Monosodium Glutamate, monosodium glutamate, MSG, glutamate - separating MSG-fact from MSG-fiction and industry propaganda

This Web site is dedicated to people with problems that once defied medical diagnosis -- people who discovered that elimination of MSG from their diets let them be well.

   We are proud that we have been able to provide information to people whose problems had defied medical diagnosis;

People who just "didn't feel well;"
People who knew they suffered adverse reactions when they ate MSG--and wanted to avoid it; and
People who simply wanted to avoid this neurotoxic, endocrine disrupting, substance.

 

*****************************************************************************************************************  NOW!  DO IT NOW! We can do it. Yes We Can   On March 13, 2009, President Obama noted that the nation’s decades-old food safety system is a “hazard to public health.”  While nominating Margaret Hamburg, M.D., for the position of FDA commissioner, he indicated that he would be creating a Food Safety Working Group to coordinate food safety laws throughout government and advise him on how to update them.  Over time, people have asked what they could do to have all free glutamic acid disclosed on product labels.  This Obama initiative gives us an unusual opportunity to accomplish that goal by submitting, in large numbers, our concerns to the highest level in our land, the office of the president.  Click here to read more and TAKE ACTION *****************************************************************************************************************

Sing a song of six pence
A pocket full of rye.
Don't put MSG in it
when you bake your pie.

Did you know? If MSG wasn’t harmful, it wouldn’t be hidden.  If the FDA was doing its job, MSG wouldn’t be hidden either.

 

Want a laugh?

Researchers from Scripps Clinic, Ja Jolla California -- which has a history of doing research funded by the MSG industry --  have published a review pointing to the safety of monosodium glutamate.  They looked at four (4) conditions you won't find listed  in a 1997 FDA report of complaints of adverse reactions to MSG, and concluded that there weren't many reports of adverse reactions to MSG. They also cited three (3) double blind studies in which researchers found adverse reactions to monosodium glutamate, but said that didn't show that people were sensitive to monosodium glutamate because people also  reacted to aspartame-laced placebos.  And that, good readers, is what glutamate industry propaganda about the safety of MSG is built on.

 

Processed Free Glutamic Acid (MSG): Evidence that says that ingestion of MSG places consumers at risk:

Evidence that MSG causes retinal degeneration, kills brain cells -- leading to behavior disorders, learning disabilities, reproductive disorders,  obesity, and more. Read it and weep.

Evidence that MSG causes  reactions like irritable bowel, heart irregularities, asthma, and migraine headache. Look at the evidence.

Evidence that the young are at the greatest risk from ingestion of MSG. Read it.  It's true.

Evidence that industry-sponsored studies used to substantiate the safety of MSG are so badly flawed that they are worthless. See for yourself.

How many MSG-sensitive people might there be?  Look at the epidemiological studies. Maybe 50% today?

 

Health food stores?  Lots of good things. But beware of the MSG.  Organic products?  Not necessarily free of MSG.

 

"THANK YOU TLC!    It can really be a Happy New Year when you know how to avoid" MSG.

 

Want to help?  Anyone can do this.  Print out copies of the TLC brochure for family and, friends.  (Print two sided, fold, make lots of copies, and hand them out.) Give your Whole Foods, and local health food stores copies.  Ask them to print and distribute the brochures.

 

Want to do something different?  Ask President Obama, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, your two US Senators and your Congressperson to take manufactured excitotoxic glutamic acid (known to you as MSG) out of infant formula and vaccines.  (No legislation needed.  It won't cost taxpayers a penny.  And it will save parents and government millions of dollars in health care costs.)

 

Dear Oprah,

 

On November 8, 2008 Jack Samuels presented a paper at the The Weston A. Price Foundation Annual Conference.  His presentation and handouts can be accessed below.  Presentation The Basics The Science that Says that MSG Places Humans at Risk Hidden Sources of Processed Free Glutamic Acid (MSG):       (ingredients that serve as common MSG-reaction triggers)  Hidden Sources of Processed Free Glutamic Acid: Addendum Collected Reports of Adverse Reactions Caused by MSG References (books, DVD/VCR, web pages, Internet searching)

 

Yes! Your itching, scratching, barking dogs and cats and horses may very well be sensitive to MSG.

