Popular processed and prepared foods abound with neurotoxins. Learn ways to avoid them and use healthy alternatives.
We’d prefer to believe that our food supply shields us from neurotoxins, harmful substances notorious for damaging the central nervous system.
However, the US Food and Drug Administration allows 3,000 food additives to be used in our food supply.
A mere fraction of these substances has undergone safety testing.
Among the tested food additives, only a handful are extensively documented as neurotoxins.
Common foods and beverages, even those in seemingly healthy diets, may contain some neurotoxins.
A few have made it to our “Top 5 Hit List” of neurotoxins found in everyday foods.
Linked to ailments ranging from brain fog and headaches to anxiety, depression, and even Alzheimer’s, these neurotoxins pose significant health risks.
We’ve included easy tips and substitutes to help you minimize your exposure.
Neurotoxin #1: Aspartame
Aspartame, a widely used artificial sweetener, is prevalent in diet sodas, processed foods labeled “sugar-free,” and in packets branded as Equal and NutraSweet.
Aspartame is bad news for overall health and the brain, no matter what you call it.
According to the Epilepsy Foundation, there are over 90 documented symptoms of aspartame, including:
- allergic symptoms (hives, itching, anaphylaxis)
- anxiety
- brain tumors
- breathing difficulties
- convulsions
- depression
- epileptic seizures
- fatigue
- headaches and migraines
- hearing loss
- heart palpitations
- insomnia
- joint pain
- loss of taste
- memory loss
- nausea
- numbness
- slurred speech
- tinnitus
- vertigo
- vision loss
- weight gain and obesity
Aspartame can trigger or worsen the symptoms of many disorders such as diabetes, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
Suspected of causing cancer, aspartame remains a controversial ingredient.
Consumers have reported over 7,000 aspartame adverse side effects to the US Food and Drug Administration.
You can also find a discussion of reported side effects on the US Centers for Disease Control website.
“ Of the many thousands of synthetic chemicals that have been introduced into the environment, over 1,000 are known to be neurotoxins.
One major study that followed over 250,000 soda drinkers found that drinking artificially sweetened soft drinks significantly increased the likelihood of depression.
The extensive list of adverse effects associated with aspartame comes as little surprise when considering its composition of three brain-damaging chemicals: aspartic acid (40%), phenylalanine (50%), and methanol (10%).
Each of these components is neurotoxic in its own right.
Aspartic Acid
Aspartic acid is an amino acid precursor of glutamate, the brain’s main excitatory neurotransmitter.
It also acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter on its own.
When present in excess, either of these brain chemicals can become an excitotoxin, meaning that they can overstimulate brain cells, even to the point of cellular death.
Phenylalanine
Phenylalanine is indeed an amino acid naturally present in the brain.
In substantial doses, however, phenylalanine is recognized as a neurotoxin.
It reduces levels of serotonin, one of the critical feel-good neurotransmitters.
Methanol
Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is extremely poisonous.
Consuming it can cause blindness and even death.
Once in your body, it can turn into formaldehyde, another known neurotoxin, and other highly toxic compounds.
Aspartame’s long list of adverse effects is not surprising when you realize that it is composed of three brain-damaging chemicals — aspartic acid (40%), phenylalanine (50%), and methanol (10%).
Each of these components is neurotoxic in its own right.
Aspartic Acid
Aspartic acid is an amino acid precursor of glutamate, the brain’s main excitatory neurotransmitter.
It also acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter on its own.
When present in excess, either of these brain chemicals can become an excitotoxin, meaning that they can overstimulate brain cells, even to the point of cellular death.
Phenylalanine
Phenylalanine is indeed an amino acid that naturally occurs in the brain.
In substantial quantities, it is indeed considered a neurotoxin.
It reduces levels of serotonin, one of the critical feel-good neurotransmitters.
Methanol
Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is extremely poisonous.
Consuming it can cause blindness and even death.
Once in your body, it can turn into formaldehyde, another known neurotoxin, and other highly toxic compounds.
Aspartame’s long list of adverse effects is not surprising when you realize that it is composed of three brain-damaging chemicals — aspartic acid (40%), phenylalanine (50%), and methanol (10%).
Each of these components is neurotoxic in its own right.
