| Author | Message | ||
| John Erb
Unregistered guest |
Greetings Ladies and Gentlemen, the people of the world are lucky to have unsung heroes like Debby, Mike, Carol H. and many others who have spent so many years dedicating themselves to educating people about the dangers of MSG. There dedication is baring fruit in the form of action taken to remove MSG from the food supply. In 2006, after three years of beating my head against the brick wall of media and politics, I managed to get a hold of the Director of Food Safety for the World Health Organization. Dr. Jurgen Schlundt told me that if I sent him a report, and it was written well enough, he would call an emergency meeting of the JECFA to discuss a world wide ban on MSG. I set to work and penned a 24 page report, but though he took it to his science team, he realized that the Multinationals were much too powerful that would block any action. So instead this report, that included the many hazards of MSG, including the link between MSG in food and vaccines triggering Autism, had to start from the ground up. It got to the hands of the Senate Committee on Autism in Canada, and earned me the opportunity to speak before the team of ten Senators. The transcript of that speech is at www.sen.parl.gc.ca/jmunson/english/Committee%20Proceedings/SASandT.20061206_e.doc last summer, I got the report into the hands of Dr. Laura Tarantino, Director of Food Safety at the FDA. 6 months later it made it up the chain of command to the Commissioner Dr. Van Eschenburg. In January the Commissioner sent me a letter suggesting I petition the FDA to remove MSG from the food supply, little did he know my petition had already gotten on the docket on December 28th, 2007. This year I reported before the Interagency Autism Committee, and met both the Director of NIH, and the Director of NIMH. Strangly, while other petitions have been made available online in PDF form, mine has not. I am hoping to make both the Report to the WHO and the Petition available for download here at MsgMyth. I realize that we are up against big corporate money to keep this nicotine for food in the food and vaccine supply. But with your voice, and the voices of people you know and have educated with your wisdom, I am confident that we can finally rid ourselves of this poison. We are on a mission to save the planet, and we have the passion and commitment to do it! Yours in health and knowledge John Erb | ||
| LaurenC Unregistered guest |
Thank YOU John. We are grateful to have people like you and Debby and Carol on the frontlines. I don't feel as hopeless as I know I would if it weren't for people such as yourselves. I have sent in my comments and urged all friends and family to write in with their comments as well. | ||
| John Erb Unregistered guest |
Thank you Lauren and everyone for your kind support. As of May 13th, the PDF version of the Petition is finally available online, if you go to this site: http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=FDA-2007-P-0178 you can just click on the orange thought bubble to leave a comment, this makes it very easy to have your say. Don't hold back! Let them know just how much this heinous chemical has harmed you and your loved ones. Thank you all for your comments and support. The Goal is within sight, and together we can turn the tide! Yours in health and knowledge John Erb | ||
| LisaMarie Unregistered guest |
Hi John, I just want to say that I am honored you are here at the MSG board. Your petition is so well written and researched that I wonder how the FDA can just ignore it? But then we know they cater to the people with the money. As I told Carol on another post, I wish there was a way to get this information to Jenny McCarthy, as she seems to be able to attract an audience. I take you point of working from the ground up, and let me just say thank you for all of your work and tireless effort. It is at least refreshing to know that you hear us, you know we are not fabricting that is poison is killing us, and that you are doing something about it. I have sent in my letter and comment (the link you posted looks like it works). Please, if we can do anything else, let us know. Forever grateful to Deb and Mike, Carol, and the other posters on this board who are so knowledegable. MSG kills | ||
| LaurenC Unregistered guest |
Thanks for the link. I resubmitted my comments as I'm sure faxes "tend" to get lost. I visited a couple of other message boards I used to frequent (before learning MSG was my issue) and posted the information there as well. I also notified the Weston A Price Foundation in case they're not aware of it yet. Onward to post it with farmers' associations, etc. | ||
| John Erb Unregistered guest |
Thank you so much Lauren, and the many others who have commented to the FDA and passed this on to other Message Boards and Autism sites. I have sent emails to everyone from Oprah to Jenny McCarthy, even faxes to Dr. Sanjay Gupta from CNN, but because I am so attached to this research they think that I am just trying to self promote and do not understand my more altruistic intent. My wife does not understand my passion, and wonders why I fight so hard considering what we have lost and have not seen any financial gain or success from this battle, but I know someday she will see the value in what I am doing. I am confident that if many people contact some of the key figures, at some point they will no longer ignore our voices. Thank your for directing this information to the many avenues available on the wonderful medium that is the Internet. Yours in health John | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
I saw a 'teaser' add yesterday about kids brains-there is supposed to be a special on--I think it starts tonight. It was interesting because they showed a little girl hooked up to wires (maybe an EEG?) and they were asking the question "What is affecting our children's brains? It expecially mentioned autism." We have people right here on this board who could answer this question. Please look out for this special this week. Thanks. | ||
| LaurenC Unregistered guest |
I contacted the Weston A. Price Foundation and they're going to send out an action alert to their members regarding Johns petition. Sally Fallon said that we should also include a hearing request as that is the next step in the petition process. She said that if the FDA does not call a hearing, you can sue in court and get them to have a hearing. | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Deb, Have you contacted the MERCOLA website? | ||
| LaurenC Unregistered guest |
Great idea Lisa! | ||
| LaurenC Unregistered guest |
This is maddening, but I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. My brother has a contact who deals with the FDA so he forwarded the petition information to her. This is the response she received from the FDA: Here is what I can tell about your inquiry regarding a petition to ban MSG. In January 2008 FDA received a petition seeking revocation of MSG generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status specified in 21 CFR 182.1(a); the docket number 07P-0500. FDA is currently reviewing the petition, however at this time FDA’s position on MSG status as GRAS for its intended use in foods remains unchanged. Under current regulations, MSG, the sodium salt of glutamic acid, is considered to be a generally recognized as safe food ingredient. Glutamic acid, one of the amino acids found in nature, is a building block of virtually all proteins and is a normal component of the human body. In the human body and in most foods, glutamic acid exists primarily in its salt form, glutamate. There are other common food ingredients, such as tomatoes, cheese, meats, hydrolyzed protein, or autolyzed yeast extracts that contain free glutamate as an inherent component. Such ingredients also are declared in the ingredient statement by their common or usual name, e.g., “parmesan cheese” or “hydrolyzed soy protein.” There is no requirement that glutamate be listed as an ingredient if it is present only as an inherent component of another ingredient. Consequently, there are foods such as tomato paste and soy sauce that contain substantial amounts of glutamate but do not indicate the presence of glutamate on the label. FDA contracted with the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) in 1992 to do a safety review of the effects of the use of MSG and hydrolyzed protein products as food ingredients. FASEB reported its findings and conclusions in a report submitted to FDA on July 31, 1995, entitled, “Analysis of Adverse Reactions to Monosodium Glutamate (MSG).” A copy of the Executive Summary may be obtained by contacting the American Society for Nutritional Sciences, Life Sciences Research Office, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda , Maryland 20814 , http://www.lsro.org. In this report, FASEB concluded that there is sufficient documentation to define an acute, temporary, and self-limiting “MSG symptom complex” that includes such characteristic symptoms as a burning sensation of the back of the neck, forearms, and chest; facial pressure or tightness; chest pain; headache; nausea; upper body tingling and weakness, etc. (see page v of the Executive Summary). These symptoms were judged to be related to the amount of MSG consumed and whether the MSG was consumed with or without food. Specifically, FASEB concluded that oral ingestion of three or more grams of MSG without food could cause adverse reactions in certain otherwise healthy individuals. Most of the population, however, would not be harmed by the consumption of MSG when eaten at customary levels. I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions, please let me know. Thank you, Lindsay Stovall FDA/OC/Office of Legislation | ||
| Dianne Unregistered guest |
You know when I read about John Erb's persistent fight and recent petition I was excited, but after I did some research and really thought about it I became only mildly optimistic. My thoughts revert back to something I read about MSG not being successfully attacked unless the lawyers find big money in doing so. But that doesn't mean any of us should ever give up trying. | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
This is so sad and defeating. But John, please don't give up hope. I know this is a matter of education. I wish we could find someone who has a national platform and is easily recognizable who would take up our cause. Surely people would be as outraged as we are if they only knew. In that report cited above, it says that MSG symptoms are dose related. To me, that is a joke. ANY amount of the stuff causes me problems, and as we all know, if we ingested what they call the safe amount, we would all be hospitialized. Thank you Lauren and Dianne for your posts. I | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
All this employee is saying is that the FDA is aware of the petition, and states that the GRAS (generally regarded as safe) standing for MSG still remains. Then he/she goes on to state the same old wordage that we have heard time and again...the old industry sponsored propaganda about MSG's safety. It's nothing new, but one day it will be changed. It will take more people being made aware of MSG's true nature...and I assure you, that is happening right now. You people here are making a difference and so are thousands and thousands of others. Look at the new interest in organic foods and people taking a deeper look into autism. We always said it would take our children getting very sick in larger numbers for MSG to be exposed. And our children are getting fatter and sicker by the minute. People are wanting answers. Sure, MSG is "dumbing" and numbing down so many people today, but there is a growing number of individuals who are savvy and who are sharing the information they have about MSG with those in their circle and communities. Several of my son's patients are telling all their friends. One gal is even planning to buy land to raise some cattle and pigs that have no antibiotics or hormones. One woman brought in a pamphlet that was sent to the Catholic women's group about nutrition and soup making. It extolled the wonders of MSG. She informed the group otherwise. These things are going on everywhere. Whatever publicity we can get, the better. Whatever happens with this petition, just be sure you get as many people aware of it as possible. Send out an email to everyone you know with information about MSG and ask them to forward it on. AND be sure to add your name and story to the petition. Just by doing that, we are informing the country, and the circle ever widens. The FDA needs to clean up its act. It is full of ex food company workers and glutes who help mislead it and the nation as to MSG's safety. Many of its board members once ran food companies, so you see what we are up against. This country is in a health crisis, and whatever we can do to bring attention to its needs, matters. In 1997 when we wrote our book, we were thrilled if we sold one a month. Now we get orders DAILY...and we do not advertise..people are searching the internet for answers to their health problems that doctors have told them are all in their heads or that will go away with this drug or that treatment. OR their friends and informed doctors have referred them to our site. Awareness is growing daily. So be excited and know how far we have come from those "pioneering days". Hang in there, gang, and do not be be discouraged. Never give up hope. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Can anyone help me find an email address for Dr. Mercola? I tried to contact him via his site and got nowhere. If anyone can find an address for Jennie McCarthy or any other celebrity who might benefit from having one of our books and info about the site and petition, please send it to me at avenger@msgmyth.com. Thanks! I believe that William Shatner once belonged to NOMSG. He gets migraine headaches due to MSG. Most celebs shy away from taking a stand due to questionable publicity, but they may like a book and it may make a difference, hopefully..as in Jenny's son's case. | ||
| John Erb Unregistered guest |
Hello Everyone, thank you for the support and your continues effort to tell others. I am not worried at all by what Lauren found out. I have fought long enough to know that when the Own the system, you cannot use the System to change it. A battle fought in their courts cannot be won, they simply have too much financial support. My Petition to the FDA was just using the proper channels, I have an Ace up my sleeve to make the change: Educating the public and creating a grassroots effort to shed light on all this and demand action will be the direction that is needed. I, and a group of people to assist me am currently working on this, let me know what you think of it. In the next few months, I will be mounting a large white horse and carrying a large banner that has a slogan bringing attention to the petition. I will be riding on the back highways through small villages and towns, on a journey to get to Washington DC. At each place of population I will be giving speeches to all who are gather. I have an associate driving ahead of me to arrange for things in the upcoming town, and a follow vehicle to protect myself and the horse. We intend to have a camera and sound crew to document the highlights. It is our intent that by the time We reach the Capital, We will have raised a Grassroots awareness that will allow us to have much more clout against the Corporations, and the Government agencies that protect them. What are your thoughts on this? Yours in health and knowledge John Erb | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Way to go, John...publicity is publicity, and you are sure to get some.  | ||
| LaurenC Unregistered guest |
John, this is a great idea! Keep us posted on your travels, so we can join you whenever possible and/or in DC. Thanks Deb for keeping us focused and inspired! | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
No problem...as John mentioned, we have been at this for a long time and we know from experience that a grass roots effort is the way to go and it IS growing. Even Jack Samuels tried and failed to sue to the FDA into better labeling of MSG. He learned that you cannot sue the federal government. Education, awareness, and public demands for change are the best ways to make some changes when the powers that be, won't. | ||
| Zoomer Unregistered guest |
That's great John. What I believe is needed is database with MANY people who can tell their own stories - and be willing to came forward in the media or be tested by journalists or neutral scientists (not the corrupt ones that give placebo with a high gelatin and aspartame content to a control group in order to trigger reactions in the control group - and then declare that no difference was observed between the control group and the exposed group). | ||
| Zoomer Unregistered guest |
One argument that can be pushed more is this: MSG is a signal to the consumers that they are about to buy highly processed food made of inferior ingredients. This food does not have enough natural flavors and would be tasteless (or maybe plain disgusting) without a taste booster like MSG to hide the real taste. | ||
| Jerry Story Unregistered guest |
How do we go about arranging a standoff between Dr. Blaylock and the glu? Interview with Dr. Blaylock: http://www.naturalnews.com/z020550.html Dr. Blaylock:
| ||
| kimm Unregistered guest |
John - if I can help you here in Florida, in any way, please let me know! | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Jerry, I like the way you think. John, I think your idea is a good one, and that you are able to get the local media to cover this! I am so impressed that you would give so much of your time to educate people. This will not be easy, and I am sure you know that. Are there organizations in each town that you can contact ahead of time. Or ways to reach people in advance to attend, like by way of the local heath food stores? Here is a link to a book which lists Vegetarian and Health Food stores by town: http://www.amazon.com/Vegetarian-Restaurants-Natural-Food-Stores/dp/1887089446 Perhaps also contact local wholistic doctor practices, chiropractors, etc? | ||
| John Erb Unregistered guest |
Deb, thank you for hosting this great site, and for your wonderful support and dedication to the cause for all these years. You are an inspiration to us all! Hello Lauren, thank you for the offer, we hope to have webcasts of our progress, and will let you know when we hit DC, we need just enough people there to act as witnesses to the events. Yes Zoomer, great idea, the website we are working on will allow people to file their complaints, and may have a database to compile and categorize them. Hello Jerry, somewhere a while back I sent an email of thanks to Dr. Blaylock, he sent a response to me, I will track down his address and see what he can send to the FDA. Greetings Kimm, thank you for your offer. Even in Florida you could be a great help. We are currently setting up a web site to help with grassroots support. People have already offered to ride/walk with me, and I have suggested they can do more by staying home. We will be posting updates on line of Corporate CEOs, government officials, etc's email and phone numbers, and suggesting people call them or contact them at the proper time to do so. I have seen what 10,000 marchers in Washington do, they make a nice picture and a good noise, but 10,000 callers and emailers directed to specific offices! now that is grassroots power! Lisa Marie, thank you for the great idea. It would be great to get the holistic/alternative healers, health food stores etc involved in this. We could even feature these services and highlight them. Most of the main stream don't even know they exist! The big media will not cover this, but small town radio, print (if there are any left) and tv would at least get local coverage. I hope to speak to school groups and clubs like Optimists and Rotary. Keep the great ideas coming! Yours in health and knowledge John Erb | ||
| Dianne Unregistered guest |
Wow, what a bunch of intelligent folks you all are. What great ideas! John, your dedication along with many others is praiseworthy, and hopefully with an evergrowing grassroots movement we will succeed. I will centainly continue to send letters to local and national officials, but something more organized might make a bigger splash. Thank you so much for your hard work. | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
I live in a small town and the local media love to cover events like this one. I don't know if you will be through Missouri, but here are links to our local station and newspaper: http://www.kfvs12.com/ http://www.semissourian.com/ I do believe most small towns have media outlets like ours, and that they would be interested, if just to fill the paper. Perhaps you would be able to run editorials and articles ahead of time just by googling the local media outlets? Maybe we need to compose a short article that you would be able to get into the newspapers in advance? Most tv stations have links where you can send in news as it is happening--if your supporters in local areas are at the walk or march, they would be able to send it in by cell phone. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Mike has taken the day off to compile a list of all the email addresses of those who have ordered our book via CCnow. It will take a lot of time, but we should have thousands of people to email about the petition and encourage them to forward on to friends. This should also serve to educate a lot more people, since we will include information and links to MSG sites. It will give us a list of people to draw on for future e mailings. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
I need your help. I am trying to locate the second letter that one of you posted here concerning the petition. We already posted Lisa Marie's on the homepage as an example for others to follow, and we wanted to post the other one. I can't recall who wrote it...Sorry! Was it Zoomer, LaurenC???? Please help me find it so that we can post it. I will post here the letter we will be sending out to those on our email list about the petition. I wish I could share the list with others, but out of privacy privilege, Mike and I need to be careful. But we will be able to use it when such events occur and we need to alert fellow sufferers. We also have a list of snail mail addresses of former NOMSG members that may be of use some day. We would ask for volunteers to help with mailings/postage if the occasion should arise that we need to contact them. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
The following is the form letter we just penned to send to the list we have been compiling. We invite your comments and criticisms because we want this to be easily understood and followed. So please let us know if you have suggestions or corrections for us. Now I just have to do what I have been telling others to do and get my name on that petition! Whew! Wish there were just a few more hours in my day! May 2008 Urgent! MSG Petition. We need you! Please take a few minutes and go to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=FDA-2007-P-0178 to participate. This petition was initiated by author John Erb (The Slow Poisoning of America). He has dedicated so much of his time and resources to make a dent in this uphill battle against toxic food additives. He has spoken with the director of food safety for the World Health Organization, but was told that the multinationals were much too powerful and would block any action. (Large global food corporations) His report, which included the link between MSG in foods and vaccines triggering Autism, earned him the opportunity to speak before the Canadian team of ten senators. From there, he got the report into the hands of Dr. Laura Tarantino, Director of Food Safety at the FDA. Eventually it reached FDA Commissioner Dr. Van Eschenburg, who encouraged Mr. Erb to petition the FDA to remove MSG from the food supply. It got on the docket on Dec. 28, 2007. In May 2008, John reported before the Interagency Autism Committee and met both the director of the National Institute of Health and the Director of The National Institute of Mental Health (Recent studies are linking glutamate (as in MSG) to neurological disorders, Autism, ADD, depression, MS, ALS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and more.) The success of our mission is dependent on the number of people who send in their petition and stories. Sample stories are found at www.msgmyth.com. Click on Discussion Board, then the Petition topic. We need thousands of participants and it only takes a few minutes ... minutes that can change the health of millions. PLEASE forward this to as many people as you can. The following sites will inform them of this growing threat to their health and that of their loved ones. Please check them out! www.msgmyth.com www.msgtruth.org www.truthinlabeling.org Thank you! Debby and Mike Anglesey - Authors of Battling the MSG Myth and www.msgmyth.com. | ||
| Anonymous Posted From: 209.204.178.27 |
