Hidden Sources of MSG Yes, MSG is hidden in many ingredients. MSG is comprised of glutamate and sodium. Glutamate is the component in MSG that is so dangerous. It's an amino acid so the food industry says that it's natural and no more dangerous than eating natural foods containing amino acids. But interfering with the body's delicate balance of amino acids can cause serious consequences to the brain. Free glutamic acid (freed from the chain of amino acids) can cause brain cells to fire uncontrollably and cause brain damage. Amino acids that do this to brain cells are called excitotoxins.
The food processing companies cleverly disguise glutamate so it does not have to be listed on the label as MSG. Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein is an additive that contains high concentrations of glutamate, aspartate and cystoic acid (all excitotoxins), plus added MSG and carcinogenic biproducts, and is even more dangerous than MSG alone. Other definite hidden sources are hydrolyzed protein, sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate, yeast extract, gelatin, autolyzed yeast. When a label lists natural flavoring, textured protein, malt flavoring, carragenan, soy protein, whey protein, or even broth, there MAY be hidden MSG. There is really no way of knowing unless you contact the manufacturer and get a true answer. MSG is basically added to almost ALL processed foods. If people are highly sensitive, there is little they can eat without getting sick. It's become a real problem (to some it's life-threatening) and the FDA refuses to change the labeling rules. Here are some good websites for more info: www.nomsg.com www.truthinlabeling.org A great book written by Russell L. Blaylock, M.D., a neurosurgeon, is called Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills. You can access this book through my website in the recommended books section. Jane Sheppard Future Generations Publisher of Healthy Child Newsletter Vital, In-depth Information and Resources to Protect the Health of Children http://www.healthychild.com
