There is plenty you can do to safeguard yourself against neurotoxicity by minimizing and offsetting your exposure to toxins that can harm your brain.
Neurotoxicity is the poisoning of the brain and nervous system.It’s linked to a wide range of neurological symptoms and disorders.The list of substances, both naturally occurring and man-made, that cause neurotoxicity is a staggeringly long one.Fortunately, there is plenty you can do to protect your brain by taking active measures to minimize your exposure to toxins and to offset these toxins’ effects.
What Is Neurotoxicity?
Toxins that act specifically on nerve cells are known as neurotoxins. Neurotoxicity refers to the damage that occurs to the brain and central nervous system from toxins.Some people are more susceptible to neurotoxins than others depending on their general health, the status of their blood-brain barrier, and even their genes.
“ Over 80,000 man-made chemicals have been introduced into our environment. Over 1,000 are known to have neurotoxic effects.
Neurotoxicity can be chronic, caused by repeated low-level exposure over long periods of time.
It can also be acute — severe and sudden in onset — usually from one major exposure over a short period of time.
While neurotoxicity is largely a modern problem, it’s not new.
The ancient Romans were aware that too much lead could cause madness, paralysis, and even death, and yet continued to use it for cookware, drinking cups, and lining aqueducts anyway.
Symptoms of Neurotoxicity
The symptoms of neurotoxicity fall along a continuum ranging from temporary, minor, and reversible to chronic, quite serious, and potentially fatal.
Some symptoms manifest immediately after exposure, while others can be delayed.
Typical physical symptoms of neurotoxicity include:
- fatigue
- flu-like symptoms
- headache
- impaired motor skills
- impaired vision
- memory loss
- sexual dysfunction
- tingling, numbness, or weakness of the limbs
Neurotoxicity can also manifest as psychological problems, including:
- anxiety
- compulsive behaviors
- depression
- hallucinations
- mental confusion
- personality changes
esearchers believe that there may be a link between neurotoxicity and progressive neurodegenerative disorders, such as:
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- dementia
- multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
Forensic toxicologist Raymond Singer, PhD, reports that other symptoms of neurotoxicity can include:
- balance and hearing problems
- migraines
- panic attacks
- sleep disorders
- other psychiatric or neurological symptoms
Note: If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or suspect you have neurotoxicity, contact your doctor immediately.
Causes of Neurotoxicity
Over 80,000 man-made chemicals have been introduced into our environment and less than 20% of them have been tested for safety.
Of those that have been tested, over 1,000 are known to have neurotoxic effects.
Not all neurotoxins are man-made, some are naturally occurring.
Here’s a list of neurotoxins that you may encounter, by category:
- Naturally occurring (mineral): aluminum, manganese, mercury, lead, arsenic, fluoride
- Naturally occurring (biological): mycotoxins, seafood toxins, insect stings, snake venom
- Recreational drugs: heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamine, alcohol
- Pharmaceutical drugs: chemotherapy, antipsychotic medications
- Food additives: MSG, artificial sweeteners
- Environmental: water and air pollution
- Cosmetics: nail polish, lipstick, hair dye, artificial fragrances
- Other manufactured chemicals: pesticides, solvents, plastics, cleaners, paints, adhesives, flame retardants, building materials
Unfortunately, many people get exposed to neurotoxins at work.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has listed neurotoxic disorders as one of the top 10 occupational disorders in the United States.
Some experts believe we are facing a “silent pandemic” of brain damage in children caused by neurotoxins.
They point the finger at this “dirty dozen” list of neurotoxins which they suspect contribute to attention disorders, autism, and significant loss of IQ points:
- arsenic
- chlorpyrifos
- DDT / DDE
- ethanol
- fluoride
- lead
- manganese
- mercury
- polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
- polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
- tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene or “perc”)
- toluene
Some Neurotoxins Are Dose-Dependent
Sometimes the dose determines whether or not a substance is a neurotoxin.
For example, vitamin A is an essential nutrient, but too much can be neurotoxic.
Some Neurotoxins Are Dose-Dependent
Sometimes the dose determines whether or not a substance is a neurotoxin.
For example, vitamin A is an essential nutrient, but too much can be neurotoxic.
And ironically, even our own brain chemicals can be neurotoxic.
The neurotransmitter glutamate is the most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain and central nervous system, and is considered the most important for brain health and function.
But, in excess, glutamate becomes a potent excitotoxin.
Excitotoxins are substances that, in excess, can overstimulate brain cells, even to the point of death.
How to Protect Your Brain From Neurotoxicity
There’s no doubt that we are living in a sea of neurotoxins, and it’s impossible to avoid them all.
But what you can do is reduce your total load by reducing the total number of neurotoxic “burdens.”
William J. Rea, MD, founder of the Environmental Health Center in Dallas, Texas, recommends active avoidance of neurotoxic pollutants found in air, food, and water as the first line of defense against neurotoxicity.
While that might sound daunting, there are steps you can take to minimize neurotoxin exposure without dramatically altering your lifestyle.
Avoiding Neurotoxins in Foods
The best and most simple advice for avoiding neurotoxins in food is to stick with “real food” rather than processed food.
Any food that comes in a package, can, or box is suspect and you should read labels carefully.
Neurotoxins in foods can be intentionally added or can be an inadvertent contaminant.
Here are some neurotoxins found in foods that you should try to avoid as much as you can:
MSG and Aspartame
Both the flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) and the artificial sweetener aspartame are excitotoxins.