I didn't post that second letter - or any letter here - but I did write to the FDA through the comments link on the web page: I fully support the removal of MSG from the GRAS designation. I have had health issues involving pain, nausea, and depression for over a decade. At one point I was on 240mg of codeine per day, which didn't control the widespread pain throughout my body very well, but any more and I would have lost any semblance of functionality. Two doctors told me I could easily obtain disability. I found the site http://www.msgmyth.com a little over a year ago, and was shocked that I had over half of the symptoms listed on the main page. I had never seen them listed together in that way, but once I followed the advice for removing excess glutamate from my diet, I have been symptom free and in fact have never had better health. I am unable to eat even unprocessed items like corn or tomatoes, or pretty much any food with a free glutamate content that, as a generalization, is over 50mg/100g. If the FDA does not remove MSG's GRAS status, despite overwhelming evidence that is causes more harm than good, I would at least like to see the free glutamate content to be a mandatory item listed on all food labels, or have the information readily available when the manufacturer is contacted. One issue not touched on in the petition is the link of glutamate with fibromyalgia: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310112658.htm Widespread pain throughout my body was the last symptom I had before I eliminated MSG from my diet. Had I not discovered the link, I most certainly would not able to work, and my quality of life would have been dismal as my health continued to deteriorate, while going on disability and not contributing to society. It is frustrating that I am unable to eat at restaurants or engage in social gatherings where food is a central feature, unless I prepare it. Respectfully, Jennifer | ||
| Dianne Unregistered guest |
Deb, Well written as usual. The only thing I might add is a bit of instruction after "Please take a few minutes and go to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=FDA-2007-P-0178 to participate." on how to participate, just to make it clear and easy. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Good idea, Dianne. It can be confusing at their site. I found that when I was finished writing my tirade of complaints, the time had run out and I lost everything that I had written! So it is good to suggest that one cuts and pastes their response. Also, we need to add the date when the petition is over. One thing I am considering doing with the letter, is to include some of the complaint letters that are posted here. In that way they serve not only to give people suggestions for their own responses, but they can educate some of the people we send them to who may not think they are MSG reactive. They may read and relate to some of the stories, giving our petition more meaning. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Final draft. Any suggestions? Please copy and send to everyone you know. I've included my and Jennifer's submissions. May 2008 Urgent! MSG Petition. We need you! Please respond before June 23rd. Please take a few minutes and go to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=FDA-2007-P-0178 to participate. This petition was initiated by author John Erb (The Slow Poisoning of America). He has dedicated so much of his time and resources to make a dent in this uphill battle against toxic food additives. He has spoken with the director of food safety for the World Health Organization, but was told that the multinationals were much too powerful and would block any action. (Large global food corporations) His report, which included the link between MSG in foods and vaccines triggering Autism, earned him the opportunity to speak before the Canadian team of ten senators. From there, he got the report into the hands of Dr. Laura Tarantino, Director of Food Safety at the FDA. Eventually it reached FDA Commissioner Dr. Van Eschenburg, who encouraged Mr. Erb to petition the FDA to remove MSG from the food supply. It got on the docket on Dec. 28, 2007. In May 2008, John reported before the Interagency Autism Committee and met both the director of the National Institute of Health and the Director of The National Institute of Mental Health (Recent studies are linking glutamate (as in MSG) to neurological disorders, Autism, ADD, depression, MS, ALS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and more.) The success of our mission is dependent on the number of people who send in their petition and stories. Sample stories and MSG information are found at www.msgmyth.com. Click on Discussion Board, then the Petition topic. We need thousands of participants and it only takes a few minutes ... minutes that can change the health of millions. Tips for ease of submitting your petition and comments: Once in the government site, to the right of Document ID ending in 0002 by John Erb, click on the accompanying message bubble in the "Add Comments" column. Be sure to fill in the blanks above with red asterisks. Fill in box quickly or time may run out (suggestion: write your comments elsewhere and cut and paste in box). Scroll down and click on "Next Step" and submit. Following the web sites, we are including some samples of public comments that have been submitted, starting with ours. We hope they will help you with your own entry and perhaps convince others of the seriousness of this cause. PLEASE forward this to as many people as you can. The following sites will inform people of this growing threat to their health and that of their loved ones. Please check them out! www.msgmyth.com www.msgtruth.org www.truthinlabeling.org Thank you! Debby and Mike Anglesey - Authors of Battling the MSG Myth and www.msgmyth.com. Sample petition entries/comments: I suffered for 21 years with chest pains, migraine headaches, colitis, vertigo, sleeplessness, chronic fatigue, joint pain, and much more. I can never get back those unhealthy years while I raised my children. I am 61 and in 1995, learned that MSG was the main culprit for all the terrible pain and discomfort that many doctors couldn't find answers for. When I avoided processed foods and ate whole foods, ALL my symptoms disappeared. My husband and I became consumer advocates after writing the book, "Battling the MSG Myth", and establishing a web site and discussion board. We could compile several books with the MSG horror stories people have sent to us since 1997. Unfortunately, we are up against powerful political and economical agendas. The lobbyists for the food industry have convinced the FDA and the public that #1. MSG is safe, #2. that it is the same glutamate found in milk and mushrooms and tomatoes (even if that were so, we are getting far too much processed glutamate from food additives effecting our entire endocrine system), #3. does not cross the blood brain barrier and placental wall (hundreds of lab tests on animals less reactive to MSG, comparatively than humans, have proven just the opposite), #4. have influenced the reporting and results of tests done on its safety (read Adrienne Samuel's paper, "Migraine Headaches, Hyperactivity in Children, and Alzheimer's: The Common Denominator May Be MSG"). With a Ph.D in Research, her findings led her to conclude that, "All the data presented by the Glutamate Association, The International Glutamate Technical Committee, and their sponsors as "proving" that MSG is "safe", appear to be flawed. Some, if not all of the data appear fraudulent. We are aware of no person, institution, or agency, that has claimed that MSG is "safe", that does not have close ties to the food and/or drug industries, or that has not been renumerated by them." Recently, there have been reports in the news about research at the University of Liverpool linking glutamate (MSG) and aspartame to ADHD. In Jan. 2008, researchers at the U. of Michigan found that pain decreased in Fibromyalgia sufferers when levels of the brain molecule, glutamate went down. Non invasive testing of the brains of Fibromyalgia patients at Harvard, showed high levels of glutamate. In the '70s when I began to react to MSG, Fibromyalgia was unheard of, and if there had been such an epidemic of it as there is now, that is what I would have been diagnosed with. Scientists are finding the glutamate link to obesity, depression, autism and more, and drug companies on are on the band wagon ($$$) to develop glutamate blockers, the new cutting edge cure-all drugs. Please consider our children, the third generation since MSG was introduced into our foods in the late '40s, who are ingesting the largest amount of glutamate from a diet primarily dependent on processed foods. They, like the third generation of lab animals studied in test after test since the 1970's, are exhibiting the most serious disorders. Autism, ADD, Obesity, Depression and Rage Disorder are rampant. While everyone is looking for a connection of mercury to autism, the following article should be considered. Paschner et al. (Methylmercury alters glutamate transport in astrocytes." Neurochem Int. Aug-Sep,200;37 (23):199-206. It states, "In the absence of glutamate, neurons are unaffected by acute exposure to mercury...Co-application of nontoxic concentrations of methylmercury AND glutamate (glutamate is added as a stabilizer along with gelatin which is high in glutamate, to immunizations) leads to typical appearance of neuronal lesions associated with excitotoxic stimulation (Matyja and Albrecht 1993). Although ethylmercury was used in some vaccines, it is likely that the reaction would be similar if not the same. We should ask if autism is related to a genetic defect, or if a predisposition is activated or triggered due to the ever increasing amount of processed free glutamate and aspartame that pregnant women ingest. Unbiased tests are needed and the food industry must be held up to greater scrutiny. We, who are the canaries in the coal mine cannot be ignored for much longer. There is a grassroots effort to share this information that is growing at great speed. The tobacco scandal was terrible. But with cigarettes, a person had the choice to light up. With glutamate rich food additives that go unlabeled because they contain less than 78% glutamate as MSG does, the public is being deceived as to the choice they have to avoid free glutamate or not. The new wheat derived flavor enhancer by Senomyx is touted to contain "more free glutamate than MSG", by its creators, yet the FDA allows it to be labeled as "artificial flavors"!!!! The producers are ecstatic that it earned a "clean label", as their literature discloses. What are you doing to us? Certainly, you are making a few people rich at the price of your people's health and well being. We are being robbed of our health and our children of their childhood dreams and possibly their future. Debby Anglesey I fully support the removal of MSG from the GRAS designation. I have had health issues involving pain, nausea, and depression for over a decade. At one point I was on 240mg of codeine per day, which didn't control the widespread pain throughout my body very well, but any more and I would have lost any semblance of functionality. Two doctors told me I could easily obtain disability. I found the site http://www.msgmyth.com a little over a year ago, and was shocked that I had over half of the symptoms listed on the main page. I had never seen them listed together in that way, but once I followed the advice for removing excess glutamate from my diet, I have been symptom free and in fact have never had better health. I am unable to eat even unprocessed items like corn or tomatoes, or pretty much any food with a free glutamate content that, as a generalization, is over 50mg/100g. If the FDA does not remove MSG's GRAS status, despite overwhelming evidence that is causes more harm than good, I would at least like to see the free glutamate content to be a mandatory item listed on all food labels, or have the information readily available when the manufacturer is contacted. One issue not touched on in the petition is the link of glutamate with fibromyalgia: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310112658.htm Widespread pain throughout my body was the last symptom I had before I eliminated MSG from my diet. Had I not discovered the link, I most certainly would not able to work, and my quality of life would have been dismal as my health continued to deteriorate, while going on disability and not contributing to society. It is frustrating that I am unable to eat at restaurants or engage in social gatherings where food is a central feature, unless I prepare it. Respectfully, Jennifer | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Saw that I needed to add a quotation mark after the study cited. Will do. Any other suggestions? PLEASE copy and paste this letter and email it to everyone you can. Hopefully, it will travel far and wide and John's efforts will be aided. | ||
| Dianne Unregistered guest |
Deb, Thanks so much for your letter to send to all our friends/relatives/acquaintances. It is great! I think all I will add for my own personalization is in the paragraph that begins "The success of our mission...", I'd add that they may also want to view the great success stories under the topic "Share your MSG story/recovery". Then at the end of that same paragraph I would add a spacer-line. I can't wait to get emailing. Thanks again Deb. | ||
| Dianne Unregistered guest |
Deb, On the submission form there is an asterisk (required field) by the line "organization name". What should we put there? | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Deb, GREAT letter. I do think you should clarify the sentences with the numbers, and spell out under #1 MONOsodium glutamate, and #2 "that IT is the same glutamate --maybe put in "that MONOsodium glutamate is the same FORM of glutamate contained in mushrooms, etc." Because this still can bog me down, and I am used to the terms. I think we need to do the best job we can to differentiate between the bound forms and the processed form-MSG. My other suggestion is to put the letter into more paragraphs. As a reader, when I see a huge paragraph it is more difficult to read than if some of the paragraphs are spaced out. ( I know you probably did that to avoid the letter looking too long, but it me it looks more imposing) Just my opinions. The letter is fantastic any way you post it! Thank you for taking so much time to spell it all out and to do the research and to write the letter. | ||
| Dianne Unregistered guest |
Deb, I don't know what I was thinking in my post above - of course I can't add anything to your letter, so I will add my own comment, outside the body of your letter, to the emails I send out. Sorry for even posting that. | ||
| Deb A Unregistered guest |
Put your name there, Dianne. No problem! I love the input. Thanx! | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Sorry from here also. I didn't mean MONOsodium glu. is the same form as in mushrooms, I meant to clarify how it is NOT the same form---Please excuse me also! Thanks. | ||
| Dianne Unregistered guest |
Thought this was interesting, expecially the last paragraph - found on regulations.gov. It's dated March 28, 2008 from The Glutamate Association http://www.regulations.gov/search/search_results.jsp?css=0&N=0&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchall&Ne=2+8+11+8053+8054+8098+8074+8066+8084+8055&Ntt=the%20glutamate%20association&sid=11A25573AD47 In part: Re: Comments on Salt and Sodium; Petition to Revise the Regulatory Status of Salt and Establish Food Labeling Requirements Regarding Salt and Sodium (Docket No. 2005P-0450) Dear Sir or Madam: The Glutamate Association (TGA) is submitting these comments in response to the aforementioned petition prepared by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which was the subject of the November 29, 2007 United States Food and Drug Association (FDA) hearing. TGA is an association of manufacturers and users of the flavor enhancer, monosodium glutamate (MSG). TGA and its member companies manufacture and market packaged foods, many of which contain added salt. TGA, therefore, has a significant interest in the regulatory status of salt and is concerned with the precedent that would be established by revoking the GRAS status of salt and regulating it as a food additive. As will be discussed in more detail below, FDA would be ignoring the plan language of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) if it revokes the GRAS status of salt, which has been commonly used in food prior to 1958. While we recognize there may be a subset of the population that is sensitive to sodium, any concerns with sodium intake are readily addressed through the disclosure of sodium as part of the nutrition facts panel. Moreover, we believe issues regarding the association between nutrients and increased risk of adverse health conditions—such as the relationship between sodium and hypertension—more appropriately should be addressed through nutrition labeling and education and should not factor into the safety assessment of food ingredients. | ||
| LaurenC Unregistered guest |
Deb, it may have been my letter, here is a copy: Division of Dockets Management Food and Drug Administration 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061 Rockville, MD 20852 Fax (301)827-6870 Ref. ID FDA-2007-P-0178-0001 To Whom It May Concern: I am writing in support of "Revoking the status of GRAS for the food additive Monosodium Glutamate,” ID FDA-2007-P-0178-0001, document dated 12/28/07. I support this as Monosodium Glutamate is the cause of many of my illnesses. By eliminating this additive, I no longer suffer from SVT (fast/irregular heart beats), chronic fatigue, insomnia, RLS, and chronic daily headaches. Additionally, I have reduced my migraines by about 80%. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to avoid as most foods contain this additive under many aliases. Before discovering that it was hidden, I always thought I was avoiding it. As a common migraine trigger, I think most people with this condition know to avoid MSG. It is unfortunate though that most people have not yet discovered that they are probably still eating it. It is my right to choose what I eat and be fully informed as to what is in my food. It is my hope that by removing the GRAS status, that many more people will regain their health as I did. I also hope that it will lead to stricter labeling laws. PROFITS FOR THE FOOD INDUSTRY SHOULD NOT COME BEFORE THE HEALTH OF AMERICA. I realize that not everyone is as sensitive to MSG as I am (yet). However, I strongly believe it is only a matter of time before they too come down with unexplained symptoms and illnesses. There are many studies that link excess glutamate to various diseases. How long must the increase in diseases and allergies continue before we realize the common denominator is the chemicals in our food? When did it become a good idea that chemicals, additives, and preservatives take the place of nutritious whole foods? Additionally, when a product like Auxigro (contains free glutamate) is allowed to be sprayed on "organic" foods, what are those of us who try to avoid it supposed to do? Do we not have the right to live a healthy life? You can give us our rights back and I hope you strongly consider revoking the GRAS status of MSG. | ||
| LaurenC Unregistered guest |
Also Deb, happy to help with any mailings or whatever else you need. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
It could have been prompted by any number of causes. There is a movement against salt because of the sodium present. So to make themselves look like caring agents of good health, they are responding about the sodium in their monosodium glutamate, which they hint is disclosed, and should be addressed under a more appropriate route other than changing its safe standing/GRAS. But it looks like they would use the same argument about the glutamate in their lovely, or should I say deadly profit making product. | ||
| Dianne Unregistered guest |
Yeah, It cracked me up to read that they want sodium to be addressed through nutrition labeling! But all their free-glutamate-rich additives, of course, to be hidden. | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
So when you write them or fax them regarding this issue they assign a tracking number your comment. You are then supposed to be able to go back to the Regulations.gov site and put the number in the box to search for your comment. Guess wha? It has been almost 2 weeks, and I still can not find my comment. Probably they are not even going to review it. This is sickening. | ||
| John Erb Unregistered guest |
Hello Everyone, Thank you for sending in your comments. It appears that comments from individuals are not being uploaded, but they are still filed and will be available to be called upon during the hearings so do not despair! I have noticed how much attention Dr. Mercola is getting, I have been unable to get through to him to ask to add info on the petition to his newsletter, does anyone have any idea how to get a hold of him? Thank you for all the networking that you have been doing, it is making the difference! Yours in health and knowledge John Erb | ||
| Anonymous Unregistered guest |
is there a deadline for sending in our letters to the fda | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Anonymous, the date set is June 23, 2008, so you can fax and mail them until then. If you go to the origins of this post it tells you how. John, thank you for that information. I wonder if Carol knows how to reach Dr. Mercola? And did you see what I posted about the food dye petition? | ||
| Roy Piwovar Unregistered guest |
John Erb, Have you tried all the ways to reach Dr. Mercola on his contact page? http://products.mercola.com/contact.htm | ||
| John Erb Unregistered guest |
Yes, several times over the past few months, but today I found an actual contact number for office, so I will try that if we could get him on board before the deadline it would give us a real ace! | ||
| LaurenC Unregistered guest |
The Weston A. Price Foundation sent out the following action alert to it's members (I just noticed that they have Carol's & the Truth In Labeling web addresses wrong): ACTION ALERT ON MSG Dear Members, I realize that just a couple of days ago, we asked all of you to make phone calls and write emails in support of SB 201, the Fresh Raw Milk Act of 2008. We are reluctant to send another action alert so soon after our request for action on SB 201, but the comment period on the MSG petition described below closes June 23rd. So this weekend, while no one is answering the phone in California, please submit a short comment on the excellent petition to remove MSG from the food supply, prepared by John Erb. Details are given in his letter to Weston A. Price members below. (Then on Monday and Tuesday of next week, back to your emails and phone calls on SB 201!!) Thank you! Sally Fallon, President PETITION TO REMOVE MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE FROM THE FOOD SUPPLY BEFORE THE FDA To the members of Weston A Price Foundation: After decades of concern about the safety of the food additive MSG in food, and mounting evidence about the adverse reactions many people have to it, the FDA has accepted a petition to remove monosodium glutamate from the GRAS (generally regarded as safe) list of ingredients. This action would stop hundreds of food manufacturers, from Campbell's to Heinz, and thousands of restaurants, from Kentucky Fired Chicken to Applebees, from using this additive. Since 1950, food manufacturers and restaurants have discovered that adding MSG to food makes people eat more of it, and eat more quickly. MSG is addictive, like nicotine for food. If you are one of the millions who have suffered reactions to MSG, from asthma to migraines, please take this opportunity to send your comments to the FDA. The petition itself is available to be read at the website: http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=FDA-2007-P-0178 To comment, simply click on the orange thought bubble beside the Petition written by John Erb. Fill out the fields on the electronic form, and include your comments supporting the petition. Be sure to mention any problems you or your family members have had with the additive Monosodium Glutamate. To have a better idea of the damage that MSG can cause, please feel free to review the text of the Petition, which shows how MSG has been purposely used to create obese and diabetic test subjects for experiments, and how MSG can be linked to the triggering of abnormal brain growth leading to autism. By clicking on the HTML or PDF icon you can review the petition itself. By adding your voice to this petition you can help end the poisoning we all have suffered from this toxic ingredient. Together we can make a lasting change towards putting our health before the profit margin of the corporations. Unfortunately, the FDA has only opened public comment on this petition for a very brief period. The comment period closes on June 23rd, so please act quickly to make your voice be heard. For more information on the dangers of Monosodium Glutamate, feel free to visit these sites: www.msgmyth.com www.msgtruth.com www.truthinlabeling.com Thank you for making the world a safer place! | ||
| Dianne Unregistered guest |
When you click on msgtruth.com and truthinlabeling.com you are taken to the correct addresses. | ||
| John Erb Unregistered guest |
Thank you to Dianne and to everyone who helped with the FDA petition. Your comments and input is greatly appreciated. The FDA purposely did not post a great number of comments, but I hope to get a copy of all that were made. Now that that 6 months period is up, the Commissioner must make a response of some kind. I have been given the name Lou Brock at the Center for Food Safety and applied nutrition and I hope to hear back from him as well. I will keep you posted on the progress. Thank you again for your great assistance with this project. Yours in health and Knowledge John | ||
| John Erb Unregistered guest |
