Label names for MSG

MSG is a neutotransmitter normally found in the brain in parts per million/billion.  When used as a food additive it is used by the tsp!  This causes the brain to be flooded with the neurotransmitter, causing a host of problems including neonatal expsure leading to adulthood obesity and inflammation, liver inflammation and dysplasia, headache and pericranial muscle tenderness, and much more. 

The most recognized one is MSG (monosodium glutamate), but there are many of them, and they go by many names.  Labels that always indicate MSG inlude:  Glutamate, Glutamic Acid, Gelatin, Monosodium Glutamate, Calcium Caseinate, Textured Protein, Monopotassium Glutamate, Sodium Caseinate, Yeast Nutrient, Yeast Extract, Yeast Food, Autolyzed Yeast, Hydrolyzed Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Gluten, Natrium Glutamate.  

Labels that often contain MSG or create MSG during prossessing include:  Carrageenan, Maltodextrin, Malt Extract, Natural Pork Flavoring, Citric Acid, Malt Flavoring, Boullion, Broth, Natural Chicken Flavoring, Soy Protein Isolate, Natural Beef Flavoring, Ultra-pasturized, Soy Sauce, Stock, Barley Malt,Soy Sauce Extract, Whey protein concentrate, Pectin, Soy Protein, Whey protein, Protease, Soy Protein Concentrate, Whey protein Isolate, Protease Enzymes, Anything Protein Fortified, Flavors, Flavorings, Anything Enzyme Modified, Many Fermented Foods, Natural Flavors, Natural Flavorings, Anzymes anything, and the word "Seasonings."

Its a little daunting, but getting rid of this one will leave you feeling more focused, and healthier for sure!
Happy Health!
 

Lab Results: May 24, 2011

Finally the lab results are in, so what say thou, Lab?

I was tested for a broad spectrum of things:

• Bone Density, 
• Insulin/Blood Sugar Levels, 
• Nutrient Levels, 
• Toxic Exposures inlcuding things like...
• Molds and Heavy Metals, 
• Components of cell function, energy production, neurotransmitter metabolism markers, 
• and many more things! 

Its really fascinating to look at these lab results, learn about the symptoms they cause, and then compare with my  Medical History to see how it fits together!  There are some DEFINITE answers in here!!


Here we go!!

Bone Density:  Low bone density in my back
Antidepressants can cause low bone density.  It can also occur during pregnancy.  During my last pregnancy I lost the ability to use my abdominals, ever since have not been able to hold myself in the table top position.  Now I know why!

Insulin:  The first results that came back showed toxic levels of insulin.  My blood sugar was a little high, too, but the insulin is the main problem.  I've posted about the hyperinsulinemia dianosis previosly.  (read about it here)

Amino Acids: I am low in Ornithine
Ornithine is a central part of the Urea Cycle and is involved in Ammonia
Detoxification/ridding the body of excess nitrogen.  The Urea Cycle is important for arginine biosynthesis (an intermediate in metabolic process).  (Find more info on Ornithine here).


Nutrient Elements: potassium was high, Copper was deficient
High Potassium Leves (called hyperkalemia) is "usually due to an underlying medical condition such as kidney disease or diabetes. Very high levels can be damaging to your heart."  I have diabetic issues.  (read about hyperkalemia here)

Copper Deficiency:  Signs and symptoms include fatigue, paleness, skin sores, edema, slowed growth, hair loss, anorexia, diarrhea, and dermatitus.  It can cause weakness and labored respiration from reduced red blood cell function.  It can also cause reduced thyroid function, increased uric acid, cholesterol and blood pression, impair glucose tolerance, and cause cardiovascular disease, thrombosis, oxidative damage, bone demineralization, and an irregular heart beat.  Finally, it can result in reduced cellular immune response, reduced activity of white blood cells, and reduced thymus hormone production (making it difficult for the body to fight infections.  I have PLENTY of these symptoms!  (read more here) 

Toxic Elements: Aluminum Toxicity
Aluminum is a xenoestrogen (an endocrine disruptor that mimicks estrogen/has an estrogenic effect on the body). Xenoestrogens are reproductive and developmental toxins.  Aluminum is also associated with memory problems.  Sources of exposure include aluminum pots and pans, water bottles, kettles, etc. as well as antiperspirants, baking powders, and make-up.
(For information on Aluminum in Make-up and other personal care products read here)
(For information on Reproductive and Developmental Toxins read here)

Uric Acid:  High level
Causes joint related symptoms (including gout), and kidney stones. (read more here)

Co-Enzyme Q10 Plus Vitamin: Vitamin A Toxicity
This is associated with blurred vision and vision changes, bone pain, changes in conciousness, dizziness, increased intracranial pressure, drowsiness, headache, irritability, nausea, skin and hair changes, cracking corners of mouth, and sensitivity to sunlight. I've had each of these.
 (more info here)


Vitamin D: good
I have been heavily supplementing Vitamin D since 2005, and now have good levels.  Hurray!

Fatty Acids:
pentadecanoic is high - a saturated fatty acid found in milk fat from cows.
Triene/Tetraene Ratio was high

Transfat levels:  high
These are toxic fats that alter cell function.  The body cannot detoxify them.

