| Author |
Message |
MEMorrisNJ
| | Posted on Thursday, November 01, 2001 - 2:12 pm: |    |
What herbs and homeopathic remedies do you recommend to (1) minimize reactions before a possible exposure to MSG and (2) counteract reactions after they occur?
What readings do you suggest? |
cheryl
| | Posted on Thursday, November 01, 2001 - 4:06 pm: | |
MEMorris, I've been using homeopath remedies quite often for my family. We haven't used allopath medicines for several weeks now and I'm finding they work great for so many symptoms. It can be a little difficult at times to match the remedy with your system and you have to really study and be a little patient with them. Ofen now I'm able to choose the right remedy for a certain symptom but sometimes it takes 2 or 3 tries. Like for most of the food triggered headaches we use Apis 30c (inflammation remedy) or you can buy a more diluted version which is actually a more potent remedy. Sometimes I use the 1M dilutions for migraines. Glonium 1M works very well. I use Aconite 30c myself for back pain. We have remdies for the dizziness, joint pain, or maybe just one to help them sleep when they're sick. You can buy a book at almost any health food store. Chronic illness and acute pain is treated differently in homeopathy. I'm working with a homeopath practioner on line for Ian and he seems to be very knowledgable. He recommended nat mur 30 for Ian to prevent reactions and I just started it. It's used for the allergic headaches Ian gets. If you want I can give you his email address and he may be able to make a suggestion based on your individual symptoms and history. The origin of the pain and how it feels is very important in finding the perfect remedy for the symptom. I use Hylands remedies some. They are a blend of various remedies for different symptoms. Homeopathy is great and no side effects and it's all natural. We use herbs also to build his immune system and he doesn't react to the gel caps they are in either but some people do so that is a problem with herbs. They do prevent infections that require antibiotics that would only make him worse. He cant eat gelatin but that little bit in the capsule doesn't bother him. There's also many resources on homeopathy on the internet. Here's a homeopath message board site that I posted Ians symptoms on a while back. http://boards.thriveonline.com/cgi-bin/webx.cgi?50@106.DTnSaPXQzb4^0@.ee8b674 |
cheryl
| | Posted on Friday, November 02, 2001 - 6:18 am: | |
MEMorris, There is group of homeopath doctors who will glady suggest a remedy and give you free advice. You just fill out the information sheet describing your symptoms and they tell you the best remedy to use and how often. This is the mans web page I was talking about that has helped Ian. He has been almost symptom free for about 6 days now. Of course we're also getting rid of the mold in our basement which I believe caused many of his syptoms and even made him more sensitive to the foods affecting his immune system. This is actually the site of the man who helped me even though I posted it on the other site I listed in the earlier message.
http://www.stormpages.com/saibabaserv/Index.htm |
SA
| | Posted on Sunday, November 04, 2001 - 9:51 am: | |
cheryl, don't be too sure that that little amount of gelatin in the capsules isn't bothering him. If he takes a capsule every day, it will eventually catch up to him and give him the cumulative effect. I know this from my own experience. It takes about 20 days of taking a capsule or pill that contains fillers that have a "little" glutamate in them, and I'm sicker than a dog with a headache. When I was trying to figure out why I kept getting headaches now and then, and was avoiding MSG, I finally figured the gelcap reason. I tired herbs and homeopath remedies, but now I don't use them at all. I guess I finally avoided enough MSG to make a difference. I do use echinacea for colds and flu symptoms. |
Judy T
| | Posted on Sunday, November 04, 2001 - 12:11 pm: | |
Carol H: Kudos on your new website www.msgtruth.org. Yes it's still under construction but what a boon to all of us and to the movement. Thank you, Carol. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Sunday, November 04, 2001 - 7:47 pm: | |
Carol, just looked at your site and it's everything we hoped for and more!!! Wonderful job! THANK YOU for all the long hours of work....so well written and filled with such important information.
We will add a link to it tomorrow.
Mike is home...temporarily, for some R&R until he has his gall bladder removed. We will be scheduling that tomorrow. He was released last night and it is sure good to have him home.
Again thanks to you wonderful people for all the good wishes and prayers. I printed them all up and took them to the hospital for Mike to read. He is a bit thinner (couldn't be fed for 6 days), but other than that, he feels much better. |
cheryl
| | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2001 - 7:08 am: | |
SA, Why do you think there's glutamates in homeopath remedies? They work wonderfully for my whole family and without the chemicals of allopath medications which is what my son must avoid now if he has any hope of getting better. I believe it's the allopath medications and antibiotics and possibly the vaccinations he had just before beginning kindergarten that has led up this condition. I'm sure candida has a role in this too which I'm treating him for now. He was a perfectly healthy bady, toddler and child before those things were given to him. I can't be 100% sure he's not reacting to gel caps at this point but he is better now that we're getting the mold in our basement cleaned up. I think it was a big factor in his illness as any allergen one is exposed to daily will overload the system making you more sensitive to many things. He still takes herbs. I'll see how he does over the next week with the herbs. He did great taking them for about an 8 month period last spring and summer. The herbs contain vitamins and nutrients that he can't get from supplements because he reacts to all supplements and he's not a very good eater which may be another cause of his illness. Vitamin deficiencies can cause many neurological symtpms. My oldest son was in a similar condition several years ago and time has healed his body. He also was prescribed too many antibiotics which I think led to his condition also and went through many of the same things my youngest in now experienceing, but with different symptoms. He's made an almost full recovery in about 3 years time. I do think it could surface again at any time if he's not careful with his diet and if he takes antibiotics again. Here's the nutrients in bee pollen. Many herbs also contain trace minerals which are necessary and he's not getting from his foods.
http://www.envirobee.com/beepollen3.htm |
Carol H
| | Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2001 - 2:31 pm: | |
Judy T, I finally got around to reading The Crazy Makers by Carol Simontacchi. I'm halfway through it - and I only got it yesterday. Excellent, excellent book. She hits most of the important topics we've talked about in much of the archived postings. This lady really knows her stuff. It's accurate. |
Judy T
| | Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2001 - 5:54 pm: | |
Carol H: Yes, she also wrote It's Not Your Fault You're Fat (I hate the title) but that initial book is also good. I wrote her in Washington State to ask her to write a book directed specifically at our population, but the letter came back undeliverable. Too bad, she'd be a good ambassador for us and I sense she'll be writing more books in the future since she's just hitting her stride; this one is by her alone while the first was with another person. You've reminded me that I should write her again by going through her publisher. Thanks. |
SA
| | Posted on Monday, November 19, 2001 - 10:49 am: | |
cheryl, I'm not saying all homeopathic remedies and herbs contain glutamate. I just know that I read some of the ingredients on some of the ones you can buy at health food stores and I noticed many of them had things like dextrose and lactose. Don't those have a small amount of glutamate from milk or corn? My main concern is the gelatin in gelcaps, because I know how badly I react to them. So glad your son is doing better. |
Gerry Bush
| | Posted on Monday, November 19, 2001 - 11:19 am: | |
Cheryl & SA, I'm seeing a NMD (Naturopath) and she has prescribed some great homeopathic remedies for me. Like you, I can't take anything unless its pure.
Presently I'm taking a Liquid B Complex from "Seroyal Genestra Brands, UNDA" (just B vitamins, natural cherry flavor and fructose); "Eskimo-3" natural Fish Oil supplement (just Fish oil, mixed tocopherols, lecithin, ascorbyl palmitate, and lemon oil); and 3 different types of Homeopathic remedies from "UNDA", #2, #20, & # 243 (these are just different combinations of natural herbs and metals). I have absolutely no bad reactions and am beginning to feel much better after only 4 days on the above treatment. Before beginning this protocol, I was barely able to function after a major msg episode 2 months ago. My Naturopath also uses Accupuncture on me. I started out as a nonbeliever, but am now convinced of its healing value.
Cheryl, I believe as you do that the allopathic medications and antibiotics have compromised our immune systems. Combining these toxic substances with the various excitotoxins and food ingested chemicals to which we have been continuously exposed over the years has put us in our current state. At this point in my life I am unable to tolerate any allopathic medications and the only antibiotic I can still use is erythromycin.
