member-only

Condiments, Herbs & Spices

Condiments, Herbs & Spices

I feel like I need to include every sort of disclaimer here because some of these foods are not perfect, and I am sure many will find reasons to criticize them. However, I will absolutely admit how hard it can be to switch your family to a whole food-based diet when coming from the standard American diet. While some of these foods are not ideal and can be very inflammatory due to poor quality oils, sugar, non-organic, high in x,y,z, etc., they may help reduce free glutamate exposure or are slightly cleaner options when switching to [...]

Condiments, Herbs & SpicesTammi Murphy2023-05-02T09:44:01-04:00

Fats, Oil, Vinegar & Alcohol

Fats, Oil, Vinegar & Alcohol

I feel like I need to include every sort of disclaimer here because these foods are not perfect, and I am sure many will find reasons to criticize them. However, I will absolutely admit how hard it can be to switch your family to a whole food-based diet when coming from the standard American diet. While these foods are not ideal and can be very inflammatory due to poor quality oils, sugar, non-organic, high in x,y,z, etc., they may help reduce free glutamate exposure or are slightly cleaner options when switching to a whole food diet. [...]

Fats, Oil, Vinegar & AlcoholTammi Murphy2023-05-02T09:49:03-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Luteolin Flavonoid

Lowering Glutamate | Luteolin Flavonoid

Luteolin- A type of flavonoid found in celery, chamomile, carrots, celery, parsley, thyme, oregano, sage, basil, peppermint, artichoke and spinach is known to reduce brain and systematic inflammation by CALMING MICROGLIAL CELLS and therefore lower glutamate and cytokine levels (microglia are activated as a first step in immune response and they signal additional glutamate). Mixing these food sources with coconut oil or olive oil will help increase absorption. It is also a strong inhibitor of mast cells and helps autoimmune disorders with the reduction of immune cells. Luteolin has also been shown to stimulate brain repair, reduce exitotoxicity (from [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Luteolin Flavonoidandistowe2024-08-24T18:57:01-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Lion’s Mane

Lowering Glutamate | Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane– Reduces neuronal excitability from glutamate “Extract suppressed the excitation of neurons caused by L-glutamic acid application. The assumption is made that the H. erinaceus extract contains substances that may activate receptors that cause an inhibition of spike activity. The inhibitory effect of extract was not induced by GABA and serotonin receptor activation or activation of M- and N-cholinoreceptors. Inhibition of spike activity was caused by hyperpolarization of the neuronal membrane during extract application.” http://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/708ae68d64b17c52,0d49dda96a2a7147,504922782f5fa5ea.html

Lowering Glutamate | Lion’s Maneandistowe2024-08-24T18:55:43-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Licorice Root (Glycyrrhizin)

Lowering Glutamate | Licorice Root (Glycyrrhizin)

Licorice Root (Glycyrrhizin) high in Carbenoxolone – inhibits glutamate release from microglia! “Liquiritigenin effectively reduced glutamate-induced early apoptosis through inhibition of Ca(2+) influx, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and lipid peroxidation.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24012889 “These observations suggest that glycyrrhizic acid may be of therapeutic value for the prevention of cerebral damage elicited by the glutamate.” http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/16952351 Thus, blockade of glutamate release from activated microglia with CBX or DON may be an effective therapeutic strategy against neurodegeneration in MS. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19212100

Lowering Glutamate | Licorice Root (Glycyrrhizin)andistowe2024-08-24T18:54:50-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Lemon Balm

Lowering Glutamate | Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L)- increases GABA which helps lower glutamate and establish balance between the two neurotransmitters. “These results suggest that MOE increases cell proliferation, neuroblast differentiation and integration into granule cells by decreasing serum corticosterone levels as well as by increasing GABA levels in the mouse DG.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21076869

Lowering Glutamate | Lemon Balmandistowe2024-08-24T18:54:11-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Lavender

Lowering Glutamate | Lavender

Lavender- protects against glutamate induced neurotoxicity Inhalation of lavender was also noted to inhibit convulsion induced by pentylenetetrazol, nicotine, or electroshock in mice [33]. Linalool, one of the major components of lavender oil, has been shown to inhibit the convulsion induced by pentylenetetrazol and transcorneal electroshock in different animal models [34, 35], an effect that may induce via a direct interaction with the glutamatergic NMDA subreceptor as well as GABAA receptors [36]. The neuroprotective effect of lavender oil on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was investigated in mice. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by the intraluminal occlusion. An aqueous extract [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Lavenderandistowe2024-08-24T18:53:30-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Kudzu (Puerarin)

Lowering Glutamate | Kudzu (Puerarin)

Kudzu (aka Puerarin)– If you've driven along the highway in the south, you've likely noticed this highly invasive Japanese vine covering nearly everything. From billboards to abandoned buildings, it is everywhere! In fact, my husband has battled it for so long, that he refers to himself as the Kudzu King, complete with his own pair of "Kudzu King" coveralls. It wasn't until our journey with our son, that I started to develop a better appreciation for this plant. Kuduz is actually neuroprotective against glutamate! Neuroprotective Effect of Puerarin on Glutamate-Induced Cytotoxicity in Differentiated Y-79 Cells via [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Kudzu (Puerarin)andistowe2024-08-24T18:52:34-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Hesperidin Flavonoid

Lowering Glutamate | Hesperidin Flavonoid

Hesperidin Flavonoid (found in citrus peel)- neuroprotective against glutamate excitotoxicity. “The citrus flavonoid hesperidin exerts neuroprotective effects and could cross the blood-brain barrier. Given the involvement of glutamate neurotoxicity in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, this study was conducted to evaluate the potential role of hesperidin in glutamate release and glutamate neurotoxicity in the hippocampus of rats.)””These results demonstrate that hesperidin inhibits evoked glutamate release in vitro and attenuates in vivo KA-induced neuronal death in the hippocampus. Our findings indicate that hesperidin may be a promising candidate for preventing or treating glutamate excitotoxicity related brain disorders [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Hesperidin Flavonoidandistowe2024-08-24T18:46:15-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Grape Seed Extract

Lowering Glutamate | Grape Seed Extract

Grape Seed extract– is a popular antioxidant and inhibits glutamate induced cell death. “Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract inhibits glutamate-induced cell death through inhibition of calcium signals and nitric oxide formation in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.” “All these data suggest that GSPE inhibits 0.1 mM [Mg²⁺]o- and oxygen glucose deprivation-induced neurotoxicity through inhibition of calcium signals and NO formation in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21810275 “Polyphenols extracted from grape seeds are able to inhibit amyloid-beta (Abeta) aggregation, reduce Abeta production and protect against Abeta neurotoxicity in vitro.” “Amyloid plaques and microgliosis in the brain of Alzheimer’s mice fed with [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Grape Seed Extractandistowe2024-08-24T18:45:29-04:00