To MSG or not MSG... Beyond the Buffet-

The mention of MSG (monosodium glutamate) conjurs memories of endless buffet tables slathered in unpronouncable asian cuisines topped with non-stop ice cream.  Well, that was until recently anyways...

We found MSG to be in most savory food you can buy at your local market.  Even in the same market there are safe alternatives available, but your attention to labels and knowing how this chemical is hidden will be the key to health-

These are excerpts from 3 quick reading articles that are very informative:

The Hidden Danger in Your Food (link)
"And babies in the womb and young children up to age three are the most threatened. That means expectant mothers may need to be mindful of their diets. And when the babies are born, moms may want to watch out for what's in their formula.

Nearly all formulas contain high levels of highly processed milk and soy protein. The processing breaks down those two proteins, releasing high levels of glutamate and aspartate. Both are excitotoxins.

An unprotected part of the brain can then be damaged. That damage can permanently damage the body's ability to control obesity. (Quoted from above article)

Your Brains Biggest Enemy (link)
"Buchholz said, "That's exactly right. It's an excitotoxin, and it turns on this headache mechanism and makes you hurt like heck."

An excitotoxin is any substance that overexcites cells to the point of damage -- it acts as a toxin.

And there may be more to this public poison.

MSG can directly worsen autism, attention deficit disorder, and hyperactivity.

And MSG can cause the brain to be miswired, especially in the womb and the first few years of life.

That damage to brain connections can mess up nearly any aspect of brain function, from the control of hormones to behavior and intelligence. " (Quoted from above article)

"Consider this: Could the organic yogurt granny eats send her prematurely into Alzheimer's? Could your baby's diet be putting the child on a path toward attention deficit disorder? " (Quoted from above article)

MSG Cancer and Your Heart (link)
"He said, "The total picture is -- if you're consuming a diet with glutamate in it, particularly high levels, you're making your cancer grow very rapidly. I refer to it as cancer fertilizer."

The cancers of this type include several brain cancers, colon cancer, breast cancer, and others as well." (Quoted from above article)

In our research we found MSG to be hidden in all kinds of foods. It is mainly used as a flavor enhancer. As the articles above mention, MSG is not regulated by the FDA as a dangerous substance so companies, knowing flavor = $$$, have no problem listing the chemical on packaging as:

MSG	Gelatin	Calcium Caseinate
Monosodium glutamate	Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP)	Textured Protein
Monopotassium glutamate	Hydrolyzed Plant Protein (HPP)	Yeast Extract
Glutamate	Autolyzed Plant Protein	Yeast food or nutrient
Glutamic Acid	Sodium Caseinate	Autolyzed Yeast
Vegetable Protein Extract	Senomyx (wheat extract labeled as artificial flavor)

(Extract taken from http://www.msgmyth.com/hidename.htm . More names for MSG available at this site.)

There is also plenty of research linking MSG intake to ADD, ADHD, and Autism-

MSGTruth.org - (Interesting article about MSG-ADD, ADHD and Autism)
"Children given Tylenol with their vaccines were SIX TIMES more likely to develop autism than children given ibuprofen (which is a glutamate BLOCKER).  This is key - because Tylenol, like excess MSG, lowers glutathione levels.  One of the genes for autism is for making glutathione.  Our theory is that Tylenol, by depleting an already low supply of glutathione, makes it more difficult for an autistic child to get rid of mercury FROM ANY SOURCE.  We have suspected this link for a while now, but the latest study just confirmed our fears."  (Quoted from MSGTruth.org)

Side Note - If you were not already aware, most imunizations available to the general public contain alarming levels of mercury, they will also contain  MSG (glutamic acid) as a preservative for the virus. (Immunizations containing mercury have been linked to mercury poisoning and Autism.  FDA and CDC have recommended a gradual withdrawl of vaccines containing mercury - No actual timeline...  Between now and the year 3000...  More info here - Thimerosal and Mercury Poisoning )

This is where it gets fun, trying to avoid the obvious, and more cleverly hidden souces of this chemical-
These are some not so obvious sources that suprised us as we dug deeper into msg and our own pantry:

• Canned soups - Many times disguised as yeast extract.
• Salad Dressings
• Doritos and other crunchy snack foods
• Ramen noodles
• Boullion (Beef,Chicken, Pork, and Vegetable)

http://www.msgtruth.org/avoid.htm - Extensive list of foods containing MSG.

One of the most disturbing things about MSG that I learned today while writing this blog was about infant formula containing it.  I have done no personal research on this end of it but considering children are 4 times more sensitive to the effects of MSG I think it may be worthy of an article of its own. 

Although I miss my asian buffet, and Ramen noodles... I value my health more :)

A measure of maturity - Patiently doing what you know is right, instead of what feels good-


~Terry~