| Author |
Message |
BR
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2001 - 8:33 am: |    |
Can someone tell me if dizziness is a symptom of MSG poisoning? I get a piercing ringing in my left ear whenever I eat out, especially at Chinese restaurants. Sometimes the room will spin momentarily. Then I notice that I get real talkative, like I am full of caffeine, but I'm not. This is scarey stuff. |
Kevin
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2001 - 2:02 pm: | |
Br,
Not sure if this will help but:
Foggy like symptoms seem to be associated with it.
I also have a constant ring, that I wish I could pay to get rid of.
It seems to get louder with MSG.
At times I will get a separate pitch that starts and goes away.
Others can probably explain their symptoms better.
This is a good site for that. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2001 - 3:18 pm: | |
BR,
Dizziness is definitely a symptom of MSG poisoning, at least for me. The room will spin to the point where I have to lie down and hold my head against the floor to control it. I agree, it's scary.
When I go to Chinese restaurants, I always order my food steamed and skip the sauces. Otherwise, even if the MSG is left out of the order, MSG will get in it from the re-used oil it is stir-fried in. |
BR
| | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 12:07 pm: | |
Kevin, and Roy, you've convinced me. I had a bowl of Hormel chili and the same thing happened yesterday. Only this time, I thought I would pass out. I got so dizzy that I had to lay down for about 20 minutes. I think this is getting worse for me. Is that normal? I just wish this wasn't true about MSG. I know I have to learn how to eat all over again. I'm thinking it might be a good idea to buy the book by Angl;esey. |
Kevin
| | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 2:09 pm: | |
BR,
I still have problems avoiding MSG and I know it causes me problems.I wish I had more will power to just drop everything bad, food wise.
Roy is very good with web sites and The Debs, Carol, Gerri, Tom etc. are who you should address questions to as they are very well versed in this problem.
Join the crowd....... |
Deb S
| | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 7:34 pm: | |
Hey Kevin, it feels good to be remembered, thanks.  I haven't been posting much here in awhile. My computer time has been taken up by other interests of a more social nature. But I do try to read the posts here every day or two.
Deb S (still lurking ) |
Ruth
| | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2001 - 5:48 am: | |
BR, Do buy the book. It's very helpful. MSG is in everything, and even if it isn't, you can make MSG right in your pot when you combine meats and vegetables with water (soups and stews) and heat for hours. The hidden sources of MSG are described very well it Deb A's. book, "Battling the MSG Myth."
Good luck. |
Ken T.
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 05, 2001 - 2:45 pm: | |
Can someone help me out. Has anyone here developed symptom's...not started with them...what I mean is, has anyone not had any symptoms but then develop them as they got older.
I never used to have reactions to food but lately I have been seeing strange things happening to me and making ties with some older things as well. About 10 years I started having problems with shortness of breath, went to the doctor and he said that I probably had a allergic reaction to dust mites that are in everyone's bedding and prescribed Albuterol inhaler to use if the problem got to bad. Lately after eating I have begun to notice a redness in my hands and especially my face and an increase in the shortness of breath. Anyway's, back to the original question...has anyone developed or had an increase of the symptoms as they got older? |
Carol H
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 05, 2001 - 3:09 pm: | |
Ken, I think I might answer for many of us when I say, yes. Many of us did not notice symptoms until years after eating MSG with no obvious reaction. As for the trouble breathing - my boyfriend just went out to dinner with friends. He brought his inhaler. He has to. He often gets an MSG-induced asthma attack. Visit http://www.msgtruth.org. There is info there relating to MSG and asthma. There seems to be a vicious cycle. MSG stimulating the nervous system may set us up to be more sensitive next time. We probably reach a point where we really notice what it's doing to us. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 05, 2001 - 4:53 pm: | |
Ken T.
I tried albuterol, but had to stop taking it. I would get slight, but not adequate relief, and then get more out of breath than before. Other inhalers do not affect me this way.
http://www.alligator.org/edit/issues/98-sumr/980519/b06breat.htm |
John Brodar
| | Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2001 - 12:26 pm: | |
Ken T.
We refer to MSG as a toxin, as an excitotoxin, as a neurotoxin and as a poison.
It is sometimes called an excitotoxin because it excites or stimulates different body cells ...sometimes to exhaustion or even death of the cell.
It is sometimes called a neurotoxin because the cells of the nervous system seem to be especially prone to damage from MSG.
It is sometimes called a poison because it is a poison in sufficient quantities or over a long enough period of time. It is NOT a NATURAL product! It is manufactured much more like what is done to crude oil than anything your mother or grandmother ever did to food.
Your descriptions of increasing symptoms over time is a classic example of a healthy body's reaction to continued, repeated, and increasing levels of exposure to a harmful substance ...the adverse effects continue to build up, continue to become more severe and ultimately reach a point where the victim cries out for help.
Many of us were exposed to massive amounts of MSG due to our diet: consumption of soft drinks, fast foods, heavily processed food or Chinese foods or soy based foods all are notorious for their heavy MSG content. If you have two or more symptoms listed on the Home page for this bulletin board you may well have a problem with MSG.
Many of us have gone through various stages of denial ... our favorite foods are dear to our heart. When I learned that I would have to give up Cheetos too I almost gave up. At least Frito Lay lists Monosodium Glutamate on its Cheetos ingredients.
When you have reached your own particular health bottom and not been able to get satisfaction from traditional medical help, keep this bulletin board and group in mind ... many helpful answers are already posted here. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 9:54 am: | |
Get the book. Get MSG out of your life. It kind of sucks for a little while not being able to eat just anything without scoping it out first, but you'll feel SOOOOOOO much better you'll hardly believe it. I started getting MSG out of my life as i prepared to get pregnant, and it was amazing how much of a difference it made! Just bite the bullet, get it completely out of your life, eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies, and believe me, you'll never want to go back to eating that stuff again. When it does slip in here or there you'll notice it, and you won't let it slip in again. The difference between a regular diet and an MSG-free diet is enormous. Try it for just a little while and you'll see what i mean. It's a life changer when you finally get that stuff out of your diet. |
Ken T.
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 12:11 pm: | |
Thanks for all the great advice...another question though. Has anyone noticed a drop in energy levels for a couple of day's after dropping MSG? A couple of years ago I started watching the amount of carbohydrates that I ate and after the first couple of day's you go through this metabolism altering stage which makes you tired and sleepy for about 3 days...we have been watching the MSG now for about 4 day's and are both going through this lathargic state...anyone else? Or is it just the wheather up here in WA. |
Ruth
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 5:27 pm: | |
Ken,
You might still be getting plenty of MSG in hidden sources. I would think that you would feel great after giving up MSG. Do you have the book, "Battling the MSG Myth?" You could be cooking foods in your kitchen and creating hydrolyzed vegetable protein right in your own pot. It takes a while to find out what you can and cannot eat, but you should be feeling better, not worse. Tell us what you are eating and how you are preparing it and I'm sure you will get some input. Also, even "safe" foods for one person can cause a problem for another. Hope we can help. |
Deb S
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 8:03 pm: | |
I know that scrutinizing everything you eat, reading every label when shopping, and having to cook from scratch can be quite exhausting
But you can expect to feel the residual effects of MSG for several days, diminishing gradually. And your system will need awhile to recover from the long-range effects and may not ever be 100%. And realize that glutamate acts as a stimulant to your nervous system and when you take that away you might feel sluggish until you adjust. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 12, 2001 - 4:10 am: | |
I seem to continue to react to MSG for several days. After the immediate reactions that are very intense and debiltating,the reactions on the following days are more subtle. It took a while for me to realize they were the residual effects from the MSG. My reactions in the following days seem to be centered on my nervous system instead of llike the initial reactions which for me are severe digestive problems. In the following days, I suffer from poor thinking, trouble focusing, twitching, cluster headaches, and disturbed sleep. Deb A gives tips to help ease recovery in her book and you may find other tips in books for the chemically sensitive. One is to definitely drink plenty of water. |
dckreidler
| | Posted on Monday, December 17, 2001 - 8:16 am: | |
A friend of mine found this website at the first of the year and sent me info. on it It turns out that my consistent headaches were from things I was eating. At the time I couldn't find a Doctor who believed me but God has put several in my path now and they are wonderful. It is so awful when no one knows how or what to treat you. Because regular migrane meds. did not take the headache away. Life is great now. Debs book was a life saver. Thank you |
question from Deby
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2001 - 10:22 am: | |
Now, I have another question???
I am getting a George Foreman grill for Christmas. Has anyone changed their cookware, if so why and what????...I know that a crock-pot is a no no....Please tell me ....
Deby |
MEMorrisNJ
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2001 - 1:19 pm: | |
Christine K.P.S. posted a number of times about how she loved her George Foreman grill. You can look up George Foreman in Keyword Search and I am sure you will find her references. I know it speeds up cooking, cuts the fat and makes clean-up easier. For me though, I avoid teflon coated pots in an attempt to keep my toxic load down but I am probably one of the more sensitive ones here. The thought of the plastic on-top of the George Foreman grills makes me cringe -- I am trying to reduce the plastic in my life which is quite a challenge.
BUT, if using the grill to cook meat and fish will help you cut down on processed foods, I say enjoy it and maybe at some later date reconsider if you wish to continue using it. |
Deb S
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2001 - 8:06 pm: | |
I have read that all teflon-type nonstick coatings contain fluoride, which is the main reason why I avoid using such cookware. I also read that fluoride lowers thyroid hormones, and in fact was once used as a drug to treat hyperactive thyroid. Since I was having many symptoms of low thyroid but tested normal, I thought it could be caused by my overuse of nonstick cookware. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Sunday, December 23, 2001 - 12:46 pm: | |
Deb S.,
Although I still believe that fluoride has benefits, mostly for children, the article linked below claims that it causes neurological problems:
http://www.apfn.org/apfn/fluoride.htm
I have heard that faucet-mounted water filters may remove fluoride along with lead and other contaminants. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Sunday, December 23, 2001 - 6:14 pm: | |
Companies Selling Water Filters for Removing Fluoride or Chlorine:
http://www.sonic.net/~kryptox/water/company.htm |
Deby
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 2:37 pm: | |
What does everyone drink?...Is there any safe, coffee, tea,sodas out there? I am patiently waiting for my book but would like some info. ALSO good protein sources and where di you find them?
Thanks,
Deby |
Ruth
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 3:22 pm: | |
African Red Bush (Rooibos) tea-available in bulk tea section at Whole Foods Market. Also in tea bags from Cape Natural Tea Products, but not as strong a flavor. African Bush tea is supposed to be rich in anti-oxidants. It's delicious. I also drink nettle tea. Any single ingredient herb tea, like peppermint, should be O.K., as long as it has no flavors (artificial or natural) added. Fresh lemonade is great, with honey or white sugar (brown sugar has molassas-MSG), or stevia or Sucanaut. Fresh ginger tea is also good. Boil it up and dilute it with water before drinking. Deb's book might have the recipe. I also do well with organic apple juice from Whole Foods, though I don't drink much of it-just enough to mix with meds that I take out of the gel-cap. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 3:47 pm: | |
My boyfriend has MSG induced asthma, and I am allergic to apples and the pesticides they use on most fruits. We drink Trader Joe's organic blueberry juice and organic Morello Cherry Reserve juice, Cascadian Farms frozen orange juice, and Santa Cruz Organic White Grape Juice. My boyfriend tolerates these well. We often dilute them as they are very sweet. I use caffeine free green tea (nothing added), and Rice Dream Rice Milk. My boyfriend tolerates Whole Foods (Fresh Fields) organic whole milk. (It really bums him out when we run out.) Alcohol is not a good idea as it compromises the liver - your major line of defense in dealing with excess amino acids like MSG. |
Deby n WA
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 4:18 pm: | |
When you say Whole Foods. Is this a special store, web site or a generic term. I Know us *newbies* can be a real pain. IF you knew how much diet coke, coffee...sweet n low...etc,,,,I drink you would think I am crazy(maybe just a tinge :-) ).......no wonder why my fibro is so so bad. |
Laurie M
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 5:00 pm: | |
Hey Deby in Washington. Whole Foods is a chain of store that are found mostly on the west coast i believe. If you do not have one in your area Iwould bet that you have a small health food store in your area. They will usually order stuff for you. There are several good Trader Joe's stores in the Seattle area. Check out their websites to find a store near you. My advice is take a big breath and start slow. Drink water with a squeeze of lemon. Cut out ALL chemical additives and sweeteners. They can't be good for you and they sure aren't helping anything. Deb's book will help immensely. Your fibro is probably pretty bad right now so don't try anything real complicated. Fresh organic fruits and veggies, organic brown rice, get some plain beef from a butcher or a meat market, try not use a bunch of spices at the beginning because the can cause you to slip up if one brand sneaks something in and you didn't read the label, you probably have a Costco in your area that carries some Contessa brand shrimp. Try having a bowl of Puffed Kashi (brand name cereal)with rice milk and a hard boiled egg for breakfast, an organic salad with olive oil and lemon for lunch with some rice on the side, Then just have steamed rice with ground beef and some organic veggies for dinner. Have some fresh fruit drizzled in honey for dessert. Don't try a lot of new stuff until you have the MSG out of your system and are feeling better. You will have more energy to try new stuff by then and you will have Deb's book with all it's great info. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 8:31 pm: | |
Deby, I feel TERRIBLE! Today, I was going through all our cards to get any new addresses, and as I was ready to toss out the empty envelope that your card came in, out fell your check for the book! I'm so glad that it did. My guess is that when I pulled out your card, the check stayed! I am so sorry...your book will be in the mail tomorrow... I promise!  And you have been anxiously waiting for it.
Deby, there is a new Whole Foods in Seattle, and Mike and I go over there a couple times a year to buy their tuna, peanut butter, some of the drinks that Carol mentioned, graham crackers, and such. |
Deby
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 8:54 pm: | |
Just glad that you got the money order ,Deb
Now tell me, is that the name of the Whole Foods Store in Seattle. Just *Whole Foods*, would like find their address and their phone number so I can find them. Sorry for all of the questions.
Deby |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 9:13 pm: | |
Deby,
I came across this on the web. You can call first to verify if it is current and accurate:
Whole Foods Markets, Inc.
1026 NE 64th Street
Seattle, WA 98115
206 985-1500 |
Deby
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2001 - 9:05 am: | |
Thank you....well today I am reading labels of things I have in the house...so far..no good foods...now that is scary....
Is anyone careful on eggs, your source of buying them?...how about your water, do you buy purified water?...Your fresh veggies just at your grocery store?...I suppose pan sprays are a no-no , right...ie:PAM........I am hitting the *good* stores tomorrow and don't really want to live on tuna for life....so any brands, suggestions will be appreciated as I wait for my book...etc...I feel like I am being a pain, please forgive me. I have been researching this, printing and now putting together a notebook for me, want to keep a food journal to keep track too.....This is a serious thing to me.
