You have probably encountered the labels and signs stating “No MSG” at your favorite supermarket or grocery store. However, the truth is that this warning doesn’t mean exactly what you think it does. According to Dr. John Douillard DC, “The FDA does not require manufacturers to label these foods MSG unless the “added ingredient” is 99% pure MSG”.
This means that even though it may not be labeled you can still be consuming MSG. Moreover, if pure Monosodium Glutamate wasn’t added, the label can still claim “No MSG”. In case you are wondering how is this possible, the answer is that MSG is in over 40 FDA approved ingredients and even more than commonly contain MSG. It is normally considered to be harmless but the truth is that it can do harm.
What is Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)?
Not many people are actually familiar with what this additive is. Monosodium Glutamate is a non-essential amino acid and a flavor enhancer. It is not essential to our diet because our bodies produce glutamic acid. Even though it is found in the human body and among living organisms it is not the same as MSG. During the production of MSG, it is accompanied with by-products or impurities in the form. MSG cannot be found in naturally occurring foods such as the fruits.
Why is MSG dangerous?
MSG is an excitotoxin which overstimulates our nervous system. It has been shown to damage the neurons in the brain of mice, in several animal studies. High levels of excitotoxins is associated to learning disorders, brain tumors, brain damage, Alzheimer`s disease, behavioral problems and Parkinson`s disease. Additionally, Dr. Russel Blaylock, neurosurgeon and author of Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills adds: “Excitotoxins have been found to dramatically promote cancer growth and metastasis… [MSG] also causes a cancer cell to become more mobile, and that enhances metastasis, or spread. When you increase the glutamate level, cancer just grows like wildfire…”
Moreover, there are many short terms consequences from consuming MSG. The effects don’t have to be evident right away, but sensitivity can build up in our bodies. People who are sensitive to MSG reported symptoms such as asthma attack, cold sweats, headaches, irritability, dizziness, heart palpitations and nausea. Apart from its ability to trick your brain into believing that food has more flavor, the MSG can fool you that you are still hungry. This leads to overeating because your brain doesn’t get the message that you are already full.
What to look for on the label?
The E indicates a known excitotoxin, but this portion may not appear on the label.
Always indicates MSG
- Yeast Extract
- Umami
- Whey Protein
- Whey Protein Isolate
- Whey Protein Protease
- Yeast Nutrient
- Yeast Food
- Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
- Vetsin
- Sodium Caseinate
- Xanthum Gum E415
- Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Concentrate
- Hydrolyzed Whey Protein
- Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
- Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
- Hydrolyzed Corn Gluten
- Hydrolyzed Corn Protein Concentrate
- Hydrolyzed Vegetable Broth
- Gelatin
- Glutamate ( E 620)
- Ajinomoto
- Autolyzed Yeast
- Autolyzed Yeast Extract
- Autolyzed Plant Protein
- Calcium Caseinate
- Calcium Glutamate ( E 623)
- Monosodium Glutamate ( E 621)
- Magnesium Glutamate ( E 625)
- Monopotassium ( E 622)
- Glutamic Acid ( E 620)
- Monoammonium Glutamate ( E 624)
- Soy Protein
- Plant Protein
- Soy Protein Concentrate
- Soy Protein Isolate
- Pectin Soy Protein
- Anything Protein
- Natrium Glutamate
- Textured Vegetable Protein
- Textured Protein
May indicate MSG
- Melted Barley
- Natural Flavor
- Natural Pork Flavoring
- Natural Flavoring
- Nutritional Yeast
- Natural Beef Flavoring
- Maltodextrin
- Natural Chicken Flavoring
- Malt Extract
- Broth
- Barley malt
- Protease Enzymes
- Anything containing enzymes
- Brewer` Yeast
- Citric Acid, Citrate ( E 330)
- Bouillon
- Carrageenan ( E 407)
- Stock
- Anything protein fortified
- Anything ultra-pasteurized
- Seasonings
- Torula Yeast
- Soy Sauce
- Whey Protein Concentrate
- Soy Sauce Extract
- Protease
- Anything fermented
- Any flavors or flavoring
- Pectin ( E 440)
- Anything enzyme modified
- Oligodextrin
Suspected indication of MSG or processed free glutamic acid
- Spices
- Milk Powder
- Rice Syrup
- Anything labeled Vitamin Enriched
- Most things labeled Low Fat or No Fat
- Reduced Fat Milk (skim; 1%; 2%)
- Dextrose
- Brown Rice Syrup
- Modified Food Starch
- Lypolyzed Butter Fat
- Anything labeled Enriched
- Corn Syrup
- Corn Starch
Additives that are only used in Conjunction with MSG
- Disodium 5`- ribonucleotides ( E 635)
- Disodium 5`- guanylate ( E 627) or Disodium Guanylate E 627
- Disodium 5`- inosinate ( E-631) or Disodium Inosinate E 631
How to avoid MSG?
It can be difficult to search packaging labels for these hidden ingredients. The simplest and safest variant is to cook at home, since unprocessed whole foods don’t contain MSG. By cooking your food at home you can be sure that your food is MSG- free since you yourself will monitor the contents.
