SafeKiddo Blog

Just when we thought we were safe…

MSG

Common Definition:

additive used in some Chinese and Japanese food, and properly labeled food products available in grocery stores.

Real (scientific) Definition:

white crystalline substance, a sodium salt of the amino acid glutamic acid. MSG is used to intensify the natural flavor of meats and vegetables. Originally produced from seaweed, MSG is now made principally from cereal gluten (like wheat, corn, and soybeans), from solutions evolved in the manufacture of beet sugar, and by microbiological fermentation of carbohydrates. The 2 main raw ingredients used in the commercial production of MSG are WHEAT GLUTEN and desugared beet-sugar molasses.

FYI:
MSG stimulates specific receptors located in taste buds which induce the taste known as umami, one of the five basic tastes (the word umami is a loanword from Japanese; it is also referred to as “savory” or “meaty”).

Interesting:

Glutamate itself is a widespread amino acid (WHICH ARE VITAL TO OUR HEALTH): it is found naturally in human bodies, and is found primarily in the bound form in protein-containing foods, such as mushrooms, seaweed, tomatoes, nuts, legumes, meats, and most dairy products.

VERY IMPORTANT….kind of scientific, but follow along:

The unbound form, or free form, of glutamate is very quickly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract (unlike the bound form). This could spike blood plasma levels of glutamate. Glutamic acid (or bound form) is in a class of chemicals known as excitotoxins. These toxic compounds are known to interfere with brain chemistry and have been implicated in a variety of neurological diseases, such as brain cancers, MS, fibromyalgia, depression and hyperactivity (ADHD)–seems like a serious contradiction to me, an amino acid found naturally that can cause brain cancer amongst other neurological diseases???

Truth?

There are so many conflicting studies on the effects of MSG in humans, it is hard to know the real truth. However, it is CLEAR that there are quite a few people who have a distinct allergy to MSG, which can produce pretty scary effects that supposedly last for a brief time and then subside: These symptoms include, but are not limited to:

burning sensation in the back of the neck, forearms and chest
numbness in the back of the neck, radiating to the arms and back
tingling, warmth and weakness in the face, temples, upper back, neck and arms
facial pressure or tightness
chest pain
headache
nausea
rapid heartbeat
difficulty breathing
drowsiness
weakness

Personally Speaking:

The idea that MSG has so many aliases is new to me. I thoroughly read labels because it is important to me that my son and I eat healthy! I believe in the saying we are what we eat, even though it has become quite a cliche. I have always stayed clear of MSG, or so I thought. Now, I feel so much more aware of the sneaky ingredients that we assume are healthy. They’re even saying that manufacturers are starting to use ingredients like pea protein, which produces MSG in the manufacturing process.

Best bet…try to stick with whole foods when you can. For example, choose peas over pea protein!

NOW, if you’ve decided after reading this that you do not want you or your family ingesting this unnecessary additive, then here is what to avoid:

Most of us, before now, thought that as long as ingredients did not include the term MSG, or monosodium glutamate, we didn’t have to worry. TIMES HAVE CHANGED. Food manufacturers have become sneaky. Here is a REAL list of foods to avoid if you avoid MSG:

Ingredients ALWAYS contain MSG:

These ingredients OFTEN contain MSG or can create MSG during processing:

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This entry was posted on Friday, November 7th, 2008 at 10:01 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.