Many Taco Bell menu items contain MSG (free glutamate)

People have told me that Taco Bell appears healthier to other fast food because it’s tacos and burritos rather than greasy burgers, but there it nothing further from the truth. Taco Bell has a cult-like following of loyal fans that crave their creative quasi-mexi-american food inventiveness. What most do not realize is there is massive amounts of free glutamate (MSG) stuffed into their food. This may be why people crave and eat this stuff many times a week and sometimes more than once a day! The proof is in the pudding MSG.

Taco Bell has worked hard to keep the words “Monosodium Glutamate” off of their ingredients list, but that doesn’t mean there is no MSG. MSG (free glutamate) is hidden in other more harmless looking ingredients in order to create a “clean label” or the illusion that a food is more natural or harmless than it really is. Many of these MSG containing ingredients are labeled as Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Hydrolyzed Chicken Meat, Calcium Caseinate, Chicken Broth and Natural Flavoring. Also see our list of Hidden Sources of MSG on Food Labels for more ingredients that contain MSG.

The following Taco Bell menu items contain various forms of MSG (free glutamate):

• Beef, Seasoned

• Chicken, Southwest

• Chicken, Spicy Shredded

• Chili

• Dressing, Avocado Ranch

• Red Strips, Lime Seasoned

• Rice, Express

• Rice, Seasoned

• Salsa, Citrus

• Sauce, Creamy Lime

• Sauce, Fire

• Sauce, Green Tomatillo

• Sauce, Nacho Cheese

• Sauce, Pepper Jack

• Sauce, Red

• Steak, Carne Asada

The following Taco Bell menu items contain Carrageenan*:

• Sour Cream, Reduced Fat

• Strawberry Topping

• Empanada, Caramel Apple

• Chicken, Spicy Shredded

• Chicken, Southwest

• Steak, Carne Asada

The following Taco Bell menu items contain BHT and/or TBHQ**:

• Chicken, Spicy Shredded

• 

  Taco Bell Fiesta Platter loaded up with MSG

  Eggs

• Sauce, Pizza

• Steak, Carne Asada

• Cinnamon Twists

• Empanada, Caramel Apple

• Nacho Chips

• Nacho Chips, Express

• Red Strips

• Red Strips, Lime Seasoned

• 

  The Seasoned Beef has MSG

  Rice, Express

• Rice, Seasoned

• Shell, Chalupa

• Shell, Pizza

• Shell, Taco

• Shell, Taco Salad

• Shell, Tostada

More information about these harmful additives

*A Note About Carrageenan

“Carrageenan increases free radicals. It is a polysaccharide made from a seaweed, the substance is known to produce intense inflammatory reactions when injected into tissues. In fact, the intense reaction is so reproducible it is used when researchers want to study inflammation. Inflammation is strongly associated with intense free-radical production within tissues. It also may promote accelerated bowel cancer growth.” Carrageenan is used as a thickener. When even small amounts of carrageenan are injected near developing tumors in animals, tumor growth, and eventual metastasis, increases dramatically¹.”
-Source: Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills by Russell Blaylock M.D.

1.) Raz A, Levine G, Khomiak Y. Acute local inflammation potentiates tumor growth in mice. Cancer Letters 148(2000): 115-120

**Definition of TBHQ from Wikipedia:

TBHQ is a highly effective preservative for unsaturated vegetable oils and many edible animal fats. It does not cause discoloration even in the presence of iron, and does not change flavor or odor of the material to which it is added. It can be combined with other preservatives such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). As food additive, its E number is E319, where it is used as a preservative. It is added to a wide range of foods, with highest limit (1000 mg/kg) permitted for frozen fish and fish products. Its primary advantage is enhancing storage life.

It is used industrially as a stabilizer to inhibit autopolymerization of organic peroxides. In perfumery, it is used as a fixative to lower the evaporation rate and improve stability. It is also added to varnishes, lacquers, resins, and oil field additives.

Carcinogenicity of TBHQ

In high doses, it has some negative health effects on lab animals, such as precursors to stomach tumors and damage to DNA.^[1] A number of studies have shown that prolonged exposure to TBHQ may induce carcinogenity.^[2] Other studies, however, have shown inhibition against HCA-induced carcinogenesis (by depression of metabolic activation) for TBHQ and other phenolic antioxidants.^[3]

1. ^ Tert-Butylhydroquinone – safety summary from The International Programme on Chemical Safety
2. ^ Gharavi N, El-Kadi A (2005). “tert-Butylhydroquinone is a novel aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand”. Drug Metab Dispos 33 (3): 365–72. doi:10.1124/dmd.104.002253. PMID 15608132.
3. ^ Hirose M, Takahashi S, Ogawa K, Futakuchi M, Shirai T, Shibutani M, Uneyama C, Toyoda K, Iwata H (1999). “Chemoprevention of heterocyclic amine-induced carcinogenesis by phenolic compounds in rats”. Cancer Lett 143 (2): 173–8. doi:10.1016/S0304-3835(99)00120-2. PMID 10503899.

