Monosodium Glutamate - What's the Big Deal?
Monosodium glutamate aka MSG, is the sodium salt of glutamatic acid, one of the most abundant naturally occurring non-essential amino acids. It is considered a safe food additive by the USDA and the European Union. MSG is used as a flavor enhancer because it “balances, blends and rounds the total perception of other tastes” and is very cost effective for mass production.
MSG is a proven endocrine disruptor, interfering with normal hormone release and uptake. When our thyroid, pituitary, hypothalamus, and pancreas are compromised by this powerful excitatory neurotransmitter, the effects on our health are devastating. In order to study Obesity, we must first make something obese. It is a given in research that if you need a fat-rat then you give it MSG. Scientists inject mice and rats with MSG in order to make them fat quickly. Now that's interesting considering that MSG is often added to everything we eat.
Serious health issues are plaguing millions across the globe. Some are claiming many of our health problems are primarily caused by MSG. Based on books by Neurosurgeon, Dr. Russell Blaylock (Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills) and Toxicologist, Dr. George Schwartz (In Bad Taste: The MSG Symptom Complex) here are some common symptoms of MSG toxicity:
Numbness or paralysis, Mouth lesions/sores, Swelling of hands, feet, face, Diarrhea, Mitral valve prolapse, Nausea, Rise or drop in blood pressure, Stomach cramps and gas, Irritable bowel, colitis, and/or constipation, rapid heart beat, Angina, change in heart beat, spastic colon, shaking, chills, extreme thirst, TMJ, Water retention and bloating, obesity, muscle aches, Asthma symptoms, flu like symptoms, Heaviness of arms & legs, chest pain, mental dullness, depression, dizzy & light headed, anxiety, bi-polar, chronic cough, tickle in throat, skin rash, hives, flushing, ADD, ADHD, gagging reflex numbness, balance problems, Aching teeth, dry mouth/cotton mouth, lethargy, difficulty focusing, loss of memory, uncontrollable bladder, sleeping disorders, pressure behind eyes, migraine headaches, see shiny lights, blurry vision, Neurological disease, sinus issues, thyroid, infertility, gastro issues, tinnitus, gout like symptoms, gall bladder problems, kidney pain.
So now that we know its really bad for us we should just not eat it right? Well that is easier said than done. Due to its addictive properties and all those flavor enhancers, companies have figured out a way to keep adding it to food without having to let you know it. If MSG is in its pure form, it must be listed on a food label. However, if it is a component part of certain food additives, such as autolyzed yeast or hydrolyzed protein, the FDA allows it to go into food not labeled as MSG.
Hidden names of MSG containing up to 78%:
Gelatin
Calcium Caseinate
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein(HVP)
Textured Protein
Hydrolyzed Plant Protein
Yeast Extract
Glutamate
Autolyzed Plant Protein
Yeast food or nutrient
Glutamic Acid
Sodium Caseinate
Autolyzed Yeast
Vegetable Protein Extract
Senomyx (wheat extract labeled as artifical flavor)
The following substances contain some factory created free glutamate in varying amounts. Many foods will have more than one of these ingredients list, so it could add up to quite a bit of glutamate in one product:
Malted Barley (flavor)
Natural Flavors, Flavors, Flavoring
Modified food starch
Barley malt
Rice syrup or brown rice syrup
Malt Extract or Flavoring
Natural Chicken, Beef, or Pork, Flavoring "Seasonings"
Lipolyzed butter fat
Maltodextrin, dextrose, dextrates
Soy Sauce or Extract
"Low" or "No Fat" items
Caramel
Soy Protein
Corn syrup and corn syrup solids, high fructose corn syrup
Stock
Soy Protein Isolate or Concentrate
Citric Acid (when processed from corn)
Milk Powder/Dry Milk Solids
Bouillon
Carrageenan
Wheat, Rice, Corn or oat protein
Whey Protein
Anything enriched or vitamin enriched
Annatto
Whey Protein Isolate or Concentr ate
Protein fortified "anything"
Spice
Amino acids
Fructose (made from corn
Lecithin
Lecithin
Protein powders: whey, soy, oat, rice (as in protein bars shakes and body building drinks)
Ultra-pasteurized dairy products
Pectin
Algae
Gums (guar and vegetable)
Enzyme modified proteins
Phytoplankton
Protease enzymes
Fermented proteins
Yeast Nutrients
So there you have it. Lots of information on MSG to digest. I know after my research today I am personally going to avoid it like it is one of those ancient deadly plagues.