Deby |
Carol H
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2001 - 1:30 pm: | |
Eggs are usually safe for most of us. It's the only food they can't mess with because nature already packaged it. I try to buy organic and use a Brita filter on my sink. I am wary of any type of veggie that looks unusually large - it may have been sprayed with Auxigro. Whole Foods has really interesting veggies and a great selection - I especially love surprising dinner guests with organic purple mashed potatoes |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2001 - 4:00 pm: | |
Deby - Just in case this wasn't covered before with you, please be sure to check in ingredients on your tuna cans. You may want to look-up past discussions about tuna using the keyword search. |
jjross
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2001 - 12:23 pm: | |
Has anyone ever experienced a reaction to cream of tartar? I whipped some egg whites recently and added the 1/8 t cream of tartar necessary to create the meringue. Next morning I felt a very vague feeling of a headache starting, didn't have anymore and it seems ok now. I understand cream of tartar is the acid of grapes scrapped from wine barrels! Seems that could translate to glutamate. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2001 - 7:24 pm: | |
Yes, cream of tartar has hidden msg in it. It's made from fermented grapes, which I learned about on this website. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Sunday, December 30, 2001 - 4:43 am: | |
I was making a sick friend tea and used Twinings Earl Grey tea, a little milk and one teaspoon of honey. I made the mistake of tasting just a teaspoon of it and within 15 minutes, I became very ill --- my stomach swelled quickly. Quite scarey that I would react to such a small amount. |
Deby
| | Posted on Sunday, December 30, 2001 - 8:05 am: | |
Well yesterday we made the trek to the WHOLEFOODS store, I was overwhelmed. I bought some peanut butter,and tuna....found some brown rice cakes with nothing else(are they okay???)....ALSO some organic fresh veggies....does everyone buy organic?....do you ever buy at the grocery store and just wash your veggies /fruit good(any cleaning stuff you recommend).....ALSO Sea Salt...
Right now though, I am just plain overwhelmed. Afraid to buy anything. IS there a list of brands of anything to be found, I just don't want to waste $$$$ to find out so and so turns into glutamete etc....Just a list of basics,brands etc...I just feel a bit frustrated.
I did, at another health food market, buy Dr. Blaylock's Book, on Excitotoxins....So my new healthy friends, belive ANY or all help is VERY MUCH appreciated. I am sorry if it sounds like I am whining, I am not...truly.
Breads....does anyone eat bread?
You can write me at: portorchardstamper@hotmail.com |
Ruth
| | Posted on Sunday, December 30, 2001 - 12:44 pm: | |
Deby, Brown rice cakes are good. The organic is the same price as the non-organic, so I buy those. Auxigro (MSG), when sprayed on produce, is systemic-absorbed by the plant, so it can't be washed off. Other pesticides can probably be washed off (there are posts here as to what to use), but I prefer to peel everything, just to be safe, if it's not organic. Just forget about most packaged foods and eat fresh. Don't over-cook, or slow-cook (stews, crock-pot, etc.)foods, as it releases more glutamates. Breads are O.K for some people, but many have problems with the malted barley in white flours, the yeast, the gluten, or wheat itself. You need to eat very simply at first, and then introduce foods one at a time and see if you have a reaction (which could take 48 hours to hit you). Eggs are good. Cook in real butter or olive oil if you can. Safe chicken or beef, and fresh, organic vegies to start. Then add foods one at a time and see how you feel. Try not to go by brand names. What's safe one month might not be safe the next. Just read labels, the simpler, the better. You will find that most pre-packaged foods contain some msg, in some form or another.
This way of eating is really pretty simple. I hope this info helps. |
Deby
| | Posted on Sunday, December 30, 2001 - 1:59 pm: | |
Yes...this message has helped...I think keeping it simple will be helpful...I appreciate you writing me back...
Deby |
Lois S.
| | Posted on Sunday, December 30, 2001 - 7:33 pm: | |
Hi, I just came across this site as I was looking for any info on MSG. I never knew this board existed or I would have been here years ago. I can relate to the person that gets sleepy for days. I have been doing pretty good in reading labels on everything, but I just went through 4 days of sleeping and weakness, so weak that I can't stand up without help, or do anything without someone helping me to walk, standup, or go to the bathroom, things like that. This is just from getting alittle MSG. My doctor told me if I should eat alot of food with MSG in it, I probably would die. I DON'T eat any chinese foods or pizza or anything with spices, but this Christmas something had MSG in it, and I was out of it for 4 days. Now I read up above about crock pots, do they somehow have MSG form in them? My daughter brought some foods in crock pots. Both my daughter and I have Fibromyalgia, so she also tries to keep away from spices and anything that has any kind of chemicals in the foods. So I don't know where this MSG came from.
I don't go out to eat, nor do I eat at anyones house coz I'm so afraid to eat their foods. I only eat fresh vegs. and fresh meat. no canned, package foods coz I'm so afraid.
I see two books that I'm going to get, hopefully they will help me get over my fear of dieing from MSG and my husbands fear of me getting MSG. We are so careful, but I still ate some and that scares me all the more. I hope by me sharing this, there will be someone to help me with my fear. Thank You for listening. |
Deby
| | Posted on Sunday, December 30, 2001 - 8:24 pm: | |
Lois, I just found this board too and I am starting my MSG FREE Life on the 1st.....I am preparing now,,,,I have felt so terrible for so long.....I too have fibro and belive it my heart that there has to be some connection.....HAS TO BE.......I am going off my meds too...SLOWLY,,,and even caffeine....just get the chemical out of my system and get it over with. I ordered Deb's book...and just got Dr. Blaylock's book.....it sickens me to think that this is sall about the almighty dollar and BIG companies, and the corrupt medical profession and drug companies. Sorry for the ranting. Stick with this board, they are helpful and a blessing.
Deby |
Evelyn H.
| | Posted on Monday, December 31, 2001 - 7:54 am: | |
Hi--Just got back to the site after a week and a half off from work. As I was reading through these posts, I noticed a post about cooking spray. For those who like cooking sprays, i'd recommend getting a Pampered Chef spritzer (it's a non-aerosol pump spritzer). I put Extra Virgin Olive Oil in it and it comes out as a spray. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Monday, December 31, 2001 - 9:16 am: | |
Deby, about breads - see if you can find a good Italian bakery that only uses flour salt yeast and water. That's all that is really needed in a good Italian bread. If that is all that is in it, it will freeze very well.
Lois, crock pots form MSG, because they free up glutamate that was bound in the proteins and foods used in them. Moist heat for a long time causes the glutamate to be freed. I also have seen some of those crock pot cookbooks, and often they tell you to add things like boullion cubes and soup mix, as well as tomato juice. These already have free glutamate in them, and will contribute to the problem. Instead, try using fresh vegetables, cooked quickly and pureed into sauces to be used on pasta and simply roasted meats. The less cooking time you use, the better. The foods also taste brighter and fresher. There is a webpage on what to eat also on http://www.msgtruth.org |
Jason G.
| | Posted on Monday, December 31, 2001 - 5:33 pm: | |
Hello. I'm a "newbie" here. I made a connection between MSG and my migranes about a year or so ago. I cut out alot of MSG in my diet, enough to subside the migranes. In trying to "self-diagnose" other problems I realized it was food intolerance. I then realized I had not cut out all MSG and believe that is the cause of many of my problems. I've been searching the internet for info on MSG and came across this site. I've found some interesting news here and plan to order the book (have envelope made out already).
I have a couple of questions on some things I've seen though.
What are the reference to Coke? Does this have MSG hidden in it or another excitotoxin?
I saw the post of "tea". What is the connection between tea and MSG? I'm using caffeine-free Luzianne tea now, quite alot of it. |
Lois S.
| | Posted on Monday, December 31, 2001 - 11:28 pm: | |
Thank You So Much for giving me the info on the crock pots. I now know where I got my MSG flair up the day after Christmas.
I'm really glad I came across this site, I know all of you will be very helpful to me in this battle with MSG.
I to will be going out to get the books. I've read they have helped so many, and I look forward to reading them.
Have A Great and Healthful New Year Everybody!!! |
Carol H
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 01, 2002 - 6:24 am: | |
Jason,
If that Coke has Nutrasweet in it, it will be just as bad as eating MSG since your body can turn aspartate found in Nutrasweet into glutamate easily. (In 1992 in an issue of Flying Safety, air force pilots were warned not to drink aspartame drinks before flying as many pilots had suffered seizures and actually lost their licenses to fly.) Regular Coke also has caffeine in it, same as regular tea - which will make you jumpy. Coke has other items that people who are extremely sensitive to MSG will react to. Things made from the processing of corn, like citric acid, and corn syrup. I believe Pepsi adds citric acid to their colas. These things have small amounts of MSG compared to other items, but some people can react to even small amounts. Also, black tea is fermented. Some have trouble with items that are fermented, like beer, wine, and chocolate as they contain stimulatory compounds like tyramine. Green tea is not fermented, but make sure there are no other additives/flavorings in the tea. I usually drink green decaffeinated tea, plain 100% fruit juices, and water. |
John
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 01, 2002 - 7:25 am: | |
If your are new to this, take Ruth's advice and eat very simply. And keep a food diary (I know, not easy to do). Very important: Do not trust ANY store or ANY product implicitly whether it's Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, or your local Co-op. The grocers can't possibly police the well-orchestrated efforts of the food industry to mislabel glutamates. And there are many vegetarian foods out there loaded with free glutamate, especially the meat substitutes. (Remember, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein is legally vegetarian) Amy's is the only brand of veggie-burger that doesn't list some form of MSG on the label and yet I have a mild reaction to them as well. Also, there are varieties of Tempeh that have MSG in them. Be especially wary of labels with excess adjectives designed to lull you into thinking the product is wholesome. Be wary of Organic root crops like carrots and potatoes. I've had problems with Grimmway Farms carrots and Cal-Organic russet potatoes. They're likely fertilized with hydrolyzed proteins and the root foods seem to be a particular problem and peeling does not help. Apparently the glutamate is in the flesh of the root. It is difficult to get straight answers out of the growers as well. I'm seriously thinking of starting to grow some of my own vegetables. Don't be discouraged. We're up against a well-financed effort to sneak glutamate into our bodies and the effort against them is not an easy one. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 01, 2002 - 10:05 am: | |
Well said, John. Is the vegie-burger made from soy? That might also be a problem, as I'm pretty sure MSG is made from soy (high in glutamates). Maybe others can verify. |
MEMorrisNJ
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 01, 2002 - 4:30 pm: | |
A while ago, I reported here that I had a severe reaction to lettuce cleaned at a restaurant with Proctor & Gamble's vegetable and fruit cleaner called, FIT. Proctor & Gamble revealed to me recently that the citric acid in this product was made with molasses and corn --- both of which are frequently trouble for us NoMSGers. So many of my friends and acquaintances are shocked to learn that citric acid does not contain citrus and can be a harmful food additive. |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2002 - 4:31 am: | |
MEMorrisNJ,
The marina that I take my boat to for bottom cleaning uses citric acid now instead of muriatic acid. It is supposed to be safer for the environment. Sounds healthy for cleaning your produce! NOT! |
John
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2002 - 7:13 am: | |
Yes, nearly all the veggie burgers contain some soy. I can usually eat Tofu, though the level of processing might be different with those burgers. Is anyone familiar with how tofu is manufactured? |
Evelyn H.
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2002 - 9:19 am: | |
Jason--Coke also has natural flavorings and caramel color (if I'm not mistaken), which are two other ways to hide MSG. I haven't had a Coke in nearly a year. Sometimes I miss it, but I've developed quite a taste for organic lemon in water. |
John
| | Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2002 - 12:39 pm: | |
re: my previous post about veggie burgers: I looked on the box from and they are "Amy's Organic Vegetables California Burger." They don't contain soy. All the items are listed as "Organic" except the Sea Salt, the oil (safflower) and "Wheat Gluten." That could be a culprit, perhaps? They do include organic carrots and potatoes so perhaps they were fertilized with hydrolyzed protein. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2002 - 2:51 pm: | |
John,
It was wheat gluten from which monosodium glutamate was originally isolated, so its safety would depend upon how it was processed.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/printablenew/19043.html |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Friday, January 04, 2002 - 8:16 am: | |
John - Is there an ingredient labelled just as "spices"? This may include anything! |
Judy T
| | Posted on Friday, January 04, 2002 - 9:08 am: | |
Roy and all other link-posters, I want to thank you for each and every link you post. Each one has one valuable hint of information that I use. Being of the dark ages, I copy off each article and keep my library of them on hand. Never hesitate to post these links because someone out there is reading them...and finding them valuable. The James South article on Excitotoxins under smart-drugs.net was spectacular. Where has he been? He had other articles as well and I found them all great. Thank you. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2002 - 10:59 am: | |
Thanks for all your posts!! I am New here too.And am discovering a whole New & confuseing world. But, have somehow releaved my headaches at this point. Finding things to eat can be frustrating.
This is a great board & you all sound like very helpful & intelligent people. Looks like I'll stick around.
Bugs |
Ruth
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2002 - 11:37 am: | |
John, maybe the potatoes had sulfites to keep them fresh while waiting to go into the vegiburgers. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2002 - 2:42 pm: | |
Judy T:
Could you give more information on how to reach the site that has James South on Excitotoxins. I couldn't reach the site. Thank you. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2002 - 9:14 pm: | |
For months I had terrible itching episodes that I could not pinpoint. Finally, I stopped eating this wonderful commercial bread that is made locally, and the itching went away. The ingredients listed were whole wheat flour, salt, water, honey, and yeast. When they had a booth at our farmer's market, I asked if they put gluten in their bread, and they did. I told them it should be on the label, since many people are allergic to it. Now they do, and you can be sure that gluten contains free glutamate, since it is the isolated protein portion of wheat. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 3:13 am: | |
Anonymous,
Here's the James South link again:
http://www.smart-drugs.net/ias-excitotoxins.htm |
Judy T
| | Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 11:21 am: | |
Anonymous: Roy came through per usual. The site is listed on January 6. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 4:26 pm: | |
More on James South --- http://www.smart-drugs.net/ias-southprogr.htm It appears he wrote many of the web site references for Smart Drugs and Biogenisis. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 4:53 pm: | |
Okay I have a few questions,That I hope somebody out there can help me with. First, I've been told that apples contain pectin? Is this true?
If so, yet another food I can't eat..And any ideas on Ascorbic acid or salt?
And also any yeast is bad, yes? Whether it be Brewers' Yeast or otherwise?
And last? Anything we can take for headaches?
Tylenol? Or is this causeing me more headaches?
Seems like the only cure so far. Is to lay down for abit & sleep. Although that can be difficult to do at times.
