Avoid the Food Additive MSG
I will probably understand a lot more about food additives when I finish reading David Kessler’s book, The End of Overeating. In the meantime I can think of a major additive that needs discussion.
Whenever we go out to dinner with a couple we’ve known for years, the wife always asks that no MSG be added. Years ago I thought that was a question you only asked when you were eating Chinese but I was quickly informed that cooks use this additive anywhere.
Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is an amino acid used as a flavor enhance in soups, salad dressings, chips, frozen entrees, and restaurant food. It is commonly associated with Asian foods and flavorings. Using MSG allows cooks or companies in processed foods, to reduce the amount of real ingredients in their foods such as the chicken in chicken soup. MSG reduces costs.
Since 1960 the use of MSG has cau8sed some concern when it was discovered that large amounts of MSG fed to infant mice destroyed nerve cells in the brain. This research forced baby food companies to stop adding MSG to their products. Even so, MSG may be hidden in infant formula, low fat milk, candy, drinks, over the counter medications, as a finder, as filler for nutritional supplements, and in prescription drugs.
Children are more sensitive to MSG than adults. Neonatal exposure to MSG can cause a permanent reduction in the secretion of growth hormone. Other reactions, by both children and adults, include headaches, nausea, weakness, wheezing, changes in heart rate, and difficulty breathing.
The following ingredients on a label also indicated MSG:
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Hydrolyzed protein, soy or any type;
- Autolyzed yeast
- Monosodium glutamate
- Free glutamate
- Yeast extract
- Caseinate.
I don’t know if you can completely eliminate MSG from your diet but you certainly can take a good stab at it, mentioning it at restaurants, and certainly not cooking with the ingredient. I didn’t realize this topic of food additives was so big. I want to mention one more additive, artificial sweeteners, but that topic is huge by itself.
The wonderful thing about all this information is that it is never too late to think about doing it for yourself, for your kids and your grandchildren.
To your healthy aging success.
Ruthan
Tagged with: avoid food additives • choices • food additives • healthy aging • lifestyle • monosodium glutamate • MSG • processed foods • Ruthan Brodsky
Filed under: Fitness and Nutrition
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I’ve seen my life partner’s reactions to MSG grow over time. He used to be mainly ok but now is getting to the point where he can’t buy pre-made salads from the grocery store. It could be other additives too like sulfites, but MSG is a very likely culprit.
The silver lining is that it forces us to make food from scratch, which is better for your health anyway.
It just becomes a problem when I’m away on business. I’m hoping he’ll eventually cave in and be willing to cook
.
.-= Helene Desruisseaux´s last blog ..Your work should be profitable and meaningful; you should succeed by being yourself; and doing so shouldn’t feel lonely and hard. That’s what I’m here to help you do. =-.
You sure are right! MSG is all over the place and it’s one of those not-good-for-us things. Reading labels helps and getting rid of as much as we can will only be good for us. Thanks for reminding folks.
Thanks so much for the information Ruthan. I didn’t know MSG was in so many foods. I always thought it was only in Asian foods as well. I will read the labels more closely in the grocery store. Food for thought.
.-= Paula Harvey´s last blog ..Saying Thank You =-.