Oh yes, my doctor also has me drinking organic green tea daily. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Monday, November 19, 2001 - 3:21 pm: | |
Hi Gerry,
Will you please keep us posted as to how you continue to feel in the next month after taking these preparations? It would give us an idea of how you are able to handle such things as the lecithin and fructose. I'm a believer in what some herbs and homeopathic meds can do based solely on what a few of my friends have said. Kaye Wanke, who used to man the NoMSG hotline swears by some that help her body mend after she has been been exposed to certain chemicals used to kill weeds in her area. |
Gerry Bush
| | Posted on Monday, November 19, 2001 - 5:44 pm: | |
Hi Deb, Please tell Mike he is in my prayers and that I hope his surgery goes well. My mother is having an operation tomorrow also, so please say some prayers for her too.
As to the homeopathic medicines I am taking, all I can tell you is that I am not having any adverse reactions. The laboratory for UNDA is in Brussels, Belgium and they absolutely certify the ingredients to be completely natural. Since I react to everything else, I am hoping that I continue to do well on these herbs, etc. I will be sure to keep you posted.
As an aside, my Naturopath was exposed to the toxic chemical fumes in Kuwait during the Gulf War. She was working there as a nurse at the time. The chemical exposure and allopathic doctors inability to help her recover led her to become a NMD. Her ex-husband is an allopathic physician. She is truly one of us and both understands and believes us. She is thinking about writing a paper on our msg/excitotoxin related problems. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2001 - 9:39 am: | |
Deb A, this is just a thought related to Kaye's experience - in that book about Monsanto, it states that Roundup - the herbicide - works by damaging the metabolic pathway by which plants create certain amino acids. The main one of which is tryptophan. They completely blow off the concern that this may damage a human being. Tryptophan is the calming counterpart to Tyrosine (the upper). If you remember, tryptophan must be eaten and is also easily heat damaged. Food processing destroys it. Tryptophan is what the body uses to make niacin, and niacin is essential in the glucose to energy pathway. (See postings about corn). The plants can't use energy, and things grind to a halt - they die. The glucose to energy pathway is important to those of us who suffer from MSG and have found that CoQ10 seems to help, and that corn really bothers us. I wonder how much Roundup is really affecting the farming community, by affecting metabolic pathways in ways which Monsanto is not even investigating. Monsanto's Roundup Ready Soybeans are touted as a miracle, but they put the lie to Monsanto's claim of using less chemicals on our food. They positively want to douse everything with Roundup. They only things that won't be damaged by Roundup will be those darn soybeans that most of us are allergic to anyway.... |
Hoteru
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2001 - 2:17 pm: | |
Judy T and Everyone,
Carol Simontacchi has two websites, www.thecrazymakers.com and www.flywithwings.com.
Flywithwings lists an email address for her as
wings@flywithwings.com. It lists a regular address as Wings, P.O. Box 658, Sanibel,Fl 33957.
I've heard her speak twice and it was outstanding both times.
Debby, Mike's got his own fan club, and a lot of community support of all kinds, he'll pull through just fine.
Thanks to everyone, this holiday will be another day of good health, instead of five days of suffering. Wishing you all the same. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2001 - 2:25 pm: | |
Roundup is even worse for children:
http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/mschool.htm |
Ruth
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2001 - 4:24 pm: | |
GET WELL SOON, MIKE! |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2001 - 8:43 am: | |
Carol, you always give us such good ideas...bet the Roundup connection is accurate. What kills plants can't be good for any life form in the long run. We are killing ourselves, aren't we...for bigger profits. Rachel Carson was so right.
Again thanks for your good wishes and prayers on Mike's behalf. Please check the other message I posted today for an update. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2001 - 8:48 am: | |
Gerry, thanks for the great info. Please continue to educated us about your experience with the NMD.
And I am praying for your mother, too. |
Judy T
| | Posted on Monday, November 26, 2001 - 10:33 am: | |
Hoteru: Thank you for the Simontacchi e-mail address. I wrote her just now. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2001 - 4:20 pm: | |
About ringing in the ears ..... You guys definitely are on the right track:
http://www.med.wayne.edu/Wayne%20Medicine/wm2000/hearingpreservation.htm
Glutamate is what the hair cells in the ear use as a neurotransmitter. The calcium channels are involved too. The evidence just keeps mounting and mounting...... |
Carol H
| | Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2001 - 4:22 pm: | |
Oh, and rosacea has two major links to MSG. Inflammation AND vasoactivity. See these links:
http://www.dermnet.org.nz/index.html
http://www.medslides.com/member/Allergy_&_Immunology/allergic_skin.pdf
http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic377.htm
and mounting.... |
Carol H
| | Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2001 - 6:46 pm: | |
Check out new pages on Rosacea, Tinnitus and Rage/Panic at http://www.msgtruth.org |
Kevin
| | Posted on Friday, December 21, 2001 - 2:05 am: | |
Carol,
Thanks for the web link to ringing in the ears.
I now have it in medical terms as it was so hard to try and explain it to doctors.
Along with the headaches that is my biggest problem.
Thanks. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2001 - 1:13 pm: | |
Kevin, glad to help  |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Sunday, December 23, 2001 - 5:23 am: | |
Carol H,
I have been trying to read through all the wonderful info you have placed on your website, but I seem to be having difficulty with the black background. My eyes become very tired trying to read all the info and dicern which links to explore.
Is it just me, or are others here having the same difficulty? Maybe I'm just getting old. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Sunday, December 23, 2001 - 12:34 pm: | |
Carol,
I, too, have had trouble reading your website, even with my reading glasses, especially where there is blue type on the black background (although not as much recently as you seem to have enlarged the print).
The easiest color combination for people to read is a less aesthetic black on a yellow background. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Sunday, December 23, 2001 - 4:28 pm: | |
I too, have had the same trouble. But the site is terrific! |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Monday, December 24, 2001 - 2:28 pm: | |
I agree also. The site is terrific but very difficult to read with the black background. Also I like to print out valuable information to give to people but printing out something with a black background results in a printed page which is soaking wet from so much black ink plus also uses up a tremendous amount of black ink. Those ink cartridges are expensive. However, it is an absolutely wonderful, informative site. I learned a great deal from it. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 25, 2001 - 5:49 pm: | |
Thank you all for the input. I am working on overhauling the color scheme, and even putting in printer friendly versions of each page. It will take me a few days, though. In the meantime, is there a setting on your pc that will not print black background, but only the text? |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 26, 2001 - 5:59 am: | |
Carol H,
In the interim, readers can highlight the text they want to print, copy it and paste it into a word document and then print it. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 26, 2001 - 7:06 am: | |
I've been pasting content to a "create mail" box, then changing the color and enlarging the type before printing. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 8:07 pm: | |
Try the site now, and see what you think, I also changed one error, I had on the site re: diabetes. 85% of children with Type 1 diabetes have antibodies against GAD (the enzyme that turns glutamate into GABA. 85% of Type 2 Diabetes Children are overweight or obese. Either way, it's bad news if they are eating MSG. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 9:01 pm: | |
Carol,
Thanks. I find the site easier to read now. The link below charts reader preferences:
http://hubel.sfasu.edu/research/survreslts.html |
John Brodar
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2001 - 11:02 am: | |
Carol,
I really like the color change to your web site. Thank you for your immense effort in the site's preparation.
