What are neurotoxins?
· Neurotoxins are poisonous substances which can directly affect the nervous system. Neurotoxins are absorbed through inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or injection and can have immediate or long-lasting impacts by causing neurons to malfunction or by disrupting interneuron communication.
· Neurotoxins are all around us, but are especially common in popular processed and prepared foods.
Q. How neurotoxins affect humans?
· Neurotoxicity occurs when exposure to natural or man-made toxic substances alters the normal activity of the nervous system. These substances can eventually disrupt or even kill neurons or nerve cells, which are important for transmitting and processing signals in the brain and other parts of the nervous system. They directly attack the respiratory tract of the body, thereby overpowering the oxygen concentration of the body and then the nervous system as well.
· These neurotoxins have been linked to everything from brain fog and headaches to anxiety, depression, and even Alzheimer’s.
Q. What are neurotoxic gases?
· Methane, hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are common neurotoxic gases. While methane and carbon monoxide are odourless gases, hydrogen sulphide has a pungent odour and in higher concentration it can be fatal for humans.
Important Points, that you must note:
· “Top 5 Hit List” of neurotoxins found in everyday foods.
Ø ASPARTAME- Aspartame is a popular artificial sweetener found in diet sodas, processed foods labeled “sugar-free”
MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE (MSG) - It is a flavor enhancer often added to restaurant foods, canned vegetables, soups, meats and other foods. Glutamate system dysfunction has been linked to numerous psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
Ø MERCURY - Fish is a top source of the neurotoxin mercury. It get into our waterways where it accumulates in fish and seafood. The first signs of mercury toxicity include memory loss, depression, anxiety, mood swings, numbness, and tremors.
Ø ALUMINUM - Aluminum is the most abundant metal in Earth’s crust. It’s used as an additive in baking powder and anti-caking agents. You may also be exposed to it from your drinking water, antacids, or deodorant, and from aluminum cans, foil, and cookware.
Ø DIACETYL- Home-popped microwave popcorn often contains butter flavoring with the additive diacetyl. This chemical causes a serious condition called “microwave popcorn lung.”
OTHER NEUROTOXINS YOU’RE LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER
Test Yourself:
Q1. Consider the following statements regarding Neurotoxins:
1. Neurotoxicity occurs from exposure to man-made neurotoxic substances only.
2. Neurotoxins are common in popular processed and prepared foods.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
A A . 1 Only
B. 2 Only
A C. Both 1 and 2
B D. None of the above
Answer – 2 Only
Q2. Which of the following is/are neurotoxins?
1. Aspartame
2. Mercury
3. Lead
4. MSG
Aluminum
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1,2 and 5 Only
B. 2,3 and 5 Only
C. 2,3 and 4 Only
D. All of the above
Answer – D