Hello everyone, Thanks for sending in your comments on the petition. Thought I would update you on the progress. Originally the FDA stated that the closing date for public comment was June 23rd, oddly enough if you go to the FDA site now, there are a dozen new comments all posted on July 25th. I called the FDA to find out who was answering the petition. I was passed on to two different people before finding out Dr. Mattias, division director of food additives was assigned the task. Bob Martin, who spoke to me, apologized that the answer had not come in the 180 day period. "Sorry for the Inconvenience" he said. Unbelievable, every level of government enforces regulations that fine and jail members of the public when we do not follow their guidelines, but the government can ignore them all they wish. Yesterday I was faxed the response from Dr. Laura Tarantino, "we did not make the 180 day cut off because of limited availability and other agency priorities" What could be more important? Licensing another drug? I have an adviser from a State Senator assisting me on getting to the bottom of this, and will keep you all informed. Once again, thank you for all your support, we are making great strides towards ending this poisoning once and for all. John | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Thanks so much, John, for the update. We hope you can pin down someone soon. My opinion of the FDA is pretty poor. | ||
| John Erb Unregistered guest |
Hello Everyone, Dr. Laura Tarantino, Director of the Office of Food Additive Safety called me to say she was sorry they did not have the staff available to look into the petition in the required time. She suggested I send a request for a formal hearing. I asked her about the deadline for public comment being past, and she said that as long as the file is open, public comment is open. She offered to look into the website access, and lo and behold it is now accepting comments again, though there seems to be a glitch when you open the link in the msgmyth frame that does not allow the comment boxes to come up, you must open the FDA link in a fresh browser. Suddenly comments from several weeks ago have been uploaded and there are now three pages of support to end the MSG poisoning! Thanks to all of you who have taken part and sent in your comments. For those of you who haven't there is still time! Please visit the petition site and let your voice be heard! We must apply more pressure to the FDA to put more effort into their analysis of this petition. Yours in health and knowledge John Erb | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Hi John, I wish you would contact the Organic Consumers Association and explain to them what we are trying to accomplish. They have over 850,000 persons in their data base, and they send out a newsletter every two weeks. Here is their home page:http://www.organicconsumers.org/ I have written to them, however, as just a lowly citizen I have have not received a response. I really think you would get somewhere if you contacted them personally. Respectfully, Lisa S. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Hi John. We've been out of town, but will see if we can do something about the glitch on the homepage. I was watching ABC Good Morning America today, and they featured acid reflux and how the meds for it may be depleting calcium from bones. Then they talked about the high rate of poor eyesight among Americans... and obesity..again! We are being poisoned and no one wants to believe that a simple food additive, with the blessing of the FDA, is creating a very sick society. | ||
| John Erb Unregistered guest |
Hello everyone, Please read the most amazing article, just out today on a study proving the link between msg and obesity in Humans. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080813164638.htm perfect timing to support the petition | ||
| Dianne Unregistered guest |
John Erb, Thank you for the link. It's great to see an article with humans in the study re: MSG. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
Thanks, John. This new study is based on humans AND many news outlets are picking it up! Yeah! Think I will forward a note about this new study to Ms. Nestle who refused to believe the obesity epidemic had anything to do with MSG. She refused to believe it was more than simple calories in > calories out. (Sorry I have been away. I had tremendous computer and email problems for the past few weeks. They seem solved now - finally........) | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Hi John and Carol and all...we have been out of town visiting family. I was blown away by the article, John. As I read it, I thought, this is BIG!...so simply put, but packed with facts no scientist can argue with...it's all there...now watch for the glutes and a big PR campaign to protect MSG. This is quite exciting! Just spoke with a physician yesterday who called and asked permission to add our MSG aliases list to a book he has written. All this is one week! | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
Hi guys, Here is my MSG petition comment - which includes the refrence to the latest obesity study: Dear sir/madam, As a former food process engineer with degrees from Rutgers (1988) in both Food Science and Agricultural (bio-resource) Engineering, I concur with Mr. John Erb that the GRAS status of MSG should be revoked. The alarming rise of autism is intimately linked to the increasing amount of MSG in foods and free glutamate in vaccines. One of the genes for autism discovered last year codes for a MITICONDRIAL aspartate/glutamate carrier. Another gene is involved in the manufacture of glutathione, which is compromised by excess free glutamic acid found in MSG. It is no coincidence that MSG decreases glutathione – a mercury chelator - and children with ASD present with metal toxicity. Free glutamic acid is found in extremely high amounts in processed wheat and dairy products as well as vaccines - so much so that food manufacturers use these two items routinely to produce free glutamic acid in foods but with a "clean label". Autism spectrum disorder includes errors of metabolism for sulfur containing amino acids - like cysteine. Cysteine is converted to taurine and glutathione by the liver. Taurine regulates heartbeat and osmotic balance as well as bile production and was found to be low after a seizure. In ASD, symptoms include arrhythmias, digestive disorders and a high rate of epilepsy - suggesting that taurine production may be compromised. Cysteine metabolism dysfunction may be responsible for the myriad and seemingly unrelated additional symptoms of ASD. The excess free glutamate found in MSG adversely impacts cysteine. NMDA receptors that respond to both glutamate and aspartate, are found in the amygdala - part of the limbic system involved in the perception of taste and smell as well as fear. Activation of the amygdala in ASD can causes gaze avoidance seen in autism. The effects of MSG on persons with the autism genes and other diseases TREATED WITH GLUTAMATE BLOCKERS should be enough to revoke the GRAS status of MSG. Children are tested at birth for PKU and phenylalanine is limited until the brain is hardwired by the age of 7. If MSG affects autism similarly, why don’t we limit the glutamic and aspartic amino acids in the diets of children with autism genes? If we label foods for children with PKU, it is unconscionable to keep GRAS status for MSG. Because of the GRAS status granted to MSG, a NEUROTRANSMITTER in its free state, the active ingredient of an approved crop spray – Auxigro - free glutamic acid - liberated from milk powder was sprayed indiscriminately on crops in several countries. Auxigro was granted waivers from tests for endocrine effects. However, dried milk powder is high in amino-aceto-phenone, a breakdown product found in stale milk. Aminoacetophenone is used as a pheromone by BEES. The queen releases it when she feels threatened by her workers. Colony collapse disorder may in fact be a result of the indiscriminant use of a "Harmless" food product sprayed on fields. GRAS status should only be reserved for substances that are truly safe as well as healthy – not a processed food product that can have untold consequences on all types of life forms. MSG is a NON - essential amino acid in its FREE state - which is a very active neurotransmitter. It shouldn’t be considered dangerous because it is unlike anything found in the human body, but conversely, because it IS found often and used as a neurotransmitter in the body. Its widespread use in the body and its negative effects when found in excess in many disease states, make it NOT SAFE FOR EVERYONE. If MSG or free glutamic acid cannot be labeled properly like phenylalanine is, because food manufacturers hide it, then at least REVOKE its GRAS status so that proper experimentation can be done and its true effects on people with certain medical conditions and genes, can actually be assessed properly. Is not the use of insulin regulated? Or epinephrine? Or any of a myriad of substances also found in the human body? Colony collapse disorder is likely the result of a food product sprayed on crops that doubles as a bee pheromone. It is telling that the makers of Auxigro have not renewed their permit to make Auxigro. Have they discovered that their “safe” untested product, was actually harmful to bees because an unintended breakdown product mimicked a natural bee pheromone that told the workers to abandon their queen? GRAS status should not be given a free amino acid so neurologically active as glutamate. In the latest study in China, recently reported in the New York Times, MSG was found to increase obesity, REGARDLESS of caloric intake or activity. If we are truly concerned about the obesity epidemic, then we should revoke the GRAS status of MSG. Most new drugs on the market are glutamate BLOCKERS. If we are serious about cutting down the high costs of health care, if AVOIDING a product will save us millions on healthcare and unnecessary drugs, shouldn’t we pursue the no-cost treatment options? Shouldn’t we revoke the GRAS status of MSG until we have investigated this further? Diabetes has reached epic proportions. Over 85% of those with Type I diabetes were found to have antibodies to GAD – Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase – the enzyme that turns excess glutamate into gamma – amino-butyric acid. So much so, that a test for antibodies to GAD is used to detect diabetes. THESE persons are at risk already of an EXCESS of glutamate. It is unnecessary and UNSAFE for persons with Type I diabetes. Especially since glutamate is a calcium channel OPENER and hypertension is a secondary problem with diabetes. For THESE reasons, the GRAS status of MSG should be revoked. In Japan, Taurine is used to treat high blood pressure. If we are serious about reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease, should we be indiscriminately allowing MSG which interferes with the metabolism of taurine’s precursor – cystiene to be added to foods in any amount? Persons suffering long term depression, that did not respond to treatment, were helped within hours by ketamine- which is a glutamate blocker. Depression may be made WORSE by glutamate. Glutamate blockers are used in so many drug treatments lately it is appearing as if the pharmaceutical industry has a vested interest in keeping MSG in large amounts hidden in the food supply, to make their glutamate blockers necessary. Profit should not be the motive for keeping the GRAS status of MSG in place. Responsible governmental policy and common sense, as well as sound science dictates that we must, MUST revoke the GRAS status of MSG, based on its myriad impacts on the epidemic of chronic diseases – diabetes, obesity, hypertension, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy. Diseases that have only reached epic proportions in direct correlation with the introduction of MSG into the American food supply. Diseases which cause the bulk of our health care costs to skyrocket every year. If the FDA is finally serious about human progress and ending suffering as well as keeping down the costs of healthcare, you WILL revoke the GRAS status of MSG. It is NOT safe to sprinkle unlimited quantities of a known neurotransmitter on our food. Based on all I have studied over the past 16 years, and my arguments here, I submit therefore, that MSG should no longer be Generally Recognized as Safe. Please revoke GRAS status for MSG. For more information, including a flow chart showing how MSG is linked to various chronic diseases and for the latest research links, please visit msgtruth.org Carol Hoernlein Founder MSG Truth | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Carol, That is a fantastic letter, so well presented! I know they will be able to follow what you are saying. Thank you for posting that. Also, please consider writing a form of that to the NY Times and the Washington Post. BTW, the Post never did include my comment in the comment section under the MSG linked to obesity article. Disturbing, because they say right on that page that they welcome challenges to articles. | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Carol, That is a fantastic letter, so well presented! I know they will be able to follow what you are saying. Thank you for posting that. Also, please consider writing a form of that to the NY Times and the Washington Post. BTW, the Post never did include my comment in the comment section under the MSG linked to obesity article. Disturbing, because they say right on that page that they welcome challenges to articles. | ||
| Deb A.msgkills Unregistered guest |
Bravo, Carol! Wish I could reach across the miles and give you a huge hug...wonderfully written! We are so lucky to have a hard hitter like you helping this cause. I'm sending this on to Jack. I will put a link to it at our homepage. We have put the right address for the petition there now. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Sorry I wrote the password with my name, Carol! It's Deb A. I know someone else uses the name MSGKills, though. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
Thanks, Deb, See my new and improved! flow chart http://www.msgtruth.org/NEWUNIFIEDTHEORY.pdf | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
My gosh, Carol...it's amazing!!!!! | ||
| Ches Gardner Unregistered guest |
Hello; Nearly every time that I have had coffe I would get a headache. I knew that MSG gave me headaches,but I hever bothered to notice the igredients that are in Star Bucks coofee untill I noticed that I got a severe headache after drinking a large cup of their coffee.I knew as soon as I read that there was MSG in their coffee the cause.I will make a point to point out to all my friends that Star Bucks do put MSG in the coffee which I am sure like (I) most do not know this poison is in Star Bucks coffee. | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Hi John, You haven't posted in a while. How are things going? I have not seen yet that the Organic Consumers Association has done any articles about this topic. Thanks. Lisa | ||
| Melinda Unregistered guest |
Quote: "I knew as soon as I read that there was MSG in their coffee the cause.I will make a point to point out to all my friends that Star Bucks do put MSG in the coffee" Wow, well that confirms it then...we were talking about coffee in another thread and I had mentioned that any time I go to Starbucks for coffee, I get a reaction after drinking it - face flushing and brain fog - I only drink drip regular black coffee, not lattes. Are you talking about the coffee itself or the ingredients they use to flavor for the lattes? | ||
| Anonymous Posted From: 67.183.127.63 |
I am a beekeeper and the Colony Collapse Disorder connection is weak, but it never hurts to throw an idea out there. Bees get a high dose of glutamate and other free amino acids in protien supplements fed to the bees. What you might not want to know is the universities have a fancy liquid feed that contains these amino acids. I tried it on the basis that I'm not going to feed anything to my bees that I'm not going to eat... I also tried some of the university's honey. Interestingly, the honey tasted like it had been tainted with the protein/syrup emulsion. Go figure. It seemed dumb to me. More education equals less common sense. So... honey is yet another product under threat from contamination. PS you guys know coffee has caffeine, right? A lot of things might seem like an msg reaction but brain fog might be the caffiene. Or your brain wanting to go back to bed. Honestly, this whole thing is a disaster. People are manipulating us based on a hidden addiction. It isn't broadly acknowledged as addictive, and thus people are unable to excecise the choice to break free. What would be good would be to sue the FDA to require total glutamate in milligrams, like sodium, so that people with medical conditions or adverse reactions can minimize their intake. Why should we as a group have to ALL be guinea pigs and subject to the deceptive efforts to add msg in ever more covert ways? The fact is, they're going to (and ARE) breeding plants to have higher levels of natural glutamate. And this going to be in the potato or tomato before it even gets turned into fries and ketchup. I can't believe we haven't turned a corner in this fight. We need advertising, directly to the public. Blunt, direct information. Fear, concern, and outrage, are the only things more powerful than money. The desire to be free from dementia, alzheimers, autism, parkinsons, these are all nerve cell diseases and msg is a neurotransmitter. The campaign should be simple, you could have a blank billboard except for the words "Do you want a neurotransmitter in your food?" A veiled picture of common NAME BRAND products containing high levels of msg compared to their natural counterparts, and finally directions to go to a well outlined, focused, family friendly website, providing simple instructional education. The answer? NO! Of course not! It is obviouus if you eat a neurotransmitter you are going to affect the nervous system!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAaaaaaaa!!!!!! Arrrg! BTW Bees do fine on a high msg diet (powdered yeasts and soy). Unlike me! what's with the password "msgkills"? That is inflammatory. to the general public, we are conspiracy theorists, not level headed people trying to protect ourselves and our families. Reality check: It doesn't kill, and it may not affect everyone directly. We're lousy at campaigning and winning broad support because of our irateness. Which i share, but the cooler heads will prevail. And right now that is Them, not us. "He who ruleth his spirit will take the city" -Proverbs God will help us, if we ask. Amen. | ||
| Dianne Unregistered guest |
Are your bees suffering from Colony Collapse Disorder? What is your opinion of the cause? You said, "It is obvious if you eat a neurotransmitter you are going to affect the nervous system". Has there been a long term study (not conducted and paid for by a group who stands to gain by the outcome) on bees being fed a high MSG diet? Are their nervous systems not affected? As for the password here, we who post here can deal with inflammatory, because that's what has happened to our bodies. And MSG can/does 'kill' brain cells. We do not go out to the general public and try to "hard sell" our beliefs. Your other comments are good, thank you for posting. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Yes, the "MSG kills" password is referring to brain cells...but then, when the brain is damaged, it leads to destructive neurological disorders and for some, I would imagine, an earlier death, as demonstrated by lab animals. In fact, a well known neurologist, Carol Foster, calls Fibromyalgia an end-stage disease of MSG toxicity...i.e., one foot in the grave, which many here have felt like. We could change it to MSG hurts? Even that doesn't address the depth of excitotoxin damage, thought. But feel free to suggest another password that may be better. We sure don't want to turn any one off to our message. | ||
| cindisings Unregistered guest |
What may I do to help? I have been told for 9 years that all my symptoms are non-existant. Numerous tests,numerous physicians. I have every symptom of fibromyalgia. I am excitotoxin-free as of today. Thank you sooooo much for our insight. Now, again, what may I do to help? | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
cindisings, you can start a web site about excitotoxins, including your own experiences. You can write to health editors of magazines and newspapers and/or get into health fairs with a booth distributing brochures with information gleaned from MSG sites and books. And you can post your own MSG story here under that topic here on the discussion board. We now have a link from our MSG Myth homepage to that topic. People going to our site can read these stories and make their own MSG connection to their symptoms. You can start a support group in your area as you reach out and educate those in your circle. We are so happy that you found our site. You can inform the FDA of your health problems related to MSG and add to the growing amount of complaints that they receive (not that they will do anything, but it is worth a try). | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
Urgent - Alert. Sorry this is my first post in a while - so much happening... I just got off the phone with John Erb. The officials in Virginia Beach have arrested him WITHOUT criminal charges and have locked him in a cell there. They are officially going after him for wanting to further investigate the vaccine and glutamate link to autism. They are trumping up charges of a psychiatric nature due to his announcement last week that he will be opening a center in Virginia for INDEPENDENT research on autism. They are going after anyone who is not buying the official line that vaccines are safe. Please call who ever can help. I am currently unable to get there. He sounded calm considering the circumstances, but John was supposed to appear on a radio program today. They arrested him before he could host an autism picnic and speak on a radio program. He has been arrested without charges and is being held in Virginia at this moment. If anyone can please find out more - he was only given a minute to make one phone call. John has apparently angered Big Pharma once again. Please help if you can. Please spread the word. This is unacceptable that you can now be locked up for questioning Big Pharma based on one recent court case involving only three children. In America. I can't believe this just happened. Spread the word. My phone calls to the police station at VA Beach just keep ringing and ringing - no answer. They are getting really emboldened now. Ron Kuby spent an hour railing against the vaccine-autism crowd on his radio show last week. They are really ramping up the PR. I think they went after John because he was closest to the real reason. First they went after the doctor in the UK, now it is John. Please help spread the word. I think Big Pharma finally overstepped this time. Here is what John submitted to the Autism Committee the day I couldn't make it - I was supposed to go with him: On November 30th, 2007, I stood before this committee and explained to you the culmination of my years of research into the cause of Autism. I read to you about several studies that have shown that the ASD is likely caused by MSG in the food and vaccines. Since that time I have found further studies linking glutamate to Autism as far back as 2000. (The following studies will not be read due to time limits and will have an updated DOC with references instead of links.) The largest genetic study done concluded :"glutamate-related genes as promising candidates for contributing to Autistic Spectrum Disorder" Mapping autism risk loci using genetic linkage and chromosomal rearrangements. Nat Genet. 2007 Mar;39(3):319-28. Epub 2007 Feb 18. Another study showed "Glutamate carriers and altered Ca(2+) homeostasis play a key interactive role in the cascade of signaling events leading to autism" Altered calcium homeostasis in autism-spectrum disorders. Palmieri L, Papaleo V, Mol Psychiatry. 2008 Jul 8. I would love to get a hold of the abstract for this study but oddly the abstract is missing: The hyperglutamatergic hypothesis of autism. Fatemi SH. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2008 Apr 1;32(3):911 Now here is a study that states "CONCLUSIONS: Abnormalities in glutamate/glutamine may partially underpin the pathophysiology of autistic spectrum disorders, and the authors confirm earlier reports that limbic areas are metabolically aberrant in these disorders."In vivo 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of amygdala-hippocampal and parietal regions in autism. Page LA, Daly E, et al. Am J Psychiatry. 2006 Dec;163(12):2189-92. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that an abnormality in glutamatergic neurotransmission may play a role in the pathophysiology of autism. Increased serum levels of glutamate in adult patients with autism. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. Shinohe A, Hashimoto K, et al. 2006 Dec 30;30(8):1472-7 In this one "The results were compared with values from age-matched controls. Patients with autism or Asperger syndrome and their siblings and parents all had raised glutamic acid,...These results show that children with autistic spectrum disorders come from a family background of dysregulated amino acid metabolism and provide further evidence for an underlying biochemical basis for the condition. Plasma amino acid levels in children with autism and their families. Aldred S, Moore KM, et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2003 Feb;33(1):93-7. and this one: "A genome scan was previously performed and pointed to chromosome 6q21 as a candidate region for autism. This region contains the glutamate receptor 6 (GluR6 or GRIK2) gene, a functional candidate for the syndrome. Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and is directly involved in cognitive functions such as memory and learning.....these data suggest that GluR6 is in linkage disequilibrium with autism." Linkage and association of the glutamate receptor 6 gene with autism. Jamain S, Betancur C, Mol Psychiatry. 2002;7(3):302-10. As early as 2001: CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with autism may have specific abnormalities in the AMPA-type glutamate receptors and glutamate transporters in the cerebellum. These abnormalities may be directly involved in the pathogenesis of the disorder. Postmortem brain abnormalities of the glutamate neurotransmitter system in autism. Purcell AE, Jeon OH, et. al Neurology. 2001 Nov 13;57(9):1618-28. or this one from 1998: "Based on 1) neuroanatomical and neuroimaging studies indicating aberrations in brain regions that are rich in glutamate neurons and 2) similarities between symptoms produced by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists in healthy subjects and those seen in autism, it is proposed in the present paper that infantile autism is a hypoglutamatergic disorder." Hypothesis: is infantile autism a hypoglutamatergic disorder? Relevance of glutamate - serotonin interactions for pharmacotherapy. Carlsson ML. J Neural Transm. 1998;105(4-5):525-35. unfortunately it did not reach a conclusion. and one from 1996: "These findings demonstrate that abnormal plasmatic levels of neurotransmitter amino acids may be found in some autistic children. Increased glutamatemia may be dietary in origin or may arise endogenously for several reasons, among others, metabolic derrangements in glutamate metabolism perhaps involving vitamin B6, defects or blockage of the glutamate receptor at the neuronal compartment, or alterations in the function of the neurotransmitters transporters."Plasma excitatory amino acids in autism. Moreno-Fuenmayor H, Borjas L, Invest Clin. 1996 Jun;37(2):113-28. and there is this one: "Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with early manifestation. It is a multifactorial disorder and several susceptible chromosomal regions for autism are identified through genome scan studies. The gene coding for glutamate receptor 6 (GluR6 or GRIK2) has been suggested as a candidate gene for autism based on its localization in the autism specific region on chromosome 6q21 and the involvement of receptor protein in cognitive functions like learning and memory." Glutamate receptor 6 gene (GluR6 or GRIK2) polymorphisms in the Indian population: a genetic association study on autism spectrum disorder. Dutta S, Das S, Guhathakurta S, et al. 1: Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2007 Dec;27(8):1035-47. Epub 2007 Aug 22. In Conclusion, as I said before, by removing MSG from the food and vaccine supply we will end this terrible disorder. Autism is a global epidemic, requiring global concern and a global reaction. To that end I am announcing the creation of a Global Autism Institute and Academy, funded by sponsor by associations around the world, in Chesapeake Virginia. This facility will act as a nerve center collecting and distributing research, data and resources to share worldwide. This centralization of specialized knowledge will aid in discoveries on how to teach people how best to serve this special population and to find ways to reduce and reverse the harm that comes with this disorder. I invite all those here to participate in this venture, that together we may bring healing to the world. John Erb GAIA They apparently didn't like what he had to tell them and that he wasn't just going to go away. | ||
| Becky Unregistered guest |
Wow Carol, that is absolutely terrible!  | ||
| Jennifer Unregistered guest |
Cripes! I really don't know what to do, except donate to a PayPal account. I'd say what he needs is a REALLY good lawyer. Hopefully someone here has the experience to set something up. If enough people protest, it WILL get attention. Can you post the numbers of the agencies involved in this? Jennifer | ||
| Anonymous Posted From: 68.126.179.72 |
Well, I sent to following letter to vbpd@vbgov.com - I have no idea if that's where it needs to go. I also don't think my skills at dealing with the public are all that great, but it's the best I could come up with. Dear Virginia Beach Police Department, It has come to my attention that a Mr. John Erb has been arrested without criminal charges being filed. I would like to know your side of the story. I believe arresting him is a huge mistake, not only because his constitutional rights are being denied, but as far as I'm concerned, he's only trying to expose an environmental toxin in the food supply that has detrimentally affected me in the past. Sometimes a human being must decide what's right vs. what's easy. If he was involved in a crime not related to this issue, I'm sure actual charges would have been filed. | ||
| Roy Piwovar Unregistered guest |
The Virginia Beach Police Department may take up to 72 hours to get to an e-mail and therefore advises against using it for emergencies. Faxing may be faster: http://www.vbgov.com/vgn.aspx?vgnextoid=b2f1340df304c010VgnVCM1000006310640aRCRD&vgnextchannel=252f54cf18ad9010VgnVCM100000870b640aRCRD&vgnextparchannel=c9dc54cf18ad9010VgnVCM100000870b640aRCRD | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Carol, what do you know about Dr. George Schwartz? Please email me if it is too personal. I just got one story from his wife a couple weeks ago, but I want to compare information. What Canadian doctor are you referring to? What happened? I just sent an email to several people which includes these posts about John and a plea to send it to as many people as they can....all of you here can start a similar email. I just cut and pasted Carol's and the rest of the posts about John, telling a little about John and his book, The Slow Poisoning of America. Then I pasted the posts and asked the information be sent to everyone they knew. On another note, I was talking with Kaye Wanke, a former member of NoMSG and their hotline spokesman for years. She sounded cryptic and wouldn't say much on the phone..this was a month ago. She said that she has heard that people fighting chemical spraying and environmental hazards were disappearing. | ||
| CarolH Unregistered guest |
Scary, very scary. I just got off the phone with the Police Dept - they have no record of arresting a John Erb. I asked where they would take him if it was a medical facility. John said they were injecting him and trying to commit him. He still sounded like calm John - like always, he was worried about missing the radio show and autism picnic he had planned. But he accidentally dialed my number, and I recognized his voice right away. He said he only had a minute before he got cut off. He told me he was in Virginia Beach and that he was in a cell. The references to shots, made me think - they put him in a psych ward to shut him up. When I called Tidewater in VA Beach, they refused to tell me if he was there. They said only that they would pass along a message if he was there. I am so angry. It has all the markings of a Bush era "rendition". He is being held against his will a mere 10 days after announcing the opening of an independent research facility in Chesapeake Virginia that would still investigate the MSG and vaccine link to autism. He has been "disappeared". So, if Deb or I go next, you'll know what happened. I think they are counting on folks thinking this can't happen under the Obama admin. But a lot of Big Pharma contributes to both Dems and Reps. We have to make a lot of noise about this. John often confessed he was worried about this. His horse was killed, his farmhouse burned down. He tried to keep a low profile, and this new Autism Research institute was to be a big deal. And only 10 days after he announces it at the IACC meeting I was supposed to go with him to, he "disappears". This is a serious, serious, issue. Who else has been disappeared, I wonder? And are they being locked up in psych wards and drugged into silence too? I'll keep you posted - unless I disappear. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
I think we should notify the White House. This nonsense should have ended on January 20. | ||
| Roy Piwovar Unregistered guest |
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ | ||
| Roy Piwovar Unregistered guest |
Another suggestion: http://webb.senate.gov/contact/ | ||
| Roy Piwovar Unregistered guest |
Note: Senator Jim Webb's office will only accept e-mails from Virginia residents. There are no restrictions mentioned regarding phone calls, however. Toll Free Number 1-866-507-1570 Hampton Roads 222 Central Park Ave. Suite 120 Virginia Beach, VA 23462 Phone: 757-518-1674 Fax: 757-518-1679 | ||
| Roy Piwovar Unregistered guest |
US Congressman Glenn Nye of the 2nd Congressional District of Virginia: District office: 4772 Euclid Rd., Suite E Virginia Beach, VA 23462 Phone: (757) 326-6201 Fax: (757) 326-6209 http://nye.house.gov/contact/index.shtml | ||
| Roy Piwovar Unregistered guest |
The Virginia Beach Police Department is made up of 4 precincts. 1st Precinct 2509 Princess Anne Rd. Municipal Center, Bldg. 11 Virginia Beach, VA 23456 Direct: (757) 385-4377 2nd Precinct 820 Virginia Beach Blvd. Virginia Beach, VA 23451 Direct: (757) 385-2700 3rd Precinct 926 Independence Blvd. Virginia Beach, VA 23455 Direct: (757) 385-2703 4th Precinct 840 Kempsville Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23464 Direct: (757) 385-2800 | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
Folks - I have news, I just got off the phone with John's wife and I was able to speak with John himself. He told me more of what happened. Although he had to be careful - they are keeping track of his every word. He was arrested by the police who brought him straight to Virginia Beach Psychiatric, where he was committed without charges and without cause. He had planned to make a major announcement regarding his new autism institute this weekend, but just hours before, he was arrested. A Psychiatrist on staff who (fortunately) has known John for years told the hospital that there is nothing wrong with John and "Why is he even here?". But in order for them to release John now, they have to wait for some magistrate to sign his release which won't be till Tuesday. He basically was grabbed off the street, his foster daughter taken from him, and he was stuck in a pysch ward and drugged to shut him up to prevent him from formally announcing his new autism institute. His civil rights have been violated terribly. If we let this happen, who of us is next? We should let the media know just how badly autism activists are being treated when they disagree with Big Pharma. Thank God we located him. He is same old John, very calm, in good spirits and polite as ever. This kind of garbage should only happen in the movies. Michelle Erb said to me this reminds her of the Iron-Jawed Angels movie when women were taken and put into asylums for speaking up about the right to vote. I can't think of a better movie to describe the way that the US deals with activists who dare to speak out about injustice. My prayers are with John and his family, and for our country, where this kind of abuse of civil rights still happens when we dare dissent. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
http://www.hbo.com/films/ironjawedangels/ In a very weird coincidence, the film is on tonite. I haven't seen it, but maybe it gave those enemies of John ideas on how to silence him. I wonder if they saw the END of the film?? | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
Thank you for all the links, Roy. I intend on asking our elected officials a lot of questions on why this was allowed to occur. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Oh, what a relief. If you talk to John again, or his wife, PLEASE give him our best wishes and tell him we are praying for him and for this country. People, the MSG issue is absolutely important to have caused this sort of treatment by those with the money and power to do so. Don't be frightened into silence. You can be assured that there are men sitting around tables worried sick that the economy and the food industry will suffer and they will be held responsible for so much illness. And their main concern is $$$. They know this country doesn't need one more thing to hurt its economy, like exposing the truth about MSG would. Please make up your own pamphlets, people..they don't have to be fancy. Use scientific information and any facts you can glean, including MSG symptoms and the hidden names. You can give them to interested parties, churches, and health support groups. List the websites given on our homepage and ours, so that people can learn and come to their own conclusions. I think it's time to make some bumper stickers. On your own, you can have magnetic signs made to place on your cars. Do a search here with the words, "bumper stickers" to get some suggestions for logos. They are not expensive to have made at sign shops. Carol, this was all done to not only thwart John, but to scare all of us. It's okay to be afraid, but we can't give up. You can be sure that they are rattled, too. The truth WILL be exposed. The grassroots effort started years ago is snowballing, and they would have a very difficult time shutting up the thousands of people who know what MSG has done to them and their children. | ||
| Bill S Unregistered guest |
Do you think we could collectively write an article for infowars? I think I have a good start. I don't know if Carol would like to have it authored by her so it will have her link on it. It is mostly from her info anyway. As you can see, plagiarism is how I do things. [draft article try1] Vaccination and Autism MSG Activist forced drugged Car...l Ho...n [example only][not written by Carol] MSGTR...org [article try1][ I didn't verify any information] The establishment is going after anyone who is not buying the official line that vaccinations are safe. John Erb, a prominent opponent of monosodium glutamate, was grabbed off the street on February [date], taken to a psych ward, and drugged. John was planning to announce his new autism institute on a radio program and had planned on making a major announcement, but instead was grabbed just hours before. The establishment was not fond of his new institute in Virginia, which is a for independent research on autism. [could quickly talk about how he was arrested without charge and the police department not knowing his whereabouts. ] [maybe talk about other instances of how autism activists are being treated these days.] John advocates that autism is likely linked to monosodium glutamate in the food supply and vaccines and had recently spoke at the Inter-Agency Autism Coordinating Committee. This is where he announced his plan for his global autism center in Virginia, just 10 days earlier. Retaliation by the establishment was not new to John. Previously he has had his horse killed and his farm house burned. John did often confess he worried about his safety. John Erb has spent many years dedicated to educating people about the dangers of MSG. John’s theories and research is that the food additive Monosodium Glutamate is a direct cause of Obesity, Diabetes, Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. He even wrote a book titled 'The Slow Poisoning of America.' See the following links. MSG Causes Most Obesity In US And Canada http://www.rense.com/general64/msg.htm MSG and Autism http://www.whale.to/vaccine/john_erb.html [need more links] [\end draft article try1] also needed is a good picture to go along with the story. Lets see what we can come up with! | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
That is a good start, Bill. I think it would be good to put it out there from all of us. John has been fighting this fight so long on his own in the autism community. The mercury connection took so much focus away from glutamate with autism activists, but John has been actively persuing the glutamic acid vaccine connection for years and he recently got the attention of the autism activists with the glutamate theory. He has been handing out my chart to folks everywhere. I think this is a sign that the powers that be are actually afraid of John now. I told him that I let you all know and he said he really appreciates all the support and prayers. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Bill, that's a great idea. Let's add the study: The following referenced article should have encouraged scientists to look for a connection of Autism to the ever increasing use of free glutamate (as in MSG) and glutamate rich food additives in our food supply: Pascher et al. ("Methylmercury alters glutamate transport in astrocytes." Neurochem Int. Aug-Sep,200;37(23);199-206). It states, "In the absence of glutamate, neurons are unaffected by acute exposure to mercury...Co-application of nontoxic concentrations of methylmercury and glutamate leads to typical appearance of neuronal lesions associated with excitotoxic stimulation (Matyja abd QAlbrecht 1993.)." Although ethylmercury, not methylmercury was used in vaccines, it is more than likely that both would have the same effect when combined with glutamate. Glutamate containing substances are added to many immunization serums, along with gelatin, which contains glutamate. We agree with Jack Samuels of www.truthinlabeling.org, when he said, "One must ask if autism is directly related to genetic defect, or if a predisposition for autism is inherited, a predispostion that is activated due to the ever increasing amount of processed free glutamic acid (glutamate) and aspartame that pregnant women are exposed to." Indeed, the public and most scientists are completely unaware of the amount of factory created glutamate rich substances are added to processed foods today, including baby formulas. They buy into the glutamate industry's PR campaigns which state that MSG does not cross the blood brain barrier, placental wall, or into mother's milk, even though hundreds of tests prove otherwise: i.e., tests on lab animals since the 1970's demonstrating the harmful effects of MSG or glutamate. MSG is about 78% free glutmatic acid. Glutamate rich food additives such as autolyzed yeast, yeast extract, carrageenan, hydrolyzed vegetable/meat/dairy proteins, and at least 100 other similar factory created substances, contain less than 78% free glutamate. Thus, by law, they do not have to be labeled as MSG. Consequently, food manufacturers have no problem adding several such additives to a single product to pump up the flavor and mask chemical or tinny flavors. One only has to ask, why are the newest cutting edge pharmaceuticals being developed to treat neurological disorders from Parkinson's to Schizophrenia, glutamate blockers? Will they be the new way to treat Autism, making drug companies rich, or will the people of this country come to realize that they and their children are being destroyed by food additives that alter the brain and lead to chronic health and neurological problems. The injured children of today will cost this country billions in health care tomorrow. John Erb is just another caring citizen, trying to save our health and that of our children. Debby Anglesey, author of Battling the MSG Myth. www.msgmyth.com | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Bill, after the word, "Virgina", should it read, "which is for independent research...." ? You wrote, "is a for...". Please feel free to correct of give suggestions concerning what I wrote...anyone! | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
That's "or give"...sorry! | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Link to this page so people know about his petition to the FDA? This seems like a good link: http://www.whale.to/vaccine/john_erb.html And this: http://www.illuminati-news.com/2007/0912.html Two from You Tube of John Erb:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hObFrHgqGyo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyXy12ergME These last mention John. Someone needs to notify this girl about the problem John is having! | ||
| Roy Piwovar Unregistered guest |
Lisa Marie, Thanks for the suggestion. I sent Susan Wolfrey an email at Susan@TheHealingPraxis.com | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
Me too. Great youtube clips! I just sent out a mass email to my MSGTruth list. | ||
| Bill S Unregistered guest |
Here is my next draft. On my wordprocessor the quotes are indented in. It looks better that way. [draft article try2.3] Vaccination and Autism MSG Activist forced drugged MSGmyth.com forum [draft only] [article try2.3][ I didn't verify any information] The establishment is going after anyone who is not buying the official line that vaccinations are safe. John Erb, a prominent opponent of monosodium glutamate, was grabbed off the street on February [date], taken to a psych ward, and drugged. John was planning to announce his new autism institute on a radio program and had planned on making a major announcement, but instead was grabbed just hours before. The establishment was not fond of his new institute in Chesapeake Virginia, which is for independent research on autism. Carol Hoernlein (MSGtruth.org) quote: Saturday, February 14 - “I just got off the phone with John Erb. The officials in Virginia Beach have arrested him WITHOUT criminal charges and have locked him in a cell there. They are officially going after him for wanting to further investigate the vaccine and glutamate link to autism. They are trumping up charges of a psychiatric nature due to his announcement last week that he will be opening a center in Virginia for INDEPENDENT research on autism.” Sunday, February 15 - “I just got off the phone with the Police Dept - they have no record of arresting a John Erb. I asked where they would take him if it was a medical facility. John said they were injecting him and trying to commit him. He still sounded like calm John - like always, he was worried about missing the radio show and autism picnic he had planned. But he accidentally dialed my number, and I recognized his voice right away. He said he only had a minute before he got cut off. He told me he was in Virginia Beach and that he was in a cell. The references to shots, made me think - they put him in a psych ward to shut him up. When I called Tidewater in VA Beach, they refused to tell me if he was there. They said only that they would pass along a message if he was there. “ Later on Sunday, Carol spoke with John’s wife and John himself. John said he had been arrested and taken straight to Virginia Beach Psychiatric, where he was committed without charges and without cause. Fortunately, a psychiatrist on staff knew John and told the hospital that there was nothing wrong with John. [update if they release on Tuesday] [maybe talk about other instances of how autism activists are being treated these days.] John advocates that autism is likely linked to monosodium glutamate in the food supply and vaccines and had recently spoke at the Inter-Agency Autism Coordinating Committee. This is where he announced his plan for his global autism center in Virginia, just 10 days earlier. Here is what he submitted to the Autism Committee. http://www.thefoodishorrible.com/aspx/templates/blank.aspx/msgid/504400 Retaliation by the establishment was not new to John. Previously he has had his horse killed and his farm house burned. John did often confess he worried about his safety. John Erb has spent many years dedicated to educating people about the dangers of MSG. John’s theories and research leads him to believe that the food additive Monosodium Glutamate is a direct cause of Obesity, Diabetes, Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. He even wrote a book titled 'The Slow Poisoning of America.' John has been on a mission: In 2007 John petitioned the FDA to Revoke the GRAS status of Monosodium Glutamate. Here is the petition. http://www.thefoodishorrible.com/uploads/11523/MediaFiles/FDA-2007-P-0178-0002.pdf John Erb quote: (May 15, 2008) “I realize that we are up against big corporate money to keep this nicotine for food in the food and vaccine supply. But with your voice, and the voices of people you know and have educated with your wisdom, I am confident that we can finally rid ourselves of this poison. We are on a mission to save the planet, and we have the passion and commitment to do it! “ John Erb quote: (May 22, 2008) “Hello Everyone, thank you for the support and your continues effort to tell others. I am not worried at all by what Lauren found out. I have fought long enough to know that when they Own the system, you cannot use the System to change it. A battle fought in their courts cannot be won, they simply have too much financial support. My Petition to the FDA was just using the proper channels, I have an Ace up my sleeve to make the change: Educating the public and creating a grassroots effort to shed light on all this and demand action will be the direction that is needed. I, and a group of people to assist me am currently working on this, let me know what you think of it. In the next few months, I will be mounting a large white horse and carrying a large banner that has a slogan bringing attention to the petition. I will be riding on the back highways through small villages and towns, on a journey to get to Washington DC. At each place of population I will be giving speeches to all who are gather. I have an associate driving ahead of me to arrange for things in the upcoming town, and a follow vehicle to protect myself and the horse. We intend to have a camera and sound crew to document the highlights. It is our intent that by the time We reach the Capital, We will have raised a Grassroots awareness that will allow us to have much more clout against the Corporations, and the Government agencies that protect them. “ The following referenced article should have encouraged scientists to look for a connection of Autism to the ever increasing use of free glutamate (as in MSG) and glutamate rich food additives in our food supply: Pascher et al. ("Methylmercury alters glutamate transport in astrocytes." Neurochem Int. Aug-Sep,200;37(23);199-206). It states, "In the absence of glutamate, neurons are unaffected by acute exposure to mercury...Co-application of nontoxic concentrations of methylmercury and glutamate leads to typical appearance of neuronal lesions associated with excitotoxic stimulation (Matyja abd QAlbrecht 1993.)