Aspartic Acid
Aspartic acid is an amino acid precursor of glutamate, the brain’s main excitatory neurotransmitter.
It also acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter on its own.
When present in excess, either of these brain chemicals can become an excitotoxin, meaning that they can overstimulate brain cells, even to the point of cellular death.
Phenylalanine
Phenylalanine is indeed a naturally occurring amino acid in the brain.
Concentrated amounts indeed acknowledge it as a neurotoxin.
It reduces levels of serotonin, one of the critical feel-good neurotransmitters.
A Safe Alternative to Artificial Sweeteners
There are many good reasons to avoid sugar-laden drinks, but artificial sweeteners are not a healthy alternative.
Ironically, artificial sweeteners don’t make you thinner.
A Safe Alternative to Artificial Sweeteners
There are many good reasons to avoid sugar-laden drinks, but artificial sweeteners are not a healthy alternative.
Ironically, artificial sweeteners don’t make you thinner.
But home-popped microwave popcorn often contains butter flavoring with the additive diacetyl.
This chemical’s link to a serious condition known as “microwave popcorn lung” has already been established.
[Discover the most common neurotoxins in your environment, how to minimize your exposure to them, and supplements that can protect your brain from neurotoxicity.]
Diacetyl is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, a protective filter that prevents harmful substances from entering the brain.
Once in your brain, it causes beta-amyloid clumping, a significant indicator of Alzheimer’s.
Popcorn Alert: Beware Diacetyl Neurotoxin
You won’t see the word “diacetyl” on a microwave popcorn label, but if you see “artificial butter flavor” or “natural flavors,” assume that the product contains this neurotoxin.
But home-popped microwave popcorn often contains butter flavoring with the additive diacetyl.
This chemical’s association with a severe condition known as “microwave popcorn lung” is already established.
[Discover the most common neurotoxins in your environment, how to minimize your exposure to them, and supplements that can protect your brain from neurotoxicity.]
Diacetyl is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, a protective filter that prevents harmful substances from entering the brain.
Once in your brain, it causes beta-amyloid clumping, a significant indicator of Alzheimer’s.
You won’t see the word “diacetyl” on a microwave popcorn label, but if you see “artificial butter flavor” or “natural flavors,” assume that the product contains this neurotoxin.
The best way to have healthy popcorn is to pop your own and add your own seasonings.
It’s fast, fun, and highly economical.
If you like the taste of butter, use the real thing.
Butter is a particularly good source of the fatty acid butyrate.
Butyrate reduces chronic inflammation and may help protect the brain against dementia.
Neurotoxin #3: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
Glutamate naturally occurs in some foods and it’s also one of the brain’s most important neurotransmitters.
It is essential for a healthy brain, but “the dose makes the poison.”
In excess, glutamate becomes a potent excitotoxin that overstimulates brain cells, sometimes even killing them.
There are two ways that glutamate occurs naturally in foods.
Bound glutamate involves its attachment to other amino acids, while free glutamate lacks such attachment.
Slow absorption characterizes bound glutamate, while rapid digestion causes spikes in the bloodstream with free glutamate.
Since the flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate is pure, free glutamate, eating it is like eating a glutamate bomb.
Reported side effects of MSG include:
- asthma
- back pain
- burning or tingling
- chest pain
- convulsions
- diarrhea
- flushing
- fuzzy thinking
- headache
- heart palpitations
- migraines
- mood swings
- muscle weakness
- nausea
- numbness
- sweating
Numerous psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases have been linked to dysfunction in the glutamate system.
If you’ve ever felt strange symptoms after eating at an Asian or fast food restaurant, you may have experienced MSG symptom complex.
The US National Library of Medicine lists symptoms of MSG symptom complex as ranging from mild to life-threatening.
Avoiding MSG: List of Top MSG Sources
If you want to avoid MSG, you need to be aware of its common sources.
Generally, the saltier the food, the more MSG it’s likely to contain.
The worst offenders include foods like canned soups, salty snacks, ramen noodles, and refined soy products.
