Think again when you’re preparing for a meeting or studying for a test over chips and soda. The consequences of ignoring MSG and artificial sweeteners can be devastating. The list includes brain damage, impairing the nervous system, and emotional disorders, just to name a few.
Despite complaints about headaches and heart palpitations, supermarket shelves are scattered with products that contain MSG and many consumers wrongly assume it’s not present. Not only that, but MSG sales are hard to track. The Glutamate Association said it didn’t have sales figures when questioned by NBC correspondent Micheal Hull, but Ac’cent, Aji-no-moto and Sazon remain staple ingredients in many American, Asian and Latino dishes.
Scientific evidence shows that glutamate, though occurring naturally in the brain, in excess can disrupt critical parts of the brain that control learning, memory and the endocrine system. Artificial sweeteners in diet soft drinks to yogurt may cause brain tumors, and disease numbers reported since the introduction of these sweeteners has risen dramatically. MSG and artificial sweeteners are part of a vast array of chemicals called excitotoxins. They are a source of aggravation linked obesity and its metobolic risks, along with neurodegenerative brain diseases like as Parkinsons and Alzheimers.
Most of the problem is the irresponsible Macavelian practices of the food Industry. It runs with its cousin pharmaceuticals, manipulating the public while profiting beyond belief. The propaganda touting the taste and value of enhanced foods is killing us slowly while we pay for medicine to keep us alive. Meanwhile, we live in an underlying state of malaise endangering the next generation on many levels… but its never too late to make the transition.
Instead, just eat the good stuff.
What’s the good stuff? Wholesome natural foods. Whole food is sustenance, its fuel, its good medicine, and adds to the quality of life. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables are healing; altered food (I hate to even call it food) is harmful! The ancient physician Paracelsus correctly said, “Health isn’t everything, but without health everything is nothing.” I constantly hear the complaint that organic food is too expensive. Sad but true at the moment; however, is it more expensive than treating the problems that can follow flavor enhancers? not hardly.
Okay, so you’re at a restaurant, your chicken cordon bleu is indescribable and your senses have been totally hijacked by the taste. You may likely be experiencing added MSG. You’ve heard the commercial, “there’s a party goin’ on inside your mouth,” that would be one of many “farewell parties.”
Processed foods disguise MSG on food labels and nutrition facts. Below is a partial list of the most common names for MSG. Remember the powerful excitotoxins, aspartate and L-cystine, are frequently added to packaged foods and require no labeling. Also, there’s the “ingredients within an ingredient” loop-hole. For instance, the ingredient “broth” in any canned soup or gravy may contain MSG since its not required to list ingredients of an ingredient.
Food Additives that ALWAYS contain MSG
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
- Hydrolyzed Protein
- Hydrolyzed Plant Protein
- Plant Protein Extract
- Sodium Caseinate
- Calcium Caseinate
- Yeast Extract
- Textured Protein (Including TVP)
- Autolyzed Yeast
- Hydrolyzed Oat Flour
- Corn Oil
Food Additives That FREQUENTLY Contain MSG
- Malt Extract
- Malt Flavoring
- Bouillon
- Broth
- Stock
- Flavoring
- Natural Flavors/Flavoring
- Natural Beef Or Chicken Flavoring
- Seasoning
- Spices
Food Additives That MAY Contain MSG Or Excitotoxins
- Carrageenan
- Enzymes (watch out for protease enzymes too)
- Soy Protein Concentrate
- Soy Protein Isolate
- Whey Protein Concentrate
Aspartame (the Monsanto brainchild) is a sweetener made from phenylalanine and the excitotoxin aspartate. Aspartame problems account for approximately 70% of all complaints to the FDA. It is implicated in everything from short-term memory loss to headaches and convulsions. Sold under dozens of brand names such as NutraSweet and Equal, aspartame breaks down within 20 minutes at room temperature into several primary toxic and dangerous ingredients:
- DKP (diketopiperazine) (When ingested, converts to a near duplicate of
a powerful brain tumor causing agent)
- Formic Acid (ant venom)
- Formaldehyde (embalming fluid)
- Methanol (causes blindness an extremely dangerous substance)
Common artificially sweetened products: Diet soft drinks, sugar free gums, sugar free Kool Aid, Crystal Light, childrens medications, and thousands of other products claiming to be low calorie, diet, or sugar free.
Splenda is no better even though it’s derived from sugar because it’s processed with chlorinated chemicals. Patented as sucralose, it’s a manmade sweetener not found anywhere in nature.
As for Stevia, yes, it’s a calorie-free plant, but use sparingly because metabolically it has consequences. It also undergoes a purification process that modifies the plant extract like cane and beet sugars. I recommend just grow the plant on your porch, mince or boil the leaves yourself. Or, just loose the habit of adding sugar and enjoy the natural sweetness found in a piece of fruit when you want to satisfy your sweet tooth. (Slice and freeze bananas instead of ice cream.)
Take a tip from “national advertising” and create your own associations to reinforce healthier food choices. For example, you see the happy family indulging in a Kentucky Fried Chicken picinic or a thin smart-looking woman savoring a sugarfree cookie get that out of your head and think of whole grains, fruits and veggies as the good stuff. Thats because it makes you “smart, happy, and mobile.” Think of fast foods, diet drinks, and junk food as the bad, non-food products making you “cranky, tired, and stupid.” Pretty soon you’ll start gravitating towards the good stuff.
Bottom line: Granted, food should suit your tastes, and you can rewire your brain to enjoy the delicate flavors of nature’s gifts. One way is to take tiny bites and suck all the juice out of each morsel to discover its nourishing appeal. If you eat meat, buy poultry that states no use of antibiotics, growth hormones, etc., on the label. Buy “wild caught” fish, not farmed, and preferably those that don’t eat other fish like herring, mackerel, or very low sodium sardines. Even the most diligent person cannot escape all flavor enhancers, but being proactive is a giant step in the right direction.
And yes, is it any wonder that “clean” food is more expensive than the toxic varieties?
Whole foods are energizing and liberating, they help you stay out of the hospital. If youre experiencing improvements in your health and on medication, consult your doctor before making any changes with any prescriptions.
“Give the body what it needs and it will heal itself” –T. Collin Campbell
Its NEVER too late to be pro-active. Take care of yourself, there’s a wonderful world of real food to explore outside of the wrath of our “gross” national products.
Note on allergies: Now that youre eating real food, notice how you feel. Many people are allergic to dairy, wheat, or highly acidic foods. If you observe a reaction such as stuffy/running nose, lethargy, aches, or digestive pains, discontinue that item and find a compatible alternative. It takes a little trial and error, but there’s an abundance of healthy choices, so enjoy the journey and get right with what your body is telling you it wants. The rewards are immeasurable.
References:
Baylock, R. (1997) Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills. Health Press NA, Inc. Albuquerque, NM.
Campbell. T. (2005). The China Study. BenBella Books Dallas, TX.
Hill, M. (2009). MSG Hangs on After Decades of Demoniztion. The Daily News Miner. Retrieved 7/23/09. http://www.newsminer.com/news/2009/jul/15/msg-hangs-after-decades-demonization/?
Hull, J. (2009). Alternative Health & Nutrition. Dr. Janet Hull is an expert in Aspartame poisoning. Retrieved 7/22/2009 http://www.janethull.com/about/index.php.
Law, B. (2009). New Sweetener Not So Sweet for you Diet. msnbc.com. Retrieved 7/17/09. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30195885/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/
