Tuesday, September 1, 2009

What is MSG Still Doing in My Food?

By Kathryn Barry

What is MSG anyway? MSG may be one of the most famous food additives known to mankind. When I was a young child, we used it like most people use salt. Little did we know the problems this flavor enhancer could create with just a few shakes.

My childhood is a little blurry and this could explain my inability to remember some of my earlier years.

MSG is in All Fermented Foods!

1. MSG is a salt of Glutamic Acid and is also known as Monosodium Glutamate.

2. An amino acid called glutamic acid is present in most plant and protein rich foods. Glutamic acid is also found in the human body.

3. In its unprocessed or natural state it presents no problems.

4. Processed free glutamic acid, which has been freed from protein through a manufacturing process or fermentation is what causes the problems for most people.

5. Therefore, MSG is Processed Free Glutamic Acid.

MSG aka Neurotoxin

Your central nervous system can become damaged by this neurotoxin.

Once MSG crosses your blood-brain barrier, it can excite your nerve cells to death.

The young whose blood-brain barrier has not fully developed is at greater risk for damage.

The elderly are also at great risk, because they have a weakened blood-brain barrier and are less able to keep high amounts of MSG from getting into their brains.

If you're pregnant, this neurotoxin may even affect you're unborn baby.

What are MSG Related Health Problems?

Health problems created by MSG:

*Rapid Heartbeat

*Extreme Rise/Drop in Blood Pressure

*Watery Stools

*Vomiting or Throwing Up

*Painful Joints

*Depression

*Rage

*Migraine Headaches

*Dizziness

*Blurry Vision

*Anxiety

*Chills and Shakes

*Breathing Problems

*Urination Increase

*Itchy Skin

Fermented Foods with High Amounts

Fermented foods that contain high amounts are Soy Sauce or Shoyu, Fish Sauce, and Certain Cheeses (especially Parmesan).

For the vast majority of people fermented foods are not a problem in moderation, but people who are extremely sensitive may need to refrain from all fermented foods.

It makes sense that fermented foods with a higher protein content would be more problematic to sensitive people.

The manufactured version of MSG will probably cause more adverse reactions than most fermented foods.

What is MSG History?

Glutamic acid was discovered in 1908 by a Japanese Scientist. His name was Kikunae Ikeda and he put together how glutamic acid seemed to affect the flavor of foods.

Not too long after Mr. Ikeda's discovery, the world-wide use of MSG began to happen.

It was sold as a flavor enhancer and under the name of Ajinomoto. They created quite a catchy jingle for this food additive.

MSG is still being sold as a flavor enhancer to this day and under new names such as Accent! It's still being put into our food and most people have no clue that it's still around.

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