." Although ethylmercury, not methylmercury was used in vaccines, it is more than likely that both would have the same effect when combined with glutamate. Glutamate containing substances are added to many immunization serums, along with gelatin, which contains glutamate. We agree with Jack Samuels of www.truthinlabeling.org, when he said, "One must ask if autism is directly related to genetic defect, or if a predisposition for autism is inherited, a predisposition that is activated due to the ever increasing amount of processed free glutamic acid (glutamate) and aspartame that pregnant women are exposed to." Indeed, the public and most scientists are completely unaware of the amount of factory created glutamate rich substances are added to processed foods today, including baby formulas. They buy into the glutamate industry's PR campaigns which state that MSG does not cross the blood brain barrier, placental wall, or into mother's milk, even though hundreds of tests prove otherwise: i.e., tests on lab animals since the 1970's demonstrating the harmful effects of MSG or glutamate. MSG is about 78% free glutmatic acid. Glutamate rich food additives such as autolyzed yeast, yeast extract, carrageenan, hydrolyzed vegetable/meat/dairy proteins, and at least 100 other similar factory created substances, contain less than 78% free glutamate. Thus, by law, they do not have to be labeled as MSG. Consequently, food manufacturers have no problem adding several such additives to a single product to pump up the flavor and mask chemical or tinny flavors. One only has to ask, why are the newest cutting edge pharmaceuticals being developed to treat neurological disorders from Parkinson's to Schizophrenia, glutamate blockers? Will they be the new way to treat Autism, making drug companies rich, or will the people of this country come to realize that they and their children are being destroyed by food additives that alter the brain and lead to chronic health and neurological problems. The injured children of today will cost this country billions in health care tomorrow. John Erb is just another caring citizen, trying to save our health and that of our children. Debby Anglesey, author of Battling the MSG Myth. www.msgmyth.com Other links: MSG Causes Most Obesity In US And Canada http://www.rense.com/general64/msg.htm MSG and Autism http://www.whale.to/vaccine/john_erb.html The Horrors of MSG Monosodium Glutamate 1 of 2 John Erb http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hObFrHgqGyo The Horrors of MSG Monosodium Glutamate 2 of 2 John Erb http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyXy12ergME [\end draft article try2.3] | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Thanks Roy, Carol and Bill. Still trying to find out exactly whom to fax or phone to complain. How can we get the word out to John's grass roots people? What about Mercola? Or the Health Ranger: http://www.naturalnews.com/022818.html For that matter, I don't think CBN would appreciate his arrest, and they are right there in Virginia Beach---------anyone know how to contact them? After all, they did do their 5 part broadcast about MSG and additives. Or even the Organic Consumer's Association? | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
I started a discussion at the Organic Consumer's Association. Please visit and register and post: http://organicconsumers.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=2501 | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Here is a blip from CBN http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/204991.aspx with a picture of injecting a baby Here is another page with note about John Erb: http://www.ageofautism.com/2009/02/today-interagency-autism-coordinating-committee-meeting-.html And another from Adventures in Autism: http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/2009/01/glutamate-and-autism.html Brazen image to stop poisoning our children: http://www.rescuepost.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/02/20/rally_skull_and_crossbones_2.jpeg This one is really good: http://thetruthnews.info/Mercurybaby.jpg Also http://loveforlife.com.au/files/index.jpg | ||
| Bill S Unregistered guest |
Lisa Marie, thanks for the links For the picture, I am leaning toward either the skull and bones or the baby with all the needles. I made a few small changes to the draft. [draft article try2.4] Vaccination and Autism MSG Activist forced drugged MSGmyth.com forum members [draft only] [article try2.4][ I didn't verify any information] The establishment is going after anyone who is not buying the official line that vaccinations are safe. John Erb, a prominent opponent of monosodium glutamate, was grabbed off the street on February [date], taken to a psych ward, and drugged. John was planning to announce his new autism institute on a radio program and had planned on making a major announcement, but instead was grabbed just hours before. The establishment was not fond of his new institute in Chesapeake Virginia, which is for independent research on autism. Here are some quotes from Carol Hoernlein of MSGtruth.org: Saturday, February 14 - “I just got off the phone with John Erb. The officials in Virginia Beach have arrested him WITHOUT criminal charges and have locked him in a cell there. They are officially going after him for wanting to further investigate the vaccine and glutamate link to autism. They are trumping up charges of a psychiatric nature due to his announcement last week that he will be opening a center in Virginia for INDEPENDENT research on autism.” Sunday, February 15 - “I just got off the phone with the Police Dept - they have no record of arresting a John Erb. I asked where they would take him if it was a medical facility. (The Previous day) John said they were injecting him and trying to commit him. He still sounded like calm John - like always, he was worried about missing the radio show and autism picnic he had planned. But he accidentally dialed my number, and I recognized his voice right away. He said he only had a minute before he got cut off. He told me he was in Virginia Beach and that he was in a cell. The references to shots, made me think - they put him in a psych ward to shut him up. When I called Tidewater in VA Beach, they refused to tell me if he was there. They said only that they would pass along a message if he was there. “ Later on Sunday, Carol spoke with John’s wife and John himself. John said he had been arrested and taken straight to Virginia Beach Psychiatric, where he was committed without charges and without cause. Fortunately, a psychiatrist on staff knew John and told the hospital that there was nothing wrong with John. And that the earliest he could go home was on Tuesday. [update if they release on Tuesday] [maybe talk about other instances of how autism activists are being treated these days.] John advocates that autism is likely linked to monosodium glutamate in the food supply and vaccines and had recently spoke at the Inter-Agency Autism Coordinating Committee. This is where he announced his plan for his global autism center in Virginia, just 10 days earlier. Here is what he submitted to the Autism Committee. http://www.thefoodishorrible.com/aspx/templates/blank.aspx/msgid/504400 Retaliation by the establishment was not new to John. He has had his horse killed and his farm house burned. John did often confess he worried about his safety. John Erb has spent many years dedicated to educating people about the dangers of MSG. John’s theories and research leads him to believe that the food additive Monosodium Glutamate is a direct cause of Obesity, Diabetes, Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. He even wrote a book titled 'The Slow Poisoning of America.' John has been on a mission: In 2007 John petitioned the FDA to Revoke the GRAS status of Monosodium Glutamate. Here is the petition. http://www.thefoodishorrible.com/uploads/11523/MediaFiles/FDA-2007-P-0178-0002.pdf Here is a quote by John Erb on May 15, 2008: “I realize that we are up against big corporate money to keep this nicotine for food in the food and vaccine supply. But with your voice, and the voices of people you know and have educated with your wisdom, I am confident that we can finally rid ourselves of this poison. We are on a mission to save the planet, and we have the passion and commitment to do it! “ And another quote by John on May 22, 2008: “Hello Everyone, thank you for the support and your continued effort to tell others. I am not worried at all by what Lauren found out. I have fought long enough to know that when they Own the system, you cannot use the System to change it. A battle fought in their courts cannot be won, they simply have too much financial support. “ “My Petition to the FDA was just using the proper channels, I have an Ace up my sleeve to make the change: “ “Educating the public and creating a grassroots effort to shed light on all this and demand action will be the direction that is needed. “ “I, and a group of people to assist me am currently working on this, let me know what you think of it.” “In the next few months, I will be mounting a large white horse and carrying a large banner that has a slogan bringing attention to the petition. I will be riding on the back highways through small villages and towns, on a journey to get to Washington DC. At each place of population I will be giving speeches to all who are gather. I have an associate driving ahead of me to arrange for things in the upcoming town, and a follow vehicle to protect myself and the horse. “ “We intend to have a camera and sound crew to document the highlights.” “It is our intent that by the time We reach the Capital, We will have raised a Grassroots awareness that will allow us to have much more clout against the Corporations, and the Government agencies that protect them. “ The following referenced article should have encouraged scientists to look for a connection of Autism to the ever increasing use of free glutamate (as in MSG) and glutamate rich food additives in our food supply: Pascher et al. ("Methylmercury alters glutamate transport in astrocytes." Neurochem Int. Aug-Sep,200;37(23);199-206). It states, "In the absence of glutamate, neurons are unaffected by acute exposure to mercury...Co-application of nontoxic concentrations of methylmercury and glutamate leads to typical appearance of neuronal lesions associated with excitotoxic stimulation (Matyja abd QAlbrecht 1993.)." Although ethylmercury, not methylmercury was used in vaccines, it is more than likely that both would have the same effect when combined with glutamate. Glutamate containing substances are added to many immunization serums, along with gelatin, which contains glutamate. We agree with Jack Samuels of www.truthinlabeling.org, when he said, "One must ask if autism is directly related to genetic defect, or if a predisposition for autism is inherited, a predisposition that is activated due to the ever increasing amount of processed free glutamic acid (glutamate) and aspartame that pregnant women are exposed to." Indeed, the public and most scientists are completely unaware of the amount of factory created glutamate rich substances are added to processed foods today, including baby formulas. They buy into the glutamate industry's PR campaigns which state that MSG does not cross the blood brain barrier, placental wall, or into mother's milk, even though hundreds of tests prove otherwise: i.e., tests on lab animals since the 1970's demonstrating the harmful effects of MSG or glutamate. MSG is about 78% free glutmatic acid. Glutamate rich food additives such as autolyzed yeast, yeast extract, carrageenan, hydrolyzed vegetable/meat/dairy proteins, and at least 100 other similar factory created substances, contain less than 78% free glutamate. Thus, by law, they do not have to be labeled as MSG. Consequently, food manufacturers have no problem adding several such additives to a single product to pump up the flavor and mask chemical or tinny flavors. One only has to ask, why are the newest cutting edge pharmaceuticals being developed to treat neurological disorders from Parkinson's to Schizophrenia, glutamate blockers? Will they be the new way to treat Autism, making drug companies rich, or will the people of this country come to realize that they and their children are being destroyed by food additives that alter the brain and lead to chronic health and neurological problems. The injured children of today will cost this country billions in health care tomorrow. John Erb is just another caring citizen, trying to save our health and that of our children. Debby Anglesey, author of Battling the MSG Myth. www.msgmyth.com Check out these links: The Horrors of MSG Monosodium Glutamate 1 of 2 John Erb http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hObFrHgqGyo The Horrors of MSG Monosodium Glutamate 2 of 2 John Erb http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyXy12ergME CBN news: Are Vaccinations Safe for Your Kids? http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/204991.aspx MSG Causes Most Obesity In US And Canada http://www.rense.com/general64/msg.htm MSG and Autism http://www.whale.to/vaccine/john_erb.html [\end draft article try2.4] | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Carol, did you or John's wife report the arrest to the Civil Liberities group. I am still so upset..but encouraged by all my friends here. You guys are so amazing! | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Bill, it sounds so good. Thank you, Thank you. This board is full of real heroes. Thank you for lifting the lives and hearts of so many, including mine. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
I just sent an email to guruofmsg, a fellow poster who is a PR man by trade. I am hoping he can add his expertise in getting more publicity for John and the cause. I am also hoping that we can keep this issue alive on this board. More of our regular posters need to see this story and add their talents in getting it out to the public. All of us can start letters by just cutting and pasting Bill's letter and sending it to everyone we know. Carol mentioned doing that with the people at her site and we can do it, too. | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Bill, I really like your letter. Let us know when we can copy and paste it. To me, the pictures which resonates most is the one with the baby and the needles. What does everyone else think? | ||
| Bill S Unregistered guest |
I'm glad you guys like the article. If no one had anything that just has to go in it, then I'm just waiting on Carol to fill in a couple blanks and sign off that it is accurate. Of course I was REALLY hoping to hear some good news about John today to add to it. | ||
| Roy Piwovar Unregistered guest |
Deb A., Thanks for the idea. I just e-mailed the ACLU about John Erb. | ||
| Bill S Unregistered guest |
Carol, I'd like to get this article wrapped up. I have a few questions for you. Was John grabbed Saturday the 14th or Friday the 13th? Do you have confirmation that John has still not been released? Did you want to add any information about how other autism activists are treated? | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Wonderful, Roy! Let us know if you hear anything from them, okay? | ||
| curt linderman sr Unregistered guest |
My name is Curt Linderman Sr and I host a daily live radio show on Autism One Radio (webcast). it can be accessed at www.autismone.org/radio (my show also airs on wednesdays on PRN in NYC (www.prncomm.net). I discussed on today's show about john's abduction and desperately need info for tomorrow's radio show. I work closely with Dr Eisenstein in Chicago and Dr. Gary in Florida. I am very interested in getting this story out, you can also check out my website to see that I'm genuine at www.autismtodayonline.com . Please help me get the most current info, my show is heard by hundreds of thousands each week. clinderman@autismone.org thanks. | ||
| Roy Piwovar Unregistered guest |
Deb A., The ACLU emailed me back today telling me to contact my local state ACLU office with my concerns. I've just emailed the same letter to ACLU's Virginia headquarters in Richmond, acluva@acluva.org, and will mow call them there at (804)644-8022 http://www.acluva.org/pages/contactus.html | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Roy, and Curt, please let us know what is happening. Curt, I forwarded your post to Deb and Carol in hopes it will get to them more quickly. Thanks. | ||
| Roy Piwovar Unregistered guest |
I just called ACLU of Virginia and left an after hours message with my cell phone number and referring to my e-mail. I also just sent another copy of the e-mail, this time to INTAKE@ACLUVA.ORG , which is the address for urgent requests. It turns out that the prior one is for general information, not what we need. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
I saw your email, it's been a crazy few days. I will try to find out the situation tonite and let you all know as soon as I do. John was supposed to be released yesterday, but I have not had a chance to speak to him yet. I am hoping they didn't trump up some reason to keep him there after he was told he could leave. I will try all the numbers I have. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
His home # is now disconnected, his cell mailbox is full, and my calls to VA beach Psych end up on hold forever. I did manage to leave a message at a different number. I am hoping to get a call back. But I am concerned. I did email the ACLU and they are investigating it currently, but I haven't spoken to John since Saturday. He was supposed to be released yesterday, but I can't confirm it for sure. | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Oh my gosh Carol, this sounds very serious. Thank you for keeping us posted. Did you get in touch with Curt Linderman about tomorrow. | ||
| Bill S Unregistered guest |
I'm just going to tidy up the loose ends of the article and send it off. | ||
| Bill S Unregistered guest |
Here is the final version I sent off last night to Infowars. http://www.thefoodishorrible.com/uploads/11523/MediaFiles/John%20Erb%20committed.pdf | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
I did email with Curt, but I have no news about John yet... | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Please, everyone. If you hear ANYTHING, whether it's from the ACLU or John, please let us know here. Bill, it's excellent. I found one run on sentence in what you quoted from me...not too important now.I'm sure they will get the gist of what it says. Thank you SO much for what you have done for all of us. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
I just got off a long phone call with John Erb. He called me (I know this sounds wacky)from an undisclosed location. He got out of the hospital by knowing his rights and pointing out that he didn’t need a signature from anyone since there was no official diagnosis. After arguing like a lawyer for his own release with the staff, he convinced them he was actually free to leave and didn’t need the magistrate’s signature. Vintage John. They had no right to keep him there, so he walked out of the hospital on his own. He has since found out that they put as his diagnosis after the fact as “ Attitude Adjustment Disorder”. John told me he wants to put that on a T-Shirt. That appears to be what they charge American dissidents with these days. Apparently, they really have tried to disappear John. First they removed his ability to bill Medicaid for his group home in December, so he ran it on his private savings, until they ran out. Wednesday they attempted to arrest him for not having an ID. Thursday, they attempted to arrest him on another charge. Friday the 13th, they just grabbed him – in fact 6 police officers ganged up on him and wrestled him to the ground. They took his foster daughter into custody, they impounded his car, and then they brought him to the Psych ward WITHOUT CHARGES. There he was strapped down, drugged to unconsciousness, and catheterized. When he walked out of the hospital, he tried to go across the street for help, but three police cars came to make sure he couldn’t. He asked if he could stay in the public right of way and just picket, and since they couldn’t argue with that they let him. So he stayed in the public right of way, wrote on a few pieces of paper – I am John Erb, Please Help and showed it to passersby just to let folks know where he was. He was finally helped by someone and is now safe. Since leaving the hospital, he found out that they froze his bank account, they also took away his home internet access on Monday, and his phone, which is also why his number is now disconnected. They also, just to make sure - took away his business license in Virginia Beach so he cannot for sure open his new research facility in Virginia Beach like he announced at the IACC meeting on February 4. I told him I had called the Virginia ACLU, and also that you all were extremely concerned, he was relieved that people still knew he existed. Still, as always he was calm and polite. But he knows he just cannot open his facility in Virginia Beach. He has angered someone very very high on the food chain there in the Government. He is now in hiding and said he will keep me informed. But right now, he has no money, no means of communicating, and no internet access. He will be staying hid for the time being. But he so very much appreciated your concern and that you have helped get his story out there. John doesn’t give up easy, but for now, it’s Big Brother 1, autism activists 0. I was so relieved to hear from him, I have been on pins and needs since I last talked to him. For now, he is safe and no longer in custody by the goon squad. But not out of harm’s way, that’s for sure. I’ll keep you up to date. Boy, what an ordeal. He met another person in there whose only crime was disagreeing with Big Pharma. So, we just need to spread the word. Really all he wanted, was for everyone to know what had happened. In one of many surreal moments talking to John, he mentioned that when he was last on the web, he saw on The Daily Show website, that someone had recommended him to be a guest on the Daily Show. Maybe we can suggest that too. But only after it is safe for him to come out of hiding. The poor guy was so worried nobody would be able to find him. I think he was pleasantly surprised to know so many people knew of his predicament and that we were concerned for him. He really was moved by all the support. He was most upset that they had seen to it that he could not operate his new research center and that he could no longer operate the group home he had been running. That is what hurt him the most deeply. I'll let you all know the very second that John contacts me again. | ||
| Jennifer Unregistered guest |
Does John have a lawyer? As I said before, I'll be more than happy to donate a small amount to a PayPal account. If I had a large amount I'd donate that. Anyone have a letter that would be good to send to my representatives? Or else have some pointers? Also wondering if I could get some verifiable information - name & address of former group home that got closed, etc., so they can't accuse me of making this up. It seems like it's now to the point where ALL people involved in "alternative" medicine or therapies need to band together. How on earth could the cops let him picket but not leave? I'd really, really like to know who directed the police to harass him. Hope this is leftovers from the previous administration, and not a sign of what the new administration has in store for us. Jennifer | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Don't hold your breath, Jennifer. The man appointed to head up the department overseeing agriculture, is pro GMO and other high tech growing techniques, or so I hear. I feel so badly for John. Where is his home state? What can we do to help him, Carol? Money? | ||
| Jennifer Unregistered guest |
Can we buy a copy of his book? Would he see any of that money if purchased on Amazon.com or such? Jennifer | ||
| Roy Piwovar Unregistered guest |
Jennifer, The book can be ordered from http://www.spofamerica.com/. It says that for further information, you can send an e-mail to spofamerica@hotmail.com or call 1-877-377-4224. If John Erb's bank account has been frozen, however, I doubt if he would see any money from new book puchases any time soon. Hopefully there's a more direct way of helping him. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