Here are some label-listed ingredients that always contain MSG:
- autolyzed yeast
- calcium caseinate
- hydrolyzed protein
- plant protein extract
- sodium caseinate
- textured protein
- yeast extract
These ingredients may contain MSG:
- bouillon
- broth
- corn syrup
- flavoring
- malt flavoring
- natural flavoring
- seasoning
- soy sauce
- spices
- stock
Supplements to Offset MSG Ingestion
If you accidentally ingest MSG, you don’t have to wait out the symptoms.
There are several supplements that protect the brain from MSG-induced toxicity, including taurine, vitamin C, ginger, and coenzyme Q10.
Note that vitamin C also acts as a powerful detoxifier that crosses the blood-brain barrier to remove the next two neurotoxins on this list: mercury and aluminum.
Neurotoxin #4: Mercury
When it comes to eating fish, we have a quandary.
We’re encouraged to eat fish often because it offers a healthy source of protein, particularly beneficial for the brain due to its high omega-3 essential fatty acid content.
But fish is also a top source of the neurotoxin mercury.
Unlike the first three neurotoxins we’ve discussed, mercury is not intentionally added to our food supply but does get into our waterways where it accumulates in fish and seafood.
Some mercury naturally occurs (volcanic eruptions being a top source), but much of it is a side effect of modern-day pollution.
Researchers have extensively documented the neurotoxic effects of mercury.
Mercury has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain.
Chronic mercury poisoning happens slowly over time.
The first signs of mercury toxicity include memory loss, depression, anxiety, mood swings, numbness, and tremors.
While there are legitimate concerns about mercury, it’s widely agreed that the benefits of moderate fish consumption still outweigh the risks.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health recommends eating 12 ounces of fish per week but sticking to those low in mercury.
We recommend eating fish that is both high in brain-healthy omega-3s and low in mercury.
Fortunately, there are a handful of fish that meet both these criteria — wild-caught Alaskan salmon, herring, mackerel, and sardines.
Fish to Avoid
Experts recommend avoiding predatory or long-lived fish as they accumulate the highest levels of mercury.
These include swordfish, shark, orange roughy, and tuna.
If you eat canned tuna, the most widely consumed fish of all, it’s recommended that you eat no more than 4 servings per month.
Neurotoxin #5: Aluminum
Aluminum is the most abundant metal in Earth’s crust.
It’s used as an additive in baking powder and anti-caking agents.
You may also be exposed to it from your drinking water, antacids, or deodorant, and from aluminum cans, foil, and cookware.
By using mass spectrometry and reviewing autopsy results, researchers have found that considerable amounts of aluminum accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
A review of studies that covered over 10,000 participants found that regular exposure to aluminum increased the risk of Alzheimer’s by 71%.
One large study that followed thousands of older people for 15 years concluded that drinking water that contained aluminum doubled the risk of dementia and tripled the risk of Alzheimer’s.
It’s been over 50 years since the aluminum-Alzheimer’s correlation was first noted, yet there is still much skepticism about it in the medical community.
How to Minimize Aluminum Exposure
You can wait for the scientific community to reach a consensus, or you can take measures to minimize aluminum exposure now.
Start by using aluminum-free versions of baking powder, deodorant, and antacids.
You can minimize your use of aluminum cookware.
This soft metal leaches into food especially when you cook acidic foods like tomato, lemon, or vinegar.
Stainless steel cookware is a better choice.
It is more durable, scratch-resistant, and less reactive than aluminum.
You can cook on parchment paper instead of aluminum foil too.
Other Neurotoxins You’re Likely to Encounter
Of the many thousands of synthetic chemicals that have been introduced into the environment, over 1,000 are known to be neurotoxins.
Hundreds of these, both synthetic and naturally occurring, are commonly encountered in daily life.
Neurotoxins can be found in the water you drink and the air you breathe.
They can be found in toiletries, cosmetics, and household products you use every day.
They can even be found in drugs you take, both prescription and recreational.
Some experts believe we are facing a “silent pandemic” of developmental brain damage caused by neurotoxins.
The image below shows the “dirty dozen” neurotoxins suspected of contributing to attention disorders, autism, and a significant drop in IQ.
Besides the five mentioned in this article, try to avoid these as much as possible as well.
Recommended: Upgrading brain health is key to making your brain work better.
Brain supplement can help you:
- Improve your mental clarity and focus.
- Boost your memory and your ability to learn.
- Increase your capacity to think critically, solve problems, and make decisions.
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