Tomatine and dehydrotomatine are steroidal glycoalkaloids, neurotoxic pesticides produced and found throughout the tomato plant. Exposure to glycoalkaloids disrupts nerve function by inhibiting the activity of cholinesterase, an enzyme necessary to break down acetylcholine. In extreme cases, the resulting acetylcholine build-up may lead to convulsions, heart arrhythmia, muscular paralysis, respiratory failure, and death.

Tomato-induced glycoalkaloid poisoning is uncommon due to tomatine degradation during the ripening process. Mature, vine-ripened tomatoes retain less than .5mg tomatine of the original ≤50mg per 100g fresh fruit weight contained in green tomatoes. While tolerable in moderation to the average consumer, the tomatine content in underripe tomatoes may cause neurological distress in individuals with low adrenal gland function.

Genetic and environmental factors—diet, lifestyle, stress, stimulant use, and neurotoxin exposure—may harm the adrenal glands, resulting in dysfunction. Low systolic blood pressure and nerve rings in the iris indicate weak adrenals; adrenal weakness causes suppressed renal function, chronic fatigue, neurological symptoms, insufficient steroid production, impaired carbohydrate utilization, electrolyte dysregulation, fungal overgrowth, allergy development, increased sensitivity, inflammation, and acidosis, among other effects.

The adrenals require species-appropriate nourishment and harmonious lifestyle choices for optimal performance; environmental factor modification must occur to achieve kidney filtration, detoxify the body, and restore adrenal function.

It is advisable to avoid irritant contact during detoxification to enable healing and prevent further damage to the depleted adrenals. Even mild glycoalkaloid exposure may cause the onset of anxiety, depression, dizziness, fatigue, headache, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, panic attack, rapid heart rate, and other harsh reactions due to increased neurotoxin sensitivity.