Did I miss contact information on the web site? I feel that contact information lends credibility to the various sites I visit ... but then, who is going to respond? Perhaps Debby A will authorize you to direct people to this BB for personal contact. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2001 - 12:00 pm: | |
Carol:
Thank you so much. The site is so much easier to read now and will be so much better to print out. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2001 - 1:51 pm: | |
John, I forgot to add the contact info. It's a good idea. Thank you.. My boyfriend has been helping out with the color change. It's funny, after reading the MSGTruth site while helping me, he finally understands what I've been babbling about for seven years. I wish I had done this much sooner, but it took nearly a decade and a real collaborative effort from many people to put all the pieces together. |
MEMorrisNJ
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2001 - 3:56 pm: | |
Carol - Again, the http://www.msgtruth.org is incredible! Thank you. |
Judy T
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2001 - 8:30 am: | |
Carol: Your site is marvelous. Helpful and with the umph of credible information. Thank you. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 01, 2002 - 6:37 am: | |
Judy, I just added a new page - http://www.msgtruth.org/disease.htm I list the evidence of the rise in diseases that rose with the rise in MSG and aspartame use. It's pretty frightening. |
MEMorrisNJ
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 01, 2002 - 6:17 pm: | |
Tinnitus, MSG and allergies: http://www.bixby.org/faq/tinnitus/discover.html |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 01, 2002 - 7:52 pm: | |
Carol, your site is so great. Remember at Reno, when it was just a dream or goal? Wow, when I think back to just a short time ago, one could only find the propaganda about MSG by the food industry on the Net. You are bolstering the efforts of this cause so much, and we are SO grateful for all the long hours you have put into it. And thank you, MEMorris and those of you who keep posting our addresses on other sites related to the cause. I hear from individuals via e mail several times a month about some of their efforts and it is so encouraging. You know who you are, and you are true activists....or should we call you consumer advocates...both fit! Just keep up the great work! |
Judy T
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2002 - 7:24 am: | |
Carol: Yes, good page. Frightening? Yes. I do wonder how much is linked to excitotoxins and how much to other lifestyle changes. Regardless, we look like a race on a race to destruction. Thank you again, Carol. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Friday, January 04, 2002 - 2:50 pm: | |
Thanks for all your input. I will be putting more info on the site. Gerry, Roy and MEMorris, and Tom have hunted down excellent links they have shared with us. It will take me a little while to get that stuff up, but I do intend to get them on the MSG Truth site. I also have info from Judy T, and Jack Samuels, that I want to add to the mountains of research info I have acquired in the past 10 years. I just want to sift through the stuff first. It can be overwhelming, as any newcomer can attest. |
Gerry Bush
| | Posted on Friday, January 04, 2002 - 7:23 pm: | |
Carol, I can't stop going to your site!! It is such a wealth of information. Even those of us who know and have known the source of our problems....msg...can continue to learn from your site.
Thank you, thank you for all of your hard work. You are helping others in the best way, by empowering them with information. And as we all know, information is power! |
Carol H
| | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2002 - 8:59 am: | |
Thanks, Gerry. About the site, I haven't uploaded new info this week, but will remedy that. I've been having PC troubles and had to completely reformat my hard drive (Yikes!) But it's working better than before, and I now have to reload the site onto it. I have so much more to put on it... |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - 10:56 am: | |
Check out :
http://www.msgfacts.com/safety/msgsafety15.html |
Carol H
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - 1:38 pm: | |
Wasn't that monkey study the one where the poor animals threw up? I believe Dr. Olney already debunked that one. Boy they certainly do recycle old garbage in garbage out studies. That's good news. The Glutes must be desperate. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - 2:23 pm: | |
They really had to dig to find studies that didn't implicate MSG - two of the three were from the 1970's and the third relied on self-evaluation! |
Carol H
| | Posted on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 12:11 pm: | |
Something hit me like a brick last nite. I was watching that movie "The Insider" with Russel Crowe. This time, I was paying more attention to his testimony. What hit me was one word - ammonia. Why? In the movie the reason given was because it easily crosses the blood brain barrier. Check out this link: http://www.smh.com.au/news/0007/27/national/national19.html That's all fine and dandy, but they don't take the discussion to the next step.
What actually happens to ammonia once it easily crosses that big bad blood brain barrier? I'll tell you - the body considers ammonia to be toxic, so it turns it into glutamate. See this link: http://www.indstate.edu/thcme/mwking/nitrogen-metabolism.html#neurotox Click on the link Neurotoxicity of Ammonia. The tobacco industry was using ammonia in their cigarettes because it crosses the blood brain barrier then turns into glutamate in the brain, and increases addiction to nicotine. I guess the real creeps who know just how bad glutamate is actually work for the tobacco companies, and they ain't talkin'. If the food industry could figure out how to jump the blood brain barrier the way the tobacco industry did it, we'll all be in very serious trouble. The tobacco industry wasn't content letting MSG alone bring down the blood brain barrier by dropping the blood sugar, they had to just practically shoot it right in there using ammonia. This says to me that MSG must have addictive effects. Otherwise those tobacco guys wouldn't have wasted their time on the ammonia to glutamate trick. |
Judy T
| | Posted on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 4:19 pm: | |
Carol: You've got something here. The indstate link someone gave us before (Roy probably?). For me that hit home. In the old days of nomsg I had posted that it was hair bleach that had done me in. I had a massive reaction that nearly put me under. From that episode I reacted severely to msg (previously I had minor reactions). Anyway, an allergist said basically I was out of my mind but I have always contended that either ammonia or peroxide had done me in. It seems there are factors for many of us that trigger the reactions, like having another medical condition, being stressed, etc...otherwise why do I react and my husband doesn't? And it would be interesting to know what those triggers were for the majority of us (besides just too much food stuffs with msg in it). Anyway, thanks Carol. You're the one to pursue this line. I love it.
For those of you who met Tony in Reno: I brought him home from the hospital three days ago. He had prostate cancer and had radiation treatments and now seed implants. He has done wonderfully. |
Judy T
| | Posted on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 4:32 pm: | |
Carol: I realize the ammonia from a hair product is different from the ammonia produced by intestinal tract bacteria but still I know, that personally, there was some connection between the hair dye and the triggering of severe reactions. I hope you follow this thread as well as the ibuprofen; both relate to me personally. Also, as with Tom Fernstrom, CoQ10 has been a magical source of near recovery for me. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 7:05 pm: | |
Carol, I don't know if this has any relevence, but before I knew about MSG, I would sometimes be brushing my teeth with baking soda, and would have a sort of chemical reaction in my mouth and throat....I could taste and smell ammonia...after eating food with MSG. ?????? It was so strange. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 7:06 pm: | |
Judy, I was happy to hear that Tony is doing well. Give him our best! |
anon
| | Posted on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 7:07 pm: | |
After struggling to make changes in my diet for about six months -- with much improvement to my health, but still frustratingly-frequent msg reactions -- I began taking a half benadryl tablet every evening. It seemed like I was having food allergy reactions in addition to the msg sensitivity, so I thought the benadryl might help. That was a few months ago and things have been going well for me ever since. I still try to eat as safely as I can, but I find that I don't have to eat PERFECTLY any more. I do okay with small amounts of normally toxic foods. Since I was finding it virtually impossible to avoid all offending foods, this system seems to be a good option for me. Although I am uncomfortable taking any medication daily, I have been told by my doctors that benadryl is quite benign and non-addictive. Certainly less toxic than the stuff in most people's food!
Has anyone else found benadryl helpful? |
Carol H
| | Posted on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 5:38 am: | |
Judy T, ammonia is volatile, which means it can be breathed in. When it is breathed in it can pass directly into the blood stream in the lungs. The blood then carries it anywhere. Apparently, even across the blood brain barrier.
Deb A, chemical reactions go both ways, it is usually a matter of the surrounding circumstances that drive a reaction one way or the other. I'm a little rusty with my organic chemistry, so I'll try to find what may have caused the basic baking soda to drive the glutamate reaction the other way - toward ammonia. |
Judy T
| | Posted on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 9:21 am: | |
Deb A: Tony says hello in return. Thank you.
Anon: It seems there are a number of us who take Benadryl. I actually take Simply Sleep...it is precisely the same ingredient believe it or not, but comes in tablet rather than gel cap. |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 8:25 am: | |
Anon,
I was taking Benadryl when I had reactions, but dispensed with using it when I found the pressure in my eyes was increasing. There is a warning on the label that people with a family history of Glaucoma should be wary of taking the drug.
I have a family history of Glaucoma because my mother is blind from it. But I also have a family history of MSG sensitivity and it has been documented that MSG can cause Glaucoma so which came first the chicken or the egg?
