Food manufacturers are motivated to make their products tasty and addicting, because if you enjoy the taste then it means that you will be a repeat customer. One common ingredient that is used to flavor food is Monosoduim Glutamate (MSG). Even though MSG is often added to processed foods, doesn't mean that it is safe to consume. In fact, researchers are uncovering surprising information that shows how dangerous MSG can be for your health.
What is Monosoduim Glutamate (MSG)?
1948 was the year that MSG was introduced to the food industry, and it has been used to enhance the flavors of hundreds of processed foods. This ingredient can be found in frozen meals, soup, salad dressing, restaurant foods, and more. MSG is most often found in Asian sauces, dressings, and flavors, although it might be included in other foods such as baby formula and baby food.
The difficulty with MSG is the fact that it might be hidden on an ingredient label. Some products specifically state that MSG is added, while other products use different names for this ingredient. There are over 40 names that might be listed on a label, and these are some of the most common names that are used for MSG:
- Casein
- Autolyzed
- Hydrolyzed
- Citric Acid
- Brown Rice Syrup or Rice Syrup
- Malted Barley
- Gelatin
- Yeast Extract
- Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP)
Did you know that broths often contain MSG?
Click here to read a detailed list of MSG names and ingredients to watch for. Also, you can find more information by reading Dr. Russell Blaylock's books about the dangers of MSG including
Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills.
The Dangers of MSG
It has been found that MSG is an excitotoxin, which causes it to act as a poison which overexcites your cells and damages them. When MSG is consumed, it can lead to damaged nerves and disrupted hypothalamus function. Since the hypothalamus manages the regulatory activities within the body, this disruption can have a negative impact on all of the major functions within your body.
Scientists have linked MSG consumption with obesity, so it is very important that you are avoiding foods with MSG when you are trying to lose weight or prevent weight gain. It has been suggested that MSG actually stimulates hunger signals which can lead to overeating and weight gain.
MSG and Cancer Growth
Additionally, it has also been found that MSG might increase the growth of tumors. Multiple research studies have shown that foods with glutamate might enhance the growth of the tumor, mainly because many types of cancer have glutamate receptors. Glutamate has received the nickname "Cancer Fertilizer" since it speeds up the growth of cancer cells and also rapidly spreads the cancer growth throughout the body.
Avoiding MSG in Your Diet
It is very difficult to avoid MSG if you are eating processed foods, especially since there are so many names for this ingredient. The best approach is to avoid processed foods all together, and stick with a plant based, whole foods diet instead. When you are eating fresh ingredients and preparing your meals from scratch, you will have the peace of mind to know that you are avoiding this dangerous ingredient. Whether you are healing from cancer or proactively preventing cancer, it is best to avoid MSG as much as possible.
You can learn more about following a cancer prevention diet in the book
Unravel the Mystery: A Simple Effective Approach to Beating Cancer, by Ann Malkmus. Also, find delicious recipes in the companion
Unravel the Mystery Recipe Book, which has a variety of MSG-free recipes.