 

If you missed the 60 Minutes segment on MSG, and want to see it now, click here.  It's just as true/timely/appropriate today as it was in 1991 (when the segment first aired) -- except, of course, that the proposed rule change that the FDA's Michael Taylor talked about in 1991 never happened.

  

Thanks, N, for sharing what you found out about use of MSG in fruit and vegetable coatings.

 

Those who eat more monosodium glutamate weigh more.  That's what it says in the journal Obesity. The study is available online at: http://www.nature.com/oby/journal/v16/n8/full/oby2008274a.html The Truth in Labeling Campaign had something to add to the information in that article.  But after two months of indecision, the journal Obesity refused to publish our letter.  You can read our letter here if you like.

 

My name is L. I'm a...nurse....What worries me is that the general population is being affected and don't even realize it.  I consider it a blessing that I have this problem [migraine headache] because it keeps me from eating the things that have MSG added to it.  Thank you for this web site.  If I can help in some way, please let me know.  Thanks again, L  (Read her letter.)

A GAME:  "Find the MSG"

(Please send us labels of food you would like exposed, and tell us where you purchased it.)

This one claims "No MSG." (Thank you Maria for the label.)

 

Here's how they hide MSG!

 

AN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION:  The glutamic acid in the human body is 100% L-glutamic acid -- (no unwanted by-products; no contaminants)  Food grade MSG may be 98.7% L-glutamic acid -- (1.3% contaminants)  Pharmaceutical grade L-glutamic acid is 99% or more L-glutamic acid -- (1% or less contaminants)

GLAUCOMA and RETINAL (macular) DEGENERATION

 

Are they still spraying monosodium glutamate on crops?

 

A 2007 petition filed with the FDA asking that the GRAS status of the food ingredient monosodium glutamate be rescinded.

 

The American Media

 
 

"Thank you sir.  You have helped a child regain his life...."  (excerpts from the letter of a mom whose child is seizure free -- now that the MSG is gone from his diet.

Glutamate Blockers? Have you noticed that pharmaceutical companies are spending millions of dollars developing glutamate blockers with which to fight neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer's disease, while the glutes are pouring (often hidden) processed glutamate (MSG) into our food?

Take a minute to look (below) at the things  you need to know that the "glutes"  don't want you to know.

 
 

KNOW THIS: The ingredient that causes MSG reactions in MSG-sensitive people is manufactured/processed free glutamic acid.(1)  Manufactured/processed free glutamic acid is found in processed foods (9) -- but it is not found in unprocessed or unadulterated meat, fish, or vegetables (including soybeans, mushrooms, and tomatoes.).(3)  Only meat, fish, or vegetables that have been subjected to some sort of manufacturing or fermenting process will cause MSG reactions in MSG-sensitive people who ingest amounts that exceed their tolerances for MSG.(1) Dairy products, also, may cause MSG reactions in MSG-sensitive people because some dairy products are ultra-pasteurized, some are fermented, and many contain food additives such as carrageenan that are problematic for MSG-sensitive people.(1) All manufactured/processed free glutamic acid contains contaminants (D-glutamic acid, pyroglutamic acid, and others) (12,13), while the glutamic acid found in intact/unadulterated protein contains no contaminants.(3)  Some manufactured/processed free glutamic acid contains carcinogenic mono and dichloro propanols.(12) KNOW THIS:  With one exception, aspartame and processed free glutamic acid (MSG) cause identical adverse reactions in people who are sensitive to them.(2) In addition, the free glutamic acid found in MSG and the free aspartic acid found in aspartame both have been shown to kill brain cells and cause subsequent endocrine disorders in laboratory animals.(4)  (We don't do such experiments on humans.) KNOW THIS:  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) appears to be more interested in protecting the profits of big business than in safeguarding the health of consumers. DO THIS: When a manufacturer tells you there is no processed free glutamic acid in a product that made you ill, ask the manufacturer to back up his claim by providing you with a "free amino acid" assay.  If there is any free glutamic acid found, you can assume that the product contains MSG.  When a manufacturer tells you that any MSG in his product couldn't possibly harm you because it is "naturally occurring," inform the manufacturer that both arsenic and hydrochloric acid are "naturally occurring," too. REMEMBER THIS: If MSG wasn't harmful, it wouldn't be hidden. REFERENCES