Since discovering CoQ10, I have not had many reactions -- and when I do I take additional CoQ10 and the reactions subside within an hour. CoQ10 does not appear to have any adverse side affects. In fact I just returned from a nine day Ocean Cruise, ate items right off the menu and only had one slight reaction that was corrected with additional CoQ10. Prior to discovering CoQ10, I would never even consider booking such a cruise. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 10:47 am: | |
Judy T, give Tony my best. It was wonderful of Tony to support our efforts so much, and I know I speak for many when I say that we are sending healing thoughts and prayers his way. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 10:57 am: | |
As for ibuprofin, I haven't taken it since my last root canal. I am a little wary of most drugs and worry about interactions with my anti-tumor medication. If I do eat MSG accidentally, I take taurine, CoQ10, rosemary extract, use oregano in my cooking, and eat ginger candy. The ginger, rosemary, and oregano have anti-inflammatory properties, the taurine makes up for what isn't being made and calms down the nerve cells, and the CoQ10 helps my nerve cells outlast an exhausting onslaught of overstimulation. My boyfriend takes benadryl and uses an inhaler simply because of the asthma. It's the quickest way to get him breathing again. |
anon
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 6:11 pm: | |
Tom,
I don't know much about CoQ10. I did a keyword search on this BB and learned a bit about its connection with MSG sensitivity. But I'm not sure where to get it. I suppose the local natural foods store would have it. From the discussions on this board it sounds like there are several brands. What is a good one? And what is a good amount to take? How long can I expect to take it before noticing whether it is helping?
Thanks for the info on benadryl. I know it is helping me, but it would be nice to find an even safer alternative. |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 12:35 pm: | |
anon,
I purchase my CoQ10 at Sam's Club and take 300mg daily (150mg AM & 150mg PM). The dosage seems sufficient to ward off inadvertant MSG ingestion and the hidden MSG that might be in the gelcap fillers.
It is not cheap -- about $25 for 120 75mg gelcaps, but it is cheaper at Sam's Club than any other place I have checked. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 3:16 pm: | |
What about the Beyond-a-Century product? It is a powder and costs $50.00 but has lasted me months so far. I only take 150 mg most days. |
Ruth
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 4:18 pm: | |
I was hesitant to start CoQ10, but my doctor prescribed it for my gums-I rub it on at night. Since it was just sitting there on the counter, I got brave and tried it a couple of times recently for a wierd, dizzy feeling after taking too big a "taste" of naughty foods. I felt better soon after taking it. Mine is a liquid caled Q10 Plus. It has Vitamin E and A added, among other things. It's local-right here in Houston. phone # (713) 776-3160. AMAL Laboratories, Inc. I've noticed that Whole Foods sells many different varieties of CoQ10. |
Anon
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 5:33 pm: | |
Thanks everyone --- I'm off to the co-op right now! |
Judy T
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 7:27 am: | |
A must-see web site: www.321recipes.com This is not about recipes but a 16 page accumulation of Dr. quotes and other resources about "Aspartame Dangers, Side Effects, disease poisoning ..." |
Judy T
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 7:30 am: | |
Ignore the sales pitches on that website...just hit the Aspartame Warning Star... |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 9:17 am: | |
MeMorris, I received an email from you this morning, but had to delete it when the virus warning came on. Can you resend it??? |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 3:15 pm: | |
Thanks Judy. Excellent link. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 10:21 am: | |
MeMorris, I received an email from you recently, but had to delete it when the virus warning came on. Can you resend it??? |
MEMorrisNJ
| | Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2002 - 4:37 am: | |
This is a computer generated virus -- one reason why I haven't been posting lately. If anyone gets any email message from me, please delete before opening it until further notice. I am sorry this is happening again. Obviously, I have not succeeded in fixing this myself so I will have to hire some tech help. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2002 - 2:00 pm: | |
MEMorris, I am definitely interested in the book. I'll email you directly with info. (But without a virus ) |
Carol H
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 27, 2002 - 8:39 pm: | |
I will be updating the msgtruth website as soon as I can - hopefully next week. My grandfather passed away Monday, and I have been at the hospital quite a bit and visiting family much of late. He was doing fine until November when a fall caused us to place him in a nursing home near the local hospital to recuperate. Up to then he was living on his own. After only four months in that nursing home, he had a stroke. We lost him just three weeks later. I still wonder what they fed him that day..... |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 3:36 am: | |
Carol,
Sorry to hear about the loss of your grandfather. I hope everyone is holding up OK. |
DJ
| | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 9:57 am: | |
Hi Carol,
My sympathy as well on your loss. My dad passed away last summer, and while I was in the nursing home visiting, I also wondered about his diet.
I walked away with the conviction that no matter how old I get, eating well, and exercising will be my number one priority.
DJ |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 10, 2002 - 7:42 am: | |
Dear NoMSGers,
I have been doing some Internet Research to find out more about "Steroid Induced Myopathy" which is what doctors at Mayo Clinic feel is causing my Uncle's current muscular difficulties and difficulties with swallowing which they are attributing to years of taking prednesone for arthritis.
I'm still trying to find specifics with regard to their diagnosis, but because Myopathies cover all sorts of muscular ailments, I have run across many references to Multiple Sclerosis.
The below site has a lot of interesting links showing studies of how diet may be a contributing if not causal factor. Many references to the blood brain barrier are made and the mention of two proteins zonulin and zot as being food proteins that can unlock that barrier are interesting.
http://www.paleodiet.com/ms/
Many of the topics we have discussed on this site seem to fit with the different studies described on the site. The most interesting detailed study is described at the link called:
Multiple Sclerosis and Food Hypersensitivities at:
http://www.chetday.com/msandfood.html
If only we could get all these doctors together in one place to compare notes and see the big picture. |
Pat Shoffner
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 10, 2002 - 4:49 pm: | |
My husband gets a weekly newsletter called Schience News. Our April 6th issue arrived today. Inside was an article titled "A Tasty Discovery About the Tongue". " Over the past few years, taste researchers have identified various molecules on the tongue that respond to bitter and sweet substances. They've now found another so-called taste receptor, one that responds to almost all of the 20 amino acids that make up proteins."
"The new receptor may help explain why people so savor the flavor, called umami, that is typical of cheese, meat, and other GLUTAMATE-rich food. When added to a meal,monosodium glutamate, or MSG elicits the taste, as well."
That article just about made up sick for dinner tonight. Of course, it isn't anything that all of us didn't already know. |
Judy T
| | Posted on Thursday, April 11, 2002 - 6:19 am: | |
Tom: These are great sites. Thank you. There is so much, it will take days to study and absorb. Too bad in considering diet the researcher did not consider what has been added to foods in the past years, she says 150 years. Maybe we should contact the researcher and make that suggestion. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, April 11, 2002 - 7:57 am: | |
Carol, I am so sorry to hear about your grandfather. I know you come from a close knit family. They are a great support at times of loss. But like you, I often think about the effects of the MSG laden food they serve in such places. We have been away...our oldest daugter just gave birth to a beautiful little girl, Maren, and we just got back. She is our 7th grandchild. At the hospital, Kris took one look at the chicken fried steak with the gelatinous "chicken" gravy and made an understandable face. She was happy to get home the next day! So many people I have chatted with about family members in nursing homes have said that their relatives developed stomach problems and headaches after being admitted. Many explain it away as part of depression, but it is much more than that. One woman called to tell me that she insisted that her husband be released to her after he had had major surgery and had been put in a full care facility until he was stronger. He was MSG sensitive and even when she tried to have his diet changed, they kept giving him the wrong foods. He improved only when he got home. It was very hard for this elderly woman to take round the clock care of him, but what devotion! This was several years ago. D.J., I know what you mean about diet and exercise. I injured my left arm a couple months ago....dumb thing I did...super extended to grab and lift a heavy bag from the back seat of the car from the front. Just saw the doctor yesterday, and now it's physical therapy and exercise for it....ripped up the soft tissue and am pinching nerves....he said it can take 18 months to heal! That was a wake-up call to strengthen my aging body with yoga and other good exercises! It scares all of us the think about ending up in nursing homes. I have a friend who home cares for a few Alzheimer's patients (she is retiring soon), and she is MSG sensitive. Her patients thrive on her meals, and she had a long waiting list of patients. |
vrtu1
| | Posted on Friday, April 12, 2002 - 5:28 am: | |
Deb A
Congratulations on your new grandchild! &:o) |
Judy T
| | Posted on Friday, April 12, 2002 - 6:40 am: | |
Carol: My condolences. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Friday, April 12, 2002 - 2:22 pm: | |
Thank you.
