Are there any vegetarians out there that have experienced symptoms of excitotoxicity?

Question

If you are a vegetarian and are careful about avoiding Aspartame (Nutra-Sweet) and MSG (Monosodium glutamate) but eat meat substitutes such as veggie-burgers, soymilk, tofu-dogs, soy-cheese, etc., do you ever feel an uneasy feeling of being "wired"? Possibly some short-term memory loss, insomnia, but mainly an overall feeling of having too much energy and or possibly ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)? Maybe even more severe symptoms such as migraines, seizures, learning disorders or any other neurological disorders as Parkinson's disease, Alzhiemer's disease, ALS, MS, etc.
I recently learned that excitotoxins are present in soy protein extracts and hydrolyzed protein which are often ingredients found in many of these meat substitutes. I'm very interested in seroius answers, please.

I'm NOT including ALL soy products. As I mentioned I'm only questioning products made from ingredients that have been refined from soy.
Many of these symptoms may not appear immediately. Some physical problems may take years of exposure for certain individuals to show symptoms. People who eat these foods should at least be aware of the health issues. I understand that any 'symptom' or effect can have many causes and I also think this is an issue that needs to be thoroughly researched objectively (not by those in the food industry whose profits would suffer from negative results).
I've heard neurosurgeon, Russell Blaylock states that the BBB (blood brain barrier) can indeed be compromised by many things in our modern environment allowing any number of toxins to enter the brain. If anyone is interested in more info search "Dr. Russell Blaylock" or read his book, "Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills." He also gives an interesting interview in the video: "Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World"

Answer 1

Well I'm a flexarian, some days vegetarian, some days vegan, some days flexarian. But I did notice one time a connection between my eating ramen and insomnia, killer headaches and a general malaise. Several months ago, I was eating a soy based veggie burger mix and I became twitchy and edgy. It was a bulk brand from a reputable veggie-head co-op. When I make sure I use the food pyramid as a guide and eat recommended quantities for a person my size and weight, I do not have any problems.

I'm finding our body chemistry is extremely complex and that some of these "ethical" diets are killers either in the present or long term. I've been reading of the neurological complications that very often are subtle and often go unnoticed.

Thank you for bringing up a VERY real and serious problem especially for young people who jump into vegetarianism and veganism as a fad without any real grounding in nutrition other than what they read on these half-baked, agenda pushing, veggie-head sites.

Again, thank you.

Answer 2

No, if anything, I will usually feel tired after eating a big soy-licious meal.

I don't know where you're getting this info from exactly, although I have heard of 'hydrolyzed' soy protein having similar affects as MSG, but not just any soy protein. It has to be 'hydrolyzed'. Something to do with the.. hydrolyzation process, I guess...

As for the migraines.. I used to get really bad migraines every day, but then I went vegan and stopped getting routine migraine headaches. Now I just get 'em if I'm stressed out. So my veg diet has helped me. I also feel like it has opened my eyes to what is going on in the world, and I have become more of an intellectual. I don't know about this "learning disorders" or whatever that you've read about. I've only experienced positive things from my diet.

Answer 3

Being that glutamate is, in fact, a CNS neurotransmitter; of course it can be dangerous. But your body synthesizes it and you could not live without it. In your disease list you have gotten most of them but are making the connection between ingesting glutamate and those diseases. Fortunately glutamate is not free to cross the BBB on it's own and is regulated by sodium dependent active transport. What you are probably reading or have learned about glutamate is that it, while being the most prevalent neurotransmitter in portions of the CNS... it is required as a physiological necessity to prime such things as endonucleases and many other neuronal functions such as memory generation synapses, etc. What is dangerous about it in the brain is when your body has either a problem with reuptake or controling the release in any way. Your brain regulates the release as well as regulates the amount of it allowed to enter the CNS as a whole... otherwise we would all be in comas. But it can lead to excessive apoptosis and neural degeneration if not properly controled by the body from what I understand. I actually thrive on the study of neural diseases and things that affect the brain, such as neurotransmitter imbalances, so I will do a little more digging and would be happy to explore this with you if you would like to contact me through e-mail.

Also,
Here is a paper on glutamate that may be of help... it is of scientific nature, but you seem to have a grasp on physiology to a point that it should be an easy read for you. I hope it helps and causes you to not become a fanatic towards the "dangers of glutamate."

Answer 4

Soy is most certainly NOT an excitotoxin! Instead of reading one book by a largely discredited author why don't you try looking up what Harvard medical or the Mayo clinic have to say about excitotoxins?

Answer 5

well...i've been a veggie / vegan for more than 25 years. if you are worried about being toxic in any way, Fast a couple of times a month do a 2 or 3 day juice & tea fast, and of course water (distilled water -since you're cleansing you want water that is free of minerals that will bogg down your liver while cleansing). oh and don't eat the stuff that ahs bad things in it- there are plenty of veggie/ vegan foods out there that are people friendly. check out this "ANN WIGMORE" i checked online - she and her program are the best i know of for serious detoxifying of your body . and yes i have used many of her programs off and on. good luck

Answer 6

Oh, Wow... >_>
I am quite interested myself. D;
I eat soy products all of the time.
I've experienced insomnia, Sometimes a little STML, diffuculty trying to concentrate, and sharmp pains in my head, somewhat of a migraine? ...

Hmm...
I guess its a strict Veg. Diet for me. [:
i'll do a little research in exactly what brands have these entoxins in them.

Are you sure its not ALL soy protein ?

Btw, Thank you for bringing this up.


Peace and Love <3

Answer 7

been veggie for 6 months and never feel like that. i eat soy every once in awhile. my mom makes really yummy meals centered around vegetables though, so i really only eat soy for lunch sometimes...i drink soymilk too. but not often.

Answer 8

I'm vegan and try to stick to real foods not fake meats and processed veggie junk food. I also try to eat mostly organic when possible. So called healthy foods can have a lot of unhealthy ingredients if you look at the label. So maybe you should label read before you buy and you will feel better.

Answer 9

Nope, I experience none of that!

Why do people always try to make soy out to be bad? We do eat more then just soy, soy is only one source of protein.

Answer 10

whoa, i'm intersted myself. looking up the excitotoxins now. is that for real?
i actually do experience some of those symtoms, but i just thought it was stress & lack of enough excercise.