein

This protein compound occurs in cheese at naturally high levels. 20% of casein is glutamic acid which makes for a tasty treat; however, it also increases glutamate overload. Casein is often used by food producers to improve flavor, although it is also frequently used to increase protein levels in fitness products.

A Final Thought

Excitotoxins such as MSG, aspartame, and cysteine have been linked to adverse effects, some of which may be irreversible. Some people have reported allergic reactions like hives, shortness of breath, and rashes. Others have reported the well-known MSG headache, as well as rapid heartbeat and stomach cramping. The most serious reactions involve depression and paranoia. Have you had a reaction to MSG or another of these excitotoxins? Share your experience so we can all better understand the dangers of these compounds. -Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

References:

Olney JW. Excitotoxins in foods. Neurotoxicology. 1994 Fall;15(3):535-44.
Scopp AL. MSG and hydrolyzed vegetable protein induced headache: review and case studies. Headache. 1991 Feb;31(2):107-10.
Chen PE1, Geballe MT, Stansfeld PJ, Johnston AR, Yuan H, Jacob AL, Snyder JP, Traynelis SF, Wyllie DJ. Structural features of the glutamate binding site in recombinant NR1/NR2A N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors determined by site-directed mutagenesis and molecular modeling. Mol Pharmacol. 2005 May;67(5):1470-84.
Humphries P1, Pretorius E, Naud H. Direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2008 Apr;62(4):451-62.
Andermann F, Carpenter S, Zatorre RJ, Cashman NR. Temporal lobe epilepsy caused by domoic acid intoxication: evidence for glutamate receptor-mediated excitotoxicity in humans. Ann Neurol. 1995 Jan;37(1):123-6.
Knig G1, Hartmann J, Krause F, Deckert J, Heinsen H, Ransmayr G, Beckmann H, Riederer P. Regional differences in the interaction of the excitotoxins domoate and L-beta-oxalyl-amino-alanine with [3H]kainate binding sites in human hippocampus. Neurosci Lett. 1995 Mar 3;187(2):107-10.
Parsons RB1, Waring RH, Ramsden DB, Williams AC. In vitro effect of the cysteine metabolites homocysteic acid, homocysteine and cysteic acid upon human neuronal cell lines. Neurotoxicology. 1998 Aug-Oct;19(4-5):599-603.

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