Also I came across some "Power Bars" After a long time searching all the lables. I found one I thought to be safe..The brand called "Power Bar"
Which said NO MSG....Well, to my surprise it had Maltodextrin..And hence caused a headache. It will take time, but I will learn all the words to look out for..I know just because they say it, doesn't mean it doesn't have MSG. Just thought I'd let some others out there know about this Bar before you go out & buy it..Most of that is all bad anyway, I know..Alot of soy and etc..
Thanks |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 5:01 pm: | |
Thank you Judy T. and Roy for the link to the very interesting James South article on Excitotoxins. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 5:10 pm: | |
I have recently bought a vitamin. But I'm not sure of one ingrediant.FD&C Red#40. I have read in one post. Where someone mentioned something about it. But, never really said whether it was bad. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 6:26 pm: | |
The Feingold Association says to "just say no" to Red #40 (see "Myth #22" on their list):
http://www.feingold.org/indexx.html |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 8:15 pm: | |
Anon., could you make up a name so that we can better distinguish between you and the other anons here....it helps...or maybe put an initial by it.
Pectin in an apple should not hurt you...the amount is small and it is in a natural form and glutamate, if present, will slowly be metabolized by the body. But not so with the pectin in the powders, which are highly processed...or more probably, the fillers that are present in such commercial powders also contain free glutamate, such as maltodextrin, vegetable gums, and cornstarch. Ascorbic acid can be processed from corn, and may contain small amounts of glutamate residue..and may or may not bother a person, depending on the degree of sensitivity. Brewer's yeast is a no no, but baking bread with plain yeast, not the rapid rise kind or any with additives, is okay for many of us...if we don't eat it often or lots of it at one time. Yes, even plain yeast contains some glutamate, and most commercial breads contain many sources of glutamate in the malted barley flour, the soy flour, whey, dry milk solids, corn syrup, gluten, dough contioners, and vitamin carriers..etc. Best to make your own, or make quick breads and muffins or biscuits. I take 3 Ibuprofen and 1/2 to 1 Benehist tablets(inexpensive form of Benedryl if I get a headache. The Benehist helps me sleep, too, and decreases the production of histamine. I also take 1/4 t. of taurine. I rinse the glaze off all tablets and avoid gel caps. |
Vicki
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 08, 2002 - 3:48 am: | |
I'm abit confused here, I posted yesterday..And I don't see it here...
So, I'll just repost here & thank you Deb A.
I am from above, anon. Your information was GREAT!
Thanks for being there for me. I'll keep this one short, since afte all, somewhete maybe you guys have read my last post.. |
Lois S.
| | Posted on Thursday, January 10, 2002 - 10:43 pm: | |
Hi Again everyone, I would like to ask if anyone knows why cawtaba juice I had over the holidays would cause a MSG reaction? I was very weak 4 days after Christmas, and not knowing it was the cawtaba juice for sure, had some New Years Eve and was weak for two days after. Now also last Monday I ate some frozen blueberries and have been very very weak since. This last time I had bad stomach pain and threw up.That never happened before, just the weakness. I took some milk of magnesia to get it out of my system faster, that worked, and I'm still weak but getting alittle stronger tonight. the weakness causes me to sleep all the time. My husband and I are real scared cause all this is from hidden MSG. He said this is going to kill me yet and I'm afraid he's right. We have been doing so good on reading labels, but what can we do about knowing about the hidden MSG?
Hope someone can help me.
Lois |
Laurie M
| | Posted on Friday, January 11, 2002 - 7:59 am: | |
Hi Lois,
I was incredibly depressed when I reacted to frozen fruit. it supposedly had no additives. Now I only eat Cascadia organic frozen fruit. I love my blueberries and my strawberries. I too feel like msg could kill me if I accidentally ingest too much. Hang in there. This board is a wonderful tool to learn about hidden ingredients. I read it every day. |
MEMorrisNJ
| | Posted on Friday, January 11, 2002 - 9:52 am: | |
Lois - The Milk of Magnesia would have topped the cake for me! Look at the ingredients on your bottle. If I took Phillips' brand, I would probably react to the flavoring, coloring (red dye no less), citric acid, and heavens know what else. Deb mentions quite a few things in her book about how to help yourself after a reaction. In fact, I think Deb had a posting within the past week or so, suggesting Benydryl (spelling?) which would help you sleep and Ecological Formulas Tri-Salts (which is comprised of magnesium and calcium). Definitely, drink water --- I like mine as a hot tea with fresh lemon (NOT bottled lemon please) or with fresh peeled ginger added (which is excellent because ginger has anti-inflammatory properties). You may find some additional tips by inputting "recovery" in the keyword search -- not certain. I remember the night I had a bad reaction to some thing with MSG & kept passing out. My husband called the doctor who recommended that I drink some bottled cranberry juice and I did just that making myself even sicker because it was concentrated --- which is a problem for many of us. Was the catawba juice concentrated? The very best bet is to have juice you have made yourself directly from the fruit. Can't beat it. Sorry this is so long but I have been where you are and I know how tough this can be. Your fear will lessen as you learn more. To get yourself back on your feet, eat only fresh foods -- stay away from all frozen, canned, processed and packaged foods. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Friday, January 11, 2002 - 1:35 pm: | |
Lois, I have had bad reactions to fruit - but allergic reactions. I am allergic to pyrethrum, which is a pesticide sprayed on some fruits. Organic fruit is the only kind I eat now. If you have any allegies to ragweed, (and many of us are also blessed with allergies in addition to MSG sensitivity), you may react also to pyrethrum. |
Lois S.
| | Posted on Saturday, January 12, 2002 - 2:25 pm: | |
Hi and Thank You for all your info. I'm better today, but when I get up, am still alittle weak. I plan on going ALL organic from now on. My doctor mentioned Benidryl too,long time ago, that did not work. None of that stuff worked. I DO stay away from all can, processed and package foods. I did though, think the frozen foods and fruits would be okay. Yes, My husband just looked, the Cawtaba Juice was from concentrated. I'm not allergic to ragweed. I have went over all the posts and written down all the hidden ingredents that you all have said. So now I'm going to type up another list for my husband to carry in his wallet and one for my purse.
Tomorrow I hope to feel good enough to go to the book store to get the book, "Battling the MSG Myth" By Deb. If there is another book I should get to help me, please let me know. I'm also going to check out a store here that's all organic.
I'll check back in later tonight. Thanks again!
Have a great and healthy week-end.
Take Care
Lois
P.S. I just found out that carregan is a naturial MSG made from seaweed. Campbell soups use that to enhance the flavor of their soups. Thank God I hate fish of any kind, I don't eat anything from the sea, and I don't buy soups. My son-in-law found that out. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Saturday, January 12, 2002 - 6:47 pm: | |
Lois S.,
Your best bet may be to go to the home page of this site and order the book directly:
http://www.msgmyth.com/ |
Lois S.
| | Posted on Saturday, January 12, 2002 - 9:54 pm: | |
Thanks Roy, I would, but don't pay out on the net, anyway my card is maxed out, due to Christmas you know. got to make a few payments before I use it again.
Talk later.
Lois |
amh
| | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2002 - 7:29 am: | |
Lois,
Send a check to Deb and get her book right away.
Every day things are very important, but the book just might be a lifesaver for you. The food manufacturers are real good at hiding all of the MSG and you really need a lot of help with the detective work when you first start out.
Last summer I ate food in a diner that I thougth was safe after my usual "grilling" of the waitress. 48 hours later I was in the emergency room with my first asthsma attack of my life. I will do everything in my power to not have a repeat performance.
For the time being eat only fresh foods. Best of luck.
AMH |
Ruth
| | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2002 - 7:53 am: | |
Lois,
Eat nothing that is packaged-no box, can, bag, bottle. Just eat fresh food, eggs with a little butter, organic fruits and vegetables, a safe brand of chicken from a health food store (packaged foods from health food stores are not safe to eat). Avoid breads and dairy products until you read "Battling the MSG Myth." Order Deb's book (I don't think it is available in book stores, but it should be!). Don't take pills in gelcaps. Check with a doctor about removing meds from the gelcaps and mixing them in water or a little juice (I do O.K. with a little bottled organic apple juice daily, just enough to mix my meds it.) Most meds are safe to remove, unless they are time-release capsules. Hope this helps. |
Deby
| | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2002 - 8:13 am: | |
Lemons....with all the reguglar flavors I had been used to, gone. I seem to just be craving lemons...in my water, squeezed on my salad, then I even chop up the inside and put it in my salad ( I am puckering thinking about it)...last night I was feeling horrible, could it be the lemons?
Deby |
Lois S.
| | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2002 - 8:33 am: | |
I just checked the book store to see how much the book is, Is it really 39,95? Wow, I don't know if I can afford that. My husband said, like me, Wow. Well I don't know now. Thanks!
Lois |
Deb S
| | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2002 - 9:15 am: | |
To order Deb A's book from this site, it is $19 + $4 S&H = $23. Go to this page for instructions on how to send a check by mail:
http://www.msgmyth.com/orderfrm.htm
You cannot afford NOT to get it!!!
-The other Deb |
Ruth
| | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2002 - 3:13 pm: | |
Deby, Years ago, I remember reading that eating the white part of the peel from citrus fruits is not good for you. I can't remember exactly why, though. Lemons are one of the fruits I do O.K. with even if they are not organic, but as sensitive as I am, I would never take a chance eating the peel. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2002 - 3:20 pm: | |
Hi Lois. I can't believe they would charge you that for the book. Barnes and Noble set the price at $22.00 for their stores, but not all carry it. If you send us a check or money order right away, we will have it in the mail the day after we receive your check. ($19.00 plus $4.00 for shipping priority mail)
Send to: Front Porch Productions
P.O. Box 895
Richland, WA 99352
From what I have read of your reactions, there is a good chance that you are also reacting to sulfites. Many of us here react to these preservatives that are widely used in fruit and fruit juice products. They need not be labeled in some products, but they can cause a lot of discomfort...there is a chapter in the book about them, since a high percentage of us who are MSG sensitive are also allergic to sulfites. Be sure when you use lemons or oranges, that you scrub them in a bowl of warm sudsy water to help remove the resin coating. Do this before squeezing them. These coatings can contain sulfites or other irritants and preservatives that may cause us distress. Sulfites are in most dairy products that aren't organic, along with MSG in the form of dry milk solids, whey protein, carageenan, etc. |
Lois S.
| | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2002 - 6:42 pm: | |
Thanks Deb A. I think you should check out why they charged so much for your book when they set a price. I read yout post to my husband, and said, now can I get it. He said not this check but next payday, so you will be hearing from me in two weeks. I wrote the address down.Thanks!
We went to this organic store here in Mpls. and looked over everything real good, we found a lot of products with whey protein, maltodextrin, soy protein and most everything had sea salt in it, now with carregan or maybe its spelled carrageenan, a natural MSG from seaweed, I won't eat anything from the sea. I won't take that chance. Its not worth the suffering. They may be without preservatives, but alot of the stuff have the ingredents of the hidden MSG's. Not worth spending all that money, and then get sick anyway.
What is sulfites? I know I'm allergic to sulfa, is it anything like that? I usually don't eat oranges or lemons, so I'm safe on that anyway.
Thanks everyone. You sure have helped me very much, and in doing so, I have shared with people around me.
Till Later
Take Care
Lois |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Monday, January 14, 2002 - 11:28 am: | |
Lois, what was the name of the store that was going to charge you $39.95 for the book? The book is large, but not worth that much. What am I saying???? It's priceless! Ha Ha!
If you are allergic to sulfa drugs, then you are most likely reactive to sulfites in foods. There is a whole chapter in the book about sulfites. They are easier to avoid than MSG, at least. You can do a keyword search on sulfites at the menu on the left here. I'm sure there were sites posted for you to research sulfites. |
Lois S.
| | Posted on Monday, January 14, 2002 - 12:09 pm: | |
Deb A.
I went through the net for Barnes & Noble. Put in the name of the book, or your name, I can't remember which, and that's where I got the prices.
I will do some research on sulfites. Thanks!
Lois |
Lois S.
| | Posted on Monday, January 14, 2002 - 12:30 pm: | |
Hi Deb A.
I went back and did what I did last night again after I wrote the last post.
I put in Barnes & Noble.com, I clicked on eBooks, put in author Mike & Debby Anglesey, clicked on more titles from our network & out of print book dealers, up come your book, saying one copy left, I clicked on that, now today their saying its 35.06. I guess that's it.
Lois |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Monday, January 14, 2002 - 12:37 pm: | |
They must be charging a lot for shipping and handling, then! I think I will contact them. I know they sell it for $22.00 in their store. We mainly get single orders from them and book stores over the phone, and we mail the book to them. The fastest and best way is to send us a check or order from us online. Thanks for the info. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Monday, January 14, 2002 - 4:34 pm: | |
Maybe it's a good sign Deb...You know... supply and demand. They must be selling like hotcakes.... (MSG free hotcakes, of course LOL) |
MARY A
| | Posted on Saturday, January 19, 2002 - 8:02 pm: | |
I GOT THE BOOK IN TWO DAYS BY ORDING IT ON THIS WEB SITE.IT WAS GREAT TO GET IT SOOO QUICKLY.
MARY A |
Marilyn
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 9:12 am: | |
Does anyone here have reactions to ham? this morning I had a ham/turkey/swiss sandwich on a white bun from our grocery store, plus a banana. Within an hour, my heartrate was 122, and I was really agitated, bp was fine. It took me a few hours to get the heartrate down. I also have this problem when eating chinese food, so am now wondering if deli sliced ham has msg in it?
Thanks
Marilyn |
Evelyn H.
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 9:56 am: | |
Marilyn--Most likely the ham and turkey both contain MSG. The bun may also contain MSG, although it's probably labelled as something other than MSG. Also deli lunch meat is treated with many chemicals. I generally avoid deli meat for those reasons. |
ssMarilyn
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 12:40 pm: | |
Thanks for your speedy reply Evelyn! I was afraid of that. This morning I was researching this on the net and the only food we can really "safely" eat is God's food... Rule of thumb is that if you can pluck it off a tree, dig it out of the ground, or run it down and kill it, you can eat it. We just can't process it in any way, shape or form. I have to change my entire way of eating. This is going to take some commitment on my part. I ordered the book. I wonder if salted peanuts from the can are okay? My gosh, they put those garbage chemicals in just about everything!!
