“We are slowly poisoning ourselves and we don’t even realize it”……
What is MSG?
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a taste enhancer commonly added to many processed food products. Food processors love to use MSG because it is cheap and its neurotoxin nerve stimulation enhances the bland flavor of cheaply made foods. MSG also has addictive properties on the human body, which make you want to keep coming back for more, kinda like nicotine for food….right?
Currently the Food and Drug Administration (not my favorite people) have stated that MSG is “generally recognized as safe.” Although, I think just about every person knows that MSG is bad news.
In 1999, NOHA Board Member Adrienne Samuels, PhD, wrote an article in a peer-reviewed journal about the history of the many deceptions used by food manufacturers, “The Toxicity/Safety of Processed Free Glutamic Acid (MSG): A Study in Suppression of Information.” She states that the evidence of toxicity of MSG is overwhelming. Studies have shown that lab animals exposed to free glutamic acid suffered brain lesions and neuroendocrine disorders, and mice were shown to become grotesquely obese after being exposed.
Every person has a specific tolerance level to MSG, some people will adversely react to small amounts, others will notice symptoms after larger doses. Even my own neighbor will react negatively every time he consumes anything with MSG. These reactions — known as MSG symptom complex — include:
What is MSG?
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a taste enhancer commonly added to many processed food products. Food processors love to use MSG because it is cheap and its neurotoxin nerve stimulation enhances the bland flavor of cheaply made foods. MSG also has addictive properties on the human body, which make you want to keep coming back for more, kinda like nicotine for food….right?
Currently the Food and Drug Administration (not my favorite people) have stated that MSG is “generally recognized as safe.” Although, I think just about every person knows that MSG is bad news.
In 1999, NOHA Board Member Adrienne Samuels, PhD, wrote an article in a peer-reviewed journal about the history of the many deceptions used by food manufacturers, “The Toxicity/Safety of Processed Free Glutamic Acid (MSG): A Study in Suppression of Information.” She states that the evidence of toxicity of MSG is overwhelming. Studies have shown that lab animals exposed to free glutamic acid suffered brain lesions and neuroendocrine disorders, and mice were shown to become grotesquely obese after being exposed.
Every person has a specific tolerance level to MSG, some people will adversely react to small amounts, others will notice symptoms after larger doses. Even my own neighbor will react negatively every time he consumes anything with MSG. These reactions — known as MSG symptom complex — include:
* Headache
* Migraine
* Flushing
* Sweating
* Facial pressure or tightness
* Numbness, tingling or burning in face, neck and other areas
* Heart palpitations
* Chest pain
* Nausea
* Weakness
It also worsens many health problems such as:
* Asthma
* Insomnia
* Depression
* ADD
* Obesity
* Heart irregularities
* Diabetes
MSG has also been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as:
* Lou Gehrig’s
* Multiple Sclerosis
* Parkinson’s
* Alzheimer’s
* Migraine
* Flushing
* Sweating
* Facial pressure or tightness
* Numbness, tingling or burning in face, neck and other areas
* Heart palpitations
* Chest pain
* Nausea
* Weakness
It also worsens many health problems such as:
* Asthma
* Insomnia
* Depression
* ADD
* Obesity
* Heart irregularities
* Diabetes
MSG has also been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as:
* Lou Gehrig’s
* Multiple Sclerosis
* Parkinson’s
* Alzheimer’s
Where it is Found:
MSG is found in many processed food items that are probably in your kitchen as we speak.
Popular foods like Campbell’s soups, Doritos, Cheeto’s (actually most flavored potato chips), Top Ramen, Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Heinz canned gravy, Swanson frozen meals, Kraft salad dressings, among many many more. I bet if you went to a grocery store and filled up your cart with normal everyday foods, over ½ of them would contain MSG.
The tricky part is, when you look at the ingredients, it will not say MSG. Sadly, food companies know how to disguise this controversial ingredient very well. Below I have a MSG cheat sheet. These are a list of all the “disguise” names that MSG hides under. I HIGHLY encourage you to bring this with you next time you go grocery shopping and stay away from any item with one of the below names listed in the ingredients.
* Note: Restaurant food, fast food, and especially Chinese food is also not safe from MSG. Burger King, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, TGIF, Chilis’, Applebees, and especially KFC all use MSG in abundance.