Right now, we should just let folks know what happened to him. He has been effectively shut down. I am hoping the ACLU can help here. He was basically kidnapped. I am not even sure it was real police officers that did it, but then again, all his means of communicating were cut off. It seems that someone high up did this. I don't even have anywhere we could send money where he would get it. As of now, there will be no research center. They have won this battle at the moment. Our only task is to get the word out that what John had to say was a real threat to the vaccine makers. | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Carol, there is a new autism center opening in our area: http://www.semo.edu/news/index_20500.htm I wonder if we could somehow connect John with them..........when he is able. Let us know how we can help him. Have any of the media picked this up--like Mercola, or the Autism parents group, etc? I agree, we must get the word out. Good going Bill ! | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Lisa Marie, maybe you could make a copy of Bill's article, and the discussion about John here. I can send you a copy of our book. Maybe you or someone could get a copy of Dr. Blaylock's, Excitotoxins: the Taste That Kills...I gave all my copies away, I'm afraid. Anyway, perhaps you could deliver a package of this information to the head of this new autism facility. Mailing it is one thing, but they may just chuck it in the garbage. Delivering it yourself may make more of an impact, being sure to hand it over personally to the director. Give him your phone number and tell him that you would like to have him call you with his reaction to this information. It is so important to get this information to the people most effected by Autism. I just thought of something. We could all work together right here and write a pamphlet that includes important information about MSG. I used to offer one on our site, but it was not totally accurate, I discovered...and a bit outdated. But we could develop a better one that people could just download free from our homepage...one that people could hand out to doctors, organizations, health fairs, friends, etc. Something like that would be good to send to Autism support groups all over the country. It doesn't have to be solely about Autism, but should include the latest information we have linking it to processed glutamate. Any suggestions? | ||
| Bill S Unregistered guest |
Yesterday I updated the article. http://www.thefoodishorrible.com/uploads/11523/MediaFiles/John%20Erb%20updated.pdf Lisa, I agree with Deb, I think it would be better in person. But probably would be a waste of time. Like usual we need to educate the people visiting the center, not the weak minded people running it. Not much good is going to come out of a state university. | ||
| Dianne Unregistered guest |
I haven't logged on in a week and just noticed what has been going on with John Erb. It is incredibly sad that our government is so currupt. But more shattering is the fact that John Erb could be in future danger. I am very afraid for him. The second he takes steps to proceed with his cause he may suffer dire consequences. We could take up his cause, but that won't make him safe. I'm really worried for him. | ||
| cathy218 Unregistered guest |
Good Lord! I haven't been on in a while. What can we do....is there a letter we can send to our state reps? I snet one 6 months ago but I never heard back. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
I just got an email today from the Police Department in Virginia Beach. Apparently, they are launching an investigation to look into allegations of any violation of John's civil rights. They are actually trying to locate him but their attempts to call him have been as frustrating as mine last weekend, because somebody ordered his phone and cable disconnected. I guess we can email the Virginia Beach Police Department in support of John. I wish I could contact John myself, but I am just sitting tight till I hear from him. The police investigator contacted me, because they can't find him either, apparently. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
Curt did do a segment on it which is so appreciated. I think a lot of folks are now aware of what is going on. | ||
| Dianne Unregistered guest |
Carol, The Virginia Beach Police Dept is launching an investigation??? Interesting and scary!! Isn't this the Police Dept that grabbed him, put him in a Psychiatric hospital and when he walked out three police cars made sure he couldn’t cross the street.... Something really smells bad here. | ||
| Scott Unregistered guest |
This sounds similar to the police corruption in Clint Eastwood's movie Changeling. Their sudden "caring" is all part of their act. As extreme as it might sound, this event shows you how America is getting closer and closer to becoming a police state, much like Germany was becoming when the Gestapo used their forces and fascism to strengthen during the early 30's. | ||
| Anonymous Posted From: 68.10.96.78 |
What are the names of these 6 police officers? It is a waste of the city's resources to carry out non-city agendas. These police officers were unethical in their official duties. The city of Virginia Beach has a Fraud Hotline (City Auditor's office) to call: 757-468-3330. The First Precinct is also the Virginia Beach Police Department's Headquarters. The Police Chief is A.M. Jacocks, Jr. People who are arrested go to the Sheriff's Department Jail. | ||
| Zoomer Unregistered guest |
The John Erb arrest is so fantastic that most people won't believe it unless verified by a third party. The problem with this board is that anyone can post under the alias "Carol H" or "Deb A". I strongly recommend that info about this is posted on the Truthinlabeing and Msgkill websites and that Carol & Co. collect as much verifiable facts as possible. Take a flight and go there yourself to check it. Talk to Erb's family and try to find an aggressive lawyer. With some luck, this can blow up in the face of the enemy and turn into a real scandal. Don't flame even if you are angry. Stick to the facts. The risk is that the whole story will be dismissed as just another crackpot paranoid conspiracy. | ||
| anonymous Unregistered guest |
I live in Virginia Beach and work close with city officials in various capacities. This angers me that this is happening right where I live. At this point, there is much publicity (on the forums) about this and I believe John would have a better time to try again and have a "why the h*ll not" attitude. If at first you don't succeed, try try again. F*** the officials. If you fear them too much, you won't get anywhere. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
Unfortunately, they also pulled John's business license so now he really can't open his center. He was so disappointed. He said he had the location, he had the money lined up. Everything was nearly in place just before this happened. If they were able to cut off his phone and internet and all of this so quickly, could it be the Federal Gov't here? Or even the some Federal agency? It seemed crazy to me too. I was afraid folks would think I was a conspiracy theorist, but after being involved with The Beautiful Truth movie and meeting Dr. Gerson's family, who can't even open a clinic here in the US, I can't say I am surprised. The medical industry was pretty powerful then - they have had 6 decades to perfect their silencing techniques. | ||
| anonymous Unregistered guest |
I wondered what the IACC was, so I looked it up, regarding the meeting Feb. 4, 2009: IACC Full Committee Meeting Agenda - February 4, 2009 The Ronald Reagan Building Rotunda Room 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004 Time Event 8:00 Registration 9:00 Call to Order and Opening Remarks Thomas Insel, M.D. Director, National Institute of Mental Health and Chair, IACC 9:10 Brief Introductions of IACC Members 9:20 Agency ASD Research Updates 10:20 ASD Services and Supports Presentation Ellen W. Blackwell, MSW Center for Medicaid & State Operations & IACC Member Ann Clemency Kohler, Director of Health Services National Association of State Medicaid Directors, American Public Human Services Association 10:45 Break 11:00 Planning for the IACC ASD Summary of Advances Diane Buckley, MA Office of Autism Research Coordination 12:00 Lunch 1:00 Vaccine Studies Considerations Lyn Redwood, R.N., M.S.N., C.N.R.P. Coalition for Safe Minds & IACC Member Mark Noble, Ph.D. University of Rochester Medical Center 1:30 Information about the National Vaccine Policy Office Bruce Gellin, M.D., M.P.H. National Vaccine Policy Office, DHHS 2:00 IACC Discussion of Vaccine Studies and NVAC 2:30 Break 2:40 Planning for the Annual Update to IACC Strategic Plan for ASD Research Implementation Monitoring Updating Thomas Insel, M.D. Director, National Institute of Mental Health, and Chair, IACC Della Hann, Ph.D. Acting Director, Office of Autism Research Coordination, NIMH 3:30 Open Session for Public Comment 4:00 Meeting Adjourned Upcoming IACC Meetings: Monday, May 4, 2009 Wednesday, July 29, 2009 Friday, October 23, 2009 Upcoming Services Subcommittee Meetings: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 9:00a.m. - 12:00p.m. (Webinar only) Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 12:00p.m. - 5:00p.m. | ||
| anonymous Unregistered guest |
About IACC Meetings & Events Services Subcommittee Strategic Plan Requests for Public Comment Reports -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) coordinates all efforts within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concerning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Through its inclusion of both Federal and public members, the IACC helps to ensure that a wide range of ideas and perspectives are represented and discussed in a public forum. The IACC mission is to: Facilitate the efficient and effective exchange of information on ASD activities among the member agencies Coordinate ASD-related activities Increase public understanding of the member agencies' activities, programs, policies, and research by providing a public forum for discussions related to ASD research, screening, education, and interventions IACC meetings are open to the public and include presentations and discussions about member activities and projects of the IACC. The meetings also include scientific presentations from investigators in the field of ASD research. A portion of each meeting is reserved for public comment. A summary of each meeting is posted on the meetings & events page of the IACC website. | ||
| anonymous Unregistered guest |
From the Organic Consumers Association Homepage JOIN THE OCA NETWORK! MSG in Conventional Foods: Are the Food Giants Deliberately Poisoning Us? Web Note: MSG is banned in all organic foods. http://www.rense.com/general67/msg.htm MSG - The Slow Poisoning Of America MSG Hides Behind 25+ Names, Such As 'Natural Flavouring' MSG Is Also In Your Favorite Coffee Shops And Drive-Ups 9-12-5 I wondered if there could be an actual chemical causing the massive obesity epidemic, so did a friend of mine, John Erb. He was a research assistant at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, and spent years working for the government. He made an amazing discovery while going through scientific journals for a book he was writing called "The Slow Poisoning of America". In hundreds of studies around the world, scientists were creating obese mice and rats to use in diet or diabetes test studies. No strain of rat or mice is naturally obese, so the scientists have to create them. They make these morbidly obese creatures by injecting them with MSG when they are first born. The MSG triples the amount of insulin the pancreas creates; causing rats (and humans?) to become obese. They even have a title for the fat rodents they create: "MSG-Treated Rats". I was shocked too. I went to my kitchen, checking the cupboards and the fridge. MSG was in everything: The Campbell's soups, the Hostess Doritos, the Lays flavoured potato chips, Top Ramen, Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Heinz canned gravy, Swanson frozen prepared meals, Kraft salad dressings, especially the 'healthy low fat' ones. The items that didn't have MSG marked on the product label had something called ''Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein'', which is just another name for Monosodium Glutamate. It was shocking to see just how many of the foods we feed our children everyday are filled with this stuff. They hide MSG under many different names in order to fool those who carefully read the ingredient list, so they don't catch on. (Other names for MSG: 'Accent' - 'Aginomoto' - 'Natural Meet Tenderizer', etc) But it didn't stop there. When our family went out to eat, we started asking at the restaurants what menu items had MSG. Many employees, even the managers, swore they didn't use MSG. But when we ask for the ingredient list, which they grudgingly provided, sure enough MSG and Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein were everywhere: Burger King McDonalds Wendy's Taco Bell And every restaurant like: TGIF, Chilis', Applebees and Denny's use MSG in abundance. Kentucky Fried Chicken seemed to be the WORST offender: MSG was in EVERY chicken dish, salad dressing and gravy. No wonder I loved to eat that coating on the skin, their secret spice was MSG. So, why is MSG in so may of the foods we eat? Is it a preservative or a vitamin?? Not according to my friend John. In the book he wrote, an expose of the food additive industry called "The Slow Poisoning of America" he said that MSG is added to food for the addictive effect it has on the human body. http://www.spofamerica.com Even the propaganda website sponsored by the food manufacturers lobby group supporting MSG at: http://www.msgfactscom/facts/msgfact12.html explains that the reason they add it to food is to make people EAT MORE OF THEIR PRODUCTS. A study of the elderly showed that people eat more of the foods it is added to.The Glutamate Association lobby group says eating more benefits the elderly, but what does it do to the rest of us? 'Betcha can't eat just one', takes on a whole new meaning where MSG is concerned! And we wonder why the nation is overweight? The MSG manufacturers themselves admit that it addicts people to their products. It makes people choose their product over others, and makes people eat more of it than they would if MSG wasn't added. Not only is MSG scientifically proven to cause obesity, it is an addictive substance! Since its introduction into the American food supply fifty years ago, MSG has been added in larger and larger doses to the pre-packaged meals, soups, snacks and fast foods we are tempted to eat everyday.The FDA has set no limits on how much of it can be added to food. They claim it's safe to eat in any amount. How can they claim it safe when there are hundreds of scientific studies with titles like these? :- 'The monosodium glutamate (MSG) obese rat as a model for the study of exercise in obesity'. GobattoCA, Mello MA, Souza CT, Ribeiro IA.Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol. 2002. 'Adrenalectomy abolishes the food-induced hypothalamic serotonin release in both normal and monosodium glutamate-obese rats'. Guimaraes RB, Telles MM, Coelho VB, Mori C, Nascimento CM, Ribeiro Brain Res Bull. 2002 Aug. 'Obesity induced by neonatal monosodium glutamate treatment in spontaneously hypertensive rats: an animal model of multiple risk factors'. Iwase M, Yamamoto M, Iino K, IchikawaK, 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. Yes, that last study was not a typo, it WAS written in 1978. Both the "medical research community" and "food manufacturers" have known about MSG's side effects for decades! Many more studies mentioned in John Erb's book link MSG to Diabetes, Migraines and headaches, Autism, ADHD and even Alzheimer's. But what can we do to stop the food manufactures from dumping fattening and addictive MSG into our food supply and causing the obesity epidemic we now see? Even as you read this, G. W. Bush and his corporate supporters are pushing a Bill through Congress called the "Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act" also known as the "Cheeseburger Bill", this sweeping law bans anyone from suing food manufacturers, sellers and distributors. Even if it comes out that they purposely added an addictive chemical to their foods. Read about it for yourself at: http://www.yahoo.com. The Bill has already been rushed through the House of Representatives, and is due for the same rubber stamp at Senate level. It is important that Bush and his corporate supporters get it through before the media lets everyone know about 'MSG, the intentional Nicotine for food'. Several months ago, John Erb took his book and his concerns to one of the highest government health officials in Canada. While sitting in the Government office, the official told him "Sure, I know how bad MSG is, I wouldn't touch the stuff." But this top level government official refused to tell the public what he knew. The big media doesn't want to tell the public either, fearing legal issues with their advertisers. It seems that the fallout on fast food industry may hurt their profit margin. The food producers and restaurants have been addicting us to their products for years, and now we are paying the price for it. Our children should not be cursed with obesity caused by an addictive food additive. But what can I do about it?... I'm just one voice. What can I do to stop the poisoning of our children, while our governments are insuring financial protection for the industry that is poisoning us. This e-mail is going out to everyone I know in an attempt to tell you the truth that the corporate owned politicians and media won't tell you. The best way you can help to save yourself and your children from this drug-induced epidemic, is to forward this email to everyone. With any luck, it will circle the globe before politicians can pass the legislation protecting those who are poisoning us. The food industry learned a lot from the tobacco industry. Imagine if big tobacco had a bill like this in place before someone blew the whistle on Nicotine? If you are one of the few who can still believe that MSG is good for us, and you don't believe what John Erb has to say, see for yourself. Go to the National Library of Medicine, at http://www.pubmed.com. Type in the words "MSG Obese" and read a few of the 115 medical studies that appear. We the public, do not want to be rats in one giant experiment and we do not approve of food that makes us into a nation of obese, lethargic, addicted sheep, feeding the food industry's bottom line, while waiting for the heart transplant, diabetic induced amputation, blindness or other obesity induced, life threatening disorders. With your help we can put an end to this poison. Do your part in sending this message out by word of mouth, e-mail or by distribution of this print-out to all your friends all over the world and stop this 'Slow Poisoning of Mankind' by the packaged food industry. Blowing the whistle on MSG is our responsibility, get the word out. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Adrienne Samuels, wife of Jack, is a PhD in Research. She has a published expose of the way lobbyists distort the truth, sabotage studies, and even use unethical ways to discredit anyone who stands in the way of the industry's agenda with a drug, a food additive, or product that they stand to make massive profits with. I've quoted some of her research in our book. When I have a moment, I'll post some of it here...am at work. If anyone has the book, you can look it up and do it sooner. Anyway, smearing the reputation of John is no surprise, and we will see more of it. Dr. John Olney, world famous scientist who first signaled the alarm about MSG and aspartame in the 60's, was made to look like an idiot during the senate subcommittee meeting he addressed. Their tactics are sinister, threatening and perhaps, deadly. Dr. Olney swore he would not test humans with MSG...perhaps he knew they would go nowhere, even if they validated his research. People, don't be discouraged. Just continue to take care of your health, and enlighten as many people as you can on any level that you can. This grassroots effort is incredibly important. | ||
| anonymous Unregistered guest |
Let's not forget about this one-Julie Gerberding Admits on CNN that Vaccines can Trigger Autism This weekend Julie Gerberding, the head of the CDC, appeared on Dr. Sanjay Gupta's show, House Call, and explained that vaccines can trigger autism in a vulnerable subset of children. This is the claim that parents like me have been making since at least the 80's, and have been dismissed and even mocked for making it. But no one in the main stream media seems to have noticed. Not even CNN. Not even Dr. Gupta who was sitting right in front of her. LINK: http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/2008/03/julie-gerberding-admits-on-cnn-that.html | ||
| anonymous Unregistered guest |
Just had to post this, from link: http://blog.robbclan.com/?p=333 Who is Jeremy Robb? Understanding my Son with Autism Scothoser’s CornerFind Entries JanAutism and Monosodium Glutamate: The Theory and The QuestionsIncr Posted by: Jeremy in analysis, autism In the 1950’s and 1960’s, the food industry found that if they added a special additive to their processed food, the favor was enhanced. This additive was monosodium glutamate. Also about that time, other additives, pesticides, chemical compounds, and vaccinations have been introduced to the populace, with the goal of making our lives better. Recently, I read an article online regarding a “new” theory that places the blame of Autism on monosodium glutamate. This little additive has been pegged as the smoking gun, now that the argument against vaccinations is losing steam. Keep in mind that I have a specific bias toward genetic brain cell development, and I want to be sure I state that right at the beginning of this analysis. The research into monosodium glutamate and the brain actually started back in the 1950’s, with a resurgence of that research in the 1970’s. It seems that glutamate is a chemical compound that surrounds the neuron before it fires its synapsis through the neurotransmitter. The presence of too much glutamate in the brain can cause neuron death, which leads to a number of neurological disorders. In all the articles in Google Scholar that I have read, there is no mention of metabolizing glutamate within the body, the levels of glutamate that would be necessary to cause such damage, or anything like that. Just that it is possible, and has been proven in post-natal lab rats. Okay, so glutamate is in fact an important compound for brain function. From the research that has been done, there is ample evidence that it would effect pruning, and cause damage to the neurons through overloading those neurons. But I’m not convinced that there is a definite link between consuming monosodium glutamate in the real world and the development of an autistic brain. As you all know (those that have followed my blog, at any rate), I assert that autism is caused by increased gray matter and decreased white matter in the brain, and by the lack of or delayed pruning in the brain by age 6. This means that autistic children have increased communication within their brain because of an increase of neurons, which causes sensitivity to any incoming stimuli. This has been proven through MRI scans of the brains of autistic children and comparing them to their control, or “normal” children (see previous blog entries for the resources). In order for monosodium glutamate to be somehow responsible for this overgrowth of neurons at such a young age for some children and not for others would require the following: The increased presence of monosodium glutamate within some children’s diet rather than others. As most families have a mixture of autistic and “normal” children, this would mean somehow an unequal portion of glutamate would have gone to the autistic child. Levels of monosodium glutamate high enough at such a young age to cause such a transformation. As of yet, I have been unable to find the actual research data outlining the proportion and dosage of glutamate used in laboratory rats for the oft-cited study. The source of the monosodium glutamate. Children are typically diagnosed at age 2, or have regression around age 6. For the 2-yr old, it would suggest that the monosodium glutamate would be in either the formula being consumed, or the baby food being consumed. Most children are not on “people” food by this time, or at least not in a significant quantity. For 6-yr olds, this is possible, though it still brings up the problem of some children showing autism tendencies, and some not, though both may have a very identical meal. Cultures that do not use monosodium glutamate as a food additive also have children that are autistic, which brings the whole theory into question. Now, I don’t want to sound closed minded about this theory, because there is a kernel of truth regarding glutamate and its effect on the brain. I would love to see actual clinical research that outlines the dosages of monosodium glutamate used, the duration, and the results compared to the “placebo” effect. Unfortunately, as with most theories about autism, such information is never available, only anecdotal evidence. So, if there are any neurobiologists that are familiar with the proposed theory and have research either fore or against it, I would be happy to read! Remember, I want to know the details of the research, and not just the conclusions. Much of the research I have been able to find so far is from the 1950’s and 1970’s, about the same time when it was determined that cancer was caused by cranberries, eggs, water, and various other compounds when taken in humanly impossible doses. Tags: analysis theory, autism, brain, glutamate This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at 3:52 pm and is filed under analysis, autism. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. 8 comments so far joe 1 There are indications that the MSG-autism link is the result of a genetic mutation, in which an enzyme responsible for maintaining neuronal activity at a particular level does not “work” properly. Here is an article: http://www.news-medical.net/?id=44010 and here is the study which the article refers to: http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pgen.1000277 January 8th, 2009 at 8:10 am Jeremy 2 Thanks Joe! I’m always open to new research. I’ll read through it today and post another reply. January 8th, 2009 at 8:45 am joe 3 PS. MSG is in BOTH formula and baby food. It is, quite literally, in virtually everything we eat. January 8th, 2009 at 9:52 am Jeremy 4 Okay, now that I have had a chance to read the article and compare with other articles in order to get a bigger picture, here is what I think: 1. Yes, it definitely shows a connection between glutamate and a gene-mutation that can increase potential damage to a neuron while it is transmitting. This would clearly fall under the happenstance of Fragile X Syndrome, where synapses are not controlled and meltdowns similar to Autism occur. It does not, however, explain the increased growth of neurons within the autistic brain, nor the lack of neuron pruning at about age 6. So I’m thinking it’s a different situation all together, but a good avenue to approach! This conclusion was also reinforced after reading Olney’s report on brain damage within infant Resis monkeys from glutamate, which results in lesions, instead of brain growth. http://www.jneuropath.com/pt/re/jnen/abstract.00005072-197207000-00006.htm;jsessionid=JmfRHC4hSbn1rhJyT6hgh9mCNLhgwbdD02NrHtvGGplM1hT2t4wW!1329102805!181195628!8091!-1 2. After reading it, it made me wonder just how MSG is metabolized by the system once ingested. So I did some quick searching with Google Scholar, and found an article on monosodium glutamate ingestion, which results in increased plasma glutamate consentration and increased insulin secretion. There is still no concrete connection between brain growth, even during infant development, and an increase of free glutamate ions found in food additives, fermented foods (cheese, alcohol), and some natural foods (like tomatoes). So this at least explains how cultures not using food additives can ingest glutamate. Of course, it also means that glutamate has been in our digestive process since processed/fermented foods were discovered in pre-history. http://ajpendo.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/278/1/E83 So, in the end, I’m still not convinced, but I understand the science behind it even more. From my understanding this would be a great avenue for advancement in the treatment of Fragile X Syndrome, but has yet to be concretely linked to Autism. It also shows that no matter how much I may want to remove glutamate from my diet, it’s impossible. It’s bonded to all proteins, and even free glutamate ions occur in one of my favorite fruits: the tomato. Thanks for the links! ^_^ January 8th, 2009 at 1:37 pm joe 5 I have friend with 3 children, 1 girl and 2 boys. The oldest, the girl, is non-autistic. The older boy, now 5, has been diagnosed with ASD. The third is an infant. Of course he is hyper-aware of the infants tendencies. The infant recently began eating solids, and with the dietary change he noticed a tremendous change in his behavior. So much so, in fact, that they went back to breast feeding only. He is convinced there is some dietary connection. After reading up, he has changed the families diet to eliminate as much glutamate as possible, and he says there is significant improvement in the older boy. Just FWIW, I know it’s only anecdotal evidence, . Best of luck! January 8th, 2009 at 4:19 pm Jeremy 6 Thanks Joe! I’ve heard a lot of the same success stories, and even tried it on my autistic son by eliminating gluten and cassein from his diet entirely. It didn’t help with him in the least. The diet isn’t necessarily the problem, at least with my son. Now that being said, I don’t discount the possibility of what is called “Allergy Autism”, or an allergic reaction to cassein and gluten. In these cases the body processes the two protiens into Opiates, which then “drug up” the person, causing autistic-like symptoms. That is entirely possible, but still doesn’t explain brain growth found in children with autism. So this type of manifestation of the Autism behavior is in fact an allergic reaction, separate from the brain developmental issues. It’s also very simply treated. Also, it’s important to keep in mind that children with autism still do develop, and their behavior does change (for better or worse depending on how the parents react to it) as the brain retrains it’s neuro-pathways. It’s possible that a child with autism can learn to talk, control their meltdown periods, and manage to get along in the world with their repetitive actions quite well. I’m not suggesting that this is what has happened with your friend’s family, as I am not privy to their daily lives and such, but it has happened with other families that I have become acquainted with over the past year since I have begun researching the topic. This is also information relayed to me from a clinical neuropsychologist that a colleague of mine has worked with extensively. So I guess the real problem is defining what autism really is: Is it just a behavioral definition as it has been attributed for the past 50+ years, or is it an actual developmental condition relating to physical development through genetic mutations that cause increased neuron development and decreased, delayed, or an absence of pruning in the brain. My focus is on the physical aspects of autism, and would like to have the condition more definitely defined along these lines. Unfortunately, too many people feel they have to be on one side or the other, rather than recognize they are looking at two different sides of the same behavior. That’s why I’m perfectly willing to acknowledge that autism exists in an “allergic” or environmentally triggered way, but there just is too much evidence pointing away from that being the only reason. January 9th, 2009 at 12:04 pm meh 7 yo theres like so many words in here that i dont even no! is it even true that that actually happens? January 18th, 2009 at 8:38 am Jeremy 8 Thanks for posting Meh! Yes, that is what really happens. The presence of Glutamate in our food is nothing new. Many foods have glutamate as a natural protein (it’s necessary for all muscles to work), and there is little evidence that ingested glutamate actually causes uncontrolled brain growth. If you are interested in more information on the research, follow the links. ^_^ There is a lot of research out there that can help you understand what autism is. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
I have some more light to shed on this. In fact, John Erb and I had been emailing back and forth on it in January before the IACC meeting. John had found that the DLX1 and DLX2 genes also are implicated in autism. He found the following research info, and below that you will find my response and conclusions on how this may affect autism and MSG sensitive folks. What John sent me: European Journal of Human Genetics (2009) 17, 228–235; doi:10.1038/ejhg.2008.148; published online 27 August 2008 The DLX1and DLX2 genes and susceptibility to autism spectrum disorders Xudong Liu1,2,3, Natalia Novosedlik2, Ami Wang2, Melissa L Hudson1,2,3, Ira L Cohen3,4, Albert E Chudley3,5, Cynthia J Forster-Gibson3,6, Suzanne M E Lewis3,7 and Jeanette J A Holden1,2,3,8 1Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada 2Autism Research Program, Ongwanada, Kingston, Ontario, Canada 3ASD-CARC, Kingston, Ontario, Canada 4Department of Psychology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA 5Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Children's Hospital, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada 6Department of Family Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada 7Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 8Department of Physiology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada Correspondence: Dr JJA Holden, Department of Psychiatry & Physiology, Queen's University, Autism Research Program, Ongwanada Resource Centre, 191 Portsmouth Avenue, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7 M 8A6. Tel: +1 613 548 4417 ext.1165; Fax: +1 613 548 8385; E-mail: holdenj@post.queensu.ca Received 5 March 2008; Revised 15 July 2008; Accepted 16 July 2008; Published online 27 August 2008. Top of pageAbstract An imbalance between excitation and inhibition in the cerebral cortex has been suggested as a possible etiology of autism. The DLX genes encode homeodomain-containing transcription factors controlling the generation of GABAergic cortical interneurons. The DLX1 and DLX2 genes lie head-to-head in 2q32, a region associated with autism susceptibility. We investigated 6 Tag SNPs within the DLX1/2 genes in two cohorts of multiplex (MPX) and one of simplex (SPX) families for association with autism. Family-based association tests showed strong association with five of the SNPs. The common alleles of rs743605 and rs4519482 were significantly associated with autism (P<0.012) in the first sample of 138 MPX families, with the latter remaining significant after correction for multiple testing (Pcor=0.0046). Findings in a second sample of 169 MPX families not only confirmed the association at rs4519482 (P=0.034) but also showed strong allelic association of the common alleles at rs788172, rs788173 and rs813720 (Pcor=0.0003–0.04). In the combined MPX families, the common alleles were all significantly associated with autism (Pcor=0.0005–0.016). The GGGTG haplotype was over transmitted in the two MPX cohorts and the combined samples [Pcor<0.05: Pcor=0.00007 for the combined MPX families, Odds Ratio: 1.75 (95% CI: 1.33–2.30)]. Further testing in 306 SPX families replicated the association at rs4519482 (P=0.033) and the over transmission of the haplotype GGGTG (P=0.012) although P-values were not significant after correction for multiple testing. The findings support the presence of two functional polymorphisms, one in or near each of the DLX genes that increase susceptibility to, or cause, autism in MPX families where there is a greater genetic component for these conditions. Keywords: autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy, genetics, DLX1 and DLX2 genes, GABAergic system, gene association The explanation I emailed John on 1-28-09: John, this may help explain a little bit. The relationship between the DLX genes and GABA was known as far back as 2001, when this patent was filed: http://www.pharmcast.com/Patents/Yr2003/August2003/080503/6602680_GabaergicCells080503.htm How it appears to work is this: 1) During prenatal brain development, apparently the first nerve cells to form are the EXCITATORY ones that respond to glutamate. 2) The DLX1 and DLX2 genes then express themselves at a critical TIME in development, result in the movement and migration of cells that will eventually make and pack GABA into nerve cell vesicles for deployment to INHIBIT nerve cell activity. 3) The cells, if developed correctly, turn into oligodendrocytes. 4) Long story short: The DLX1 and DLX2 genes are necessary for proper GABA function, because although they don’t directly make GABA, their presence at a CRITICAL TIME is essential for proper development of the cells that do. It may also explain that problems BEGIN in the womb and continue through development. Timing and age is important. However, is newly discovered link of autism to DLX1 and DLX2, IS exciting based on what we already know - both GABA and oligodentrocytes will sound familiar, because they are also already on our chart. 1) GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid) is made from glutamate by GAD (glutamic acid decarboxylase) - Type I diabetes, often found in children with autism, is suspected to be caused by antibodies to GAD that eventually kill the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. 2) Oligodentrocytes are really interesting. They are the cells that make myelin – which is not sufficient on persons with MS. Myelin is like insulation on an electrical wire. Without myelin, a neuron can short out – causing pain. Oligodentrocytes ALSO make interleukin 12, a deficiency of which, may cause allergy. 3) DLX1 and DLX2 are involved in the formation of the craniofacial features. It is often mentioned that some children with autism have a characteristic shape to the head. So, this finding of the DLX1 and DLX2 genes and autism, may explain the following: Why folks have trouble making GABA. We suspected this was happening with MSG sensitive people, but not exactly WHY. Why so much allergy in autistic children – they are possibly deficient in Interleukin 12 due to fewer oligodendrocytes due to DLX1 and DLX2 mutations. Why the altered shape of the head and brain – the DLX1 and DLX2 genes A link between MS and autism – the oligodendrocytes are not forming properly – less oligodendrocytes – less myelin – more pain And so we had links on our chart already – these new findings just mean……we are STILL right! carol More recommended reading: http://journal.medscape.com/viewarticle/581432_5 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15020060 More interesting info on the microglia. In autism there is often dramatic inflammation inside the brain. The Microglia are the brain’s immune system. Also on our chart. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microglia | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Carol, Do you think you should post your explanation to that link: http://blog.robbclan.com/?p=333 Parent of autistic children are reading it. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
AND, we need your book, Carol. This is what we have been reaching for all these years...taking what information we keep sharing, and coming up with cause and effect...tangible theory. Carol, remember all the questions..which came first, the chicken or the egg? Was it all genetic?.. a predisposition?, or did glutamate actually cause mutations in the forming fetus? The parents of autistic children and support groups need this information..and so does this Jeremy Robb. There are so many holes in his assumptions. TIMING, as you say, in the developing fetus is crucial..AND what the mother is eating during this time, AND what the child is fed afterward. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
Here is what I would respond to Jeremy. I found several very glaring errors in his reasoning: The key problem with your theory is the assumption in testing the MSG hypothesis is that it is purely an environmental issue and that the only difference between the children is how much MSG they are eating to cause autism, not their genetic susceptibility to damage by MSG. The age limit described is exactly the age that PKU affects children. They eat the same foods as their siblings, but too much phenylalanine is a problem only for the child with PKU. The meals may be identical, but children are not. What matters is what happens INSIDE each child. The brain is hardwired by the age of 7. It would appear that the maximum problem of no pruning would occur at the age of about 6 or 7 – when the full wiring is in place. Children are put on people food as soon as they get teeth. Many in the first year. Your statement that kids don’t eat adult food till they are 6 is incorrect assumption #2. Excess glutamate is turned into GABA by the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase. That is what happens to excess glutamate. This enzyme is the very same one that children with Type I diabetes have antibodies against. So the situation that exists in Type I diabetes would result in a child at risk of too much glutamate even if they ate a “normal” amount. This is what occurs in PKU. It isn’t the excess ingested, it is the fact that the body can’t break the amino acid down and get rid of it. In effect, creating an internal excess condition. By comparing the relatively small amounts of free glutamate in tomatoes to the tremendous amounts of free glutamate in casein powder or hydrolyzed gelatin (found in vaccines) or processed gluten, it becomes evident that the biggest difference between “natural” free glutamate and “processed” free glutamate is actually quantity. There is hundreds of times more free glutamate by weight in the processed proteins. A diabetic can eat small amounts of carbohydrate, but an overdose can cause a coma. Amount does matter. As for some children doing better on a GF/CF diet, the opioid theory was nothing more than a guess. But unless free GLUTAMATE was restricted, not just from two sources, wheat and dairy, but from soy and corn as well as meat extract and VACCINES, it may not have been successful. Free glutamate can INCREASE histamine response when no allergen is present. No allergy does not mean no inflammation. Ask someone with mastocytosis. A simple touch can produce a mast cell response. Studies of Glutamate blockers have proven that histamine response is decreased. As far as behavior goes, I have two words – hypothalamus and amygdala. The hypothalamus is responsible for the 4 F’s Feeding, fleeing, fighting, and mating. These are behaviors that are affected when free glutamate in the blood stream is not hindered by the blood brain barrier and targets the receptors in the hypothalamus. The fact that children who get vaccines and immediately come down with terrible fevers first, before regressing is a very good clue. The hypothalamus regulates body temperature. The amygdala, the seat of the fear response, is also the smell and taste detector of the brain which is stimulated by glutamate. It has been shown that over-stimulation of the amygdala may result in the classic behavior of autism – avoiding the gaze of even one’s own mother because it is perceived as threatening. Autistic persons equate a face to face conversation as their version of an “extreme sport”. I would say that fear is heightened in an autistic individual. The thing that is new in our current processed food is that due to overprocessing of wheat and dairy and soy and corn as well as meat protein “extracts”, the actual amount of free glutamate being ingested today is literally hundreds of times MORE than the intake of free glutamic acid even a decade ago. It is difficult to find a baked good without dry milk powder or casein or soy protein in it, or a wheat flour for baking without malted barley flour – which has 5 times the free glutamate and more protein in general than flour of ten years ago. The difference is clearly the amount of free glutamic acid eaten today. Not only that, but now it is injected in vaccines as well. We are talking here about genetic differences between individuals, and also about the dramatic, nearly gigantic difference in the amount of free glutamic acid eaten today versus a decade ago by virtue of simple food processing done to get as much free glutamate released by processing so MSG doesn't have to be labeled. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
I think we have the answer to our chicken and egg question, Deb. I feel like i can finally finish my book - I know the ending The mutations are NOT passed down from a parent to a child because some of these are SPONTANEOUS. So the answer is that the chicken comes first in some cases and changes all the eggs that come after: The initial cause is environmental - it spontaneously affects the genes in some cases. From there the genetic variants then put an individual at risk of being affected by free glutamic acid in excess, less GABA from less oligodentrocytes (which are also killed by too much glutamate), and/or altered cysteine metabolism which results in less glutathione and less taurine. The glutathione deficiency results in heavy metal toxicity and taurine deficiency results in reduced bile (poor fat digestion, gastrointestinal distress), osmotic imbalance, seizures, irregular heartbeat, inadequate blood glucose regulation, poor vision, and free radical formation. All the myriad symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. I bet we will find that those with epilepsy also have poor vision, irregular hearbeats, digestive problems, Type II diabetes, and heavy metal toxicity, due to lack of taurine and glutathione. Glutathione is low in autistic children and SOME (not all) test high in heavy metals. The ones with allergy probably have more pain and MS, fibromyalgia symptoms, panic, rage, and trouble relaxing or sleeping due to the lack of GABA and interleukin 12 due to less oligodentrocytes. (Lunesta - the latest sleeping pill, helps with GABA regulation.) Autism is in effect caused by environmentally-induced genetic variations which result in several possible scenarios depending on which gene or genes of the roughly 8 found so far, are affected. The genes code for either glutamate synapse formation, glutathione formation, or oligodendrocyte formation. These genetic differences from "neurotypical" folks, would also explain a heck of a lot about our sensitivity to MSG. I would love to get DNA testing done of the folks who post here. THAT would be a very cool thing to know. I think we have a lot in common with those kids. Except when our brains were hardwired we didn't have the vaccine schedule they do and we didn't eat nearly as much free glutamate. I think we were darn lucky. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
PS, the Mitochondrial problems are cysteine metabolism related.... | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Carol, Deb, Dianne, Jennifer, Zoomer, and all, I wish I were as well versed in this (scientifically) as you guys are. I know I have a heart for what parents with autistic children must go through, and all I want is for the communities with different opinion, reaearch, studies, to come together and figure out how to prevent, help, and heal autism. And along with that, to get the poison out of our food, and omit our exposure to these toxins. (big dream) But listen, Jeremy did respond on his site to your post. Please go there Carol and read, as I can't seem to copy it over to here. The link is as above: http://blog.robbclan.com/?p=333 He is listening, and has already posted a response. I am so glad you are putting these pieces together Carol. I don't know what we would do without you. | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Carol, I finally got it to post over here: "Thanks for the reply LMSS! Yes, I admit I didn’t have a lot of knowledge of what Glutamate did in the body when I wrote this initial post, and was grateful for the research documents posted at a later time. The problem I still have with the theory that glutamate is a direct link to autism is the research that I have seen so far suggests a degradation in neuron functionality, instead of an increase in neuron growth. That would conflict with recent findings that autistic children have larger, more dense brains than “normal” children. If you have research that indicates the opposite, I would be happy to review it. ^_^ Also, the craniofacial features mentioned in her post previous to her response to my post is more indicative of Fragile X Syndrome, and not autism. Granted, Fragile X Syndrome can have many autistic-like symptoms, but that is a result of lack of control over synapses, and not an over-growth of synapses within the brain. And with regards to pain - autistic children often do not react to smaller pain like most children do, and as such show an increased tolerance to pain instead of a reduced tolerance to pain (this is an assumption based on observation, and not based on brain activity). That would indicate less of a link between autism and MS, as proposed in her post. I’m not contending that monosodium glutamate is a good additive, I just don’t see a direct connection between autism as I define it (that is an increased growth of neurons in the brain and/or the delayed, or total lack of, neuron pruning by age 6) and monosodium glutamate. Whether or not it can produce another disorder that has autistic-like symptoms is another matter. And with regards to fevers after vaccines, I’m not aware of any research that suggests that children receiving fevers after vaccines develop autism. If you have research that suggests otherwise, please post it for me. I would be interested in reading that material. As it stands, my son received vaccines with no fever, and developed autism. I received fewer vaccines and have autism, as does my older brother. My father and his brother received still fewer vaccines and both have autism. My grandfather and his brothers all developed autism and received few if any vaccines. Also, the generational gap here is huge, spanning beyond the decision to include MSG into the food supply in the US (my father was born in 1943). So based on family history I’m more likely to believe the PTEN and Serotonin Transporter gene theory than an environmental cause. The theory that links the DLX genes during development and the MSG catalyst for these disorders are interesting, but it’s still missing the critical piece: brain growth. I’ll look up the full research paper mentioned in the post and see if that critical piece is there, just not mentioned in the abstract, and post the link here in future. Thanks again for the post! I wish you luck in removing MSG as an additive. I for one have long preferred to have food without additives, as my family was so poor we made our own bread from milled wheat and grew most of our food in the garden. I’ve never liked food additives and do attribute in general additives to obesity and other health disorders. But as I don’t have any research to support it, I maintain it as my personal opinion. ^_^ " | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
