MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a common flavor enhancer used in a variety of foods. Most people recognize MSG from Chinese food restaurants in the United States. However, not many realize how pervasive this additive is in the food supply. MSG is used in most canned soups, salad dressings, condiments, flavored chips and prepared foods. It is used extensively in fast-food restaurants and most restaurant chains.

 MSG is the sodium salt of the amino acid glutamic acid and a form of glutamate. While glutamate is a naturally occurring amino acid, MSG is a man-made ingredient, made from fermented molasses, sugar beets or other plants that are acidified or hydrolyzed. It has no flavor of its own, but rather enhances and intensifies the flavor of foods. Many scientists believe MSG works by stimulating specific receptors in the tongue that augment the flavor. More recently, scientists have discovered that MSG works by sending messages via neurotransmitters to the brain to affect how flavor is perceived.

Deemed “GRAS” or, generally recognized as safe by the FDA since 1959, MSG has received more complaints from consumers than any other substance or additive in the American diet. [1] The most common negative reactions to MSG include; migraines, numbness, nausea, asthma attacks, hot flushes and rapid heartbeat. The FDA finally responded to these reports by forming a committee to review the results and determine the safety of this additive. In 1995 this advisory committee concluded that MSG caused many reactions, but mostly in “MSG-sensitive” people, but that these negative symptoms were short-lived and that it was safe for the general public.[2]

Since then, many scientific studies have revealed that MSG actually causes more long-term health problems than previously indicated. Most predominantly, MSG has been implicated in playing a role in many neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s, as well as contributing to the obesity epidemic. Dr. Russell Blaylock, MD, PhD, a neurosurgeon, refers to MSG as an “excitotoxin”, a term he coined to mean a substance that over- excites neurons to the point of burn- out or death.[3] He contends that MSG, along with other excitotoxins (eg aspartame, et al), are responsible for the increasing prevalence of neurological disorders such as MS, ALS, migraine disease and Alzheimer’s.[4] To this fact, the latest drug being used for Alzheimer’s is called Namenda (memantine), which acts on the glutamergic system. A dysfunction of this system “manifested as neuronal excitotoxicity, is involved in the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease.”[5] This drug basically protects cells from excessive glutamate. (a side note, the largest manufacturer of MSG from Japan is also one of the largest investors in the drug Namenda)[6]

Migraines are perhaps the most noted reaction to MSG. In fact, Dr. David Bucholz, MD, neurologist from Johns Hopkins, names MSG as the number 2 trigger of migraines, second only to caffeine.[7] It is estimated that more than 25 million people suffer from regular migraines in the US. Dr. Bucholz asserts that avoiding MSG could diminish the severity and frequency of this debilitating neurological disorder.

The most surprising new development about MSG was revealed in a study published in 2005 in Nutrition. The study found that rats fed a diet containing MSG in an amount a little bit higher than the average person, increased the rats’ food intake and lowered their metabolism. [8] Their cholesterol and insulin levels were also negatively affected by the MSG diet. More recently, a study published in January 2006 concluded that; “…the flavoring agent MSG…exhibits significant potential for damaging the hypothalamic regulation of appetite, and thereby determines the propensity of world-wide obesity”.[9] The report goes so far as to say we should abstain from using MSG at all.

More and more nutritionists and researchers recommend avoiding MSG. Unfortunately, this is hard to do. The easiest way to eliminate MSG from your diet, is to prepare your own foods from scratch or buy organic or more naturally prepared foods. Also, be aware that MSG can be disguised as different names. For the full list, go to MSG websites. To check the multitude of studies on MSG go to www.pubmed.com, search monosodium glutamate.

See "Hidden Names For MSG"

[1] www.fda.gov/msg

[2] www.fda.gov/msg

[3] Dr. Russell Blaylock, “Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills”

[4] ibid

[5] Namenda website

[6] Company that makes MSG and supports Namenda

[7] Heal Your Headaches

 [8] pubmed

[9] pubmed- obesity

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