MSG Exposed (Monosodium Glutamate)

This morning I was watching the Food Network and saw a commercial for Yakisoba Noodles showing how good and yummy they are for kids. I knew right away that they contain MSG even though I’ve never heard of them before.

Usually if something is being sold as a great meal that kids will enjoy they almost always have loads of MSG in it. I did a quick search and it was confirmed. Not just monosodium glutamate but multiple forms of MSG including: monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed corn, dehydrated soy sauce and chicken broth. Most people are unaware that soy sauce contains loads of free glutamate (MSG). Also almost all “chicken broth” or broth/stock of any kind that is made commercially contains MSG.

If something is listed as “Stock”, what exactly does that mean? That’s not one ingredient, it is mulitple ingredients listed under one general name and of course, they don’t have to tell you what’s in it. Even when “chicken/beef/vegetable stock” has “No MSG” on the label, they lie. It’s legal-ease. All that means is the product does not contain “Monosodium Glutamate” the straight up 100% version. But as the informed MSGEXPOSED reader will know, that actually means nothing. They can and do hide the MSG in other abiguous ingredients such as: broth, stock, hydrolyzed corn/soy/wheat/pea protein, autolyzed yeast extract, yeast extract, torula yeast, natural flavors etc etc. Anyways, this product doesn’t even disguise the MSG, it’s just there on the label in plain sight.

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I really like jerky, be it beef, turkey or any other kind of dehydrated meat. The problem is just about all of the major brands are flavored with free glutamic acid (MSG) in various forms. In fact, I personally haven’t found any packaged jerky that doesn’t contain MSG. Here we’ll take a look at the big boys of Beef Jerky.

Oberto Natural Style Beef Jerky

Ingredients:
Beef, brown sugar, dextrose, sugar, salt, hydrolyzed corn and soy protein, natural hickory smoke flavor, corn syrup solids, water, vinegar, flavorings, molasses, sodium erythorbate, caramel color, citric acid, sodium nitrite.

At the supermarket I looked at just about all of the flavors and from what I saw they just about all had MSG in some form. I would not recommend Oberto Beef Jerky if you are concerned about consuming MSG (free glutamic acid/glutamate). Soy Sauce was a key component in many brands of beef jerky and turkey jerky that I found. As you should know, soy sauce is very high in free glutamate. Soy sauce also makes the label look “cleaner” as it doesn’t have to list monosodium glutamate.

Pemmican Premium Cut Beef Jerky

Teriyaki Flavor Ingredients:
Beef, Sugar, Water, Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Salt, less than 2% of Monosodium Glutamate,, Wine, Vinegar, Flavoring, Brown Sugar, Succinic Acid, Maltodextrin, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Nitrite, Lemon Juice Solids, Soy Lecithin. Contains Wheat and Soy

Pemmican doesn’t even hide “monosodium glutamate” in this product.  But as you can see, where there is MSG on a label there is often multiple forms of it, they in a sense piggy-back or stack multiple forms of free glutamate (MSG) in their product and thus the label typically reflects that. The jerky typically tastes very good but that’s exactly why, the monosodium glutamate (MSG) makes it very tasty, but has many health problems at the same time including neurodegenerative disease, obesity and intense food cravings.

Jack Links Beef Jerky

Organic Jack Links Beef Jerky Ingredients:
Beef, water, evaporated cane juice, soy sauce powder (wheat, soybeans, salt, maltodextrin), corn syrup solids, salt, black pepper, garlic, onion.

I listed the organic version of Jack Links Beef Jerky on purpose, we know the regular line has MSG but the “Organic” label can tend to make people think that there is no bad ingredients in the food, and that’s simply not true. As we mentioned earlier in this article there is high amounts of free glutamate in soy sauce and that tends to be why manufacturers love to include it in their products. Soy sauce has a great taste (which is the MSG (free glutamic acid or Umami as the glutamate industry tries to tell us) so that’s why they add it. The regular versions of the Jack Link jerky products contain other forms of MSG (free glutamate) than soy sauce. Typically hydrolyzed corn or soy protein or other forms of hydrolyzed proteins.

Walmart Great Value Beef Jerky

Ingredients:
Beef, Water, Salt, Brown Sugar, Corn Syrup Solids, Hydrolyzed Soy & Corn Protein, Flavoring, Monosodium Glutamate, Maltodextrin, Smoke Flavor, Spice, Sodium Nitrate

Walmart also doesn’t hide the MSG in their beef jerky. They also piggyback on their label by adding even more MSG in the form of Hydrolyzed Soy & Corn Protein. Bad, bad, bad, naughty no-no! The best way to enjoy your Beef of Turkey jerky is to make it yourself. You can buy a food dehydrator on the internet or amazon for much cheaper than in a big-box store. Make your own marinades without sauces that contain MSG. You can do it, there are recipes out there that have MSG free ingredients. Use our handy list at Hidden Sources of MSG on Food Labels for a guide to ingredients to stay away from.

