Changing your diet as a means to change your health and ultimately, your life can be full of challenges one never quiet expects. I learned after so many years working with clients that change is gradual and full of hurdles one must learn to navigate. One of the greatest tools we have to change our health is education. I have realized this is what I am most passionate about, educating anyone who wants to learn on a basic level because real change starts at the bottom and gradually increases over time.
Most of us have heard of msg or know it is frequently found in Chinese food. What most people don’t realize is msg is a food additive found in abundance in processed foods, pre-made meals (even vegan ones) etc as it is considered a flavor enhancer. Msg is known to be a neurotoxin. in simple words it is toxic to your nervous system and can disrupt how your body functions.
Neurotoxins are implicated in neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimers, dementia, MS, ANXIETY, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, Tourettes, schizophrenia, autism and depression. MSG is an excitotoxin. Excitotoxins increase transmissions in the central nervous system leading to rapid firing of nerves which can cause anxiety, ADD/ADHD, increased sensitivity to pain.
Extended or heavy use of excitotoxins can lead to excitotoxicity. Excitotoxicity is when your nerve cells suffer damage or death due to sustained levels of excitotoxins resulting in excessive stimulation of nerve receptors. So that ADHD you struggle with could 100% be the result of your diet.
Now msg is not just in Chinese food. It is a common additive listed as an ingredient. Ingredients such as carrageenen, bouilon, natural flavors, stock, malodextrin, citric acid, malted barley, barley malt, malt extract, brewers yeast, pectin, anything “hydrolyzed”, soy protein, soy protein isolate, soy protein concentrate, whey protein, whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, etc. MSG occurs naturally in ingredients such as hydrolyzed yeast, yeast extract, autolyzed yeast, protein isolate and soy extracts. It is in tomatoes and cheese.
Soy sauce is generally full of msg and is a known excitotoxin. Ever go out to eat sushi and then be awake for hours? Probably the result of that soy sauce (msg). Unfortunately msg is a natural byproduct of many fermented foods. However, a good soy alternative is organic tamari sauce as it does not contain msg. I have been known to show up at a sushi restaurant with my own organic tamari. Don’t be afraid to do what you need to do to feel good in your body and mind your health.
So how does all this translate to everyday life? Well, learn to read food labels so you know when there is msg added no matter how it is labelled. Use the notes option on your phone and make a list and read every label in the grocery until you are familiar with what products you can use without adding msg to your diet. Make conscious choices about what you eat. You don’t have to be 100% making everything from scratch but learn which companies keep it cleaner than others. Do NOT believe that because something is listed as vegan or plant based that it is free of food additives. Eat a varied and balanced diet full of “real” (unprocessed) foods. When this becomes the way you live then you are better able to tolerate small indiscretions in your diet from time to time.
I’m working on a 5-7 day course that will be offered in the near future with segments on how you can change your day to day living to improve your health. It all ties back to what we eat and how we assimilate our food or not.
Really the key to changing how you feel and how your body functions or how your children’s bodies function is through education and diet. Empower yourself to change your life and the lives of those around you, including saying goodbye to an anxiety filled life.