{
  "id": 13379443,
  "title": "Cutting 1 compound from processed foods could reduce brain fog, anxiety, and chronic pain, scientists say.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/cutting-1-compound-from-processed-foods-could-reduce-brain-fog",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-10T09:43:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/low-glutamate-diet-chronic-pain-brain-fog-anxiety-2026-10"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kathleen Holton investigates the connection between diet and neurological health, seeking ways to optimize brain function through food. According to Jeff Watts, a dietary adjustment may alleviate complex symptoms such as brain fog and chronic pain, according to studies. In a new study, Gulf War veterans claimed that eliminating glutamate, a compound found in processed foods, cleared their pain, PTSD, and other issues. US Navy Chaplain Deb Mariya, who battled PTSD and fibromyalgia for decades without success, found relief after adopting a low-glutamate diet. The trial, conducted in 2024, aimed to determine if cutting out a common additive in processed foods could alleviate symptoms of Gulf War Illness, a collection of neurological problems. After following the diet for a month, Mariya underwent surgery and recovered rapidly, regaining her energy to complete physical therapy. Over 80% of veterans who followed the diet since 2020 report improvements, including reduced chronic pain, fewer depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms, and better cognitive function. Holton, a nutritional neuroscientist, believes reducing glutamate may help prevent nerve cell damage, offering potential therapies for complex conditions like Gulf War Illness and other health concerns like chronic migraines and mood disorders.",
  "summary": "New research suggests a simple dietary change may help relieve brain fog, chronic pain, and anxiety.",
  "key_points": [
    "Eliminating glutamate from processed foods may reduce brain fog, anxiety, and chronic pain.",
    "Gulf War veterans experienced relief after adopting a low-glutamate diet.",
    "80% of veterans following the diet since 2020 report improvements in symptoms."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}