Deb A, take care and congratulations! |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Monday, April 15, 2002 - 7:35 am: | |
Thanks, Vrtu 1 and Carol! |
Laurie M
| | Posted on Monday, April 15, 2002 - 8:29 am: | |
Deb,
Did your grandaughter take prenatals? If so were did she find safe ones. I have been looking and can't find any. I eat a pretty good diet with lots of fresh veggies but I am nervous about getting pregnant in the summer where I work a lot and can't always eat extravagant meals. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Saturday, May 25, 2002 - 8:15 am: | |
Found a great link to a research paper. http://www.cell-research.com/20004/204-MY.HTM
This research links GABA, glutamic acid decarboxylase (the enzyme that turns glutamic acid into GABA, also the poor enzyme wrongfully attacked by the immune systems of a great many diabetics) and the hypothalamus into this whole genetic theory of obesity coming out. We have to speak up now, or we'll have the whole pharmaceutical industry telling us all to buy their magic pills to cure our genetically caused obesity, when it is the MSG GABA hypothalamus link that is actually doing the most damage. Whenever you guys see a story on obesity in the news near you (and you will, trust me the pharmaceutical industry will be jumping on this bandwagon) make some noise. Don't stop until some news organization tells the story - the whole story. The obese lab animals, all of it. We have a chance now. People care about this issue, and its hot in the news right now. Lets see if we can't make this story even hotter. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Saturday, May 25, 2002 - 8:52 am: | |
Hi Carol! I just got on and haven't read the paper yet. I will as soon as I can. You are so right about all of this and the money connection with drug companies....the damage is continuing to mount and I cringe when I think of future generations...look how lab animals and their posterity fared...terrible! And if scientists and doctors don't get it soon, I hate to think where we will be in a few years...this pill popping nation of ours! |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 2:28 pm: | |
Linked here is an interesting article on lithium:
http://store.yahoo.com/nubrain-store/more-info-about-lithiumorotate.html |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 9:29 pm: | |
Laurie M., I missed your April posting and question about prenatal vitamins. My daughter did not take any prenatal vitamins for her last 2 children. She refused to after losing a baby before the last 2 were born. Kate was born with defects 3 months early and lived less than 2 hours. My daughter and her husband were tested and were told that their genes were healthy and normal and to try again. We checked the prenatal pills that our daughter had taken and there were 4 sources of glutamate in them. She remembered feeling sick soon after taking them each time. Dr. Blaylock says that MSG can cause mutations of the forming embryo, and we know that our daughter is sensitive....and we know that things like viruses and toxins can cause genetic problems, too. But Kris was understandably unwilling to take any meds during the last two pregnancies and gave birth to very healthy babies. Her doctor had her talk with a dietician, and she posted a list of foods that she had to eat to get all the vitamins and folic acid she needed. I believe for this last baby, she took a safe pill of folic acid for the first 3 months. Sorry, I forgot about that. I know she ate lots of kidney beans! |
Laurie M
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 7:28 am: | |
Thanks Deb,
Do you know the name of the folic acid pill? I was pretty sure i wasn't going to find pre-natal pills but am concerned about folic acid. i do eat a lot of veggies and beans. |
Judy T
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 12:48 pm: | |
Roy, Most interesting. There are so many unknowns; who says there are no more frontiers? Thank you. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 12:29 pm: | |
No Laurie, I don't, but I will ask my daughter. I just ordered the plain powdered form from Beyond-a-Century.com and it was very inexpensive..and no fillers. But a lot goes a real long way. You could ask your doctor how much to take. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 5:33 am: | |
Some chemistry detail about MSG:
http://157.98.10.135/NTP_Reports/NTP_Chem_HS_HTML/NTP_Chem1/Radian142-47-2.html |
Judy T
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 4:29 pm: | |
As always I appreciate these direct links. Say, Roy, did you see what those who happen to come in contact with this dangerous chemical have to do?! Gads, sounds like almost what I do every time I even look at a bag of Doritos. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 9:08 pm: | |
WOW! What a link, Roy! |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 31, 2002 - 9:53 am: | |
Just thought it was worth sharing here, Judy...precautions for those handling MSG in the factory:
"*RECOMMENDED GLOVE MATERIALS:
Recommended Glove Type For Use With Neat (Undiluted) Chemical:
Recommendations based on permeation test results are made for handling
the neat (undiluted) chemical. If this chemical makes direct contact with
your glove, or if a tear, puncture or hole develops, replace them at once.
Suggested Glove Type(s) (RAD): No information available
*RECOMMENDED RESPIRATOR:
Where the neat test chemical is weighed and diluted, wear a NIOSH-
approved half face respirator equipped with an organic vapor/acid gas
cartridge (specific for organic vapors, HCl, acid gas and SO2) with a
dust/mist filter.
*OTHER: Not available
*STORAGE PRECAUTIONS:
You should store this material in a refrigerator.
*SPILLS AND LEAKAGE:
If you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material
with water,then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use
absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal
your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic
bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a soap
and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety
Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been
properly cleaned.
*DISPOSAL AND WASTE TREATMENT:
Not available
-EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
====================
*SKIN CONTACT:
IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating
all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly
with soap and water.
If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a
physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.
*INHALATION:
IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air.
If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in
the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to
transport the victim to a hospital.
Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown
atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or
equal to that advised under Respirator Recommendation.
*EYE CONTACT:
First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush
victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while
simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center.
Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without
specific instructions from a physician.
IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if
no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.
*INGESTION:
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing,
give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a
hospital or poison control center. Be prepared to transport the victim to a
hospital if advised by a physician.
If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth,
ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with
the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport
the victim to a hospital.
*SYMPTOMS:
Large oral doses in humans have provoked burning sensation, facial pressure,
chest pains, dyspnea, somnolence, hallucinations, distorted perceptions, nausea
and vomiting. Susceptible individuals may experience an allergic response.
-SOURCES
=======
*SOURCES:
Aldrich Chemical Company. Aldrich Catalog/Handbook of Fine
Chemical. Aldrich Chemical Co., Inc. Milwaukee, WI.
1986. p. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 31, 2002 - 7:14 pm: | |
It makes you wonder how MSG got on the FDA's GRAS ("generally recognized as safe") list. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, August 01, 2002 - 10:06 am: | |
Laurie, I was wrong about my daughter taking folic acid. So sorry. This is her answer to me:
"I didn't take any folic acid supplement when I was pregnant...not any supplements. I just ate really good foods, especially those high in folic acid. Lots of sweet potatoes, spinach, orange juice, broccoli, etc... Too paranoid, I guess."
As a side note, my daughter lost a baby at 6 months along, a few years ago....Kate had lots of problems, including a hole in her heart. Genetic testing on our daughter and her husband determined that neither was carrying a defective gene that could have caused the serious conditions our Kate had. The professionals said that it could have happened due to a virus or environmental toxins. My daughter said she had felt ill after taking her prescribed prenatals each day. At the time, she was not into much MSG avoidance. We read the ingredients in the vitamins and found 4 major sources of glutamate. Since that terrible loss, she has avoided MSG, and is especially careful when pregnant. She has had a son and a daugther since Kate and they are very strong and healthy....and beautiful, I might add! Do I sound like a grandma??? |
Laurie M
| | Posted on Thursday, August 01, 2002 - 6:15 pm: | |
Thanks Deb,
I think that will be my approach too. I really appreciate your info. And of course you have beautiful grandkids!! They are loved so they are beautiful. That is a grandmother's job. I bet they have a good time at grandma's house. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Saturday, August 03, 2002 - 10:20 am: | |
You are so right, Laurie...and we do have a great time together!