When the body processes aspartame, it ultimately gets broken down into formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and neurotoxin.
When the body processes aspartame, it ultimately gets broken down into formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and neurotoxin.
(This is one of the many reasons we prefer extra virgin olive oil to canola and other seed-based vegetable oils.)
Mercury
Fish is considered to be a top brain food due to its high omega-3 essential fatty acid content, but mercury contamination is a genuine concern.
Alaskan salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel are among the few fish that meet the criteria of being both high in omega-3s and low in neurotoxic mercury.
Avoid most farmed salmon.
It’s often one of the most contaminated protein sources you can buy, with high concentrations of mercury, dioxin, pesticides, and PCBs.
Removing Neurotoxins in Your Air and Water
Neurotoxins are present in your home, in the water you drink, and in the air you breathe.
The water you drink, cook with, and bathe in can contain neurotoxins, both naturally occurring and man-made.
Fluoride
One neurotoxin that is controversially added to tap water in some parts of the world is fluoride.
If you live in a pro-fluoride country like the US, Canada, or Australia, you might be surprised to learn that less than 6% of the world’s population drinks artificially fluoridated water.
Currently, more than 70 human studies have linked fluoride to reduced IQ in both children and adults.
Research published in The Lancet, one of the most prestigious and highly regarded medical journals, recommends that fluoride be classified as a developmental neurotoxin.
If you don’t know whether your water is fluoridated, you can check with your local water department.
If the water is fluoridated, consider buying a water filter that removes fluoride.
But be aware that few water filters do.
You can further reduce your fluoride exposure by switching to fluoride-free toothpaste.
Instead, look for a toothpaste that contains nano-hydroxyapatite which safely remineralizes teeth better than flouride.
Indoor Air Pollution
It’s well documented that outdoor air pollution can cause cognitive problems.
But worryingly, indoor air pollution levels are often many times higher and equally detrimental.
Carpet, furniture, paint, and mattresses release neurotoxins like formaldehyde and PCBs in a process called outgassing.
Toxic fumes from artificial fragrances and household cleaners get trapped inside your home.
You can clean up your air with a two-pronged approach.
How to Clean Your Indoor Air
Reduce Toxic Outputs Into Your Home’s Air
Minimize the use of fragranced commercial products and switch to natural cleaning products, laundry products, air fresheners, and personal care products instead.
While fragranced products might smell nice, they often contain hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
According to the American Lung Association, exposure to VOCs can cause breathing difficulties and nausea, damage the central nervous system and other organs, and even cause cancer.
Clean Your Air
Invest in a good HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) air purifier.
If you can’t filter your whole house, at least filter the air in your bedroom, since you spend approximately one-third of your life there.
Generously fill your home with houseplants.
They do a surprisingly good job of filtering out toxins.
NASA scientists conducted a study to see which plants would be best at keeping the air in a space station clear of toxins.
Here’s a look at NASA’s top plants for removing toxins, including neurotoxins like formaldehyde and toluene, from the air.
Avoid Nail Salons
Nail salons are one completely avoidable source of neurotoxins.
They simply reek of toxic chemicals, including formaldehyde and toluene.
Instead, you can do your nails at home in a well-ventilated area using a low-toxicity nail polish.
Many companies, including OPI Products, have gotten on the bandwagon and make nail polish that is free of some of the worst chemicals.
There are even a few brands of water-based nail polish like Honeybee Gardens or Suncoat that claim to be toxin-free.
Foods and Supplements That Protect Against Neurotoxicity
Now that you know how to minimize exposure to neurotoxins in your diet and your environment, you may want to take your brain protection one step further.
This step is especially important if you are not in a position to clean up your environment, regularly face unavoidable neurotoxin exposure in your workplace, take neurotoxic medicines, or use recreational drugs.
Here are some foods and supplements that help protect the brain from toxins.
Turmeric / Curcumin
Curcumin is the main bioactive compound in the spice turmeric (Curcuma longa).
Research has found that curcumin protects the brain from arsenic, fluoride, formaldehyde, insecticides, pesticides, mycotoxins, and neurotoxic pharmaceuticals, including chemotherapy drugs.
Ginger
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is one of the oldest and most widely used culinary spices.
You can use it in cooking or take it as a supplement.
Ginger protects the brain against neurotoxic levels of glutamate.
Fish
There’s evidence that eating one to two servings of fish per week might counter the neurotoxic effects of air pollution.
If you don’t eat fish, consider taking a fish oil supplement instead.
Gotu Kola
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is a traditional relaxing herbal remedy used as a brain tonic.
It has been found to protect the brain from lead, arsenic, aluminum, and excess glutamate.
L-Theanine
L-theanine is a relaxing amino acid that naturally occurs in tea.
It can protect the brain from environmental neurotoxins, especially those thought to play a role in Parkinson’s disease.
You can get l-theanine from tea or take an l-theanine supplement.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an important herb in Ayurvedic medicine.
There’s evidence that it offers neuroprotection against excess glutamate.
Folate
Folate is an essential B complex vitamin that protects the brain from environmental neurotoxins.
Since children deficient in folate are more susceptible to lead poisoning, folate may help offset those effects.
MSG Protection
If you accidentally ingest MSG, immediately take vitamin C, ginger, or the amino acid taurine.
All provide substantial protection from the neurotoxic effects of MSG.
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