Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is one of the most harmful food additives on the market and is used in canned soups, crackers, meats, salad dressings, frozen dinners, some baby foods and much more. It actually enhances the flavor of foods, making processed meats and frozen dinners taste better, salad dressings more tasty, and canned foods less tinny.
In the book ‘Breakthrough’, Dr. Russell Blaylock explains that MSG is an excitotoxin which basically ‘excites’ neurons to death. Excitotoxins cause neurons to fire their impulses rapidly until they die of exhaustion, which is how neuroscientists came to name these substances.
Many adverse effects have been linked to regular consumption of MSG, including:
- Obesity
- Cancer
- Brain damage
- Heart damage
- Eye damage
- Fatigue and disorientation
- Depression
- Damage to fetuses
- Fertility issues
- Migraines
It is important for your health to avoid consuming MSG! It can be hidden in products by using less scary sounding names, so you MUST read labels. I was dismayed to find “autolyzed yeast extract” on the label of an organic soup broth that I used, thinking it was a healthy product. I had no idea this was another name for MSG! I now cook my own chicken broth in large batches and freeze it as I could not find any chicken broth without MSG.
Here is a list of ingredients that ALWAYS contain MSG (from Dr. Mercola):
Autolyzed Yeast | Calcium Caseinate | Gelatin |
Glutamate | Glutamic Acid | Hydrolyzed Protein |
Monopotassium Glutamate | Monosodium Glutamate | Sodium Caseinate |
Textured Protein | Yeast Extract | Yeast Food |
Yeast Nutrient |
These ingredients OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing:
Flavors and Flavorings | Seasonings | Natural Flavors and Flavorings | Natural Pork Flavoring |
Natural Chicken Flavoring | Soy Sauce | Soy Protein Isolate | Soy Protein |
Stock | Broth | Malt Extract | Malt Flavoring |
Anything Enzyme Modified | Carrageenan | Maltodextrin | Powdered Milk |
Protease | Corn Starch | Citric Acid | Anything Protein Fortified |
Natural Beef Flavoring | Bouillon | Barley Malt | Anything Ultra-Pasteurized |
The best way to avoid MSG is to cook your own meals and use natural spices from foods and herbs. Stay away from fast foods and processed foods and learn to cook naturally and, as mentioned earlier, be sure to read labels!
To your health,
You-Be-Healthy.com
Facebook.com/youbehealthy
PS The Truth In Labeling website outlines more hidden sources of MSG.
References:
“Breakthrough: 8 Steps to Wellness” by Suzanne Somers
The Shocking Dangers of MSG You Don’t Know – Dr. Mercola