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Epilepsy Insight #8: Blood Brain Barrier

 

What is the Blood Brain Barrier? More importantly, how does this “barrier” relate to directly to your seizure activity?

For starters, the Blood Brain Barrier is a tight-knit wall of Endtholelial Cells separating your brain from your bloodstream. The purpose of this separation is to prevent unwanted molecules floating in your bloodstream from crossing over into your brain.

If unwanted molecules or toxins are able to cross this barrier, it could mean damage to your brain as well as increased seizure activity.

Our greatest concern is the fact that the Blood Brain Barrier can become weakened, this is also called Blood Brain Barrier Degradation or Leaky Blood Brain Barrier. When your barrier becomes weakened, it is unable to prevent all unwanted molecules from reaching your brain. The result of which is an increase in bodily sensitivity. You will find that you are much more sensitive to foods, products, etc. because your brain is no longer protected from the unwanted molecules found in these locations and many more. In addition, your brain will only become more sensitive when it is continually exposed to these toxins on a daily basis.

The good news is there are holistic methods to build your Blood Brain Barrier back up to its original strength. The holisitic path involves vitamins and minerals, Vitamin D and Vitamin B are each incredibly important for a strong Blood Brain Barrier. However, you must do your part in changing your routine to help protect your brain from toxin exposure. Reduce your intake of processed foods filled with chemical ingredients, go organic so that you can eliminate your exposure to pesticides, and pay more attention to the ingredient list on each of your cosmetic and toiletry products. This simply step will make a huge difference because you will be eliminating a primary source for unwanted molecules/toxins.

In Epilepsy Insight #9, I discuss how the Blood Brain Barrier has affected my own seizure activity and I explain in greater detail the influence this barrier has on long-term brain health.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): The Ingredient That Should Come with a Warning Label

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In my previous post on Catamenial Epilepsy, I touched briefly on the topic of Monosodium Glutamate, a food ingredient more popularly known as MSG. Many restaurants and food companies pride themselves on the exclusion of this ingredient in their products. Why do they do this? I know that whenever I hear anyone mention MSG it is usually because they are trying to avoid it. Over the last few years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has supposedly been making an “effort” to keep it out of our foods (whether this is actually true or not will be discussed below). So, why is this ingredient so bad? Judging by the many restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores (like Trader Joe’s, for example) that have made a serious effort to advertise the lack of MSG within their products, I think it’s safe to say that society in general knows this ingredient is bad.

However, most people don’t know why it’s bad or even the extent to which it can harm the human body. These important details aren’t discussed like they should be. You have the right to know what you’re putting into your body, so keep on reading because you won’t find anything sugar coated in this blog post.

What is Monosodium Glutamate?

A good start to understanding MSG and its harmful effects is to first understand what it is. By breaking down the intimidating “Monosodium Glutamate,” you will find nothing more than a man made chemical. That’s right; MSG isn’t even a naturally occurring ingredient that we have been eating by mistake all these years. No, it is a man made chemical that has been purposely added to many foods and products. You’re probably thing right about now, ‘Why on Earth would anyone do something so idiotic?’ The answer is money.

This synthetic substance is cheap to make and it enhances real food flavors to be more fresh, savory, and heartier than they actually are. Many times this “enhancement” of flavor is also disguising the true poor quality of a food. It originates in Asia and has made its way around the world and into most of our processed foods. The fact that MSG is dominantly found in processed food presents an even bigger issue due to the fact that a typical American diet is filled with these food products.

Dr. Mercola gives an excellent description of the actual makeup of MSG in his amusing, yet appropriately named article MSG: Is this Silent Killer Lurking in Your Kitchen Cabinets: “It’s a misconception that MSG is a flavor or “meat tenderizer.” In reality, MSG has very little taste at all, yet when you eat MSG, you think the food you’re eating has more protein and tastes better. It does this by tricking your tongue, using a little-known fifth basic taste: umami. Umami is the taste of glutamate, which is a savory flavor found in many Japanese foods, bacon, and also in the toxic food additive MSG.”1

How does Monosodium Glutamate affect our bodies?

Here’s the biggest problem lying within the chemical makeup of MSG: glutamate. This ingredient also happens to be a naturally occurring amino acid within the human body that multiple organs, like the brain and nervous system, use as a neurotransmitter to carry out certain bodily functions (Dr. Mercola). Consuming MSG results in the elevation of glutamate levels within the body, thereby interfering with the stability of neurotransmissions between organs.   

MSG is also considered an excitotoxin, “which means it overexcites your cells to the point of damage or death, causing brain damage to varying degrees — and potentially even triggering or worsening learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease and more” (Dr. Mercola). Dr. Mercola has a lot of great information on MSG, the dangers of this ingredient and how to avoid it. I strongly encourage everyone to read his article (link provided above); I guarantee you will gain some vital insight into the silent killer known as MSG.