P.S. Kidney beans are high in folic acid, too. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 1:44 am: | |
The link below is a detail of the case study on MSG and fibromyalgia:
http://web2.iadfw.net/marystod/casestudy2.htm |
Carol H
| | Posted on Friday, September 06, 2002 - 7:40 pm: | |
Excellent, excellent link, Roy! That's going on MSGTruth tomorrow. |
MEMorrisNJ
| | Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 3:09 pm: | |
To add to July 16 post (above), here is more on lithium & MSG: (1) http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc98/3_14_98/fob3.htm --- Title: Stimulating clue hints how lithium works (2) Chuang DM et al, Neuroprotective effects of lithium in cultured cells and animal models of diseases BIPOLAR DISORD 4; 2: 1 29-36, Apr 2002 (I can’t access it but maybe someone else can? It cites how lithium protects brain cells from the degeneration that food additives cause.) |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 5:53 pm: | |
Why did the tobacco companies start going into the junk food business? I think Phillip Morris is now with Nabisco. Those addictive yummy snacks. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 2:19 pm: | |
The tobacco companies know the value of an addictive food ingredient when they see it. They have used MSG in cigarettes and also have used ammonia - which easily crosses the blood/brain barrier to become - glutamate. |
John Brodar
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 3:02 pm: | |
Carol, I am going to keep my msgmyth-quote file but will have to add a Carol Says file.
As an ex smoker and ex Pepsi addict I am extremely interested in more details regarding MSG in cigaretts and ammonia.
Thank you again Carol. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 2:38 pm: | |
The link below lists a number of problems involving glutamate, including pain, stroke, dementia and epilepsy:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/MeetSum/Glutamate/abstracts.html |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 2:50 pm: | |
Per the link below, under the hearing "neuroprotection" (scroll about 1/2 way down):
Studies have shown that excessive glutamate may play a role in the production of tinnitus. Studies also show that glutamate antagonists can have a protective effect on the inner ear and possibly be a treatment for peripheral tinnitus, that which is generated by the inner ear. Three such drugs are currently under investigation at the Henry Ford Health System for tinnitus: memantine, caroverine and magnesium.
http://bodylanguagevitamin.com/eardisorders.html |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Monday, December 16, 2002 - 7:44 am: | |
I will read these links in a little while. Just curious, Roy...is the treatment with magnesium as a supplement or application to the ear...just curious...will dig into it later. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Monday, December 16, 2002 - 6:52 pm: | |
The link above goes on to say that "subjects who took oral magnesium supplements displayed a significantly lower incidence of noise-induced hearing loss compared to the control group". |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 7:09 pm: | |
Thanks, Roy. My Grandmother was quite deaf in her last years, and I have tinnitus....will start taking my magnesium more regularly. |
Judy T
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 4:27 pm: | |
The March 2003 Scientific American magazine has an article under the Ask The Experts column titled What is the difference between artificial and natural flavors? A one page article that is similar to the section in the Fast Food book about flavorings, but more succinct. If you look up under www.sciam.com/askexpert and do a search you will find an article from July 29, 2002 with the same title but different content, and not as clearly written.
PS: DebA: Thank you for your comments regarding glutamate receptors. There is a ton of stuff on the internet so I've been studying diligently. Shoot, the more I know the less I know. Thanks again. |
MEMorrisNJ
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 4:49 pm: | |
Thanks Judy! Here's the direct link:
http://www.sciam.com/askexpert_question.cfm?articleID=0004F185-30C8-1D40-90FB809EC5880000&catID=3
I found it interesting that they stated that "Artificial flavorings are simpler in composition and potentially safer because only safety-tested components are utilized". Regardless, I am staying away from foods with artificial or natural flavorings. |
Judy T
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 1:15 pm: | |
MEMorris: I see you're from New Jersey! Going to be at the gathering in October? I surely do hope so. |
John Brodar
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 2:16 pm: | |
JudyT and MEMorrisNJ, thanks for posts on 2/25/03.
You people are ever so much more polite than I am. I can't write what I said outloud when I read about artificial or natural flavorings.
Some people will write and say anyting. I hope they never have to learn about MSG first hand or when their child becomes ill. But guess what, if they keep adding this stuff to all of our foods, even more people will become ill. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2003 - 4:14 am: | |
Linked below is a series of scientific articles on MSG and aspartame.
http://www.academyofwellness.com/excitotoxins_free_radicals.htm
(& scroll to bottom for others) |
Lost
| | Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2003 - 4:35 am: | |
????????????????What????????????????
What does this mean in simple terms?
I would caution that anti-oxidants work best in combination and when use separately can have opposite, harmful, effects. That is, when antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid and alpha tocopherol, become oxidized themselves, such as in the case of dehydroascorbic acid, they no longer protect, but rather act as free radicals themselves. The same is true of alpha-tocopherol. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2003 - 9:43 am: | |
Dear Lost,
Basically, the article talks about the dangers of excess glutamate, and recommends avoiding iron and copper, taking anti-oxidants, such as vitamins C and E, in combination, and eating a diet high in omega 3-polyunsaturated fatty acids (fish oils and flax seed oils) and olive oil, a monounsaturated oil. |
NOT LOST
| | Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2003 - 2:02 pm: | |
Thank U |
Hoteru
| | Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2003 - 4:19 pm: | |
Hi,
Found this disgusting statement in an advertisement for a health product, Seasilver. This product is presented as a cureall for a multitude of common problems, which always makes me suspicious, and lists some of its ingredients and their supposed benefits- "Glutamine is used primarily as a brain food improving intelligence. Alleviates fatigue and also helpful in the treatment of arthritis, connective tissue diseases, and fibromyalgia. " How many people are going to take it for their arthritis, connective tissue disease and fibromyalgia and get worse. How sad. |
Judy T
| | Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2003 - 6:39 am: | |
Roy: Don't you feel that we are topping a mountain ready to see a grand meadow? Wow. It is so terrific to see another doctor (who is associated with a group of doctors) write so many articles about excitotoxins; gosh, and like this was common knowledge and understandable and treatable. Yes, he's connected to Russell Blaylock and aren't we glad and yes, there is product connected to the site (but only in a subtle way). These are must read articles, about 9 of them. I've printed them off and am studying madly. From each posting I learn something knew, don't you?
Deb A: In the summary you probably say the reference to ADD and children. Thank you, Roy, for another terrific link. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2003 - 8:58 am: | |
It's good reading, Roy and Judy. I looked at the vitamin supplement offered and soya and soy mash and soy protein, inthe supplements makes me wonder if they know how rich in glutamate these substances are. Of course, if the body were to benefit from all the supplements/antioxidants, perhaps, it could handle soy. The question is how well our body can absorb these nutrients. ??? |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 2:25 pm: | |
There is finally a medicine found useful in later stages of Alzheimers - memantine, a glutamate blocker:
http://www.memantine.com/inhalte/s3.html |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 3:15 pm: | |
Very interesting, Roy. I have a friend who is MSG sensitive and she gets terrible headaches. Since she is the busy mother of 3 and is going to nursing school, she does not take the time to watch her diet. Her doctor prescribed Topamax, which is used to treat seizures. She lost a lot of weight and had fewer severe headaches, but also started to do poorly in school, although she had been doing great, previously. She was not able to focus or remember what she was hearing in class. Then she figured it was the medication, which it was. I told her Topamax is a glutamate blocker and she said that made perfect sense now. So she is trying a lower dose, but is nervous. Her doctor wanted to inject the perimeter of her head with botox! But she is getting fed up with meds of any kind, especially that suggestion. She assured me she will try harder when she has a bit more time. I only hope she will. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 5:24 pm: | |
Cool, Roy. - you beat me to it The data proving our case keeps mounting and mounting and mounting......... |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 8:10 pm: | |
Meanwhile, they're deliberately poisoning Alzheimer's patients with MSG-laced food in nursing homes:
http://www.aeiveos.com/diet/magnesium/91360671.html |
Jackye
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 8:19 pm: | |
I visited with an allergist physician in Pittsburg today, Dr. Richard Green, regarding my MSG sensitivity. He referred me to a couple of physicians in OKCity (closer to me.) He did share with me that Singulair has helped many MSG-sensitive patients. I have been taking Singulair for a little over a year for asthma. I have never had the the terrible headaches that a lot of you describe. My reactions are more mild: flushing, elevation of BP and pulse, light-headed, and occ. joint pain. I don't know if there is a direct correlation or not. I will try to find out more information. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 7:58 am: | |
The FDA states that in tests, it was shown that MSG can provoke asthma. I was diagnosed with asthma when I was in my late 20's. I was started on allergy shots, which I took for 21 years...sometimes two of them every 2 to 4 weeks. I also tried every med for it. I hadn't developed the terrible headaches until I was in my 30's. Once I got a real handle on avoiding MSG and aspartame, my doctor saw such improvement, he took me off the shots and meds. I didn't need them at all...maybe I never did, since I believe that MSG was causing my asthma in the beginning.