These ALWAYS contain MSG:

• Glutamate
• Glutamic Acid
• Monosodium Glutamate
• Monopotassium Glutamate
• Yeast Extract
• Yeast Food
• Yeast Nutrient
  
• Autolyzed Yeast
• Autolyzed Yeast Extract
• Torula Yeast
  
• Autolyzed Soy Protein (any protein that is autolyzed)
  
• Hydrolyzed Protein (any protein that is hydrolyzed)
• Hydrolyzed Whey Protein
• Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
  
• Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
  
• Hydrolyzed Corn Gluten
  
• Calcium Caseinate
• Sodium Caseinate
• Textured Protein
• Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP)
• Natrium Glutamate (natrium is Latin/German for sodium)
• Gelatin
  

These OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing:

• Carageenan
• Malt Extract
• Malt Flavoring
• Barley Malt
  
• Maltodextrin
• Citric Acid¹
• Soy Protein Isolate
• Soy Sauce
• Soy Sauce Extract
• Soy Protein
• Soy Protein Concentrate
• Bouillon
• Broth
• Stock
• Spices* (may contain between 30% to 60% MSG)
• Natural Beef Flavoring
• Natural Chicken Flavoring
• Natural Pork Flavoring
• Ultra-Pasteurized
• Whey Protein
  
• Whey Protein Isolate
• Whey Protein Concentrate
• Protein Fortified Anything
• Flavor(s) & Flavoring(s)* (may contain between 30% to 60% MSG)
  
• Natural Flavor(s) & Flavoring(s)* (may contain between 30% to 60% MSG)
• Pectin
• Protease
• Protease Enzymes
• Enzymes Anything
  
• Anything Enzyme Modified
• Anything Protein Fortified
• Anything Fermented
• Seasonings (the word “seasonings”)
• Fish Sauce²
  
• Fish Sauce Extract

1.)  Most of the “citric acid” used today is made from corn rather than from citrus fruits. “Citric acid” is produced by fermentation of crude sugars. When “citric acid” is produced from corn, manufacturers do not take the time or undertake the expense to remove all corn protein. During processing, the remaining protein is hydrolyzed, resulting in some processed free glutamic acid (MSG). “Citric acid” also interacts with any protein in the food to which it is added, freeing up more glutamic acid.

2.)  Some fish sauce manufacturers use cheaper techniques to cut the fermentation times very short and these techniques typically utilize MSG. Fish sauce typically takes 1 year to ferment properly and create a good quality sauce. This time is cut extremely short by some manufacturers that choose not to ferment the fish this long and instead add MSG to make up for poorer quality fish sauce.

Note: Soybean milk naturally contains a high content of glutamate. Kombu, miso, and soy sauce all contain MSG.

Most of the glutamic acid with which consumers come in contact is found in protein where it is connected to (or bound to) other amino acids. There are two forms of glutamic acid found in nature: L-glutamic acid and D-glutamic acid. When glutamic acid is found in protein it is referred to as bound glutamic acid. The glutamic acid found in protein is L-glutamic acid, only. Eating protein (which will contain bound glutamic acid that is L-glutamic acid, only) does not cause either brain damage or adverse reactions.

Glutamic acid outside of protein is referred to as free glutamic acid. Manufactured/processed free glutamic acid (MSG) always contains D-glutamic acid, pyroglutamic acid, and various other contaminants in addition to Lglutamic acid. Manufactured/processed free glutamic acid (MSG) causes brain lesions and neuroendocrine disorders in laboratory animals. Manufactured/processed free glutamic acid (MSG) also causes adverse reactions which include skin rash, tachycardia, migraine headache, depression, and seizures in humans.

MSG is an excitotoxin, a substance that overexcites cell neurons causing cell damage and, eventually, cell death. These excitotoxins are able to enter and cause damage to the brain because humans lack a blood-brain barrier in the hypothalamus. The MSG is then able to create a lesion in the hypothalamus allowing for abnormal development, including sexual reproduction and obesity.

Why should I avoid MSG?
As little as 1/10th of a tsp can give a severe reaction, and reactions can be dose related: the more you consume the greater chance of the reaction. Some common side effects include the following:

• tachycardia
• heart attacks
• asthma
• headaches
• facial swelling
• swelling in the joints
• marked obesity
• impaired skeletal development
• tightness in the chest
• a burning sensation in the forearms and the back of the neck
• joint pain
• sterility in females
• In laboratory experiments, every species of animal fed MSG developed brain lesions and infant animals were especially susceptible, as they had not developed an effective blood-brain barrier.
• heart arrhythmia

What Products Contain MSG?

