According to medical researcher Russell Blaylock, M.D., the following food additives can permanently damage nerve cells. Biofeedback therapists have observed that EEG biofeedback training, especially for people with attention deficits or head injury, can be substantially set back by consuming any of these, so for good results from neurofeedback, please eliminate the following chemicals from your diet.

Aspartame—artificial sweetener, breaks down in the body into methyl alcohol (wood alcohol!) and aspartic acid, eventually formaldehyde. May be implicated in some cases of epilepsy.

Artificial flavor

Artificial food color (FD&C Blue No. 1, etc.)

Monosodium glutamate (MSG; "Accent")

According to Russell Blaylock, M.D., the following are

Additives that always contain MSG:

Hydrolized protein; hydrolyzed vegetable protein; hydrolyzed plant protein

Plant protein extract

Sodium caseinate

Calcium caseinate

Yeast extract

Textured vegetable protein

Autolyzed yeast

Hydrolyzed oat flour

Additives that frequently contain MSG

Malt extract; malt flavoring 

Bouillon

Broth stock

Flavoring; natural flavoring; natural beef flavoring; natural chicken flavoring

Seasoning

Prepared (not fresh) spices

Additives that may contain MSG

Carrageenan

Enzymes

Soy protein concentrate

Soy protein isolate

Whey protein concentrate

It may also be valuable to remove coffee, caffeine-laden soft drinks and sugar from the diet. Hidden sources of sugar include corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, concentrated fruit juice extract, concentrated grape, pear, or cane juice extracts, "dried organic cane juice," etc. If you suspect some food induces symptoms or cravings, try eliminating it from the diet for at least five days, then eating it alone to test its immediate effect.

See: Excitotoxins, The Taste That Kills by Russell Blaylock, M.D., and Is This Your Child? by Doris Rapp, M.D.