Unless Singular is a glutamate blocker, I suspect it might help MSG sensitive people who are reacting with symtoms that mimic asthma or allergies...by blocking histamine, which is triggered by MSG in the system...just one idea. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 2:51 pm: | |
Roy, here's a new one. Now they are linking fruit consumption to Parkinson's. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/04/030403074722.htm
Note especially the reference that it may be due to "pesticides, herbicides, etc. " What about ... growth enhancers... like Auxigro? Deb A, what else besides starwberries do they spray it on?
Boy this is a banner week for science for us... |
Carol H
| | Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 3:09 pm: | |
One more post and I'll stop for today - Here is a link about a new drug "cocktail" to treat ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/04/030403074902.htm
One of the three drugs in the "cocktail" is the traditional ALS drug, the other two are - get this - an anti-inflammatory, and a calcium channel blocker. For those of you just joining us: The glutamate in MSG acts as both a calcium channel OPENER, and it also increases the severity of immune response by increasing histamine - which is responsible for inflammation. What if, inflammation isn't exactly the root cause of the damage seen in Alzheimer's, and A.L.S. but just a convenient scapegoat because it is always present when you've got too much glutamate around? What if researchers have blamed inflammation for all the damage glutamate was responsible for? |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 5:02 pm: | |
More on ALS:
http://info.med.yale.edu/neurol/programs/neuromuscular/als.html
(drug treatment and research are 2/3 into the article) |
Jackye
| | Posted on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 7:58 pm: | |
More press for NO MSG. Yesterday my Dad heard a physician on a radio interview speak regarding MSG. The physician said it is a very serious problem. He recommended the removal of all vending machines in schools, that people should eat fresh vegetables, stay away from Parm. cheese and pizza. He spoke of the blood brain barrier and the lack of knowledge shared with the public due to the dollars of the food industry. I am going to call the station tomorrow and try to get the name of the physician speaking. We owe it to ourselves and the other millions out there who are reacting and have no idea as to the cause. |
Judy T
| | Posted on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 7:01 am: | |
Good Jackye, please do call and find out his name. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 4:10 pm: | |
Thank your dad for us, Jackye. I love to post such reports on our site. Thanks for sharing it with us here. It good to hear of such encouraging coverage about this terrible health problem that more and more people are coming to recognize because of such caring doctors. Doctors are sharing what they are hearing and reading about MSG...this is going to keep snowballing. |
dianne
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 4:24 pm: | |
i'm also hoping jackye can get the name of the doctor who spoke about msg. have been very very frustrated for the year-and-a-half i've become educated via this website re: msg and its many clones--that so few people have a clue about it. we need to get this doctor on the talk shows asap! dianne |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 12:08 pm: | |
Below are links to a diagram and article explaining how glutamate leads to the destruction of brain cells:
http://web.sfn.org/images/brainbriefings/nmda_illus_large.jpg
http://web.sfn.org/content/Publications/BrainBriefings/nmda.html |
Judy T
| | Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 6:26 am: | |
Roy; This is exactly what my son was looking for so he can understand and explain to other folks. Looks like the oxygen starved neurons is why CoQ10 works so well for some of us. Thank you, thank you. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 1:20 pm: | |
Judy T,
CoQ10 is said to protect cell membrane stability, while excess glutamate destroys it.
The scope of this epidemic is larger than most people realize. Perhaps one day the scientific community will wake up to that fact.
http://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/march022.htm |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 8:46 pm: | |
Roy, I made copies for each of my four kids. Thanks! I am speaking to 2 church groups in the Seattle area in a couple of weeks and I hope to make a larger copy of the diagram. It's excellent and so is the article preceding it. |
Jackye
| | Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 6:57 pm: | |
Great links Roy. Please help me better understand the brain barriers of those of us so sensitive to glutamate. I have talked with 4 physicians...they seem to be learning from the information I receive here. I have shared this web site with all 4. My question: Does glutamate effect all brain cells as an excitotoxin and kill the cells of all people, or does it only effect those of us with MSG sensitivity? Is my blood brain barrier weakened due to brain cells, at some point becoming hypoxic? I appreciate the help. I guess I would feel much better if I knew that those still enjoying MSG foods were having a few consequences, too. Gosh...that sounds mean. I am truly not a mean person. Do you all ever have those thoughts? |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 2:29 am: | |
Jackye,
The way I understand it, there are many factors affecting the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, including age, injury, diseases, conditions, genetics and medications. Then there are factors like blood sugar and oxygen levels, and the amount of sleep one has gotten the night before (which affects blood sugar levels) that can affect sensitivity.
Theoretically, excess glutamate should be able to affect all neurons in anybody as an excitotoxin by breaking down the cell membrane. A large percentage of brain cells have to be destroyed in a particular area of the brain for some permanent affects to appear. You can destroy a lot of brain cells when you are younger and the effects won't show up until you're older and normal aging has chipped away at the reserve. I don't think a lot of older people's problems started overnight.
Regarding the blood brain barrier being weakened due to hypoxic episodes, that is apparently exactly what happens (see the link below). Certain medications like ibuprofen can keep the blood brain barrier more closed while you are on them, but I don't think there is anything that can fix the situation permanently.
http://www.medsch.wisc.edu/path703/slide/lectslides/cnsintro.html
(and see figures 1 and 2) |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 6:08 pm: | |
p.s. - the caption under figure 3 at the above link mentions hypoxic damage. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 8:26 pm: | |
The FDA says that the majority of the population can handle 5 gr. of MSG a day. Dr. Blaylock says that 30% of the population will react to that amount and that 90% of the population will react with 10 gr. However, he suggests that most Americans consume 20 to 30 grams of MSG a day and that the junk food junkies can consume 50 grams a day. Given that the brain only needs much small amounts of glutamate, measured in ug., when used as a neurotransmitter, he suggests that it is also possible that the mechanisms in the brain that are there to rid the brain of an accumulation of excess glutamate have been compromised or even destroyed by the excess glutamate itself. These mechanisms are only designed to handle the normal accumulations, not the ones flooding our systems due to a diet abnormally high in glutamate. The reason that we aren't taken seriously by the medical world, is that they too have been told that the glutamate in MSG does not cross the blood brain barrier at all, not the placental wall, nor does end up in mother's milk. Over 500 tests on animals say differently. The FDA has a suspicious allegience to pharmaceutical and chemical companies. They only protect the economy and big businesses. They have over 10,000 reports of MSG toxicity, according to Dr. Blaylock, but they consider them just anecdotal, and not based on scientific study...of course all the studies done on humans, or at least the final reports are a joke. You can read about some of them at www.truthinlabeling.org. |
Jackye
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 1:47 pm: | |
Deb A and Roy,
Thank you both for the information. Don't you sometimes wish you could have seen this one coming? I have a friend who is in the process of getting some names of people with the FDA. I am certain that as one person, I will not impact the suspicous allegience to pharmaceutical and chemical companies. However, I think it will do their conscience good to have to answer a few questions. I am taking my responsibility of educating decision makers very seriously. I appreciate the help and the support. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 9:25 pm: | |
Your efforts on behalf of all of us is truly appreciated, Jackye. Best wishes in all that you are trying to do. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 3:15 pm: | |
Per the link below, lithium, by controlling glutamate toxicity, may be a cheap and effective way to slow down the progression of multiple sclerosis.
http://neuro-www.mgh.harvard.edu/forum_2/MultipleSclerosisF/12.28.9911.24AMLithiumChe.html |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 9:20 am: | |
Thought this was important enough to share:
All drugs containing PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE are being recalled. You may
want to try calling the 800 number listed on most drug boxes and inquire
about a REFUND. Please read this CAREFULLY. Also, please pass this on to
everyone you know.
