Is MSG bad for you?

When you start to look at food additives and their effects it brings a whole new meaning to the slogan 'Once you pop, you can't stop.'  MSG changes the way your body reacts neurologically to the food and makes you desperately want more of it.

What is MSG?

MSG, or Monosodium Glutamate is a salt of the amino acid - Glutamic Acid (glutamate).  A salt is the chemical name for a molecule held together by opposite charges.   Basically one (mono) sodium atom is "stuck" to the amino acid glutamate.

It occurs naturally in some foods and is not harmful in this situation unless you are sensitive to it.  The problem is the way it is concentrated and put into everything.  This is when it may become unsafe and cause problems. It increases your appetite for the food you are eating and can make you overeat.  Some people have severe reactions to food additives such as MSG.

To find out whether what you are eating contains MSG you need to be a detective.  It can be hidden under labels such as:

Autolyzed Plant Protein
Autolyzed Yeast
Calcium Caseinate
Carrageenan
Gelatin
Glutamate
Glutamic Acid
Hydrolyzed Anything or Anything Hydrolyzed
Maltodextrin
Monopotassium glutamate
MSG
Monosodium glutamate
Senomyx
Sodium Caseinate
Textured Protein
Vegetable Protein Extract
Yeast Extract
Yeast food or nutrient

Be aware that if something says 'NO MSG' all over the label.  It may have a similar additive that goes under a different name instead.

Choosing natural foods made from scratch is the safest way of knowing what you are putting in your body.

Josie.


http://www.msgtruth.org/avoid.htm