Marilyn |
Ruth
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 5:58 pm: | |
Marilyn,
You've come to the right place and you've got the idea! Yes, salted nuts have MSG. (I personally do O.K. with Sunkist brand California pistachios, and there's almost nothing that I can eat that doesn't give me a migraine.) I remember reading on this board that the MSG is in something that helps the salt stick to the nut. White flour has malted barley (MSG)in it to boost flavor. Most cheeses have MSG in the enzymes and rennet. Beware of dairy products, as those with low fat have MSG added to boost flavor. Find a good health food store and try their meats one at a time. No guarantee though that they are all safe. Some people go directly to a ranch for chicken, etc. Keep asking questions and be patient. This new way of eating really pays off! |
Deb S
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 6:27 pm: | |
Marilyn,
Actually, the only thing in that sandwich I am able to eat and do okay with (occasionally) is ham. Swiss cheese is quite aged and the milk protein breaks down with aging, releasing free glutamate and tyramine. The only cheese that I can handle is whole milk mozzarella. Most turkey has added "natural flavor" or "broth" or some other added form of MSG. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 8:37 pm: | |
Marilyn,
The deli turkey is probably hands down the prime suspect. Formed turkey and chicken roll will consistently give me an MSG reaction - haven't risked them for years. |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2002 - 5:11 am: | |
Marilyn,
Planter's salted peanuts in the shell. Ingredients listed -- peanuts and salt. They are my daily afternoon snack with no problems. |
S.A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2002 - 10:05 am: | |
Thanks, for the tips on nuts, guys. I reacted to some salted peanuts in the bins, recently.
Love this site, Deb's book and the posting board!
I can't thank all of you enough. |
Kelly Bradley
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2002 - 2:06 pm: | |
Have the book, read the label...but just recovered from a killer reaction, all the usual symptoms. There is something in this ingredient list that I'm not catching on to. Could someone help? It's Kroger flour tortillas, and here's the listed ingredients: enriched bleached wheat flour, water, vegetable shortening (partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oils). Contains 2% or less of leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum sulfate, corn starch, mono-calcium phospate, and/or sodium acid pyro-phosphate), salt, dough conditioners (fumeric acid and sodium metabisulfite), calcium propionate and sorbic acid.
Thank you for your help. I'm trying desperately to educate myself and catch all those hidden sources of poison. The tortillas are in the trash can! |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2002 - 2:40 pm: | |
I would have a killer headache too, plus stomach distress. I react to most flour tortillas, and react to the malted barley flour added to some flours, and the cornstarch, and especially the metabisulfite, which is a powerful preservative that is also used as a dough conditioner. Many people who are MSG sensitive, also react to sulfites.The other chemicals are not that great for us, either. But of all the sulfites used in foods, metabisulfite is the worst. Do a keyword search by clicking onto the correct topic at the left menu. There are several links to info about sulfites. Kelly, try the recipe in the book for flour tortillas. I make the big batch all the time, tear off pieces the size of golf balls or bigger, and freeze on cookie sheets. Then I just place them in gallon sized freezer bags and use as needed. They can be made with whole wheat pastry flour or plain whole wheat flour, or organic white flour (Gold Medal). Besides the typical uses, they are fun to fill with sliced apples or other fruit, sprinkled with sugar and baked or fried in a little oil. Tortillas are so easy to make...easier than cookies, I think. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2002 - 4:01 pm: | |
Here's more about sodium metabisulfite:
http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/S3098.htm |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2002 - 8:16 am: | |
And it is in so many products that do not have to label it as long as it is under 10 parts per million....but who is going to really check on the amounts used at all food plants??? Sulfites are in most dairy products, fruit and fruit juice products, fresh produce, potato products, fish and shell fish, pickled products, dried fruits, nuts, coconut, mayo and salad dressings, crackers, and the list goes on. Good link, Roy. |
MEMorrisNJ
| | Posted on Friday, February 01, 2002 - 4:27 am: | |
Ajinomotois is planning on expanding more into "health foods".
http://just-food.com/news_detail.asp?art=47576&dm=yes&c=1 |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Friday, February 01, 2002 - 8:54 am: | |
Frightening thought! |
JJ
| | Posted on Monday, February 04, 2002 - 4:42 am: | |
To Marilyn, It was a ham sandwich that started this journey for me. The first thing I gave up 11 years ago was ham and all processed meat. At the time I thought it was sodium nitrate and nitrites and still do. Then 8 years later I began having headaches again even though I never touched sodium nitrite meats. This time I had to eliminate all MSG. Deb's book was invaluable. Three years later and still some headaches but much better. Now I have just read Dr. Walsh's book and realized that citrus and fruit acids are symptom causing as well. Now I avoid most fruits. Next to Deb's book it has been the best book I've read on illness caused by food reactions... |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Monday, February 04, 2002 - 7:32 am: | |
JJ, are the symptoms you get from citrus fruits similar to the ones you get from MSG? What are they? Thanks. |
JJ
| | Posted on Monday, February 04, 2002 - 12:49 pm: | |
No they build much slower and in fact are more insidious if that is possible. I was so confused at first. In fact its almost flu like as opposed to the familiar sledge hammer of the MSG migraine. But after the vague unwell feeling for a couple of days then the migraine hit. It takes about 3 days to build instead of the 4 hours reaction time for me for MSG symptoms and during that time you aren't sure what it is going to turn into. This reaction seems to take longer to diminish as well. I even considered it to be hormonal and I am well past that. I had read about Walsh's book on this board and ordered it from the library. Bingo! This book is worth reading................ |
C.A.
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 7:21 am: | |
Yesterday, I called Debby A. and she was so generous with her time answering a million questions. I have fibromyalgia, and found this site after seeing a program about how MSG can cause symptoms. I really believe it's true and am so angry that my doctors never mentioned MSG. But now I have some hope and will try to think positive as I learn how to eat better. Today I am being real careful, Deb. Thank you so much for the pep talk. I will be reading all I can here and will buy your book. Not once did you push it while we talked, and that really impressed me. God bless you and your work and the helpful people here. One question. What are some good snacks while I await the book? |
Evelyn H.
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 11:12 am: | |
C.A.--My son loves organic applesauce. Brown rice cakes (with no additives) are good with peanut butter. Quilt crackers are like Trisquits without so much salt. We eat fruit (some on this message list can't handle much fruit, so it's kind of a trial-and-error deal). We make homemade cookies/cakes (course the cake recipes come out of Deb's book). I do fine with Pavich raisins. Again, though it's a matter of trial and error. What works for some doesn't work for others, so it's hard to say what you should eat. Don't try too many different foods at a time. That'll make it easier to eliminate foods if you have a reaction.
Deb's book is wonderful for the recipes and for the information. We use it almost daily and I'm not exaggerating. |
C.A.
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 11:37 am: | |
Evelyn H., thank you for your good tips. Can I find the Quilt crackers at a health food store? Does the peanut butter have to be organic? I reacted to some fish we had a few nights ago. It was not exactly a reaction like I get to MSG, but it was bad. I'm sure it was the fish, because it was the only different thing I had. It was frozen halitbut. Thanks for any help I can get.
I am afraid to eat anything, now. |
John Brodar
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 1:35 pm: | |
C.A., Please see my post under "Unsafe Foods or Restaurants I have Tried, Newcommers- Welcome"
I hope others will post those particular foods and eating places where they KNOW that they were being fed MSG.
You might also look for those things that have helped people ... check the Archives ... do searches...
I take zinc, B6, CoQ10 and taurine every day in addition to A, B, C, and multi vitimans. I learned about CoQ10 and taurine on this BB ....I saw huge improvements when I began each of these (one at a time). |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Saturday, February 09, 2002 - 9:40 am: | |
John, was it you who said you had family that could make bumper stickers that we could give away with our books? I never heard from them. Would you ask if they could send me some info? Thanks. Great advice, by the way.
Can you share what brand of the vitamins you use? I would love to find a safe multivitamin. I get asked for info about them all the time and I am
so hesitant to suggest any.
C.A., a lot of fish, especially when it has to be shipped distant places are now treated with sulfites or phosphates. It is even added to the holding tanks on board huge fishing ships. Many of us here react to these preservatives. |
Evelyn H.
| | Posted on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 10:02 am: | |
CA--I get Quilt crackers at my health food store. As for peanut butter, I buy Real brand, it's in the refrigerator section of most regular grocery stores. It's not organic but no one in my family reacts to it. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 10:21 am: | |
Thanks so much, Evelyn. I will look for those products. So far I am doing okay with the Trader Joe's organic peanut butter and like it on the thin Kavli crackers...triple deckered...makes a nice fast lunch or snack with fruit or veggies.
Just got your order, John. Your books will be in tomorrow's mail.
Carol, guess what I can buy here now??! Our biggest grocery store just added the great international oils that you sent to me! Doesn't take much to make me happy these days!
Everyone, have a great day. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 - 10:48 am: | |
How do you people travel? I know I am gettingmore and more sensitive to MSG. I am trying to avoid it, but it is so hard.Now we are planning a trip and am worried about what I can eat on the road. It never fails that I am miserable by the second day of any vacation. Help! |
Ruth
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 - 6:14 pm: | |
Stay in a place with a room fridge and access to a stove. Buy foods in a grocery store. Avoid restaurants. Hotels can hard boil eggs for you, and eat only their whole fruit that you peel yourself. Bring safe crackers, if you can eat wheat or rice, and nut butters without additives. It isn't easy, but it's doable. I've traveled around Europe many times and have done pretty well eating this way. It's only temporary! Just go for the sights and not the food. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 8:41 pm: | |
Thank you, Ruth. I will do my best, but this is not going to be fun. I will also have to reprioritize my whole life. But if I can get rid of this pain, it will be fine. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Friday, June 14, 2002 - 8:53 am: | |
Anon, be sure to pack a cooler with precooked items, like chicken breasts (no additives in the meat and on the package), whole milk mozzarella cheese, fruits and veggies, Rice Dream plain rice milk, safe butter, homemade salad dressings,hard boiled eggs, lemons, and any snacks you are safe with that need refrigeration. We bring cold cereal, home dried fruit,Kavli crackers for organic nut butters, almonds salted with Realsalt..it's powder, so it adheres to the nuts well. I toast the nuts for 10 minutes. And once in a while, while on the road, I seem to do fine with a vanilla baby size cone. Some who are more sensitive may have to avoid that. |
John Brodar
| | Posted on Friday, June 14, 2002 - 9:46 am: | |
To Newcommer Anonymous. Welcome, please pick a name so we can tell you from all the other Anonymous. Name can be made up or initials or real. You are at the start of a life journy.
Supplements
I have been reading this website and studying about MSG for over two years now. There are some supplements that have been reported by others that seem to bring relief to the MSAG symptoms. The things that I have found to be helpful to me, that have been reported to help many others are listed below. Not everyone has been helped by each item. Sometimes the MSG in gel caps or other ingredients in the supplement have aggravated the problem for an individual. At that point they have either given up the supplement or switched to another supplement.
My recommendation is for you to learn and study.
1. Use the 32 listed symptoms of MSG on Debby A’s Home Page. Mark each symptom that you have.
2. Go through the list below, find out what the recognized symptoms are for a deficiency in each supplement.
3. Evaluate your symptoms against the deficiency symptoms.
4. Decide in your own mind if it makes sense to YOU for you to try that particular supplement.
5. Do a search on this web site for that particular supplement. Read all the material that the search produces.
6. RE-EVALUATE in your own mind if it makes sense to YOU for you to try that particular supplement.
7. Avoid those products that two or more people have noted adverse reactions upon using. Consider the source for products that only one person has stated as being an extreme problem.
8. Select a brand name or two and try to locate a source of supply.
9. Determine your recommended dose from your reading.
10. Begin the supplement.
11. Evaluate the benefits of the supplement…Do you feel better? This step may take a while …remember it took you years to become noticeably ill from MSG, it may take weeks, months or longer to get better.
Repeat steps 3 through 11 for each supplement. Normally it is recommended that you make only one change at a time so evaluation is easier. By relating your symptoms to the noted deficiency symptoms you can hopefully provide yourself with a shortcut to maximum relief in the shortest amount of time. Avoiding the vitamins and supplements known to contain MSG or soy products you can prevent additional poisoning through your medications.
DO NOT STOP LEARNING ABOUT MSG JUST BECAUSE YOU FEEL BETTER. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT GOING AWAY ANY TIME SOON. Your friends, family and loved ones may also experience these MSG induced symptoms too.
Taurine
B Complex, especially Vitamin B6, B12, Pantothenic Acid
Zinc
Magnesium
CQ10
Since I had been taking B complex, zinc and magnesium, I got almost immediate improvement when I added CQ10. When I learned about Taurine and began to take it my life changed. Now, 2 ¾ years after my trigger incident, thanks to above supplements and ridged avoidance of MSG containing foods I feel better than I have in the last 5 years. Since I can now exercise again, after I loose the 60 pounds I gained, I am sure I will feel better than I have in the last 10 years. |
LO
| | Posted on Friday, June 14, 2002 - 12:46 pm: | |
I am a bit overwhelmed with all this information, JOn and Ruth. But I can tell that you know what you are talking about. I just ordered the book offered here and hope it comes soon. I am sure that MSG is causing my headaches and joint pain and probably more. I am reading all that I can find and it just makes sense to me. I have noticed that my mood is better if I am eating right. Is that normal? Thank you for being here to answer my questions. You have been there already and it is very encouraging to talk to people who don't think this is all in my head. Again, Thank you. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Friday, June 14, 2002 - 1:42 pm: | |
LO,
Mood is definitely related. When we start eating better food, we are getting what we need. Meats that are not overly processed contain more tryptophan which the body turns into mood-lifting seratonin. Also, by eating more complex carbohydrates and fresh fruits, you allow more tryptophan to get to the brain. (In contrast, excess protein sends tyrosine into the brain instead of tryptophan.) Lately, a lot of bad theories and supplements are circulating out there prompting people to avoid carbohydrates. Don't listen to this insanity even if you hear it on the radio. Avoiding carbohydrates is a dangerous thing to do, more so, if you suffer from depression or hypoglycemia. The brain needs carbohydrates to operate and helps protect the brain when you accidentally eat MSG. The effect of MSG on insulin levels and blood sugar does not help our moods either.
(I digress, but the brain doesn't burn fat like muscle does. What usually kills women who suffer from anorexia is heart failure. Why? If the brain does not get carbohydrates it will burn protein, not fat. The body stores its protein as muscle. (The heart is a muscle too.) When enough carbohydrates to satisfy the brain's enormous energy requirements are not circulating in the blood stream, muscle protein is broken down and each amino acid is split apart into two halves - an amino group, and a carboxyl group. The carboxyl half is turned into fuel for the brain and the amino half is sent to the kidneys for disposal. This whole event weakens the muscles and causes wasting of all the muscles - including the heart. These carbohydrate avoiding people are doing their hearts and muscles quite a disservice. They are actually watching muscle weight "melt away".)
Sorry for the extra brain fuel lesson and my wordiness. In short: Eat enough MSG-free fresh meats and complex carbs. It helps mood |
Judy T
| | Posted on Friday, June 14, 2002 - 3:22 pm: | |
John: Excellent advice. When we're sick enough and tired enough and even scared enough we'll take the time to follow all your steps. I'm now 2 1/2 years into this as well and feeling better than I have for years and years. |
Kevin
| | Posted on Saturday, June 15, 2002 - 3:50 am: | |
John,
If I might ask:
How much and what duration do you take the above supplements?
