This article touches on the dangers of MSG, but I don't think it is stated strongly enough. For more informaton look for the book "Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills' by Russell l. Blaylock, M.D.
Monosodium Glutamate, or MSG as it is most commonly known as, is found
in almost all convenience foods, fast foods and processed foods. It is
used as a flavour enhancer in cheap, processed foods to make their taste
more appealing. While making bland foods taste more appealing, this
chemically structured ingredient is shown to cause neurotransmitter
damage and is also linked to the skyrocketing cases of obesity we see
today.
MSG was discovered in 1908 by Kikunae Ikeda, a Japanese
scientist at the Tokyo Imperial University. He managed to isolate the
flavour from a seaweed broth, and with the help of Ajinomoto Corporation
of Japan, he patented it in 1909. It was then that it became available
commercially for the first time. It is used in most restaurant cooking,
especially in vegetarian dishes and low-protein foods.
MSG
masquerades on food ingredient labels under many names: including
glutamic acid, glutamate, autolyzed yeast, autolyzed yeast protein,
yeast extract, textured protein, monopotassium glutamate, sodium
caseinate, natrium glutamate, flavours, so-called `natural` flavours,
hydrolyzed corn, yeast food and ultra-pasteurized and any
enzyme-modified ingredients. Many manufacturers of medications use MSG
as a filler ingredient in tablets and other medications.
Even
personal care products like shampoos, soaps and cosmetics are not exempt
from containing MSG. Look for ingredients that include the words
`hydrolyzed,` `protein` and `amino acids.`
MSG has been known to
cause an extreme rise or drop in blood pressure, arrhythmias (irregular
heartbeat), depression, dizziness, anxiety or panic attacks, migraines,
mental confusion, stiffness, muscular swelling, lethargy, seizures,
joint pain, flu-like body aches, chest pains, loss of balance, slurred
speech, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, sneezing, nausea, vomiting, skin
rashes, hives, blurred vision and difficulty in concentrating.
MSG
is a glutamic acid which stimulates brain cell activity. This is why it
is also known as an excitotoxin. Glutamates are responsible for the
signaling of nerve impulses in certain neurons. Tests done in the 1950s
showed that when rats were given a single dose of MSG, it destroyed the
neurons in the inner layer of their retinas. The hypothalamus of the
brain was also severely damaged in the process. It has been shown that
humans are up to six times more sensitive to the effects of MSG than
rats.
Evidence has shown that MSG disrupts the endocrine system
and reduces the thermogenicity of brown fat while also suppressing the
intake of food. In other words, even if you were to significantly reduce
your caloric intake in order to lose weight, consuming any food which
contains MSG or any of its derivatives would actually cause you to gain
weight instead.
MSG is definitely a food additive which should be avoided as much as possible, especially where children are concerned.
Further Reading:
http://www.advancedhealthplan.com/m...http://nikas-culinaria.com/2007/02/...http://www.resourcesforlife.com/doc...http://www.ourlittleplace.com/artic...http://www.ehow.com/about_5432119_h...http://www.msgtruth.org/avoid.htmhttp://www.naturalmedicine.com/news...
Shona Botes - Natural News
