Monosodium Gluamate (MSG)
The MSG Asile
(Grocery store items containing MSG)
Ramen Noodle Soup
Taco Seasoning Kits
Cheddar Cheese Sour Cream Baked Lays
Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that stimulates nerve cells, and can be found in foods like tomatoes, mushrooms, and milk.
MSG is a sodium salt of the amino glutamic acid and a form of glutamate. It looks a lot like salt, without the splendid taste, although it is said to be a “taste enhancer.” Research is not clear how it enhances taste, but it is believed to stimulate receptors on the tongue. MSG is made by fermenting sugar cane, molasses, starch, or sugar beets.
According to the FDA, glutamate is harmless when consumed by humans, although the injection of the substance in rats has caused brain cell nerve damage. In 1959 the FDA classified the substance as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). However, in 1995, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) conducted a safety assessment of the substance and submitted a 350-page report to the FDA.
Some of the findings are as follows:
* An unknown percentage of the population may react to MSG and develop MSG symptom complex, a condition characterized by one or more of the following symptoms:
* 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
* rapid heartbeat
* bronchospasm (difficulty breathing) in MSG-intolerant people with asthma
There are gobs of blogs on the internet that boast of a hatred of MSG and skepticism of the FDA’s GRAS rating. A popular health-related website on headaches reports, “…Monosodium glutamate can cause headaches or other symptoms in susceptible people. It is often added to Chinese foods, with wonton soup a frequent offender. However, it is also found in many processed meats and tenderizers. Symptoms occur within 30 minutes of ingesting MSG, as it is rapidly absorbed by the stomach. Although the headache chiefly affects the temples, there may also be perspiration, tightness, and pressure over the face and chest. ” Another states, “Diseases which may be caused by MSG are obesity, Type II diabetes, and high blood pressure… Consequently, if you think you are immune from the effects of MSG because you don’t have the autism genes, or the Alzheimer’s genes, or high blood pressure, note that free glutamic acid acts on the pancreas to secrete insulin and acts to stimulate hunger by targeting the amygdala and hypothalamus and creates valium-like GABA in otherwise HEALTHY folks.”
My two cents:
MSG, whether harmful or not, is simply another chemical additive used to get me to munch away mindlessly on another handful of potato chips. I find it funny that all of the “MSG Aisle Items” on the above list are foods that I, at one time or another, found extremely irresistible – and all portion control efforts were vehemently overlooked during ingestion.
I have not yet found out why monosodium glutamate, although listed in the ingredients section of packaged foods, does not have its amount listed on the label. Curious.
Please share any items you have found with MSG in them as I am planning a half-hearted boycott of the items as soon as I have finished my Costco-purchased, bulk supply of Baked Cheddar Cheese and Sour Cream Ruffles.