Thanks,
Kevin |
Donna
| | Posted on Monday, June 17, 2002 - 6:43 pm: | |
I remember reading to avoid aspartate in supplements. I know to avoid aspartame but I'm checking about aspartate does it contain msg? I also would like to know about citrate? |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Monday, June 17, 2002 - 7:24 pm: | |
Donna,
Apparently, aspartame is aspartic acid. I avoid anything that lists aspartame, aspartate, or any variation thereof in the ingredients. Aspartame may not be the same as MSG, but it is still a neurotoxin, and people who react to one seem to also be sensitive to the other (like myself).
http://www.ratical.com/ratville/aspartame.html |
Gerry Bush
| | Posted on Monday, June 17, 2002 - 10:53 pm: | |
I react to sodium citrate and potassium citrate just exactly as if they were msg! Avoid them. They are used in the same manner as msg, to enhance flavor. |
John Brodar
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 18, 2002 - 9:43 am: | |
Vitamins and supplements
Judy T, thanks for the kind words and supporting statements. It always helps several ways when we give positive feed back. Your comments helped to make me feel as though the time and effort I put into my June 14, 2002 post was worth the effort. When others read that you too agree with my comments, it builds credibility.
Kevin, regarding your request about the amount and frequency that I take supplements. I’m not very bashful or shy, but unless you happen to weigh 268 pounds and have the same symptoms as I do, my program may not work for you. The best source of vitamin deficiency problems that I have is a book written by Weldon (?) Smith, MD, called “How to Feed Your Kids Right”. He also strongly recommends A, B, C vitamins (stress formula) for every one who smokes, is under stress, or has allergies. Even though I have used this as a reference for 10-15 or more years, I have never been brave enough to use anything at the dosages he recommends. The first book is out of print as I understand it, look for it in a used book store. He has a latter book, “How to Feed Yourself Right” that I have not yet read cover to cover.
All of the common supplements are readily available in various dosages, and common sense tells us that there is obviously no single dosage that is right for everyone. For common taken supplements that I had suggested earlier, zinc magnesium, B complex, calcium etc. find a source that you trust and try their dosages. If it seems too high, start with smaller dosages …its ok, it is you body, do what you want with it. In my opinion, the safe method is to start with a small dosage and work towards a higher dosage if you do not see any adverse reactions.
I had mentioned the stress formula above. It did provide me a great deal of relief but there always seemed to be a down side. More than 10 years latter, from this BB I learned that many Vitamin C formulations create MSG or other neurotoxins that cause my body to react badly. I now mostly try to get my Vitamin C from foods such as onions and green peppers.
Back to dosages and frequency. I take Taurine (in a capsule which many on this BB consider absolutely forbidden because of the MSG loading) at 500 mg once a day. After about a year I am about to raise it to twice a day, but I am also thinking of getting a 250 mg dosage to take at night.
My previous post was my best effort to get people new to this problem jump started without introducing new problems. It is my belief that Each of us has to go through all of the steps I outlined to get the best results. I have had several major problems in my life, and some of them were simply solved (on my part) because I either had insurance or money to pour at the problem. I do not believe our MSG induced problems are of that nature …we each have to take charge of our own health conditions and improvements until the medical field catches up to where Debby A is at or they stop putting the poison in our food.
Do the searches on this BB (and others) on each supplement, take note of the dosages we have all talked about and try it out on yourself. If you are a light weight you might want to start with smaller dosages then most. If you are quite large, I still would start with dosages in the lower to mid range and then evaluate.
As for how long….just as long as you want to feel better. But you can adjust dosages as you gain experience. From Smith’s book I learned about Pantothenic acid, part of the B complex. I had been in a major traffic accident and still experienced chronic back pain 5 years latter. My first sense of relief came when I learned that as muscles work they produce lactic acid which among other things your body senses as your muscle being tired or sore. Major trauma can result in a build up of lactic acid and pain that will not go away. I have forgotten the dosages that I once worked up to, but now I take 500-1000 mg every day. When I know I will be doing yard work on the weekend, I begin to load up on Pantothenic Acid about Wednesday or Thursday to where I take 2,000 mg three times a day Saturday and Sunday. Come Monday there is no pain, just a pleasant glow of exercise.
This is similar to the procedure I just used when I re-roofed my house last month except I was maintaining 2,000 mg daily as I only worked 4-6 hours a day on the roof after being in the office all day. Yes, I feel so good today (so much recovered from my near death MSG experience) that I was able to save myself $3,000-$4,000 by doing the labor myself. I confess I let my adult sons do the grunt work of removing the old shingles. |
Ruth
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 18, 2002 - 10:29 am: | |
Thanks, John Brodar, for the great info. My wholistic M.D. also has me taking pantothenic acid (250 mg.), along with 60 mg. pregnenolone and liquid licorice root. I take these daily (remove from gelcaps), to help boost my immune system. I feel terrific and do believe these supplements help. He told me to continue taking them indefinitely. I buy the licorice root and pantothenic acid at Whole Foods Market, and the pregnenolone I get from the doctor, though it might be available online. The licorice root is part alcohol and, per the doctor's instructions, I boil a cup of water, turn off the heat, and add the liquid licorice root extract. This eliminates all the alcohol. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 18, 2002 - 5:31 pm: | |
John, thank you for your posts. Pantothenic acid sounds intriguing - I will be looking at it more closely based on your post. It is great that you have been feeling better and continue to share on this board to help others. Your insights have been very valuable. Thanks again. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 9:50 am: | |
Hi gang! I've been catching up here by reading all the most recent postings. They are more than great, as usual. I try to check this each day several times, but for a week I have been entertaining company(Mom and sisters), and for the last two weekends, have been out of town for weddings. I miss coming here when I am so busy. We got our own son married on the 1st of June,also, and soon we will be going to a family reunion out of state. Talk about a busy year! Thank you for all the insights you have given to me and to all of us. I keep learning so much. I just got my order of rice protein, the brand mentioned here, and am getting up my courage to try it. I want to add that since avoiding Grimmway Brothers carrots and certain lettuces, I feel even better. I have also been taking 150 to 200 mg. of CoQ10 daily for the last 2 months and I can tell it helps. It's the pure powder from Beyond-a-Century.com. I found a B12 "dot" that you put under your tongue that has cane sugar as the filler. I take it when I know I have gotten sulfites by mistake. I read here that it may help. We are sharing a wealth of knowledge here and I am so grateful for all of you.
LO, keep learning all you can and take it one step at a time! |
Elizabeth P
| | Posted on Thursday, July 04, 2002 - 7:14 am: | |
please help! I just had an episode of MSG poisoning. I am usually so careful and it hasn't happened in 12 years. I am new to this site today and would appreciate any help you can give me. My head feels like it is going to explode, I am dizzy and nauseous. I am going to buy the book, hopefully a friend will pick up a copy for me, I don't feel safe behind the wheel. In the meantime, other than magnesium, Taurine, B6, coQ10 and zinc, what should I do to flush the msg out of my body. It has almost been a week and the symptoms, while lessening, are still there. It took me 6 weeks to flush it out last time and I just don't want to suffer that long. Please help me! I am having a hard time reading the screen right now because of my head aching so much. I just can't look at any more posts right now. Thanks so much, Elizabeth |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Thursday, July 04, 2002 - 8:03 am: | |
Elizabeth,
Have you tried ibuprofen? It's been shown to block glutamate and helps me with some of those symptoms. I take two, but if that's not enough for you, ask your pharmacist about dosage safety. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 8:05 am: | |
Elizabeth, I find making a tea of fresh choppped and peeled ginger helps me very much. Peel, then slice or chop a few tablespoons of ginger and put in a pot with 3 to 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Turn down heat to the lowest temp and let steep for 10 minutes or so. Strain, sweeten and drink through the day as often as you like. Add more water if too strong. I also got a prescrition for 800 mg. pills of Ibuprofen and can take 2 a day if I have a bad headache. The directions say to not take a pill less than 1/2 hour before reclining, for those who want to take that much of OTC Ibuprofen. If I have one of those massive headaches, I also take 1/2 to 1 tablet of Benehist, which is a copycat version of Benedryl. Sometimes they have fewer unsafe ingredients than the original med. It makes me sleepy enough to get through the night (or day). Although it is hard to think of exercise, it's a good way to get those toxins our of your system. Try walking in place in front of the TV to start. I hope you are feeling better today. |
Sue K
| | Posted on Thursday, August 15, 2002 - 10:55 am: | |
Have suffered migraines for about 10 years. Greatly reduced the frequency when I eliminated (or thought I did) MSG. However, have become more and more sensitive over the years, especially this last year, and am grateful for all the resources I've found here. Think I can also attribute MSG to 20+ symptoms listed in MSG Myth book. Actually first came here when my dr. prescriped tranquilizers for "food paranoia" and the unexplained chest pains I was having. She's now reading info. I've given her with amazement.
Question for Carol H: I believe it was you that said it is especially dangerous to avoid carbs if you have hypoglycemia. I had thought the opposite was true. I do have low blood sugar and can be sure to wake up in the night with a migraine if I have too many carbs or especially if I eat them in the evening. Can you explain? Could it just be the type of carb?
Also, Imitrex is no longer working for me (sure it can't be good either), so will be trying a few of the remedies I've read about here. Any good sites/books for more info on vitamin/mineral suplements? |
Carol H
| | Posted on Thursday, August 15, 2002 - 2:22 pm: | |
Sue K,
Everyone needs carbohydrates regardless of hypoglycemia or even diabetes, because it is the brain's fuel of choice. You are right in suspecting the type of carbohydrate. When you eat carbs, make sure to limit the sugars (simple carbohydrates) these include white sugar, brown sugar, honey, molasses, corn syrup, and maple syrup, and when you do eat these, eat them in or with a food that also includes fiber, protein, and fat too. Concentrate your main carbohydrate intake on complex carbohydrates - starches, rice, potatoes, grains, vegetables, in other words, carbs that are not sweet. When you do choose these foods, choose foods with more vitamins and fiber - whole wheat, potato with the skin, brown rice, and if you can - organic. The key is to keep the blood sugar level even - not to spike it and then crash.
Diabetics understand a concept called glycemic index of a food. The lower the glycemic index of a food, the better. The higher the glycemic index, the more quickly that food will make the blood sugar high - and then crash. For example: Drinking a can of soda or iced tea by itself with sugar or corn syrup in it will cause the blood sugar to surge and crash within about 1-1/2 hours. You will be famished in less than two hours after drinking it. Compare that to eating an apple containing fruit sugar which has a glycemic index much lower than corn syrup, and fiber to slow down digestion. You should easily make it to your next meal and not be absolutely starving. That's the key. Most sweet foods make you hungry and hypoglycemic shortly after you eat them - except whole fruits which contain fructose. Fructose has a much lower glycemic index. In fact, although they must still watch their total intake of carbohydrates, fructose (but NOT high fructose corn syrup) is accepted by diabetics as a suitable sugar replacement.
So to summarize - eat non-sweet carbs with fiber, and when you want something sweet - eat fruit. |
Judy T
| | Posted on Thursday, August 15, 2002 - 3:38 pm: | |
Carol H: Succinct and excellent message. |
Donna
| | Posted on Friday, August 16, 2002 - 10:01 am: | |
Carol thanks for the post on carbohydrates. The reaction I am most bothered by is how glutamate affects my moods. I feel so much happier when my diet is free of all sources of glutamate. It is a constant struggle for me since I am so sensitive. My husband always knows when I have ingested MSG. Does anyone know which foods lift your moods naturally? |
Paul
| | Posted on Monday, August 19, 2002 - 7:03 am: | |
Hey there,
At last a positive use for the internet!! I'm from the UK but have been based in Asia for six years now, (China and Singapore). Over past few years I've had all the symptoms and have been diagnosed with a range of unlikely ills. Today I had seaweed soup (not by choice, but it's usually difficult to avoid these things) and endured the usual fogginess this afternoon. After searching this site out my life will be changing for the better. I just know that this is the right answer. Many thanks |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 - 7:01 am: | |
Great explanation, Carol, as usual. And Paul, we are so happy that you have found us. You are one of several people we have heard from over the years who are based in Asia and who are now struggling with new ailments. |
Caroline
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 10:20 pm: | |
Hi
I was wondering if anyone has heard of a connection between MSG & Gout. My boyfriend occasionally suffers from Gout. People keep telling him it is from excessive drinking, but he rarely drinks. I have done a small amount of research and know that it also has to do with diet, and recently he has observed it seems to get worse after he has been eating foods known to be high in MSG.
Was just interested to know if anyone has made the same connection or heard of any research that suggests Gout may be associated with MSG.
Thanks. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 7:31 am: | |
Definitely! We hear about it all the time...how people's "gout" cleared up after MSG elimination....along with chronic tendonitis, and symptoms of fibromyalgia, which demonstrate gout-like symptoms. MSG causes many conditons that are often misdiagnosed as something else. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Friday, September 13, 2002 - 6:39 pm: | |
I am extremely swollen due to MSG in homemade yeast bread, and I am miserable...I have only had problems on occasion, but now that I am older, I have had 4 reactions over the last 2 months...I feel 30 pounds heavier due to swelling...My ankles have pitted edema...I am taking Benadryl I am also taking Zyrtec,100mg of B6 and sometimes a diuretic...boy this is scaring me as this has been on again off again for 2 months...Help |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Saturday, September 14, 2002 - 7:15 am: | |
Anonymous,
Remember that MSG can cause Atrial Fibrillation and can be a cause of your swelling. Check your heart. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Saturday, September 14, 2002 - 9:41 am: | |
Why do you say the homemade bread had MSG in it? What were the ingredients? Many medications and vitamins contain fillers, binders, and coatings that contain glutamate...so do gelatin capsules. Try to find out what all the inactive ingredients are in the ones you are currently taking. You may be reacting to one or more of them, not just the bread. Another possiblity is that you may be wheat intolerant. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Friday, December 06, 2002 - 5:43 pm: | |
Anonymous, have you seen your doctor? A friend of mine who is MSG sensitive and also gets terrible reactions to wheat, is now being sent for liver tests. The symptoms are gastrointestinal mostly. Taurine, which regulates heartbeat and is normally made in the liver, seems to help her. Deb A has a point as does Tom. There seems to be some kind of link between wheat sensitivity and MSG sensitivity - we just don't know exactly why this is yet. |
Sue D
| | Posted on Monday, December 30, 2002 - 5:20 am: | |
I just wanted to thank all of you for this wonderful site! I've recently discovered my MSG sensitivity and have learned tremendous amounts from all of your postings. Although I'm still struggling with my diet, your suggestions have helped me to simplify what I'm eating. I've also had many "AHA!" moments--recognizing my own problems as others describe their symptoms. Thanks again. I'll be reading daily. |
Eve Kent
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 7:03 pm: | |
Maybe one of you can help me and answer a few questions for a report in school on MSG:
what are some of the early symtoms fo MSG?
where in the body can get effected?
is MSG more/less harmful at certian ages?
why is it allowed into our foods?
can too much cause obesity?
