Originally published January 25 2015
The truth about MSG and its addictive, neurotoxic side effects
by Joel Edwards
(NaturalNews) MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is a food additive found in nearly every processed food, and you may not realize it due to its many, many names.
Monosodium glutamate escaped extensive testing because it is derived from an amino acid, glutamtate, one of the building blocks of protein. There are twenty such amino acids, many of which our bodies can produce on their own, while some of them our bodies cannot.
The majority of MSG in the American diet is not of natural origin. The majority of MSG that Americans consume is added to processed foods or created as a by-product of the processing itself. It is also found in much of the food that is served in restaurants. The amount of MSG is particularly high in low-fat foods, canned goods, soups, and gravies.
How much is too much MSG? Our research and experience recommends that all MSG that is not of natural origin be avoided.
How bad is MSG?
MSG sensitive individuals can experience these symptoms within an hour of consuming only three grams.
MSG Side Effects
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Migraine headaches
- Heart palpitations
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sharp rise in blood pressure
- Rapid drop in blood pressure
- Blurred vision
- Joint pain
- Stiffness in joints
- Achiness all over body
- Dizziness and loss of balance
- Light headed
- Depression
- Frequent need to urinate
- A numbing or burning sensation in the mouth
- Swelling of the face
- Pain or tightness in the chest
- Shortness of breath
In studies with lab animals, research has conclusively confirmed that consuming high doses of MSG causes lesions in the hypothalamus. Young animals that were fed diets high in MSG showed numerous health problems like obesity, malformed organs, abnormal reproductive systems, infertility, unprovoked rage, overt aggression, antisocial behavior, impaired cardiovascular responsiveness, and high triglycerides, cholesterol, and VLDL. Many of these animals also showed signs of an impaired immune system. MSG also forces the pancreas to release insulin. This causes the blood sugar to drop and typically makes one very hungry. This is why it is commonplace for individuals to become hungry only an hour or so after consuming foods high in MSG.
What the food industries do not want you to know
Although the FDA requires that the ingredient monosodium glutamate be listed on food labels, it does not require ingredients that contain MSG to be listed as MSG. If we are to avoid MSG, we must avoid the following ingredients as well. The food industry does not want you to know about these ingredients.
MSG does not change the actual taste of foods the way substances that are sweet, salty, bitter, or sour do. Instead it alters the taste of food by stimulating the sensation of taste. It is added to foods in the hope that consumers will become addicted. And it is added to foods in many different ways, listed as many different ingredients, in the hope that we will not take the effort to learn its many names.
Neuroscientists overwhelmingly agree that MSG is toxic. It kills neurons by exciting them until the neurons die. MSG is an excitotoxin, so it is toxic for everyone, for some more than others. Newborns are four times more sensitive to MSG than adults, and individuals with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, or multiple sclerosis are more sensitive than people without neurodegenerative diseases.
Anyone who is sick and trying to heal naturopathically (which, incidentally, is the only way to actually heal), will have to stop eating MSG. Any parent with a child who exhibits behavior problems needs to find those hidden sources of MSG in their child's diet and get their kid off of MSG (and every other additive). You'll see a difference in two weeks or less. The bottom line is this: do you want to eat a food additive that kills your brain cells in addition to doing other damage throughout your body? Do you want to feed it to your child, ever? For any reason?
The FDA assures us that MSG is safe, but a neurotoxin, in any amount, is never fit for human consumption.
To detoxify from MSG (and everything else) see this Inexpensive and Easy Detox. MSG goes by many different names; see MSG's Many Side Effects and Aliases for more information.
Sources:
Colbert MD, Don. The Seven Pillars of Health. Lake Mary, Fla.: Siloam, 2007.
Blaylock MD, Russell. Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills. Santa Fe: Health Press, 1997.
About the author:
Joel learned long ago that pharmaceuticals were not the answer to health and vitality. He gave up on pharmaceuticals many years ago, and he also gave up wheat and refined sugars. His hobbies include gluten free baking, gardening, and fitness. Joel is passionate about agriculture and environmental issues. Joel believes that progressive, cutting-edge, organic agriculture can feed the world.
Joel learned long ago that pharmaceuticals were not the answer to health and vitality. He gave up on pharmaceuticals many years ago, and he also gave up wheat and refined sugars. His hobbies include gluten free baking, gardening, and fitness. Joel is passionate about agriculture and environmental issues. Joel believes that progressive, cutting-edge, organic agriculture can feed the world.
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