Commercial Soup almost always has MSG in some form

MSG is used on poor quality food to enhance flavor. It is found in many dressings and sauces and is added to most infant formulas. Soy formulas, Isolated Soy Protein, and Texturized Vegetable Protein [TVP] in particular are loaded with MSG. Hydrolyzed vegetable protein contains up to 40% MSG. MSG is also found in cheese, ice cream, beverages, medications, frozen meals, cookies and candies, IV materials, “Cream of …” soups and other canned soups, prepackaged “dinner in a box” types, and rice mixes. When eating out, beware of fast food sandwiches, as well as Chinese foods. At some Chinese restaurants, you can ask for “No MSG”.

These ALWAYS contain MSG:
Glutamate, Monosodium glutamate, Monopotassium glutamate, Glutamic acid, Calcium caseinate, Sodium caseinate, Gelatin, Textured protein, Hydrolyzed protein (any protein that is hydrolyzed), Plant protein extract, Yeast extract, Yeast food, Autolyzed yeast, Yeast nutrient

These OFTEN contain MSG/excitotoxins or create MSG during processing:
Flavor(s) & Flavoring(s), Natural flavor(s) & flavoring(s), Natural pork flavoring, Bouillon, Natural beef flavoring, Stock, Natural chicken flavoring, Broth, Malt flavoring, Barley malt, Malt extract, Soy sauce, Soy sauce extract, Soy protein, Soy protein concentrate, Soy protein isolate, Pectin, Whey protein, Whey protein isolate, Whey protein concentrate, anything Protein fortified, anything Fermented

Why can’t we see….
Researcher Hiroshi Ohguro conducted a study on the relationship between MSG consumption and retinal damage. In the study, rats were fed three different diets for six months. The diets consisted of either high or moderate amounts of MSG, or none. The rats on the high-MSG diet experienced thinning of retinal nerve layers, by as much as 75 percent!! Further testing that measured retinal response to light showed they could not see as well. The rats on the moderate diet also experienced retinal damage, although to a lesser extent. The researchers found high concentrations of MSG in the vitreous fluid, which bathes the retina. The MSG is able to bind to receptors on the retinal cells and destroy them, causing secondary reactions that reduce the ability of the remaining cells to relay signals. Why can’t we see that consuming products containing MSG should be avoided?
-A High Dietary Intake of Sodium Glutamate as Flavoring (Ajinomoto) Causes Gross Changes in Retinal Morphology and Function. Experimental EyevResearch, Volume 75, Issue 3, Pages 307-315
-Decision News Media, Eye Damage From MSG Consumption, Oct 25, 2002

Obesity is a common problem for many people in the world today. With so many people and companies focused on dieting and weight loss, it makes one wonder why the problem just keeps getting bigger!! MSG, while just a part of the puzzle, contributes to obesity. Interestingly, many “diet” products contain MSG! Researchers believe that excitotoxin [MSG] induced obesity is not dependent on food intake, which may lend a hand in explaining why people seem to be unable to diet away their obesity.

MSG exposure can cause problems in the long run for those who are exposed to high doses of glutamate early in life. One study found that babies of pregnant mothers that consumed large amounts of excitotoxins are more likely to develop gross obesity and that the risk can become a reality after even a limited exposure. What’s more, MSG is used as a stabilizer in various vaccines in order for the vaccine to remain unchanged, even in the presence of heat, light, acidity, humidity etc. You can access a Medline data base through the National Library of Medicine on the Internet. We encourage you to log on to www.pubmed.gov and search for studies using the key words “obesity AND monosodium glutamate,”. You might find two studies published in 2005 particularly interesting: “Obesity, voracity, and short stature: the impact of glutamate on the regulation of appetite,” and “[Effect of monosodium glutamate given orally on appetite control (a new theory for the obesity epidemic)].”
-News Target, The Link Between Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and Obesity, July 9, 2005
-Obesity induced by neonatal monosodium glutamate treatment in spontaneously hypertensive rats: an animal model of multiple risk factors. Iwase M, Yamamoto M, Iino K, Ichikawa K, Shinohara N, Yoshinari Fujishima Hypertens Res. 1998 Mar
-Hypothalamic lesion induced by injection of monosodium glutamate in suckling period and subsequent development of obesity. Tanaka K, Shimada M, Nakao K, Kusunoki Exp Neurol. 1978 Oct
- A. Frieder, B, and Grimm, VE. Prenatal monosodium glutamate (MSG) treatment given through the mother’s diet causes behavioral deficits in rat offspring. Intern J Neurosci. 23:117-126,1984.
-PEDIATRICS, Addressing Parents’ Concerns: Do Vaccines Contain Harmful Preservatives, Adjuvants, Additives, or Residuals?, December 2003

At least 25% of the U.S. population reacts to free glutamic acid from food sources. Today, we recognize that those reactions range from mild and transitory to debilitating and life threatening.
There are no substitutions for fresh, quality foods…

1. Read you ingredient labels and don’t buy products that contain artificial or highly processed ingredients.
2. Buy natural, whole foods.
3. Use basic spices like freshly ground salt and pepper, garlic powder and fresh or dried herbs to add a variety of flavors to your meal. Read the ingredient labels on your spices, too!

Originally posted by Dr. Jeffrey Meyers D.C.