MSG:
Monosodium glutamate is a concentrated type of salt, processed and produced as a flavor additive. When used to enhance flavor, MSG tricks the body into producing excitotoxins. The rush of pleasure is quickly followed by a crash, and this process is similar to what an addict experiences when they intake drugs. The excitotoxins trick your taste buds and brain into thinking the food is A-MA-ZING, which makes you crave more. Have you ever yearned for a certain snack so hard you could almost taste it? Blame it on excitotoxins.
Gluten
The pleasure-overload damages your cells and can seriously screw with your brain chemistry. High levels of MSG have been linked to neurological diseases, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Lupus, and dementia, just to name a few. BOTTOM LINE: Use natural flavor enhancers, such as lemon, parsley, cilantro, peppers, garlic, and ginger. If you have to use salt, try naturally occurring sea salt or Himalayan pink rock salt. Beware of hidden MSG in anything processed, including "healthy" snacks, salad dressing, barbecue sauce, bouillon cubes, and canned soups and vegetables.
Gluten is a common protein molecule found in wheat, barley, rye, kamut, and spelt. Upon ingestion, gluten becomes a sticky glue glob and binds to the small intestine's walls. Ever get gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe? Kinda the same idea, except gluten can cause digestive problems, many different types of neurological and nervous system disorders, and allergic reactions.
Artificial Sweetener
Many people are unaware that they have any type of gluten sensitivity and suffer for years before finally changing their diet and finding relief. BOTTOM LINE: Pay attention to any digestive problems or unexplainable discomfort you may be experiencing. There are two ways to test for gluten intolerance: an elimination/reintegration diet and blood tests.
Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, sucralose, or saccharin, are very popular because they are virtually super-low calorie or no-calorie food and drink enhancers. Like MSG, they are excitotoxins and have been poisoning our brains for years. In fact, when broken down, the compounds which make up aspartame (aka NutraSweet) produce a powerful chemical that causes brain tumors.
Fluoride
It is also linked to anxiety attacks, slurred speech, depression, and migraines. BOTTOM LINE: Ditch the fake sugar, and try to use all natural (or better yet, NO) sweeteners, such as maple syrup or honey. It and other artificial sweeteners can be found in sodas, yogurt, chewing gum, cooking sauces, tabletop sweeteners, flavored water, cereal, and sugar-free products.
The government's mandatory addition of fluoride, a corrosive poison, to public drinking water has been one of the most damaging and irresponsible decisions in history. Some of the effects of fluoride injection are found to lower IQ levels in humans, impair learning and memory retention, cause fetal brain damage, bone cancer, and a compromised thyroid system.
Sodium Benzoate And Potassium Benzoate:
BOTTOM LINE: Stay away from brands of products that add fluoride, such as certain mouthwashes and toothpaste. Instead, maintain dental health by brushing and flossing regularly, using alternative "fluorides" like neem mouthwashes, and "pulling/swishing" with coconut oil.
These preservatives are sometimes added to soda to prevent mold from growing, but benzene is a known carcinogen that is also linked with serious thyroid damage.
Refined Sugar
Dangerous levels of benzene can build up when plastic bottles of soda are exposed to heat or when the preservatives are combined with ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
Refined sugar has become one of the most prolific ingredients in our food, and one of the most dangerous. Its constant consumption has been linked to many different health problems, all which have a negative effect on the brain. Refined sugar consumption suppresses brain derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, a very important growth hormone for the brain.
Palm Oil:
This factor triggers new connections between neurons in the brain that are vital for memory function. Studies have shown low BDNF levels in patients with depression and schizophrenia, and the consumption of sugar could exacerbate those conditions by further contributing to those low levels.
When a regular fat like corn, soybean, or palm oil is blasted with hydrogen and turned into a solid, it becomes a trans fat. These evil anti-nutrients help packaged foods stay “fresh,” meaning that the food can sit on the supermarket shelf for years without ever getting stale or rotting. Eating junk food with trans fats raises your “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and lowers your “good” HDL.
Shortening:
These fats also increase your risk of blood clots and heart attack. Avoid palm oil and other trans fats like the plague, and kiss fried foods goodbye too, since they’re usually fried in one of these freakish trans-fatty oils.
Ditch any food that lists shortening or partially hydrogenated oil as an ingredient, since these are also evil trans fats.
White Bread
In addition to clogging your arteries and causing obesity, they also increase your risk of metabolic syndrome.
BOTTOM LINE: Choose healthier monounsaturated fats, such as olive, peanut and canola oils and foods that contain unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids instead.
When a whole grain is refined, most of its nutrients are sucked out in an effort to extend its shelf life. Both the bran and germ are removed, and therefore all the fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Corn Syrup
Because these stripped down, refined grains are devoid of fiber and other nutrients, they’re also easy to digest — TOO EASY. They send your blood sugar and insulin skyrocketing, which can lead to all sorts of problems.
BOTTOM LINE: Replace processed grains with whole grains, like brown or wild rice, whole-wheat breads and pastas, barley, and oatmeal.
The evil king of all refined grains is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). The amount of refined sugar we consume has declined over the past 40 years, but we’re consuming almost 20 times as much HFCS. According to researchers at Tufts University, Americans, for example, consume more calories from HFCS than any other source.
Sodium Nitrates And Sodium Nitrites
It’s in practically EVERYTHING. It increases triglycerides, boosts fat-storing hormones, and drives people to overeat and gain weight. Adopt my zero-tolerance policy, and steer clear of this sweet “poison.”
No that’s not a typo. These two different preservatives are found in processed meats like bacon, lunch meat, and hot dogs.
They’re some of the worst offenders, and they’re believed to cause colon cancer and metabolic syndrome, which can lead to diabetes.