The arsenic analogy is spurious. It’s not a question of organic vs inorganic, but rather naturally occurring food components vs synthetically produced additives. [For what it’s worth, inorganic arsenic *is* significantly more toxic than organic arsenic compounds (some of which are even considered non-toxic), but that’s a non sequitur to the discussion of stereoisomers.]

Natural glutamates are all the L form, such as L-glutamic acid. And yes, these react the same in the body, whether from a synthetic or natural source. This is the form which the body needs – and will manufacture as needed – if we don’t get sufficient quantities from the food we eat.

Synthetic glutamates, on the other hand, also contain the D form, such as D-glutamic acid, as well as other by-products of production, which the natural sources don’t. It is the D form, and many of the other by-products, which are toxic. Therein lies the difference between natural and synthetic glutamates, and why the synthetic is bad, whereas the natural isn’t.

Of course, as with any natural compound, it’s possible to get too much of a good thing. That’s a different argument, though. Even natural vitamins can be toxic in too large a dose. But that is rarely possible eating only foods in the raw state. It’s when we start creating extracts and use them as food additives that we generally run into problems. So a hypothetical shaker full of pure L-glutamic acid, while perhaps not as toxic as a shaker full of MSG, has the potential to be bad (due to its unnatural concentration). But adding a little seaweed to a can of beans isn’t likely to produce detrimental effects.

Sorry, it makes no difference if it’s “Natural” or “Synthetic” glutamate, it reacts the same. This is the same as saying Organic Arsenic is okay but Synthetic Arsenic is bad, it’s still going to damage your organs. I’ve never said that we should avoid all glutamates, this would be impossible and very unhealthy. The body needs glutamates to function correctly, However! An excess of glutamate such as MSG liberally added to our food supply in most grocery store items on the shelf is not healthy! Glutamates and amino acids are naturally bound by a peptide link, and the body can break these down slowly and naturally, when the link is broken as in MSG free form glutamate it is like a bum rush of glutamate that surges through the system, passing the blood-brain barrier and attacking all of the glutamate receptors throughout the body. Nobody has ever said we need to eat a glutamate-free diet. Please read through the site more to understand what we are saying rather than setting up a strawman argument against me that I’ve never said.

-Mike

If you had actually read my blog you would have seen that the harmful health effects of MSG have been exhaustively studied by Dr. Russell Blaylock M.D., a board-certified 20 year neurosurgeon. I only write about what I’ve learned from Dr. Blaylock and other health researchers. What studies do you have that show MSG is a magical health food that should be consumed in massive quantities with no health concerns at all? I don’t know all of the specifics of Asia and their health effects. You would think from reading your comment that if all Asians were not dropping dead immediately after eating a bowl of ramen or running into the streets clutching their throats then it must be perfectly healthy for you. At some point in your life you will have to start paying attention and actually start doing some research of your own. Making broad assumptions about an entire continent of people is not very scientific, wouldn’t you agree? Also to note (not that it matters) I am a conservative meat eater and I’m not a very religious person. So everything you’ve said in your comment is absolute rubbish. Try composing a more thought out comment next time, but then again, you’ll probably never read this because you left a bogus email address. Have fun living in la-la land. Where everything the food industry and government tells you is always true.

-Mike

Do you realise that there are billions of people who live in another part of the world you probably have never ever been to in your entire life called Asia who use MSG in a high percentage of their foods including a country called Japan, the healthiest nation on the entire planet, one of the biggest and most important selling ingredients of Japanese is called Ajinomoto and do you know what that is, that’s right, MSG!

Go talk to Jesus or God you pathetic piece of shit, and stop preaching this absolute bullshit!

Sent from my Android phone

~Matt

Ps, now that you got my email, send me your mailing address and I’ll send you some info that’ll make you poop your pants. And if it doesn’t, it should!!! (I’m not talking bout Ali either)!!