Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), otherwise known as “China salt” is one of the most commonly utilized additive in processed foods thanks to its taste-enhancing properties.
Its use has steadily grown over the years, and it is now found in countless grocery store products and restaurants as a result of business owners looking to get people literally addicted to their food.
It’s kind of like cigarette companies lacing their tobacco with ammonia to make their cigarettes more rewarding and more addictive because it enhances the nicotine hit. But hell, I would rather smoke an ammonia cigarette than have a meal even with a little MSG.
What’s frustrating is that MSG is everywhere, even at “health” food stores. I bought organic bouillon cubes a few weeks ago and didn’t think E620 would translate to a known neurotoxin. All of the other ingredients checked out ok. Needless to say, they were promptly disposed of and not ingested.
Negative Effects of MSG
For starters, MSG (even at its lowest dose) has been proven in both human and animal studies to to lead to:
- Central nervous system disorders
- Hepatic damage
- Obesity
- Metabolic disorders
- Brain damage
- Reproductive organ damage
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Brain tumors
- Schizophrenia
- Dementia
- Anxiety
- Tourette Syndrome
- Huntington Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia
- Fatty liver
- High insulin
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Disturbance to the gut-brain connection
Since many people are vaguely aware of the consequences of MSG and would prefer to avoid products if “MSG” were clearly listed on ingredients labels, it now goes by different names and numbers on food packaging so that the layperson does not understand what they’re actually buying.
Alternative names for MSG
- Glutamic Acid (E 620)2
- Glutamate (E 620)
- Monosodium Glutamate (E 621)
- Monopotassium Glutamate (E 622)
- Calcium Glutamate (E 623)
- Monoammonium Glutamate (E 624)
- Magnesium Glutamate (E 625)
- Natrium Glutamate
- Yeast Extract
- Anything hydrolyzed
- Calcium Caseinate
- Sodium Caseinate
- Autolyzed Yeast
- Gelatin
- Textured Protein
- Soy Protein Isolate
- Whey Protein Isolate
- Vetsin
- Ajinomoto
But What is MSG?
MSG is just the addition of one (mono) sodium molecule to the amino acid glutamic acid.
This particular amino acid is difficult for the body to flush out of the body, causing toxicity. It acts as a nerve stimulant and changes what you’re actually tasting. Even disgusting food with MSG will taste like the best meal you’ve ever had.
Your Best Bet
Consume whole, unprocessed foods, and only eat at restaurants that take pride in their craft and don’t cut corners. Be especially weary of Chinese restaurants and supermarkets. Regardless of the swankiness of the supermarket you happen to be in, read the labels!
To learn more about other substances that should be avoided for improved health and quality of life, visit the Unapproved Resources page by clicking HERE.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5938543/
https://www.hungryforchange.tv/article/sneaky-names-for-msg-check-your-labels