 
 
 
 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(click above for an outline, and below for individual subjects)

NEWS AND VIEWS	The truth is out about CSPI	Warning: Watch out for .....
ARE YOU AT RISK FROM EXPOSURE TO MSG?	---Recognizing and/or diagnosing MSG adverse reactions ---Pinpointing MSG as a reaction trigger ---A list of reactions that might be MSG-induced adverse reactions ---Where is MSG hidden? ---A list of ingredient names used to hide MSG in food ---Consumers tell us....about vertigo and other things they've overcome	Obesity The obesity epidemic: should we believe what we read and hear?  Finally.  A published study that SHOWS that MSG contributes to obesity.  Epilepsy? MSG and epilepsy?	---Understanding brain damage and endocrine disorders caused by MSG ---Understanding MSG's link to neurodegenerative disease. ---Understanding "slow neurotoxins"
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE GLUTAMIC ACID FOUND IN PROTEIN and THE POTENTIALLY HARMFUL MANUFACTURED GLUTAMIC ACID WE REFER TO AS MSG?	How is MSG manufactured?	How do we know MSG causes brain damage and neuroendocrine disorders like obesity?	How do we know MSG causes adverse reactions like asthma, migraine headaches, heart irregularities, and seizures?
HISTORY	History of use of MSG	Regulatory history
WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY THAT MSG IN FOOD, DRUGS, COSMETICS, DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS, AND PESTICIDE PRODUCTS NOT BE LABELED?		Who are the people that get the job done so effectively? This is how  the "MSG is safe" game is played The US government plays an active role in keeping MSG in food, drugs, dietary supplements, children's' medications, cosmetics, fertilizers, fungicides, plant growth enhancers -- and more -- hidden
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT THE "GLUTES" DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW	The FDA says it's illegal to claim no MSG in a product if it contains any free glutamic acid (1)(2) MSG kills brain cells and causes a variety of adverse reactions.  It doesn't matter if you call it "umami" or not. The International Food Information Council (IFIC) has a name that doesn't give away the fact that they might be promoting questionable substances such as caffeine, BST, sugars, Colors, MSG, and aspartame.  For over a decade, they have worked actively for the glutamate industry. Reactions to MSG are not  allergic reactions.  They can not be diagnosed through use of "allergy" tests.  Some other things the "glutes" don't want you to know	These are the "glutes" basic lies These are the Web pages on which you'll find their lies.  These are some of the tricks the "glutes" use to set up (fix) their research to guarantee it will come out as they want it to.  The Tarasoff and Kelly study is a really good example.  These are some of the tricks  used to get free advertising dressed up as news.	These are the "glutes," and others who speaks out on their behalf? A special role is played by the FDA.     You can read all about the "glutes" standard operating procedure -- published in Accountability in Research, a peer reviewed journal
DATA THE GLUTES DON'T WANT YOU TO SEE		References to peer reviewed scientific articles and discussion of industry's badly flawed studies	Timely papers written by Russell L. Blaylock, M.D.
SURVIVING MSG SENSITIVITY	Dealing with MSG sensitivity. Letters from people who have been helped by this Web site. Tapes on MSG to purchase. Ideas for those having trouble avoiding MSG.	To get the truth from manufacturers about the MSG in their products, you have to  understand their deceptive tactics.	Government resources on the Internet Other Web sites with information about MSG and aspartame
	Support the Truth in Labeling Campaign - become involved	Thoughts from the editor Thinking of suing?	Contact us

 

We are proud that we have been able to provide information to people whose problems had defied medical diagnosis; people who just "didn't feel well;" people who knew they suffered adverse reactions when they ate MSG--and wanted to avoid it; and people who simply wanted to avoid this neurotoxic, endocrine disrupting, substance.  If you have questions that have not been answered here, please feel free to e-mail or call.

adandjack@aol.com   858-481-9333   http://www.truthinlabeling.org

This page was last updated on June 24, 2009