Due to the fact that processed foods are such a large part of the average American’s diet, men, women, and children are flooding their bodies with glutamate. Companies using this ingredient are choosing to jeopardize our health in order to save a few extra bucks in production costs.

Although the FDA has made some efforts at getting “Monosodium Glutamate” off the ingredient list of many foods, the organization has made an even greater effort in creating code names for MSG. The fact of the matter is you can no longer assume that just because “Monosodium Glutamate” isn’t listed, MSG is not present within a food or product. This is why avoiding MSG completely can be such a challenge. Some code names for MSG are Natural Flavors, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Soy, and Carrageenan. There are over 40 different hidden ingredients containing MSG, click here to read a full list. Be sure to also read the “Reminders” section found below the list of ingredients, the site gives some really great tips on how to avoid MSG in common foods.

How MSG impacts my body

MSG has certainly had quite the impact on my state of health since I was first diagnosed with Catamenial Epilepsy in 2009. Many people can eat MSG without having an extreme reaction to it, but, unfortunately for me, I am not one of those people. No, MSG has long been an enemy of mine. Shortly after my diagnosis, I discovered that I had also developed an allergy to the ingredient. My allergic reaction came in the form of grand mal seizures and was caused by the weakening of my Blood Brain Barrier. (To learn more about the Blood Brain Barrier, click here, and scroll down to the bottom of the post.)

Due to my extreme allergy, I was forced to cut MSG out of my diet completely. Now, I avoid processed foods at all cost. I try to eat 100% Organic (sometimes there are certain foods that are absolutely impossible to find Organic), and all of my meals are cooked from scratch using recipes. I have found that from scratch baking is the best way to keep MSG out of my diet. At 16 years old it was hard to give up processed foods like Oreos and Cheetos Puffs, but today, as a 22-year-old woman, I have realized that it was the best thing I could have done for my body.

Ready to cut MSG out of your diet?

Did you know that MSG makes you want to keep eating even when you’re full? It’s like an addictive ingredient that tricks your body into thinking it needs more food when, in actuality, it needs less. With food additives like this, it’s no mystery why obesity has become such a large issue in America. Cutting MSG filled foods from my diet allowed me to rid my body of synthetic ingredients by replacing them with naturally healthy foods. No chemicals, just vitamins…a very beneficial change!

If you are experiencing health problems, I sincerely recommend evaluating your diet. It made a world of difference in the stability of my epilepsy and the overall quality of my life. It can be so easy to rely on medications to fix the problems we experience, rather than becoming proactive in alternative ways. Sometimes you are the only source capable of healing not only the symptoms, but the cause of your health issues, as well. I understand that overcoming any problem is a challenge, which is why I like to think of my health as an elephant. How do you swallow an elephant? One bite at a time. By thinking of it as a step-by-step process, everything becomes less overwhelming. So, seize the day, take control of your health and let your first bite of whatever your elephant is be your diet.

 

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Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website. 

Sources:

1Dr. Mercola. “MSG: Is this Silent Killer Lurking in Your Kitchen Cabinets.” Accessed on July 28, 2015.

<articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/21/msg-is-this-silent-killer-lurking-in-your-kitchen-cabinets.aspx>

Catamenial Epilepsy

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Catamenial Epilepsy is one of those diseases that is rarely discussed and hardly researched, but I believe it really needs to be for the sake of those suffering from it. Google can offer you information on the basics of this disease, and when I say “basics” I really do mean the very tip of the iceberg. But, where is the non-sugar coated information that will actually help you combat this disease? It has been my experience that this type of knowledge on Catamenial Epilepsy cannot be found in just one place. Finding information on Catamenial Epilepsy is like trying to piece a puzzle together where each piece comes from a different source, but ultimately results in some clarity.

I was diagnosed with Catamenial Epilepsy on March 25, 2009 when I was 16 years old. Believe it or not there was even less available information on this subject at that time. Here I am now, six years later, with a completed puzzle and a world where accomplishing this task can still seem impossible at times. It was a roller coaster ride trying to figure this condition out in order to contain my seizures and return to normal life as best possible. So, I am writing this article for every woman out there struggling to live with Catamenial Epilepsy without ripping her hair out over the frustration that comes from the lack of knowledge doctors seem to have on this condition. I’m hoping my experience will shed a little more light on the subject.

From the start of my diagnosis I have learned one very important thing: listening to your neurologist with absolute faith is the worst possible thing you can do. The doctor’s lack of knowledge on the subject of Catamenial Epilepsy also extends into their ability to counteract it. Two solutions are typically offered: medication or birth control. Although I’m not at all stoked about taking medication (due to all the extra health problems it is notoriously known to cause), it is candy compared to birth control. I will never understand why doctors seem to think birth control is the logical solution to any type of hormone problem whether it is complicated like Catamenial Epilepsy or simple like menstrual cramps. Birth control is already detrimental to a healthy woman’s body because it is filled with synthetic hormones. So, for any woman with a hormone imbalance it’s basically the food grade version of poison. I say this because, from my experience, it not only worsens the problems you are experiencing it creates completely new problems, as well.