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Eden Organics Black Beans contain MSG in the form of Kombu "sea tangle"

Eden organics would have you believe that you are eating something organic, healthy and wholesome. But if you know anything at all about MSG (free glutamate) you’d know that simply is not true just by reading their label.

Eden Organics Black Beans

Ingredients
Organic Black Turtle Beans, Water, Kombu Seawood.

“EDEN Organic Black Beans are expertly prepared at our certified organic, circle k kosher cannery in east central Indiana. Beans are washed, soaked overnight and thoroughly cooked with water and a bit of kombu sea vegetable. You don’t taste the kombu, but its natural glutamic acid softens and enhances the flavor of beans. All water that contacts EDEN beans, for washing, soaking, and cooking, is purified water.”

It appears that Eden Organics entire line of canned beans contain MSG in the form of Kombu seaweed. If you buy canned beans the only thing you should see on the ingredient label is: “Beans, water and salt (optional). If there is anything else listed, you don’t need it. If you’re making soup or your own homemade chili with it you can add your own spices so you know without a doubt the content of the food you’re eating.

Remember organic MSG/free glutamic acid is still MSG/free glutamic acid, just as organic rat poison is still rat Poison. It doesn’t matter what you call it, it is what it is.

EdenSoy Organic Soymilk contains MSG in the form of Kombu Seaweed

EdenSoy Original Organics Soymilk

Ingredients:
Purified Water, Organic Soybeans, Naturally Malted Organic Wheat and Barley Extract, Calcium Carbonate, Kombu Seaweed , Sea Salt

Not only does this contain MSG in the form of Kombu Seaweed (sea tangle), but soy is naturally high in glutamate. During processing of soy beans the glutamic acid is released from it’s protein creating free glutamic acid (MSG). Russell Blaylock M.D. states this in his book Excitotoxins. Kombu has been used for centuries in asian cooking to add flavor to their cooking, however, just because it has been used for a long time throughout history doesn’t make it healthy. If this were true we could continue painting our houses with lead-based paint and eat the nutritious paint chips that flake off. Of course, we’ve learned over the years that lead-based paint is not a very good choice for the general publics health. We live and we learn.

I’ve been told that cyanide has a wonderful nutty flavor, that’s natural and could be considered organic, however, just because it tastes good doesn’t mean we should eat.

Eden Organics Wasabi Chips contain MSG (free glutamate)

Wasabi Chips, Hot N Spicy

Ingredients:
Potato Starch, Organic Tamari Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Sea Salt, Grain Alcohol, Koji), Rice Bran Oil, Carrot, Cabbage, Spinach, Bell Pepper, Wasabi (Japanese Horseradish), Parsley, Lettuce, Sea Salt, Potato Syrup (Potato Starch, Barley Malt)

Yes, soy sauce contains MSG, in fact it’s very high in free glutamate. It doesn’t matter if it’s listed at monosodium glutamate, soy sauce, hydrolyzed vegetable protein or yeast extract, they all contain MSG (free glutamate). Period.

Always read the labels to know what you’re buying before you put in in your cart, or in your mouth.

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What is MSG?
Monosodium Glutamate, “MSG”, is a processed sodium salt of glutamic acid, one of the most common amino acids (protein building blocks) found in nature. As glutamate, it is present in virtually all foods. Glutamate is found naturally in foods such as tomatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, peas, cheese, meats, fish, even human milk (20 times more than cow’s milk). MSG is produced by a fermentation process of glutamate. The glutamate industry would love for you to believe that there is no difference between glutamate found in natural foods and that added as 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.

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Monosodium Glutamate "MSG"

Sources of MSG include: MSG, Monosodium Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Vegetable
Protein, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein, Plant Protein Extract, Sodium Caseinate, Calcium Caseinate,
Yeast Extract, Textured Protein, Autolyzed Protein, Autolyzed Yeast, and Hydrolyzed Oat Flour.

Additives frequently containing MSG: Malt extract, Malt Flavoring, Bouillon, Broth, Stock,
Flavoring, Natural Flavoring, Natural Beef or Chicken Flavoring, Seasoning and Spices.

Additives that may contain MSG or Excitotoxins: Carrageenan, Enzymes, Soy Protein Concentrate,
Soy Protein Isolate, and Protein Concentrate. Protease enzymes of various sources can release
excitotoxin amino acids from food proteins.

Foods to watch out for include: Soybean milk (naturally high in glutamate / often has hydrolyzed
vegetable protein added to it), kombu, miso, and soy sauces all contain MSG.

Reference:
Blaylock, R. (1997).Excitotoxins – The Taste That Kills, Albuquerque, NM: Health Press NA.

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