Blog – Page 8 – Nourished Blessings

Cancer

Cancer

This is not a comprehensive list, simply some articles I have found along the way. Not only does excess glutamate (dietary sources, immune activation, inflammation, etc) contribute to cancer development, but it is a primary cause of cancer growth and metastasis. Glutamate is utilized by cancer cells as a sort of “food/energy source” to allow cancer growth. Additionally, cancer cells secrete high levels of glutamate (excitotoxic), which excites nearby cells until they die off, allowing room for cancer cells to grow and proliferate. This recent study indicates that cancer cells are essentially scavenging for additional glutamate [...]

Cancerandistowe2019-09-16T14:31:25-04:00

Brain Injury & Trauma

Brain Injury & Trauma

This is not a comprehensive list, simply some articles I have found along the way. “The window of post-traumatic epileptogenesis, as well as the post-TBI window of vulnerability to a second injury, extends beyond the acute period. The pathophysiology that follows in the days, weeks and months after injury involve compensatory processes of receptor up and down regulation, alterations in subunit composition and a growing imbalance of glutamate driven excitation and GABA mediated inhibition. A recent study by Cantu and colleagues highlights the early phases of this imbalance in glutamate and GABA and points to mechanisms [...]

Brain Injury & Traumaandistowe2019-09-16T14:29:51-04:00

Autism & Sensory Processing Disorder

Autism & Sensory Processing Disorder

This is not a comprehensive list, simply some articles I have found along the way. See immune function, mitochondrial dysfunction, microbial imbalances, seizures, ADHD, speech & language, movement disorders, sensory processing disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, methylation, metals, and EMF’s tab for additional information related to glutamate and autism. Favorite article on the role of glutamate in autism: http://www.holistichelp.net/blog/how-to-increase-gaba-and-balance-glutamate/ Great article linking autism symptoms to excess glutamate and glutamate dysfunction: http://www.ageofautism.com/2011/03/autism-and-glutamate-dysfunction-avoid-the-cause-race-to-the-cure.html Amazing flowchart on how free glutamate affects autism spectrum disorder, by Carol Hoernlein of MSG Truth http://www.msgtruth.org/images/Theory%20of%20Autism-Simplified.pdf Here is a great video on methylation and the role of glutamate in [...]

Autism & Sensory Processing Disorderandistowe2023-08-16T18:25:32-04:00

Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety & Depression

This is not a comprehensive list, simply some articles I have found along the way. Ever hear people talk about their need for Xanax to relax or calm their anxiety? Xanax and other benzodiazepine pharmaceutical options (Valium works similarly) help to temporarily restore balance between glutamate and GABA by artificially increasing GABA. This increase in GABA calms the over excitation from excess glutamate, acting as a mild sedative. Unfortunately, artificially increasing GABA through the use of these pharmaceuticals will actually decrease natural production of GABA, only intensifying the problem. One of the best ways to naturally increase [...]

Anxiety & Depressionandistowe2019-09-27T20:41:32-04:00

Ammonia

Ammonia

This information is here to help support you if you struggle with high ammonia levels. Not everyone will necessarily need to implement these changes. High levels of ammonia are frequently found in those on the autism spectrum. Ammonia may be high for many reasons, including bacterial imbalances, overgrowth of E.coli, clostridia, klebsiella, parasites, protein consumption, and so on, and ammonia is a byproduct of their metabolism. One of the most common symptoms of high ammonia is the strong smell of ammonia in sweat, urine, stool, and/or breath. Many often experience behavioral reactions from high ammonia, and [...]

Ammoniaandistowe2023-04-29T17:05:06-04:00

Alzheimers

Alzheimers

“Troriluzole is a drug that modulates glutamate, protecting against neuron loss," the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study said in a release. "Glutamate problems in the brain can lead to brain cell dysfunction and disease, including Alzheimer’s disease."http://fox17.com/news/local/new-alzheimers-drug-tested-at-vanderbilt-seeks-to-slow-or-stop-memory-loss “Article says that new research shows that a lack of glutamate receptors is associated with Alzheimer's. Put that together with the fact that glutamate receptors can be killed off by ingesting free glutamic acid (MSG) and you've got MSG causing Alzheimer's.”https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/alzheimers-epigenetic-treatment-mice "Excitotoxicity resulting from excessive activation of NMDA receptors may enhance the localized vulnerability of neurons in a manner consistent with [...]

Alzheimersandistowe2019-09-27T20:35:50-04:00

A Story of Hope | “My Child is now 100% Neurotypical”

A Story of Hope | “My Child is now 100% Neurotypical”

We occasionally get letters or comments from parents that have seen improvements in health with diet. To help provide hope to so many still in the trenches, I’ve decided to make more of an effort to share some these comments (with their permission, of course). Many of us don’t have it all figured out, but we cling to the hope and words of progress. Everyone’s journey is different, diet changes may not reap huge changes for all, but it is absolutely helping some. Like this family, glutamate and diet have been a huge piece to our puzzle. [...]

A Story of Hope | “My Child is now 100% Neurotypical”andistowe2020-10-01T16:04:17-04:00

ADHD & Hyperactivity

ADHD & Hyperactivity

As an excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate is behind ADD/ADHD. Glutamate is also the most abundant neurotransmitter, responsible for regulating over 50% of the nervous system. It is classified as an excitatory neurotransmitter, which means it excites or stimulates nerve cells located throughout the nervous system. As you can imagine, when the brain is overexcited, it will lead to an increase in hyperactivity, impulsivity, and impact movement and motor control. When glutamate is in excess it is extremely toxic to the brain and nervous system. It can become so excitatory, it is considered an excitotoxin, which means that it [...]

ADHD & Hyperactivityandistowe2019-09-16T14:22:46-04:00

Addiction

Addiction

Glutamate plays a central role in the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors in all addictions as it alters reward signaling. Normalization of glutamate signaling should make a significant improvement in addictive behavior and underlying addiction. This is not a comprehensive list, simply some articles I have found along the way. “Traditionally, addiction research in neuroscience has focused on mechanisms involving dopamine and endogenous opioids. More recently, it has been realized that glutamate also plays a central role in processes underlying the development and maintenance of addiction. These processes include reinforcement, sensitization, habit learning and reinforcement [...]

Addictionandistowe2019-09-22T20:17:00-04:00

Managing a Dietary Infraction

Managing a Dietary Infraction

Help, my child has accidentally consumed a food source of glutamate. How can I help them calm down?!? We've all been there before, and I am convinced I have some PTSD from adverse reactions like this. While not medical advice, immediately* following a dietary infraction, we give a capsule of activated charcoal (opened and poured into a glass of water...it will turn the water black). We also try to increase fibrous vegetables and water consumption to help detox on a cellular level. If you find yourself in a bit of crisis mode, look at this post for [...]

Managing a Dietary Infractionandistowe2024-08-24T07:42:47-04:00