The link is actually NGF, which a study at Johns Hopkins found when studying asthma. The immune system and the nervous system are linked by the fact that when a mast cell releases the chemicals that cause inflammation, nerve growth factor is also released - causing the nerve cells in the lungs to grwo more connections and become progressively more sensitive each time they are called on to act. Asthma is actually the gift that keeps giving. If glutamate increases inflammation - and we know it does, then it would also increase nerve cell branching, growth and sensitivity. You cannot base all your conclusions about autism on one child or even your own family. THAT is a biased study. Especially when you are assuming your entire family has autism - which is stretching credulity. What if you were actually misdiagnosed or your family simply has one particular genetic variant but not the other 7 that result in the symptoms I have described? Autism is complicated - so complicated no one family can answer for all the symptoms of autism in everyone else. Too many genes are involved for a one size fits all symptom set. Some autistic children are extremely hypersensitive to smells, sights, sounds, some have terrible pain even if they can't speak about it. We know from children who can communicate other ways that this is the case. Some get non-stop diarrhea. A full quarter have epilepsy. If glutamate is the cause, all these seemingly disparate symptoms snap into place in the puzzle in one satisfying click. Some children are high-functioning - those are the ones who get the press. The others have a lot of dendrites, but the overall signal propagation is slow. That is probably because the Neurexin 1 area of the genome codes for glutamate neurotransmission. You may have a big nerve cell but it may not function right. THAT is the issue here. We should not be so concerned with size or complexity here, but functionality. Does the nerve cell work like it is supposed to, or is it an overgrown branchy tangled bush of a nerve cell that is defective? Many children with autism will crave carbohydrates and will only eat certain foods. It is hard to make serotonin if the diet is lacking in tryptophan or niacin. Perhaps the serotonin angle is incidental and not at all the cause. Glutamate affects so many basic body processes - it really is the answer that makes the most sense. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
PS, Some children with autism actually have antibodies to the serotonin receptors, so there may be a link there, but I guarantee you, it is not the only issue with autism. Glutamate is the only bad actor on the scene of nearly every crime. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
This dialogue is amazing. Carol, I cannot WAIT for you to finish your book. Be careful not to lose control of it. Some people have written books and the publishers promote it for a few months and then that's that. But they own the copyright and you will have to buy it back for thousands of $$$$. We have had offers, but thankfully, have full control by publishing our book ourselves. | ||
| Zoomer Unregistered guest |
Put in a clause in the contract with an option to buy the rightes back. Use progressive publishers such as Berrett-Koehler Publishers or Seven Stories Press. Remember, if you self-publish, Wikipedia will not allow your book as a source. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Good advice, Zoomer. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
I already have a publisher, who has been VERY VERY patient | ||
| John Erb Unregistered guest |
Hello Everyone! Thank you so much for all your kind words of support, I havent made it through all the posts yet, I am digging out of a mountain of legal matters that have sprung up around me in my favor. I am taking on a hospital that treated me without my permission, treatment that included being strapped to a bed, injected, and catheterized while I was awake fighting it. I managed to get an "administrative release" for proving to the psychiatrist there was no reason for me to be there in the first place. I discovered how violent police can be when you dare to challenge their authority. But I am stronger for these adventures, and I thank you all for your prayers and words of support. This has brought the anti MSG campaign closer to the main stream! Thank you for all your continued good wishes, as I continue to stop the slow poisoning of America. | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
John, Welcome back. We are very glad you are out of 'protective custody.' And that you are back in communication with your supportive friends here. Please keep us updated when you can. And thank you for trying to inform the people of what the food is doing to us. We will look forward to your posts, and wonder how we can get what happened out there so the public is aware of what is happening. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
John, THANK YOU for taking time to post here and give us some relief about your well being. We have been so worried for you. Are you back in your own home? Thank heaven your spirit has not been broken by this experience. Tread carefully, dear crusader, and stay safe and healthy. PLEASE keep us posted and surround yourself with people you can trust. We all need you. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
John, please write down your story as soon as you can. It needs to be recorded and shared via all forms of media. People here can help make sure it is posted on the Internet and its many venues for starters. What else do you need that we may be able to help with? | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Carol, I forgot to mention that I agree 100% with your last response, especially concerning the possible misdiagnosis of his father and grandfather. When I was reading his take on it, I immediately thought of the thousands of people I've had the unique privilege to hear from, and who in the vast majority of cases, tell me that they were misdiagnosed for years. Some thought they or their children had ADD or autism. Yes, we have had several reported cases where the children no longer had symptoms once their parents eliminated excitotoxins). Others thought their seizures, brain fog, anxiety, rage, sleep, colitis, and other symptoms were just something they would have to live with forever. There's a woman in the UK who has an autistic child and who was part of a national autism group there.... Marilyn. A few years ago, I received an email from her. She was very excited and grateful as she explained that she had never considered MSG part of the problem until she had found our site. By eliminating MSG, her son was kicked out of his special school. She told me that MSG was the missing link and she was planning to let others in the UK know. I recently discovered she has published a book and given credit and reference to our site. | ||
| Jennifer Unregistered guest |
I would love to read the whole story when you get a chance. I'm glad things are going in your favor - Jennifer | ||
| Miss Kitty Unregistered guest |
John - I am very glad you are doing well. I agree with Lisa Marie and Deb A. I appreciate you letting us know your situation is turning around. I tried to do the MSG elimination diet years ago but I did not have all the information to do a complete elimination and wasn't recovering enough to see a difference. Because of Deb A., Carol H., you and the other individuals who post here I am finally feeling a difference for the better. I have regained hope of feeling good which I lost years ago. Today is not a good day because I am finding I just should not eat tomato products but now I know and will feel better tomorrow. You all have given me tools to feel better and regain my life. Without all of you I would not have a chance of feeling normal. It has been so long that I feel strange feeling good. I want more good though. Thank you all. I am reading daily because I do not have local support and family think I'm crazy. I think they just don't want to believe it. Once I feel even better I plan on starting a local support group. In the mean time, I am reading and absorbing your posts and sacrifices. I don't post much but I just want you to know that you are being heard with much respect and appreciation. Thank you! | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Thank YOU, Miss Kitty, for sharing your MSG story here. We have a direct link to this topic on our homepage, and I know it is reaching many people searching for answers. So happy you are feeling better. | ||
| Carol H Unregistered guest |
Welcome back, John. That was quite an ordeal. So many folks emailed me, I am still trying to get back to everyone. It was a very confusing time, we were all just sick with concern for you. Hard to believe it was only two weeks ago. Seems like a lifetime. They wouldn't be this bold if we weren't very very close to getting at the truth. So, look out for each other. The autism activists are now really looking at the other vaccine ingredients now instead of only thimerosal thanks to John's writing on autism websites lately. We have gotten them to expand the debate. The discussion is changing - and folks are starting to examine - what made the vaccine court award money to some children. What in the vaccines DID cause autism in SOME children. The debate is now opening up more than simply the Thimerosal argument. Thanks to John. We need to point out to folks that the media is all reporting on a recent COURT case of only 3 kids as if it was a huge double blind, peer-reviewed study of thousands of kids. They can't scientifically conclude that vaccines never cause autism, simply because the vaccine COURT didn't think so in the case of only three children. ESPECIALLY when the same vaccine court found in metabolic illness - which Hannah Poling had - vaccines CAN cause autism. Metabolic illness implies that the glutamate-cystine pump may have been involved. This way of getting cystine in and getting glutamate out, doesn't work correctly when too much glutamate is present - WHICH WOULD BE THE CASE after either INGESTING MSG, or injecting a free glutamate-containing vaccine into a child. | ||
| Becky Unregistered guest |
This is all so fascinating! And John, I'm glad you are back and fighting! | ||
| Jeremy Unregistered guest |
Hello Carol! I thought I would post directly here, since you have not posted on my blog regarding this discussion, but rather had Lisa Marie post for you. Thus far you have questioned my post, which is perfectly fine! I welcome any rebuttals, provided they are backed up by clinical research that support those rebuttals. I love learning something new, and if you have read all the posts on my blog about Autism, you would know that I have revised my understanding of autism based on the clinical evidence presented to me. I have requested clinical evidence that links the growth of neurons in the brain and the lack of pruning in the amygdala, and have yet to receive it. So I did some digging on my own. All the research that I have found shows damage to the brain at the hypothalamus (Olney, ournal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology. 31(3):464-488, July 1972). Another article points out that retina damage occurred in mice when exposed to high doses of MSG (Olney, Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 1990. 30:47-71). Neither mention any other part of the brain, those that are protected by the blood brain barrier. By contrast, patients in an MRI study with autism exhibited increase in gray matter in medial and dorsolateral frontal areas, in the lateral and medial parts of the temporal lobes, in the parietal lobes, cerebellum and claustrum. Patients also showed decrease in frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital white matter (Bonilha, Elsevier Brain and Development, the Official Journal of the Japanese Society of Child Neurology, Received 14 June 2007; received in revised form 25 November 2007; accepted 26 November 2007). Also, the abnormally developed amygdala and medial temporal lobe have been detected in patients with autism through MRI scans, suggesting a lack of developmental neuronal pruning (or incomplete pruning) as the cause (Howard, NeuroReport:Volume 11(13)11 September 2000p 2931-2935). And the link between the amygdala and autism has also been established (Amaral, Novartis Foundation Symposium 251, “Autism: Neural Basis and Treatment Possibilities”, June 2002). And so the link between increased brain size in multiple regions, reduced or non-existent neuronal pruning, and autism have been made. Now genetics step in with recent research on the PTEN and Serotonin Transmitter genes resulting in increased brain growth (Page, PNAS February 10, 2009 vol. 106 no. 6 1989-1994). Each of these genes increase brain size, while a combination of both compound the brain growth. Now, I think I found the reference to the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and inflamed sensory nerves, or nerves that receive a sense of some sort (vision, touch, etc.). They do see an increase in NGF within a location irritated by a stimulus in those sensory nerves. The hypothesis is that nerve growth would be related to an increase of NGF in the system, though they only observed an increase in neuropeptide production (Bradley et al, Int Arch Allergy Immunol 1999;118:150-153). The hypothesis has not been tested, as far as I have been able to determine. So, for summary, we have MRI evidence of increased brain growth across the brain itself, resulting in larger, more dense gray matter within the brain across the board, including those regions protected by the blood brain barrier where ingested or injected glutamate cannot reach once the blood-brain barrier is fully developed (Sahai, Glutamate in the mammalian CNS, European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, Volume 240, Number 2 / November, 1990). Of course, the blood-brain barrier is not fully developed until an infant is 6 months of age (Rodier, Developing Brain as a Target of Toxicity, Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 103, Supplement 6 (Sep., 1995), pp. 73-76). But that would at least suggest that any exposure to glutamate after 6 months would have no effect on the growth of the brain if glutamate were the cause of excessive brain growth. So the problem I have is finding that clinical link between glutamate exposure at an early age and the increased brain growth. Carol has pointed out a lot of links, but I haven't seen any clinical studies that support those links. The links that are being proposed so far are conjecture. So again my request still stands: Is there any clinical evidence that supports neuron growth in the brain (and not sensory neuron growth) as a direct response to increased glutamate exposure? That is the missing piece of the puzzle that I need in order to support the theory of MSG as the cause of autism. As stated earlier, according to Olney's research, MSG only seems to cause damage to the hypothalamus and retina tissue. No increase in neuron growth or decrease in neuronal pruning has been recorded as far as I can find in the stacks. So please, if you have any clinical research that links MSG to brain neuron growth, feel free to post it either here or on my blog. I would like to read those articles, see the research methodology, the results, the assumptions, the whole nine yards. I'm perfectly happy to have my assumptions challenged, because that is where real learning and progress is seen. | ||
| Jennifer Unregistered guest |
http://www.msgmyth.com/discus/messages/7/1502.html?1200945851 Here's one thread that may be of interest - Jennifer | ||
| Jennifer Unregistered guest |
http://www.msgmyth.com/discus/messages/7/1554.html?1235153037 Another thread - Jennifer | ||
| Lisa Marie Unregistered guest |
Hi Jeremy, I am really glad you visited this board, and I hope that the people on here can answer your post, especially with the clinical evidence that you wish to read. I did want to say that Carol never asked me to post to your blog-I did that on my own to try and stimulate a dialogue between the two of you. Carol comes on here very frequently, so I am certain she will be responding to your post. Again, I just want to say welcome. I look forward to what we all can learn. | ||
| anonymous Unregistered guest |
There is this one, which Deb cites on the first page of this site: http://www.jyi.org/news/nb.php?id=946 Autism/Glutamate A February 2007 news release has validated what we have been suggesting for years. A Canadian team has lead research that has involved 120 scientists from 19 countries and 50 institutions. Studied were the genetic codes of 1168 families, each of which had at least two autistic sufferers. In the analysis, researchers implicated the gene neurexin 1 on chromosome 2, and a sequence on chromosome 11. They code for glutamate synapses and receptors and transport proteins that deal directly with glutamate's use as a neurotransmitter. The study mentions glutamate's role in wiring the brain during early fetal development and its ability to elevate neuronal activity. Neurexin 1 is specifically believed to be involved in glutamate synapses, and the section of chromosome 11 has been linked to proteins that ferry glutamate across synapses. A combination of mutations in any of these genes could contribute to the likelihood of being born with autism. Competing theories linking autism to environmental factors persist. One such theory that the report mentioned, linked mercury in childhood vaccines. In a recent e-mail from Jack Samuels discussing these new findings with me, he said, "While everyone is looking for a connection of mercury to autism, the following referenced article should have encouraged scientists to look for a possible connection of the ever increasing use of free glutamic acid (MSG) in our food supply.": Paschner et al. ("Methylmercury alters glutamate transport in astrocytes." Neurochem Int. Aug-Sep, 200; 37 (23): 199-206). It states, "In the absence of glutamate, neurons are unaffected by acute exposure to mercury... Co-application of nontoxic concentrations of methylmercury and glutamate leads to typical appearance of neuronal lesions associated with excitotoxic stimulation (Matyja and Albrecht 1993.)" Although ethylmercury was used in some vaccines, it is Jack's understanding that it would have the same effect as methylmercury. Glutamate was present in many childhood vaccines where mercury was also present. I agree with Jack Samuels when he says, "One must ask if autism is directly related to a genetic defect (above) or if a predisposition for autism is inherited, a predisposition that is activated due to the ever increasing amount of processed free glutamic acid and aspartame that pregnant women are exposed to." Keep in mind, in the last 10 years, the number of diagnosed cases of autism has increased ten-fold. And as Carol Hoernlein posted on our board at www.msgmyth.com, many autistic children share many of the symptoms we (MSG reactive individuals) suffer. "20% have epilepsy. Many have food sensitivities, hyperactivity, sensitivity to light, sound, pain. They throw tantrums, have digestive distress." This comes as vindication after decades of being told that MSG (glutamate) sensitivity was "all in our heads." We look forward to more research and answers with excitement and hope. | ||
| Jennifer Unregistered guest |
Keep in mind, the folks that control all the money for funding research, also control big food business. They DO NOT WANT a link to be found, so there will be nothing mainstream published. Or if it is mainstream, they word it in such a way that glutamate might, maybe, possibly be involved. But they're not sure. Most studies validating this theory will most likely be on the obscure side. Makes researching it a little harder. Jennifer | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
I am no scientist, but I have read about studies that have proven that MSG does cross the blood brain barrier of children until they are much older than 6 months. The BBB is not fully developed until they are sometimes 6 or more years old. Carol, I think you have a few such studies listed on this board. Also, Dr. Blaylock argues in his book, Excitotoxins:The Taste That Kills, that the blood brain barrier can be compromised by injury...such as a difficult birth, or an accident...or aging. In addition, he suggests that parts of barrier can be "leaky", and goes on to suggest that MSG itself may be responsible for damaging the very mechanisms of the brain that flush excess glutamate from it. | ||
| Jeremy Unregistered guest |
Hello Jennifer and Anonymous! Thanks for your postings. They were really interesting. First, the references to the Chromosome 11 and neurexin1 changes and their relationship with autism. It is interesting, and very likely one of the many possible causes, but keep in mind that glutamate is the most prevalent neurotransmitter in the brain. So a gene that effects neurotransmissions can effect the levels of glutamate in the brain as it is being transmitted. This still doesn't link the ingestion of glutamate to increased brain growth. This actually is more likely to be linked with the second thread that Jennifer posted: Fragile X Syndrome. Fragile X Syndrome has a unique property that does not allow a neuron to "turn off" their synaptic firings, which cause an overload, and as such causes autistic-like behavior. Glutamate is the transmitter, so if increased glutamate is in the brain is causes the neuron to overload, causing damage (not brain growth). So that would be another issue entirely (still worthy of note, however, and reason enough to pursue reduced usage of MSG in the food supply). The first link Jennifer posted refers to the ingestion of propionic acid, which then cause autism-like symptoms. This acid can be produced by a bacteria that resides in the gut. The results of injecting this acid directly into the brain caused inflammatory processes, and as such caused autism-like behavior. Now propionic acid, from my reading, in most vertebrates is carboxylated to D-methylmalonyl-CoA, which is isomerised to L-methylmalonyl-CoA. A vitamin B12-dependent enzyme catalyzes rearrangement of L-methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA. The inability to process propionic acid could be a cause of what I like to call "allergy autism" or autistic behavior due to an allergic reaction. It would require propionic acid to be able to cross the blood-brain barrier. That could be possible, as I don't have enough knowledge of the properties of propionic acid, so I will have to read up on it and get back to you later. Also, with regards to the blood-brain barrier permeability: it is possible to have a damaged blood-brain barrier and make it more permeable. Common causes are infant rubella, heavy metal exposures, and exposure to alcohol for the developing brain (Rodier, Developing Brain as a Target of Toxicity, Environ Health Perspect 1 03(Suppl 6):73-76 (1995)). Though proper hydration can stem or reverse the increased permeability within the blood-brain barrier (McCall et al, Monosodium glutamate neurotoxicity, hyperosmolarity, and blood-brain barrier dysfunction, Neurobehav Toxicol. 1979 Winter;1(4):279-83). I don't quite buy into the "big business conspiracy" theory. Sure, we saw it with the Tobacco industry, but there are too many responsible scientists across the world to allow such a conspiracy to keep hold for long. That's why the tobacco industry eventually fell to the science. Legislation, on the other hand, that is more likely to be effected by such a conspiracy. You can have science prove a link, but it will not be acted upon because of direct contributions to legislators action will not be taken. I'm willing to bet you are running into the same problem with trying to remove all forms of MSG from the food supply through legislation. Pity, because it would definitely help a lot of people who are sensitive. I'll keep looking for a link between glutamate and brain growth, and see what I can find. Let me know if you find anything else! Oh, and if you ever get the elimination of MSG to the people for a vote, you can count on me! I've never liked the idea of having to artificially enhance the flavor of food. It kind of makes you wonder what was wrong with the food in the first place. | ||
| guruofmsg Unregistered guest |
Jeremy, Please read my article on Natural News: http://www.naturalnews.com/025066.html Also, upon asking an employee of an eye health laboratory about MSG, he simply replied, "I can't talk to you," and when I tried to get more of a response from him, he said "Thank you very, very, very, very much for asking," before hanging up the phone. So, before you come to any conclusions about whether or not there's "big business conspiracy", be sure to ask questions and think things intelligently and thoroughly. Think about the question "Why are food and drugs regulated by the same administration and not separate ones". As for your reference to the Tobacco industry cover-up, don't forget that history repeats itself for those who don't learn their lessons. Oh, and please watch this 60 Minutes segment about MSG from 1991: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=599381265368100582&ei=F7n3SPyNApnWqAPo9a0E&q=msg+%2260+minutes%22 | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
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