(Here’s a tip: avoid anything synthetic; it is usually very, very bad for your body!)

Unfortunately, I learned the dangers of synthetic hormones the hard way. My biggest hormone struggle is with estrogen. I have too much of it in my body and not enough progesterone. Without a balanced amount of progesterone, estrogen (the excitable hormone) goes crazy in my body because there is nothing to counteract it. As a result, the estrogen builds up in my brain forcing my body to find an alternative way to disperse of it. This alternative dispersion is through sequences of accelerated brain waves, which is a seizure.

After discussing this dilemma in great detail with the neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, she put me on a birth control with a synthetic estrogen as its base. At the time, my main frustration was with her decision to prescribe an estrogen-based birth control instead of one with a progesterone base. Now, my main frustration is with the decision I made to take the birth control at all. After taking the birth control for only 21 days, I had 15 grand mal seizures in one week. This “side effect” of the birth control put me in the hospital. My advice: if you don’t want to throw a monkey wrench into the state of your Catamenial Epilepsy, avoid birth control at all cost.

Not long after the birth control catastrophe, I realized another important factor that happens to have a huge impact on my epilepsy…Diet. Growing up, I ate whatever I wanted without thinking about the impact it might have on my body. Everyone else around me ate the same stuff without showing any serious health problems, so I figured “if it’s not broke, why fix it?” Well, I have come to learn that (as usual) it’s not good to follow the crowd. Just because no one was growing an extra limb (yet) didn’t mean I shouldn’t be concerned about the quality of ingredients I feed my body and the potential negative effects it could have on my health. I learned this the hard way by having a seizure in the middle of a very crowded P.F. Chang’s restaurant, but, nonetheless, it caused me to research diet and learn more about the impact it can have on me as an epileptic.

It turns out that I have an extreme sensitivity to Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), also known as the ingredient found in basically every staple food product known to man. I’m only going to give a brief description of MSG here, but I will soon write an entire post dedicated to the subject. Whenever I eat MSG I will have a seizure within 30-60 minutes later and a second one shortly after. Why does this ingredient affect me so much? HowStuffWorks.com provides an excellent answer: “MSG has been labeled an excitotoxin because it is thought to have the ability to over-stimulate cells to death.”1 When it comes to Catamenial Epilepsy, a hormone imbalance is already present so, if you’re estrogen (excitable hormone) dominant like me, of course a synthetic ingredient acting as an excitotoxin is going to cause problems! My brain is already excited enough, I don’t need food contributing to my likelihood of having a seizure.

The truth is, MSG is only one of many ingredients that can act as seizure triggers. Once I became aware of the serious impact diet has on the stability of my seizures, I changed everything. I avoided MSG at all cost and I made the effort to become aware of other common ingredients with harmful impacts, as well. This may sound like a huge task to take on, but there is a lot of junk in our food so it’s actually very easy to find this information. The good news is there are also a lot of good foods out there, free of these harmful ingredients.

Changing my diet improved my overall health. I went in with the single objective of reducing my seizures through this lifestyle change. But, as it turns out, I was doing more than improving my brain activity; I was healing my digestive system as well. The toxins in my original diet had seriously affected my digestive system, which resulted in my inability to absorb nutrients correctly. Completely cutting synthetic ingredients from my diet allowed me to better absorb the nutrients that my whole body (especially my brain) had been deprived of. My poor diet impacted a gradual decline in my health with the end result being Catamenial Epilepsy. I so highly recommend making this change because it has played a monumental role in my improvement. I went from having a total amount of 54 grand mal seizures in 2010 to having 13 seizures in 2014. For the year of 2015, I have had 4 seizures so far and the year is already half over!

It took a diagnosis of Epilepsy to make me actually check the ingredient label on a food before buying it. Sad, I know. But, I consider this to be one of the many blessings that have come from my journey with this condition. I am no longer pumping my body full of toxins that will worsen my seizures and cause other health problems in the future.

Catamenial Epilepsy aside, the right diet can help heal any health condition. It is amazing what the human body can do when you supply it with the right nutrients to keep it balanced and avoid deficiencies. It is important to understand this detox process will take years to fully rid your body of the toxins found in foods because they become stored up in areas like the fatty tissues. To help my body reach a balanced state while also dealing with Catamenial Epilepsy, I try to buy everything organic if possible (avoids pesticides), I only buy foods with real ingredients (specifically avoiding the synthetic MSG), and I’m extra careful with foods that could be injected with hormones (mostly dairy) or might contain synthetic hormonal ingredients. I have found that Trader Joe’s, Sprout’s Market, and Whole Foods Market are the best places to find good quality foods. However, even at these stores, I still find products with harmful ingredients so always be sure to check the label!

