People like food, especially in this country, where unfortunately some people love it too much. Everyone likes to eat something different, exotic-sounding, foreign cheese, wines, caviars, but does anyone really want an amino acid? Monosodium Glutamate, commonly known as MSG, is a chemical addition found in many foods to ameliorate the taste. Have you ever thought about this, “I don’t eat much. I eat healthy. Why am I so fat?” So what makes MSG so bad? In 1969, Dr. John Olney discovered that MSG causes brain damage and obesity in mice.
Do you remember that it was in 1994, that executives representing seven different tobacco industry stood before the United States House Commerce Committee and swore that nicotine in cigarettes was not addictive? Could it be that we’re being told, once again, that a chemical, in our food this time, is non-addictive when there’s evidence showing otherwise? And could this be the key aspect causing massive obesity epidemic engulfing our nation today?
Animal studies dating from the early 1970s have shown that Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a derivative of glutamic acid, induces obesity along with an interminable list of unsavory ailments; however, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that MSG is a safe ingredient for the general population. The FDA has not placed a limit on how much is allowed in food and claims that regardless of the amount added to foods, it is still “significantly” safe. In addition, the International Glumate Technical Society gathered a colossal amount of researches and medical schools to study the issue and concluded that MSG has zero to none effect on the human body. However, we must consider the fact that “International Glutamate Technical Society,” who advocates the usage of monosodium glutamate, conducts these researches. Research that shows the safety of MSG is always financed by the food industry itself.
So what exactly is Monosodium Glutamate? Well MSG is a sodium salt of the non-essential amino acid and was first introduced to the United States in 1947 as a flavor enhancer. It is mainly found in a white crystalline powder form. Monosodium glutamate may be found used by almost every fast food restaurant and food manufacturer in the consumer world. MSG or monosodium glutamate cannot always be found on the back of products because it has copious amounts of esoteric name, which makes it hard to comprehend by the majority. As a result, most of us are unaware that MSG is veiled in products when it’s listed on the label as sodium caseinate, Aginomoto, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, soy protein extracts, or even natural meat tenderizer.
So if MSG is so bad for us, why not ban it? This is why, if the food and drug administration were to place a ban on MSG, the drug companies would lose billions. Think about how much money they’re making to treat asthma, migraine, headaches, depression, seizures, heart disease, and all the other “good” stuff that comes out of MSG. Oh and did I forget to mention cancer to? Acid hydrolyzed proteins contain Carcinogenic propanols.
References:
http://www.truthinlabeling.org/
http://path-of-power.com/monosodium-glutamate-effects-msg-makes-stupid,89
http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/monosodium-glutamate.html
If msg makes us fat, then why are so many people in Hue thin as rakes? Hue people probably use more msg than anywhere else in Vietnam. I know people who dump in several spoonsful when making soup, and then add more to each bowl when serving. Salads have it sprinkled on. Ca kho for two people might have two tablespoons of msg. None of them get headaches, and none of them are fat. I used to worry about msg, but not after living in Hue for 6 years.
Next time you write an article asserting a scientific claim, it’d be best to use sources/references from peer-reviewed science journals. There have been just as many studies proving that MSG is innocuous to the general population. Even if MSG is harmful in large quantities (and really, what isn’t?), we should first worry about the amount of sugars, salt, and processed food we take in everyday in the US before jumping on the anti-MSG bandwagon.
No credible references or scientific research, how can someone believe such claims, Merill La?
My parents have been eating MSG based products in Vietnam since the 1950’s to the 1980’s, nothing wrong happened to them, albeit switching to natural food spices in the post 1990’s.
YES its a big conspiracy. MSG opponents claim the FDA is devilishly poisoning us so they can TONS of money off the medicines they can sell us when we get sick. Get a life. Why is it in countries that use msg like China and Vietnam have skinnier people than here in the US? Instead of looking at obvious causes of dementia, heart disease, obesity such as lack of exercise, unhealthy diets, its just so much more fun to make up conspiracy theories. No matter how much research point out that MSG is harmless, you can’t sway the delusional conspiracy theorist. By the way, living in Vietnam WILL cause you to lose weight. No french fries.
I started with headaches about 8 years ago I didn’t know why now I get vertigo I vomit I get tired I get sweaty and my stomach hurts this goes away after 24 hours or less and I’ve realized it’s what I eat I try to pick my food wisely but I didn’t realized that the seasoning I use is pack with it I had been having protein shakes for a year now and I think it’s the reason why I feel sick the next day I really think is MSG I’m afraid of eating now ! It’s hard I would like to know if anyone can show me where I can go to be sure of the symptoms I have are caused by MSG