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT.
THIS WILL REALLY HELP ME ALOT ON MY REPORT. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 8:40 pm: | |
Eve called me tonight and I directed her to this discussion board.
Eve, some of your questions can be answered by going to these great sites, too:
www.msgtruth.org
www.truthinlabeling.org
On our site, www.msgmyth.com, you can click on the left hand menu to learn more about glutamate.
Early symptoms vary from person to person, depending on what part of the brain is more effected by overstimulation and destruction of the neurons. Some say they first get a ringing in the ears and flushing in the face, followed hours later with a headache or stomach pain, diahrea, dizziness,or pain elsewhere. Over years, these symptoms can intensify and new ones can develop, such as depression, inablility to concentrate, and even neurological disorders, such as Lou Gerhig's disease, Parkinson's, fibromyalgia, and more.(ADD and ADHD are also caused by MSG in many children and adults) The FDA warns that pregnant and lactating women, babies, children, and the elderly should avoid MSG. But that is very hard to do since it is in almost every commercially processed food and fast food available. People think that if they don't eat Chinese food, then they are avoiding it, but if you read the list of hidden sources of MSG, then you can see why most people are getting it when they don't even know it.
It is allowed because the food industry makes the FDA and the public believe that it is safe using highly paid lobbyists. Yes, it can cause obesity. Roy, or Tom here, just posted some good links for you to check. You may be able to find them by looking at the left hand menu here, and clicking on "keyword search" under Utilities. Then type in "obesity". All the postings about obsesity should come up. Good luck on your report. I hope others here can help also. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 8:56 pm: | |
Eve, you might click on Tova's posting. I added some more information for her. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 9:02 pm: | |
Will someone here help me find the link to a site that gives the glutamate amounts in most foods? I have had requests for it, and trouble locating it.
Thanks. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 3:26 am: | |
Here's a link giving glutamate content of foods.
http://allergies.about.com/library/blificmsgmyth9.htm |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 8:08 am: | |
Bless you, Roy! |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 9:03 am: | |
MEMorrisNJ, didn't you find a site that will give people the glutamate content of any food they research? Maybe it was someone else. |
Eve Kent
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 10:52 am: | |
Dear Deb A.
Thank you so much for the information!!
It helped a TON
-Eve Kent
p.s.If you were wondering I also gave your web-site address to Tova Smith, she is in my class and has the same report to do, so we both used the information.
thanx again! |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 3:10 pm: | |
Glad to help, Eve! |
MEMorrisNJ
| | Posted on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 5:18 pm: | |
Hi Deb - Perhaps you are thinking about the Nutrient Data Base web site that gives nutrient info (such as glutamine count --- not to be confused with glutamate). Try: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 9:51 am: | |
That may be the one. But I thought there was a site mentioned here that gave the glutamate counts...will keep looking. Thanks! |
MEMorrisNJ
| | Posted on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 5:22 pm: | |
I seem to recall something else but can't find it. FYI, the site at http://www.dogtorj.com/pages/556860/index.htm is for pets but it refers to people diets too and has many references to glutamate and aspartate counts. Also, check out: http://www.doggieconnection.com/recipe/info/index.html |
Judy T
| | Posted on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 11:24 am: | |
Maybe this is what you remember? Natural sources of free glutamate: approximate contents: Packet soups (3500 mg/100 g), tomatoes (246 mg/100 g), broccoli, (200 mg/ 100 g), etc. I don't understand how to rad the listing but it's at http://users.bigpond.net.au/allergydietitian/fi/FI_MSG.html |
Judy T
| | Posted on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 11:26 am: | |
Oh my, my computer says I can't get this site (I copied in 9/22/02). If this looks like what you need I can type the full text or fax it to you. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 3:38 pm: | |
Judy T,
Here's the link with a slight adjustment:
http://users.bigpond.net.au/allergydietitian/fi/msg.html |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Sunday, March 09, 2003 - 1:32 pm: | |
You're all terrific! Thanks for tracking this down for me. Huge hugs to all! |
Judy T
| | Posted on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 2:23 pm: | |
Deb A: A more recent site for Free and Bound Glutamate in Natural Products by Dr. Amy Arrow Yasko at www.serenitycorners.com/new_page_12.htm in her discussion of the role of excitotoxins in autistic behavior... good luck. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 6:22 pm: | |
Thank you VERY much Judy! I will check it out. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Monday, March 17, 2003 - 3:17 pm: | |
Judy T,
Your link opened my eyes to aspartate content, also!
http://www.serenitycorners.com/new_page_12.htm |
Donna
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 7:53 am: | |
Not sure exactly where to post this question. I have been struggling with being sleepy after eating (carbs/fruits). I read something here about reactive hypoglycemia and that really seemed to fit what I was experiencing. How do I ensure I get the carbs I need? I have also experienced mood swings which I know my husband doesn't appreciate lately and didn't realize the connection between reactive hypoglycemia until I went to my nutrition class last night. My nutrition class advocates all natural foods. The book they referred to was "Food and Behavior". Has anyone heard of that book? |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 2:38 pm: | |
Donna,
There's a book by that name on the page linked below:
http://www.alphaomegafood.com/dangerous_foods.htm |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 09, 2004 - 6:07 pm: | |
mY SON IS 8 and for the past 4 weeks, been having horrible headaches, I found this site, when one I know told me about MSG. I am amazed at how many things we/he eats DAILY that may be a trigger in his headaces.
how do you join this area? |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 10:07 pm: | |
Anonymous,
I started having serious reactions to MSG when I was 11. Avoiding MSG and aspartame should work unless there is some other problem. Deb's book will help you make substitutions. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 10:21 am: | |
I spoke with a man from Virginia recently who told me that he has suffered from migraine headaches since he was 5. He is 45. He called to tell me that he and his wife were at a party last month and both ate a sort of vegetable torte. Soon afterwards, both started to react in different ways. Since they had not eaten anything else, his wife asked the woman who made it, what was in it. She told her the recipe, and then said, "I also add MSG to it. It really revves up the flavors". That was the first time they had made the MSG connection to his headaches. He told me he has tried every medication, even strong narcotics. He then did a search on MSG and found our site. Using the info, he and his wife tried to avoid MSG. He said, "I want you to know that this is the first time in 40 years"...then he couldn't go on, due to the emotion he was feeling. He said he has been headache free for 2 1/2 weeks. Anon, it is very important to learn all you can about MSG avoidance. If this is your son's problem after all tests rule out anything else, know that you can avoid foods that contain MSG. It will be worth your every effort. |
paula
| | Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 2:28 pm: | |
Anon, the best thing you could have done for your son is to find this site. It is a change to take all msg out of your diet, but it is a really good one.
My son (3) started having seizures due to msg, and since taking it out of his food, it has also helped his stomach pains, behaviour & persistant runny nose.
As you start to cook more food from scratch, you will soon find that the food you eat is so much nicer and you will probably find you feel much better in yourself as well. Just find the different foods that you can make batches of, so you can still go to the freezer and pull something out if there is no time to cook. You will be able to make all of your sons favourite foods just by making some easy substitutions.
Good luck |
Ted
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 2:00 pm: | |
Does milk have MSG in it? What about organic milk? I just discovered this site. I have suspected that MSG has been making me ill for years, but never knew about the hidden stuff and different names for MSG. I thank you very much for your site. In doing a search on MSG, I found the pros and cons about it. I can't believe what some people say. I'm guessing they must want to believe MSG is safe or they work in restaurants or sell it. I got seizures once after eating Doritos. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 4:55 pm: | |
Ted, organic whole milk is best. Low fat varieties contain dry milk to pump up the flavor and make them thicker. Milk that has been dried or highly processed, such as evaporated milk or similar products, will contain more glutamate. I have done fine with organic whole milk, but go easy since all milk in high in natural glutamate. I'm not sure about the organic low fat varities, as they may add organic dry milk, which may cause us some problem.
Anyone here ever had any luck with organic lower fat milk? |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 8:15 am: | |
Has anyone here ever had any luck with low fat organic milk? Brand? |
jolts
| | Posted on Friday, May 28, 2004 - 10:13 am: | |
Hello everyone.
I've made the msg connection thanks to a google search that brought me here. I had something great happen yesterday avoiding msg. But if you don't mind I will post either tonight or tomorrow about it, little busy right now. Just wanted to say hello.
Thanks...Pat Sr |
jolts
| | Posted on Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 7:18 pm: | |
Hello gang.
This is a followup to my first post above. My name is Pat Gallagher Sr, 52 y/o male, & I live in New Jersey. A little while back I very much suspected I have fibro & had so for a very long time. Was not tested though. Then I was reading up on one of the fibro links that I had & it mentioned how msg could be the culprit. Did a google search & it led me here. Looked over the symptoms list & I have just about every one. So I made the msg connection. I've done a lot of reading on this forum already & it all makes sense. But I can see this is not going to be easy. Most likely my biggest problem is eating too many frozen dinners. I always knew frozen dinners weren't really good for you but then I never realized that msg could be doing this to my
health. My worst symptom I would have to say is my neck. Alot of pain, very tight muscles, & very intense burning which would have me leaning over in pain & would interfear with work. I'm already following the supplement protocol followed here for blocking out the msg...CoQ10, taurine, zinc, vit B6, Mag. Orotate. After only the second day on this stuff I had the most amazing thing happen. While my wife & I were at Lowe's the other day we were walking around & I noticed something with my lower back. There was no pain. It kinda felt numb. I felt very limber. It actually felt weird, I was not use to this. I honestly have to say I never felt this good my entire life...including when I was a kid. Now that is amazing!! I've also purchased Deb A's book. As soon as I got it I went right away to her recipes & right away made one of her caserole dishes & let me tell ya...it was great! One of the best tasting meals I ever had. But I also did get a little reaction. I think it was the carrots fromGrimmway. I did read early on to watch out for Grimmway for it's auxigro but I forgot. Great book Debby...I really like it!! I also got the excitotoxins book by Blaylock...boy I got some reading to do. Also checking out links shown on this forum. I can see though this is not going to be easy...I'm not a cook. But I'm willing to try. BTW...if anyone is curious of my user name the reason is because I get these very violent jumps in my chest mostly when trying to sleep so that is why I call myself jolts. Is anybody here familiar with Curezone.com? That's where I'm from with the same username. There are a lot of health forums there. I follow a lot of protocols there such as liver & kidney flushing & colon cleansing. There's some discussion about msg on that site to but not like here...here you make the msg connection. I owe a lot to Curezone, they have done a lot for me. For starters, I've avoided gallbladder surgery. All kinds of health benefits, currently zapping myself to better health. I'd like to thank Debby A for this site & her book & also to other members on this forum for their knowledge as I'm already seeing the
health benefits. Sorry for the long post but I thought I'd introduce myself.
Thanks a bunch!...Pat Sr |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 9:40 pm: | |
Pat, we're very happy that you found us and have made the MSG connection. Keep learning and allow yourself to make some mistakes along the way...it will get easier. It is the most wonderful thing when we hear from people like you who are reclaiming their health. I sure can relate to that discovery you made while at Lowe's. It's a miracle after years of pain to know that our bodies can heal so much after so much abuse due to food additives. Take care and keep avoiding MSG! (So glad to hear you are enjoying the book, too). Hope your "jolts" in
the night have subsided, also. That's a commonly reported reaction to MSG...so is gall bladder disease. Please let others at the sites you mentioned know about us and MSG. |
jolts
| | Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 5:09 am: | |
Deb A.
Nice to hear from you. About those jumps I get in my chest. You said "That's a commonly reported reaction to MSG...so is gall bladder disease." Can you tell me where this is documented? This problem is actually much worse than I reported. I don't know if this would be called seizures or what. I've been to doctors but they don't have the any idea. I had this problem for a few years & I've been searching but I'm not getting anywhere. I don't wish to go to another doc, but I would like to at least read about it to least confirm what I have.
Thanks...Pat Sr |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 4:13 pm: | |
Racing heart and irregular heart beat are probably discussed here as much as migraine and neurological disorders as being attributed to MSG. Dr/ Blaylock's book, "Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills" explains more of the physiological effects of glutamate on the cardio system...also, there's some good info at site www.msgtruth.org. Go to the menu at the left here and click on Keyword Search and you can find some of the discussions about chest pain/seizures, neck pain, and the effects of MSG. You said that you got my book and went straight to the recipes. I hope you read the first 80 pages! And if you have, read them again, as I tell everyone to do...there's lots of info and it's easy to be overwhelmed or to miss something that may help you identify some food or supplement that is still giving you reactions...most of the time it's something as simple as a vitamin or medication...fillers, coatings, and binders and gelcaps all contain glutamate sources. You just made the MSG connection from what you say and although the CoQ10 and other supplements may help some people, avoiding food that contains MSG is the best way to get well. You're new to this and you need to allow yourself time to learn and to have some set backs. And please be careful of the kind of supplements you get. They may be the culprits that contain enough glutamate to tip the scales against you. I can only tolerate pure powder forms of calcium and CoQ10 (no fillers or additives). I don't take them every day, since I get some from the fresh foods that I eat. Since you have had tests and the doctors can't give you a reason, I'd guess that you are still getting too much glutamate from your diet. Yes, it is hard at first to make such a lifestyle change, but keep reading and learning and it will become second nature to eat right. Dr. Blaylock says that seizures are caused by the overstimulation of brain cells by excess glutamate. I've talked with many people on the phone who have had your symptoms, but that is not the science you are looking for. You can read some people's stories at www.msgmyth.com. Also, there is the book, "In Bad Taste: The MSG Symptom Complex by Dr. George Schwartz. As for the neck pain, I endured that for years...terrible...it usually started in the back of my neck in one spot and would burn and ache terribly. All your symptoms are in fact, listed in the books I've mentioned and on the front page of mine. Try keeping of journal of all you eat for a few weeks. Add at the beginning of the day and end of the day how you feel. And begin circling some of the suspicious foods. You should begin to see a common thread. Take care and hang in there! I promise if you do some research you'll, first, convince yourself that MSG and sulfites are worth avoiding and are causing your reactions, and that second, it will get easier to avoid as you keep learning more and cooking your own foods from scratch. |
jolts
| | Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 6:00 pm: | |
Thanks Deb A... for taking the time to help me out!