MSG is found in many processed food items that are probably in your kitchen as we speak.
Popular foods like Campbell’s soups, Doritos, Cheeto’s (actually most flavored potato chips), Top Ramen, Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Heinz canned gravy, Swanson frozen meals, Kraft salad dressings, among many many more. I bet if you went to a grocery store and filled up your cart with normal everyday foods, over ½ of them would contain MSG.
The tricky part is, when you look at the ingredients, it will not say MSG. Sadly, food companies know how to disguise this controversial ingredient very well. Below I have a MSG cheat sheet. These are a list of all the “disguise” names that MSG hides under. I HIGHLY encourage you to bring this with you next time you go grocery shopping and stay away from any item with one of the below names listed in the ingredients.
* Note: Restaurant food, fast food, and especially Chinese food is also not safe from MSG. Burger King, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, TGIF, Chilis’, Applebees, and especially KFC all use MSG in abundance.
These ALWAYS contain MSG
Glutamate
Glutamic acid
Gelatin
Monosodium glutamate
Calcium caseinate
Textured protein
Monopotassium glutamate
Sodium caseinate
Yeast nutrient
Yeast extract
Yeast food
Autolyzed yeast
Hydrolyzed protein (any protein that is hydrolyzed)
Hydrolyzed corn gluten
Natrium glutamate (natrium is Latin/German for sodium)
These OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing
Carrageenan
Maltodextrin
Malt extract
Natural pork flavoring
Citric acid
Malt flavoring
Bouillon and Broth
Natural chicken flavoring
Soy protein isolate
Natural beef flavoring
Ultra-pasteurized
Soy sauce
Stock
Barley malt
Soy sauce extract
Whey protein concentrate
Pectin
Soy protein
Whey protein
Protease
Soy protein concentrate
Whey protein isolate
Protease enzymes
Anything protein fortified
Flavors(s) & Flavoring(s)
Anything enzyme modified
Natural flavor(s) & flavoring(s)
Seasonings (the word “seasonings”)
Glutamate
Glutamic acid
Gelatin
Monosodium glutamate
Calcium caseinate
Textured protein
Monopotassium glutamate
Sodium caseinate
Yeast nutrient
Yeast extract
Yeast food
Autolyzed yeast
Hydrolyzed protein (any protein that is hydrolyzed)
Hydrolyzed corn gluten
Natrium glutamate (natrium is Latin/German for sodium)
These OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing
Carrageenan
Maltodextrin
Malt extract
Natural pork flavoring
Citric acid
Malt flavoring
Bouillon and Broth
Natural chicken flavoring
Soy protein isolate
Natural beef flavoring
Ultra-pasteurized
Soy sauce
Stock
Barley malt
Soy sauce extract
Whey protein concentrate
Pectin
Soy protein
Whey protein
Protease
Soy protein concentrate
Whey protein isolate
Protease enzymes
Anything protein fortified
Flavors(s) & Flavoring(s)
Anything enzyme modified
Natural flavor(s) & flavoring(s)
Seasonings (the word “seasonings”)
How to Avoid MSG:
The best way to avoid MSG, is simply to buy fresh local foods. Fresh organic meats, eggs, fruits, dairy, and vegetables from local farmers.
Avoid all processed foods and follow our motto “if you want it, bake it“, so make your own snacks and desserts with your own high quality simple ingredients. When you buy your staples (flours, sugars, spices, etc) make sure they have a short list of ingredients and none of the ingredients listed above. If you do find yourself still buying processed foods just know that the more “salty or seasoned” a food is the more likely it will contain high levels of MSG, and the longer the list of ingredients a product has, the more likely it contains high levels as well.
The best way to avoid MSG, is simply to buy fresh local foods. Fresh organic meats, eggs, fruits, dairy, and vegetables from local farmers.
Avoid all processed foods and follow our motto “if you want it, bake it“, so make your own snacks and desserts with your own high quality simple ingredients. When you buy your staples (flours, sugars, spices, etc) make sure they have a short list of ingredients and none of the ingredients listed above. If you do find yourself still buying processed foods just know that the more “salty or seasoned” a food is the more likely it will contain high levels of MSG, and the longer the list of ingredients a product has, the more likely it contains high levels as well.
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