Here’s a quick tip: Trader Joe’s brand milk, butter, sour cream, heavy whipping cream and eggs are all excellent quality and hormone free! Many of their cheeses are good too!

In addition to my own personal experience with Catamenial Epilepsy, I would also like to share a few “scientific” insights that I have discovered through my own personal research. If there is anything I have come to learn since taking an independent approach to my health it’s that modern medicine only gives people a tiny bit of information on most health conditions. By breaking through the tip of the ice burg and actually pursuing a deeper understanding of Catamenial Epilepsy, I have come to discover two factors that contribute greatly to this condition: Blood Brain Barrier and phytoestrogens.

According to the journal of Epilepsia, the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) is a “physical and metabolic barrier, which serves to regulate and protect the microenvironment of the brain.”2 Basically, it is a barrier that prevents toxins, bacteria, and other harmful material from filtering into the brain. How does this apply to epilepsy? The BBB is vulnerable in that its permeability may be compromised by head trauma, stroke, or neuroinflammation.2 BBB disruption has a tendency to increase and intensify seizure activity.

At a time when my seizure activity was at an all time high, learning about this network of vessels helped to clear up my state of confusion. Here’s why: My blood brain barrier is permeable due to Neuroinflammation, “an early, non-specific immune reaction to tissue damage or pathogen invasion.”3 In my case, the pathogens invading my brain came in the form of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and artificial food ingredients. Due to my Blood Brain Barrier’s sensitivity to these chemical compounds, the toxins would filter into my brain and cause more seizures. Once I cut the foods containing these ingredients from my diet, my seizure activity returned to a stable level.

For those with blood brain barrier permeability, the pathogens capable of crossing the barrier and into the brain will vary from person to person. If you are experiencing an increased amount of seizure activity, I recommend looking for a pattern in your seizures. Keeping track of your activities, meals, and other daily occurrences in relation to the timing of each seizure is the best way to figure out if a pattern is present. It was only through close observation that I had been able to pin point MSG as the main cause of my increased seizure activity.

The second insight I would like to discuss is Phytoestrogen, a compound derived from an environmental source. Also known as “estrogen mimics,” phytoestrogens are naturally occurring estrogens found in a multitude of plants, many of which are part of the human diet. Although these phytoestrogens are naturally occurring, they are still an unhealthy form of estrogen that can have harmful effects on the body. Living with Catamenial Epilepsy for the past 6+ years has helped me to understand that the key to seizure stability is through hormonal stability. It can be very difficult to achieve this stability when “estrogen mimics” are found in a multitude of common foods including soybeans and caffeine.4 Though phytoestrogens are naturally occurring, they do not interact with the human body in a natural, healthy way. As these estrogenic compounds4 strive to resemble the natural estrogen hormone, they only threaten to compromise the balance of hormones when digested. In the same way toxic pathogens cross the Blood Brain Barrier and filter into the brain, phytoestrogens filter their way into the core hormone system by posing as natural estrogen.4 Therefore, they have the potential to significantly influence a woman’s hormone levels, commonly causing a tendency toward estrogen dominance. Since estrogen dominance is the largest cause of Catamenial Epilepsy, this should raise concern for all women.

As an epileptic, I have come to find that my diet plays a pivotal role in my battle against seizures. Becoming aware of ingredients like phytoestrogens have helped me to alter my diet in a way that is healthy and beneficial for my epilepsy. If you would like more information on phytoestrogens click here. This article gives a great overview of the topic and provides a guide on foods to avoid if you are interested in cutting phytoestrogens out of your diet.

 

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Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website. 

Sources:

1The editors of PureHealth M.D. “The Dangers of Monosodium Glutamate.” Howstuffworks.com. InfoSpace, LLC, 2010. Web. 3 April 2015.<health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/the-dangers-of-monosodium-glutamate.htm>

2“The Blood-Brain Barrier and Epilepsy.” Researchgate.net. Epilepsia, 2006. Web. 30 June 2015. <http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Damir_Janigro/publication/6681960_The_blood-brain_barrier_and_epilepsy/links/0c960539af6838bea4000000.pdf>

3“Neuroinflammation.” Rndsystems.com. R&D Systems, 2015. Web. 30 June 2015.<http://www.rndsystems.com/molecule_group.aspx?g=1572>

4“Environmental Estrogens.” Energeticnutrition.com. Energetic Nutrition, Inc., n.d. Web. 1 July 2015. <https://www.energeticnutrition.com/vitalzym/xeno_phyto_estrogens.html>