Pat Sr |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 11:10 am: | |
You're very welcome! |
Nick Scott
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 8:16 pm: | |
I just found this board. Last Fall I ate lunch at a local chinese place, followed by dinner at a franchise buffet place. After a few hours, I walked into a new Home Improvement Center. I felt a blister on my lip. I thought an insect had bitten me. I had trouble breathing, which as a lifelong asthmatic was not so unusual. My breathing became more difficult. As I could not maintain Oxygen, I became confused and disoriented. I finally had the store call an ambulance. The paramedic discovered I was covered in hives an having an anaphylactic shock reation, which was causing my throat to lock up. Quick reaction from the paramedic saved my life. The hospital bill and ambulance ride cost me about $2,500. The cause was unknown. A few months later I did the same thing. I ate lunch at the same chinese place (General Tso's Chicken), followed by dinner at a mexican fast food place. Within 45 minutes I was breaking out in hives. By the time I got to the hospital, I was unable to breathe. I was able to give the doctor directions on how to save me and he fought me every inch of the way. Doctors don't take advice very well. Another $2,500 bill. This time I suspected that MSG was the problem. I eliminated MSG from my diet. I noticed several things. I had no compulsion to eat. I did not feel lethargic after eating. I lost 20 pounds, no problem. I feel MSG is a nerve stimulator that works to enhance taste, but also works on the brain to increase appetite. It is the reason you can't eat just one. Trying to eliminate MSG and its associates from my diet is very difficult. Reading labels, calling 800 numbers and working on the internet has resulted in no hives for eight months. I think I just overdosed on a chemical that I was unaware was always effecting me whenever I consumed it. Does the CDC know about this? |
Carol S.
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 8:26 am: | |
Nick,
Welcome aboard. Thanks for sharing your story. I too have the same reaction to MSG. I've been MSG/Soy free since February 4th 2004. I've lost almost 40 pounds and feel great. I totally agree with your your idea about msg and compulsion to eat. Keep up the good work. If you haven't already purchased Deb's book and if you enjoy cooking the recipes will help you continue living a MSG free life. Best wishes. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 6:14 am: | |
i have just realized what was causing my almost-intolerable leg pain. i love oriental food and i found myself eating at different places within a three-week span, including, chinese, japanese, thai, korean, and cantonese. it took me a while to notice that every time i ate oriental food, my legs were in dire pain! the legs (from hips to ankles) were very achy and felt as if i had been severely beaten! the symptoms also included restless nights, sleep disorder, depression, and tiredness after a night's sleep. i also found myself to be too fatigued to even exercise, because the pain was chronic. the pain usually begins within 30 minutes to 6 hours after eating MSG containing-foods. the pain will last 2 to 8 hours per episode. (fyi: i discovered that thai food was the most painful and pain usually began as i was taking the last bite of my meal!) the pain was relieved by resting and taking anti-inflammatory medication. i am now making every effort to read labels at the grocery store and i stay away from my most-favorite food in the world...oriental food. i feel much better now! cm |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 7:43 pm: | |
cm, we are happy for you. Some people don't have any idea that MSG toxicity is causing their terrible disorders. Please keep feeling better, and spread the word! |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 8:42 am: | |
Nick and Carol S., Lab animals are routinely given MSG to make them obese for certain tests by scientists. Wouldn't it be ironic if the tests were about finding the causes for obesity or how to lose weight...hello? Are they blind? |
Carol S.
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 6:41 am: | |
Hi Deb, Yes, I knew about the link between MSG and obesity, I'm living proof. My husband can't believe his eyes as he watches me melt away. This weight loss has been consistent since February. I'll keep you posted. Last night I went out to dinner with my mother who is blind. My guess is she lost her sight due to MSG and Aspartame, anyway I suggested we take the guacamole off her taco salad because of the high content of added MSG and she got upset so I let her eat it. After dinner she said she felt like she had gained 10 pounds cuz her stomach was so swollen. My sister has a lot of skin issues and when she was 5 years old, she swelled up so badly that her eyes and ears closed, she was in the hospital for months. To this day, no one in my family will accept my theroy about MSG. By the way, three out of four of us kids have had a weight problem since we were around 12 year old.
Anyway, I'm grateful I found this site. I'm always adding to my knowledge my keeping up with this discussion board. Thanks to you all!!! |
Louis
| | Posted on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 9:19 am: | |
Is there a rice protein powder that I can take that would be safer than soy? I travel a lot and would like to have something I can eat in a pinch. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 8:35 am: | |
Sorry this has taken so long to answer. One product that was suggested and that I purchased was NutriBiotic Vegan Rice protein (Lakeport CA 95453)...plain or vanilla. No heat or chemicals are used to make it. Enzymes are used to separate the protein from the starch. Still, it will contain free glutamic acid. I wouldn't suggest using it often or every day, though. I thought it would be good to have when traveling. Has anyone else ever tried this product? |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 8:42 am: | |
Here is a list of the amino acid amounts in this product. I'm not familiar with the measure or numbers...milligrams?
Is Rice Protein considered a complete protein? How does it compare to whey?
"The term “complete protein” refers to the inclusion of all nine essential amino acids. Rice Protein contains these nine amino acids, plus all other non-essential amino’s. All ingredients in our rice protein are naturally occurring components of the actual rice. We have added nothing to our product. For individuals looking for specific rations of amino acids, the following chart will be helpful. Persons on restrictive diets would do well to consult their health care practitioner or nutritionist before adopting or rejecting use of the rice protein. We cannot recommend use of our product to treat conditions other than hunger.
Amino Acid
Whey Protein
Rice Protein
Alanine
735
521
Arginine
225
1156
Aspartic Acid
1755
1269
Cysteine
315
unknown
Cystine
315
242
Glutamic Acid
2925
2187
Glycine
180
490
Histidine*
315
350
Isoleucine*
870
544
Leucine*
1650
943
Lysine*
1410
627
Methionine*
225
178
Phenylalanine*
405
600
Proline
975
592
Serine
765
602
Threonine*
1080
432
Tryptophan*+
195
205
Tyrosine
375
462
Valine*
795
600
*Essential Amino Acids + Naturally Occurring **Ratios are based on a 15g serving. |
Kevin Adams
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - 8:34 am: | |
A letter to all MSG haters:
Why does everyone think MSG is the reason why they are feeling sick? Yes, MSG can cause symptoms to those who are "sensitive" to the substance, but often "MSG-sensitiveness" is seen with a Vitamin B6 deficiency. Companies do not attempt to "Hide" MSG in their products. When it is not listed on the label, it's in such small quantities (.05mg or less) it would not make a difference. A big thing could be tolerance also. I used to be very allergic to peanuts. Peanuts were my favorite food. So I continued to eat peanuts (with painful effects) but after a while, it didn't bother me anymore. In a recent allergy test my reaction to it decreased by 80%. The wonderful thing about the human body is that it has the ability to adapt. The problems with these days are diets (such as Atkins) which in many cases are just nutrient deficiency (yes you are starving yourself) and fear of "chemicals". I previously posted about chemicals and how the food itself is a chemical. As a chemist, I know for a fact that the chemicals used to preserve foods are not detrimental to your health (in most cases).
The whole God's Food post was also pitiful. What about mad cow disease? salmonella? there are thousands of deadly bacteria (certain cases viruses) inside of meat, but no mention is made of that.
So I close this to leave you to your eating of bland, tasteless, colorless, foods; knowing that I'm having a wonderful stir fry tonight, with spicy schezwan sauce and a little dash of soy sauce to complete the equation. I will be consuming this with homogenized milk (which also contains what you may call "chemicals".)
-Kevin
-Graduate Student in Qualitative Analytic Organic Chemistry at Purdue University
PS: if you wish to contact me, please do not just post on the board, I would much rather you email me at kadamczy@purdue.edu and please do not take offense to anything I said in my post, it is only a musing and observation. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - 12:34 pm: | |
See my other postings on Kevin's "opinion".
I also worked in the R&D pesticide lab for Black Flag insectides. I understand organic chemistry since I also studied that at Rutgers. I worked closely with toxicologists and understand the workings of neurotoxins. Pesticides don't cause cancer in bugs, they derail their nervous systems. Like endocrine-disrupting MSG.
Kevin, I have researched the topic of MSG for over a decade. I was researching MSG when you were probably still in Little League. Please post on a "we love toxic chemicals" website - if you can find one. I don't appreciate you misleading folks into thinking all chemicals are good - especially MSG.
Oh, no offense.
- Carol A. Hoernlein, P.E.
- Founder MSGTruth.org
- Graduate Cook College- Rutgers University - Food Science
- Graduate Rutgers College of Engineering - Agricultural Engineering
R&D Industry Experience:
American Home Products, Reckitt & Colman, M&M/Mars
Thomas J. Lipton |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 9:26 am: | |
Thank you, Carol. Close mindedness is the reason so many people are still suffering. I can't begin to number all the people I have spoken with in the last few years who have had test after doctors' tests, only to be told after the patient brought up the subject of MSG as a possible cause for their symptoms, that there was nothing to that folly talk. Finally, in a brave and last attempt to reclaim their health, and taking it into their own hands, did they find the answer to be, in fact, MSG elimination. BTW, I am not surprised that we are hearing from more detractors. There have been more news and magazine articles about the health effects of MSG recently. We have sold 60 books in the last 10 days...a record. That means one thing. The word is spreading and the glutes and any people linked to the food industry..even chemists, must be on the warpath. Of course, all this is speculation....as some would believe that is all we deal in. ALL MSG must be labeled if it is present. Where did this chemist get his numbers? The problem is, it does not have to be labeled if it is part of an additive that is 3, 40, and even 60% glutamate. Accent or pure MSG is 78% glutamate. That's why such additives as autolyzed yeast, whey and soy protein, hydrolyzed protein, and 70 + glutamate rich products are added to foods today. The unwary consumer doesn't know what is hitting him. Sulfites must be labeled if they are present in more amounts than 10 parts per million, but MSG can be sneaked into food via these other additives rich in glutamate. I used to eat Chinese food and lots of MSG for 26 years without trouble. Glutamate toxicity can trigger in at any age. I hope this chemist stays well. |
Fran
| | Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 2:46 pm: | |
Kevin
Speak for yourself about bland and tasteless food. I feel sorry for you if you think that food without MSG is tasteless. It just shows you how far the chemical world has corrupted our natural foods when they force grow all veggies leaving them tasteless - and fed and fattened our live stock with diets that are not natural - changing not only the essential fat ratio's but the taste too.
I remember thinking once that my sense of taste must have gone because carrots didn't taste of carrots anymore. And beef didn't taste of beef anymore. Until I grew some real carrots and got some meat from my neighbours cow - who fed on the hills behind my house. My food tastes wonderful now, fresh and light and really invigorating.
It is only because foods have been allowed to be force grown or farmed that taste has gone. And isn't that even greater for the MSG industry. Not only can they put even less ingredients in, they can use substandard cheap ones too.
You keep your MSG.
But if you keep on eating it you too will soon run out of vit B6, magnesium etc. Then we can welcome you to the club too.
Also I would just like to say that MSG only needs to be put on a label if it is added in its purest form. So as Debby says MSG is added because it is a large make up of other ingredients too.
Oh how lovely for you to still be living in that sheltered world where everything feels safe. Rue the day when you wake up and realise it is all just an illusion created by a greedy world and drugs in your food.
I'll stay in my natural world and you can stay in your chemical world. The two of us don't mix. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Sunday, October 31, 2004 - 8:15 am: | |
Amen, Fran! I feel so sorry for anyone addicted to foods that are full of MSG and chemicals to make them savory and appealing. I was that way. I didn't know how wonderful a real apple tasted again until I got MSG out of my system. Everything real began to taste as they did to me as a child. Before, I wasn't happy with a snack unless it was power packed with the intense flavorings that only MSG seemed to give, like Doritos or fast foods. It dominated my taste sensors making me crave Chinese foods and all kinds of "flavored" pseudo-food creations. Now when I pass a McDonalds, I get nauseous just thinking about all the junk foods I ate there once and the number they did on my health. I was so ill, I had one foot in the grave, but I still craved my favorite junk foods, not knowing about MSG.
I thought of Kevin's comments as I served my family shrimp and scallop fettucine with a mixed green salad with fresh vinaigrette dressing that was heavenly. They loved my fresh banana walnut cake and homemade vanilla ice cream. Bland? I think not. And our mealtimes are family times that are priceless. We actually sit down and visit at the table, not dash into a grocery store for a tired pizza or hamburgers and fries made with soy protein, MSG, and beef tallow, or a chemically enhanced barbecued bird that has been on the rotisserie for hours. Our meals remind us of Grandma's style of eating and that, my friend, is a thousand times more nourishing than anything prepared in a deli, restaurant, or grocery store. I served dessert to some friends, recently, and their teenage son was amazed that my whipped cream for his apple pie didn't come out of an aerosol can. Sad. I know young housewives who can't make a meal from scratch to save their lives. Very sad, indeed. |
Jerry Story
| | Posted on Sunday, October 31, 2004 - 10:51 pm: | |
Kevin Adams wrote:
"Companies do not attempt to "Hide" MSG in their products. When it is not listed on the label, it's in such small quantities (.05mg or less) it would not make a difference."
Companies -do- hide MSG, intentionally, maliciously.
http://www.rense.com/general35/hidd.htm
--[quote]--
Dr. Blaylock recounted a meeting with a senior executive in the food additive industry who told him point blank that these excitotoxins are going to be in our food no matter how many name changes are necessary...
--[end quote]--
About amount. Any amount that makes a difference in taste is too much. Any amount that is not enough to make a difference in taste is not enough to achieve their purpose, which is to improve taste. |
Donna W.
