Controlling the Hum level with diet
A German neurologist and long time sufferer of the Hum claims to have controlled the Hum level by strict attention to diet. His description and explanations are available on the German Hum web site IGZAB. The dissertation is very long, very scientific and in German, however, fellow Hum sufferer Helmut Kriege has very kindly prepared a shortened version in English, which is as follows.
1.) Stop eating "flavour enhances" such as glutamate (MSG) and numerous other similar substances! MSG is a naturally occuring neuro-transmitter and the most harmless of this group of substances. There are very many similar substances that are not naturally occuring. They no not add , but rather multiply their affects on the body. It takes about 4-18 hours for "flavour enhancers" to begin affecting your body inside. The effect alters the way nerves transmit signals. It also changes firing-patterns within the nerve system. Since it takes so long fot the stuff to change nerve activity, you probably will not automatically notice a relationship between MSG-intake and the volume of the Hum.
The effect can easily last for an entire week.
What contains flavour enhancers?

Mainly industrially prepared foods! Flavoured/seasoned chicken. Prepared meat, such as sausages, ham, spreads. Some processed cheeses. Ketchup, powdered instant sauces, diced or powdered broth, particularly chicken broth. Soups, be it in cans or dehydrated in bags. Chips, bretzels, roasted nuts, almost everything with a "salty" taste to it. Stuff for nibbling, the stuff generally sold in packets and put on living room tables for guests or couch potatoes, etc.
- Spice-mixtures such as All-spice, or any other MIXTURE of spices. Unmixed herbs ( Dill, Oregano, Basil...) are safe.

2.) No artificial sweeteners, especially NO ASPATAM (Aspartat). Caution with : "Light" soft drinks, pickles, prepared or preserved salads such as in jars (carrot salad, red beet salad, celery salad, etc). Very many products contain sweeteners, many you would never suspect because sweetener is cheaper than sugar. Read the labels!

3.) NO sweet chocolate, No cocoa plus sugar together! Why? Tryptophahn plus sugar produces Serotonin. Serotonin helps gets you into a good mood by changing your hormone levels. This in turn changes electrical levels in your nerve system. The Hum sounds louder. Alternative: dark chocolate.

4.) Tensides (detergents) have strong and very long-term effects on the nerve system! Make sure there is zero residue of detergents on you dishes and cuttlery. Be sure to rinse all your washing-up!

5.) Omega-3-fatty acids can be purchased in capsules in health stores. They are naturally contained mainly in certain varieties of fresh fish. They assist your nerve system in regeneration, make also you feel generally better. It also fights RLS syndrom, is anti-depressive and is thought to lower the risk of some types of cancer.

What else you should know:

A.) Nonylphenol: Is a forbidden pesticide with drastic and very long-term affects on the body. Some fruit or vegetables still have residual nonylphenol on them. Therefore wash all fruit and vegetables very well before consumption!

B.) Bisphenol and Phthalats are contained as softeners in many plastics (other than PE) used for packing foodstuffs. Their strong effects on the nerve system was discovered only recently. They accumulate inside and change how your body works.

back to index page