Energy Producation:  Looks for metabolism - how well the body is functioning on a cellular level.  I have high levels of Citrate, Cis-Aconitate, Isocitrate, and Hydroxymethlglutarate - which are all involved in the Krebs Cycle.  Indicates the Krebs Cycle is not functioning sufficiently. 

The Krebs Cycle occurs in the matrix of the mitochondrion.  Its function is to generate energy from carbohydrates, fats, and protiens.  It is also responsible for precursers creating certain amino acids and reducing NADH. (Listen to: The Krebs Cycle song)

Neurotransmitter Metabolism Markers: Quinolinate is high
Indicates damage to DNA (could be related to mold or aluminum toxicity).

Molds/Mycotoxins: Ochratoxin
I was expecting something in this category, because we have had mold problems in our house.  This is a mycotoxin (a chemical produced by mold). It is a xenoestrogen (an endocrine disruptor that mimicks estrogen/has an estrogenic effect on the body). Xenoestrogens are reproductive and developmental toxins.

Also, I have noticed that for a long time my sense of smell has been altered.  It started during my last pregnancy (which can be normal for pregnancy) - a heightened sense of smell, noticing each person's different natural scent (sometimes good, sometimes bad), and somethings smelling different than they used to.  After pregnancy things continued to smell differently, but I didn't realize how overtime my sense of smell has been diminishing until just recently.  A milk jug was leaking when I brought the groceries home.  I thought it had been contained on the rubber mat, but it turns out the milk was rotten under the mat, too.  I didn't learn this until other people opened the car door and wanted to puke!  It turn out I don't have much of a sense of smell anymore.

All this to tell you that I learned today that I have mold right inside my sinus cavity.  I should have expected this because it depends on the route of exposure where it ends up in your body, but the light came on when he told me about this today!

Compounds of Bacterial or Yeast/Fungal Origin: pHydroxyphenylacetate high
Indicates abnormal germs in the gut.  Causes include taking antibiotics (which our family has taken WAY more than our share of), and the use of antibacterial soaps, sanitizer, and cleaning products.


So what now??
Over the next 10+ appointments the doctor will go through what each of these things are (in more detail), how they are caused, and what can be done to correct them! I'm VERY excited to have these answers right in my hand!!  The truth IS out there!!

Happy Health
Read Next Post:  What My Medical History Revealed About These Things

[NOTE:  Many of these tests had to be sent to the states, because Canadian labs don't test for them. In Canada I believe there are only 5 doctors of Environmental Medicine, while in the States they are much more common.  Its my understanding that because Americans pay more directly for their health care, they have more options presented to them.  Maybe one of my American friends can clarify?  In Canada we generally test for things that are covered by Health Care.]

Hormone Disruptors

(also known as 'endocrine disruptors'):

[Toxins that affect the endocrine system]

Hormone disrupting chemicals are structurally similar to natural hormones, and trick the body by either mimicking or blocking normal hormonal functions (Toxic Nation Canada, 2006).

Disruption of the endocrine system can occur in various ways. Some chemicals mimic a natural hormone, fooling the body into over-responding to the stimulus (e.g., a growth hormone that results in increased muscle mass), or responding at inappropriate times (e.g., producing insulin when it is not needed). Other endocrine disrupting chemicals block the effects of a hormone from certain receptors (e.g. growth hormones required for normal development). Still others directly stimulate or inhibit the endocrine system and cause overproduction or underproduction of hormones (e.g. an over or underactive thyroid). Certain drugs are used to intentionally cause some of these effects, such as birth control pills. In many situations involving environmental chemicals, however, an endocrine effect is not desirable (EPA 2011). 

They affect the body's hormone-producing glands:

• The pituitary gland and hypothalamus located in the brain, 
• The adrenal glands on top of the kidneys, 
• The female ovaries and male testicles, 
• The pancreas in the abdomen, and 
• The parathyroid and thyroid glands in the neck.

Hormones that are released from glands act as messengers that evoke a specific response in other cells throughout the body.

These hormones regulate almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies, including:

• Reproduction, 
• Metabolism, 
• Regulation of nutrients and minerals, 
• Body temperature, 
• Moods, 
• The immune system, 
• Growth and development.

Health effects:

• Adverse pregnancy outcomes (still births, changes in sex ratio, i.e. fewer male babies), male birth defects (undescended testes and hypospadius), 
• Decreased sperm count and quality, 
• Early onset of menstruation and puberty, 
• Neurobehavioural effects (resulting from altered thyroid hormone function in utero), 
• Endocrinemediated immunotoxicity, and 
• Cancer promotion at endocrine sites (breast, endometrial, testes, prostate, and thyroid).

Examples of chemicals suspected or known to disrupt hormones:

• Heavy metals, 
• PCBs, 
• Organochlorine pesticides, 
• Dioxins and furans, 
• Phthalates, 
• Bisphenol A (AKA:  BPA), and 
• PBDEs.

*This info is mostly taken directly from Polluted Children, Toxic Nation:  A Report on Pollution in Canadian Families , pages 11-14 (that is the page on the actual document, and not the page of the PDF, which also numbers the title pages).