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 7:19 am: | |
I think I may have a MSG sensitivity. I wake up most mornings with both arms and hands numb, slightly swollen tongue, and painful joints in my feet. During the day it all goes away. I also have food cravings and some depression. Any suggestions as to where to start with regard to figuring out if it is MSG would be so appreciated. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 8:18 am: | |
Donna, your symptoms are very typical of MSG toxicity. You can find a list of aliases for hidden glutamate (harmful component of MSG) on our site at www.msgmyth.com. Make a copy and try to avoid any processed foods that contain them. I suggest to people that they buy some short grain brown rice and cook up several cups of it and keep it covered in the fridge. Buy some organic whole milk or original Rice Dream plain (blue box and nothing added) and eat the rice with milk and cane sugar or honey, warm or cold. Eat well washed fresh vegetables that are steamed or sauteed in olive oil or butter (cream and salt only). Eat fresh fruits (peal apples and pears) and only drink lots of water. Do this for at least 3 days and see how you feel. You can also fry some of the rice in some butter/olive oil and eat seasoned with salt and pepper and tossed with some cooked veggies, it you like. Find a good whole milk mozzarella cheese or colby-jack (Costco has a good one that is already sliced) to eat, also. (No aged cheeses) Introduce some meat that has no additives. Most Hormel pork has been injected with chemicals to make it tender. You might try buying some meat from a butcher shop, asking about how it is treated. Also, if you are taking any supplement or meds that are not vital, stop taking them for a while. Our book, available at our site, was witten to help newcomers to MSG sensitivity. You can read about it there, if you like. This is not an advertisement. But do read all you can about MSG. Wonderful sites are www.msgtruth.org and www.truthinlabeling.org. Good luck to you in finding the source of your health problems. I certainly can personally relate to your symptoms. |
Sande D.
| | Posted on Monday, January 24, 2005 - 8:58 am: | |
Dear Deb: What an absolute relief to find your website. I have just gone through a series of cardio tests because of extreme difficulty in breathing. Turns out, my heart is fine, my arteries are clear. When I was younger, I had no problems. But I began to notice this problem of a breathing difficulty and reaction to something many years ago in brief episodes after eating. I noticed a few years ago that this problem was occuring more regularly. But it has now developed into a daily dilemna. ANYTHING I eat causes this breathing difficulty. However, I also noticed that fresh fruit (insides) did not. I've been telling doctors for years that I have a reaction or allergy to some kind of flavor enhancer or preservative and they all look at me like I'm some kind of a nut to question them, or worse, make my own diagnosis. After reading these postings and seeing ALL my symptoms and reactions being experienced by other people, I now know that I have to take the bull by the horns and do what I should have done years ago. Listen to my inner voice, take hold, and get active in my own "treatment." Thank you, thank you, everyone, for helping me with this very scary experience. I will be ordering the book. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Monday, January 24, 2005 - 11:15 am: | |
Sande, we are always so thrilled when we hear from someone who has made the MSG connection to their reactions. You sound like my son-in-law. He was in his last year of dental school. He was class pres. plus he had major finals and boards to study for. Since he was so busy, he began to buy food from machines or fast food places, or that quick candy bar to keep him charged. Soon he was being rushed to the emergency room for rapid heart beat and chest pain. He also had difficulty breating. They did all the testing with no findings. His wife, my daughter, always fixed meals that were MSG free at home, but he had stopped going home for lunch. After the 3rd visit to the ER, she once again suggested that it was MSG. Twice before he had said that was HER family's problem and not his (although she knew all the health problems his mom , dad and some siblings had, were all classic MSG reactions). This time he listened and told her he wanted her to pack all his lunches from then on. All his symptoms disappeared. He lost weight almost immediately, (and not from eating less), and told her had more energy than he could remember. He is now very careful and sends many of his patients our way. His dad does all his own MSG free cooking since his wife doesn't like to cook. She takes prescibed meds in preference to abstaining from MSG. They just cover the problem, for a short time. She is sick all the time. Yes, listen to what you sense in your gut....your body never lies about the fact that it is reacting to a toxic substance....especially when you know all the tests come up negative. Best wishes to you. Remember, keep learning and reading and give yourself the time and mistakes it takes to change old eating habits to healthier ones. It is worth every effort. Glad you found us!! |
Rich C.
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 2:16 pm: | |
Hi everyone,
I'm new here, I feel like I joined a club that I never wanted to be a part of (one of several I've been in :-)). Anyhow, I guess I'm just posting for a little encouragement. I had made somewhat of a connection the last couple years to MSG in Chinese food after noticing the "glazed over" feeling I had the next day. But I didn't realize exactly how pervasive it was until last month when I had been noticing ongoing symptoms such as fatigue and rash that I had no explanation for. Anyhow, I found this site. I ordered Debby's book and it's been helpful. This has been a difficult transition for me since I'm a single guy who has eaten almost entirely processed foods and eating out. I've been very frustrated of late trying to incorporate it all, though the grace of God has been there to cope. The worst thing is the not knowing what is and isn't safe. The next worse thing is not being able to eat what I want when I want. DRAG! Anyhow, any suggestions for the convenience non-cooking oriented would be appreciated. I've been eating lots of rice, beans, veggies, fruits etc. but think I'm still having some reaction (OK I've cheated too). My latest questions are, can ground beef and canned beans and boxed rice have MSG?
Anyhow thanks again to Debby for this site. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 8:15 am: | |
Where are you buying your beef? I have to go to a butcher and try to find some that has the least amount of chemicals added. I buy ground round and sirloin that they trim and grind fresh. I tried buying it from grocery stores and had reactions. Fast food hamburgers often have MSG added. As for canned beans, I do best with S & W brand. The ones at many grocery stores, including Super Walmart, contain MSG. Compare ingredients list with list in book or at sites. Boxed rice? What do you mean? The seasoned or converted type? Avoid both. All white rice has been coated with glutamate containing substances like glucose, corn starch, even some corn syrup solids sometimes which serve to bind the added artifical vitamins to the surface of the rice. If you use white rice, place it in a strainer and rinse VERY well until the water runs clear under it. Then cook it. I like to use short brown rice. Either way, they are easy to cook. Brown rice needs no rinsing. Place 3 cups of rice (brown or rinsed white)in a pot with 6 cups of water, 1/2 t. of salt and 1/2 t. of cane sugar, if desired. Bring to a boil, turn heat down to lowest setting, cover and let steam for 20 minutes (white rice) or 40 minutes (brown rice). Keep leftovers in fridge or preezer for later use. Have you found some safe chicken breasts? I do okay with Foster Farms or Draper Valley. Look for labels that say "no additives or preservatives". It's best to use poultry that is raised and processed in your region. Wash well in a bowl of water in sink. Slice boneless breasts (for faster cooking) or keep pieces whole. Simmer in olive oil with some of your favorite herbs and salt and pepper. Add some cayenne for dash. You can bake some potatoes or sweet potatoes or butternut squash (cut in half lengthwise and remove seeds first). Fresh brocoli is very easy to prepare, as are most fresh veggies. Simply place in a warm bowl of sudsy water (3 drops of Dawn) and swish to remove the waxy coatings). Rinse well. Cut up. Place in steamer or simmer in a little water (or microwave, although it's been reported that microwaves destroy some of the vitamins). Buy fresh fruits and if you don't like eating them raw, peel and simmer with some water as for applesauce or poached pears. I realize that cooking for yourself is never easy. But you are still new to this, and you need to be fair to yourself. It takes time to learn a new eating/cooking style. Please don't give up. I remember how hard it was for me to give up some of my favorite snacks and foods. But now I don't even think of them. I've learned to substitute or make something close or even better. Feeling good is what it's all about. Have you tried baking the Magic Cake in the book? It is the easiest thing to do. Give it a try. Most of the recipes are easy. Don't be afraid to use the recipes. If you have a question about cooking any of them, email me! |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 8:20 am: | |
Where are you buying your beef? I have to go to a butcher and try to find some that has the least amount of chemicals added. I buy ground round and sirloin that they trim and grind fresh. I tried buying it from grocery stores and had reactions. Fast food hamburgers often have MSG added. As for canned beans, I do best with S & W brand. The ones at many grocery stores, including Super Walmart, contain MSG. Compare ingredients list with list in book or at sites. Boxed rice? What do you mean? The seasoned or converted type? Avoid both. All white rice has been coated with glutamate containing substances like glucose, corn starch, even some corn syrup solids sometimes which serve to bind the added artifical vitamins to the surface of the rice. If you use white rice, place it in a strainer and rinse VERY well until the water runs clear under it. Then cook it. I like to use short brown rice. Either way, they are easy to cook. Brown rice needs no rinsing. Place 3 cups of rice (brown or rinsed white)in a pot with 6 cups of water, 1/2 t. of salt and 1/2 t. of cane sugar, if desired. Bring to a boil, turn heat down to lowest setting, cover and let steam for 20 minutes (white rice) or 40 minutes (brown rice). Keep leftovers in fridge or preezer for later use. Have you found some safe chicken breasts? I do okay with Foster Farms or Draper Valley. Look for labels that say "no additives or preservatives". It's best to use poultry that is raised and processed in your region. Wash well in a bowl of water in sink. Slice boneless breasts (for faster cooking) or keep pieces whole. Simmer in olive oil with some of your favorite herbs and salt and pepper. Add some cayenne for dash. You can bake some potatoes or sweet potatoes or butternut squash (cut in half lengthwise and remove seeds first). Fresh brocoli is very easy to prepare, as are most fresh veggies. Simply place in a warm bowl of sudsy water (3 drops of Dawn) and swish to remove the waxy coatings). Rinse well. Cut up. Place in steamer or simmer in a little water (or microwave, although it's been reported that microwaves destroy some of the vitamins). Buy fresh fruits and if you don't like eating them raw, peel and simmer with some water as for applesauce or poached pears. I realize that cooking for yourself is never easy. But you are still new to this, and you need to be fair to yourself. It takes time to learn a new eating/cooking style. Please don't give up. I remember how hard it was for me to give up some of my favorite snacks and foods. But now I don't even think of them. I've learned to substitute or make something close or even better. Feeling good is what it's all about. Have you tried baking the Magic Cake in the book? It is the easiest thing to do. Give it a try. Most of the recipes are easy. Don't be afraid to use the recipes. If you have a question about cooking any of them, email me! |
Rich C.
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 2:32 pm: | |
Hi Deb,
I have been using the instant plain brown rice, Uncle Ben's, is that bad? Guess I have to do the real stuff! Aargh! The beef was from a grocery store, is that often bad? I bought chicken that said no preservatives or additives, so I guess that's safe. I'm reacting to something, might be the Quaker Oats oatmeal too? ALso I looked closely and even the butter I bought had "Natural flavor" as an ingredient.
I need to sit down w/ your book and really write out a longer list of stuff to buy, I've done some stuff but I'm so convenience oriented, looking at recipes etc. is just not something I do very much of. I can email w/ more questions so as to not take up too much space here.
Thanks again!
Rich |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 10:27 am: | |
Hi Rich. We all are convenience oriented! As one gets better at shopping and cooking, it does get easier. Best to use the most unprocessed foods available...the word to remember is processed. Don't be afraid of real food closest to how it's found in nature. Forget the Quaker's oatmeal. I have tried it several times and have reacted. It may be treated with sulfur dioxide (preservative that many of us are allergic too...there's a chapter in the book about that) in storage, or it may be that they add BHT to the packing material...many cereal boxes are treated with this preservative that is banned in many western countries. Find butter that says cream and salt only. Get used to using olive oil and/or butter to saute vegetables in...it's delicious. Make a fast salad dressing with 1 part olive oil, 1/2 part fresh lemon juice, a teaspoon of organic mustard and blend. Season with salt, pepper, sugar or honey if you like. If it's too strong, add a little water. I like to make an Italian vinaigrette with organic apple cider vinegar, olive oil, dry oregano, hot pepper flakes, salt and pepper...bit of mustard is good in that, too. Sometimes I add a pinch of salt. Use canning salt.I have lemons on hand all the time. They are handy for dressings, lemonade, etc. And please read the first 80 pages of the book at least a couple times. I suggest that to everyone. There is a whole chapter that is about what to shop for. The basics are there. What's nice about rice, Rich, is that you can cook up 5 or more cups and then put it in freezer bags and freeze for later use. Or keep a bowl of it in the fridge and eat it all week. It's even good with milk (organic whole or use plain Rice Dream rice milk) and cinnamon sugar. It's good fried up with some onions and vegetables or heated and eaten with butter. Hang in there, and remember, avoid anything that says "natural flavor". |
Carol H
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 01, 2005 - 8:28 am: | |
Rich, hard-boiled eggs are also good to have in the fridge. As for snacks, sometimes I bake a whole eggplant with a few cloves of garlic in it, then I puree it and add salt and lemon juice. I use it during the week as a snack by using it as a dip with a safe bread or vegetables. Pitted dates thrown in a blender with some Rice Dream makes a nice sweet shake. If you tolerate fresh mozzarella, a little melted on a plain rice cake in the microwave makes a good snack too (I think that recipe came from MEMorris). If you can find a safe pocketless pita bread you tolerate - top it with some fresh basil, fresh chicken meat, vegetables, and fresh mozzarella and bake till the meat is cooked - makes a great instant pizza. Vary the toppings, but the crust always turns out perfect. Almonds seem to be well tolerated - as long as they have nothing added. Try to find some quick things that are easy. Frozen fruit is good to have on hand - it makes good smoothies and doesn't go bad so quickly. When you go to the butcher and get good meat, separate it, make hamburger patties or single serving size portions, and wrap them separately. That way when you crave a burger, steak, etc. it is all ready to throw on the grill, or quickly defrost to make into a recipe (meatballs or taco meat or meatloaf). |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 01, 2005 - 8:55 pm: | |
I just found a large jar of Kalamata(pitted) olives from Greece at our local Costco. I love the flavor of them, but most of the ones I have found have citric acid or natural flavors added. This jar said no additives or preservatives. They are a wonderful addition to Italian dishes, pizzas, etc. I put about a half cup of kalamata olives with a can of rinsed S& W black olives in a processor with a small clove of garlic, some red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper...and a little olive oil and/or water or organic apple cider vinegar to moisten. It blends up into a great dip for veggies like celery or topping for toasted bread (homemade or a safe commercial rustic bread). I really enjoyed reading your suggestions, Carol. Gave me some good ideas, too. I make fruit smoothies all year long. I freeze berries, fresh cut up pineapple, even apples to add to them. Mike likes them without milk or rice milk. Just fruit, sugar, and water...pinch of salt. I even freeze peeled bananas to make them along with mangoes. A squirt of lemon or lime juice is great in them. Fresh orange juice is good in them, too. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2005 - 8:51 pm: | |
You people are so uneducated it is silly MSG is not a poison it is naturally found in alot of foods we eat since it is a natural protein. Look at the FDA site and see for yourself. Tomatoes are natural sources of MSG. Read the facts i mean real scientific evidence and than decide for yourself. b |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Friday, April 01, 2005 - 2:17 am: | |
Anonymous,
I have looked at more than just the one site you mention. You have overlooked the fact that glutamate appears in both bound and unbound forms and that the latter is used differently by the body. For more detail see:
http://www.truthinlabeling.org/III.What%20is%20MSG.html |
Corine
| | Posted on Friday, April 01, 2005 - 4:04 am: | |
Anon - Read past posts by using both the Search function and Tree View. |
patrick
| | Posted on Friday, April 01, 2005 - 1:02 pm: | |
Anonymous or b,
The FDA also approved Vioxx. They did testing on that too..so believe them and the money corperations if you wish, but for those who suffer from MSG, know the truth. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Friday, April 01, 2005 - 3:12 pm: | |
Anon, you must work for the food industry in some way. You are wasting your time here. BTW, MSG is NOT found in tomatoes or milk, the bones in our bodies, mushrooms, etc. But the amino acid, bound glutamate, is. MSG is the name given to the factory produced sodium salt of free glutamate...fermented from corn most often...and its peptide linkages have been destroyed rendering it free (free form glutamate or glutamic acid) to enter our bloodstream 8 to 10 times faster than bound, naturally occurring glutamate found in tomatoes, milk, etc. When bound glutamate is in its natural, normal state, the digestive system slowly releases it into our system as it is supposed to do. If the average person got most of their glutamate this way, there would be no problem (nor would we have the terrible rising epidemics of autism, obesity, neurological disorders like fibromyalgia, ALS and Alzheimer's, ADD, asthma, endocrine disorders and much more) But since the amount of MSG | |
