Excitotoxins such as glutamate (MSG monosodium glutamate) and aspartate (aspartame) are amino acids that can excite and damage neurons to the point of cell death. Gluten, casein, and hydrolyzed yeast are a few of the many sources of glutamate in foods. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is important for learning, memory, focus and attention. The precursor to glutamate is an inhibitory (calming) neurotransmitter called Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA). GABA is important for speech as well as preventing sensory overload and seizure activity. Children with ASD have difficulty converting glutamate to GABA which requires B6. Chronic viral infections can also prevent this conversion from taking place. So the excess glutamate in the brain caused by environmental and dietary glutamate toxicity can trigger excitotoxicity. Excitotoxicity has a direct effect on the regulation of the immune system which can cause depletion of the glutathione levels, the master antioxidant which excretes heavy metals from the body and prevents oxidative damage to the cells, and also apoptosis which is cell death in the brain. When children with ASD experience an excitotoxicity reaction they become extremely hyperactive, engage in stemming behaviors, lack focus and concentration, may be self-injurious, are unable to sleep, and may have seizures.
Excitotoxicity: When Nourishing Foods Do Harm Description: Article about glutamates in food and their excitatory effects.
Unblind My Mind Description: Dr. Katherine Reid, a biochemist, developed the REID Program. The REID Program is a convenient acronym for “Reduced Excitatory and Inflammatory Diet,” a diet that eliminates excitatory chemicals and other substances known to over-stimulate the nervous system, immune response, and inflammation throughout the body.
MSG Truth Description: This website has a lot of information related to MSG, including what MSG is and what foods to avoid.
Autism and Glutamate Dysfunction – Avoid The Cause – Race To The Cure Description: Explanation of glutamate dysfunction as it relates to autism.
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Forum/Blog Name: Glutamate Free Description: We are a community of people who, based on the work of Dr. Katie Reid, are trying to minimize/eliminate the free glutamate (MSG) in our kids' diets (as well as our own). Most of us have kids that are on the autism spectrum.
Forum/Blog Name: Excitotoxins: the truth about MSG, Aspartame and High Fructose Corn Syrup Description: This group looks at addictive and engineered food products, and provides information to members regarding excitotoxins found in them.
Forum/Blog Name: Become Free of MSG in Your Diet Description: This group is dedicated to the complete elimination of monosodium glutamate and other harmful excitotoxins from your diet.
Forum/Blog Name: How to Increase GABA and Balance Glutamate Description: Amy Yasko, PhD, ND, gives a very comprehensive explanation of the excitotoxicity problem in ASD children and shares her amazing expertise on how to control the glutamate and increase GABA to calm down the brain, increase speech, and reduce hyperactivity and self-stimulation behaviors.