STOP TAKING anything containing this ingredient. It has been linked to
increased hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain) among women ages
18-49 in the three days after starting use of medication. Problems were
not found in men, however, the FDA recommended that everyone (even
children) seek an alternative medicine.
The following medications contain Phenylpropanolamine:
Acutrim Diet Gum Appetite Suppressant
Acutrim Plus Dietary Supplements
Acu trim Maximum Strength Appetite Control
Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine
Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold medicine (cherry or orange)
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold &Cough Medicine
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold &Flu Medicine
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold &Sinus Effervescent
Alka Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine
BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder
BC Sinus Cold Powder
Comtrex Flu Therapy &Fever Relief
Day &Night Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules
Contac 12 Hour Caplets
Coricidin D Cold, Flu &Sinus
Dexatrim Caffeine Free
Dexatrim Extended Duration
Dexatrim Gelcaps
Dexatrim Vitamin C/Caffeine Free
Dimetapp Cold &Allergy Chewable Tablets
Dimetapp Cold &Cough Liqui-Gels
Dimetapp DM Cold &Cough Elixir
Dimetapp Elixir
Dimetapp 4 Hour Liquid Gels
Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets
Dimetapp 12 Hour Extentabs Tablets
Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops
Permathene Mega-16
Robitussin CF
Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus &Nasal Congestion
Triaminic DM Cough Relief
Triaminic Expectorant Ches t &Head
Triaminic Syrup Cold &Allergy
Triaminic Triaminicol Cold &Cough
I just found out and called the 800# on the container for Triaminic
and they informed me that they are voluntarily recalling the following
medicines because of a certain ingredient that is causing strokes and
seizures in children:
Orange 3D Cold &Allergy Cherry (Pink)
3D Cold &Cough Berry
3D Cough Relief Yellow 3D Expectorant
They are asking you to call them at 800-548-3708 with the lot number on
the box so they can send you postage for you to send it back to them,
and they will also issue you a refund.
If you know of anyone else with small children, PLEASE PASS THIS ON.
THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF!
DO PASS THIS ALONG TO ALL ON YOUR MAILING LIST so people are
informed. They can then pass it along to their families.
To confirm these findings please take time to check the following:
URL: Phenylpropanolamine Information Page
http://wwwfda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/default.htm |
Donna
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 5:09 pm: | |
Incorrect webpage!!! |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 6:00 pm: | |
Donna,
Try it here:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/default.htm |
Lisa Marie
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 11:32 am: | |
I have an exchange going on between myself and the Rosacea board. I never meant for it to turn into this, but as soon as I posted at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/rosacea-support/ I got a reply. I forwared this reply on to Deb to ask for her advice, and she graciously drafted an answer which I am getting ready to post. I thought you all might be interested in this:
--- In rosacea-support@yahoogroups.com, "dog1215"
wrote:
Hi,
I am new here and wanted to ask a couple questions, and report my experiences.
First, has anyone had Iriderm Laser who would comment on it for me? I don't know if that is YAG, or Pulse Dye or what. I am sheduled for this, but about to back out because of am so afraid of permanent marks on my skin. I am having it on my neck for a condition called Poikiloderma of Civatte. At first I thought this was just a part of my Rosacea, now I understand it is a separate condition.
I have recently discovered that anytime I eat MSG in even the tiniest amount, that my face flushes. It has been happening for about 8 years, and I am just now realizing what is going on. There is a board called MSGMYTH.COM (click on the discussion board and use keyword search if necessary) and I would encourage everyone to
check it out. I have read here that many people connect carb ingestion, and eating spicey foods to their flushing. The common denominator in all the offending foods is glutamate-most specifically, Monosodium Glutamate. How to avoid it is the problem, because it is in practically every prepared food out there. I have not eaten out, or had Aspartame since Ocotber. Aspartame and MSG are both excitotoxins and induce flushing-at least they do in me.
Also, I just got some Elidil. It is burning my face really badly. The directions say this will go away after 4 or 5 days. Is this
the experience you all have had?
Thanks for all your comments. Lisa
Marc's reply from the board:
Glutamate occurs naturally in most foods because it is an amino acid,
specifically glutamic acid, which is produced by our own bodies and
occurs in high amounts in human milk. The website you came upon is
total hysteria. For a more level-headed review of the subject check
out http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/msg.html
Excitotoxin is a word that was made up by what I call the "hysteria
community." There is no reliable evidence that MSG, aspartame, or
vaccines are connected to neurological problems.
Marc
He then wrote:
Date: Mon Feb 23, 2004 11:45 pm
Subject: Re: Iriderm Laser, Poikiloderma of Civatte, Monosodium Glutamate, Elidil
I better qualify what I said earlier. The word "excitotoxin" may
have a mainstream medical origin, but I only hear it used by
the "hysteria community."
This is what Deb wrote, which I am about to post there:
This is my post to this person:
Hello, fsmb2. Either you work for the food industry or have closed your mind to the possibility that the FDA is involved in special interests when it comes to the food industry. According to an industry publication by Adrienne Samuels, PH.D in Research, "all the data presented by The Glutamate Association, The International Glutamate Technical Committee, and their sponsors (the multi-billion dollar food industry), as proving MSG is "safe" appear to be flawed. Some, if not all of those data appear to be fraudulent. We are aware of no persons, institutions, or agency, that has claimed MSG is "safe", that does not have close ties to the food and/or drug industries, or that has not been remunerated by them". And the FDA gets its information from these lobby groups hired by the food industry to "sell" MSG's safety. Her publication can be read at site www.truthinlabeling.org.
There have been over 400 tests (many of them listed on www.msgmyth.com...click on "references")conducted by scientists since the late '60s, done on lab animals, that prove beyond a doubt that MSG does cross the blood brain barrier (in the brain) and placental wall, contrary to the propaganda of the glutamate lobbyists or "glutes", as they are called. All lab animals tested demonstrated frightening neurological and physical damage. MSG mainly effects the hypothalamus region of the brain, which controls our entire endocrine system. As Dr. Russell Blaylock, neurosurgeon and author of the book, "Excitotoxins: the taste that kills", explains, glutamate in the brain can be terribly destructive..no matter where that glutamate comes from. Yes, glutamate is an amino acid found naturally in most plants and animals. Our brain needs a certain amount to function properly, as a neurotransmitter. However, when we get too much of it, according to Dr. Blaylock (and Dr. George Schwartz, toxicologist and author of "In Bad Taste: The MSG Symptom Complex") , our neurons are stimulated so much that they are destroyed. If our systems were getting the same amount of natural glutamate from natural foods like our grandparents did, there would be no problem. But the food industry, knowing how MSG pumps up the flavor of processed foods and hides poor flavors (and that equals bigger profits), has doubled the amount of MSG (78% pure glutamate in salt form) to their products with each decade since the 1940's. And in its free form (pure crystalline MSG) it can enter our blood stream 8 to 10 times faster than it should. MSG got a bad name in the late 70's. Knowing this, the glutamate industry has developed new glutamate food additives, at least 100 of them, that contain anywhere from 20 to 65% or more of glutamate. But according to labeling laws, they do not have to disclose this information. Instead, the public reads such words, as autolyzed yeast, whey, soy protein, milk protein, wheat or rice protein, or hydrolyzed vegetable protein, carrageenan, citric acid (made from hydrolyzed corn, not citrus), calcium caseinate (glutamate made from milk), lactic acid (from sugar beets), dextrose, modified starch and di-glycerides (from corn). For a complete list, go to www.msgmyth.com, which you have labeled as an hysterical site. I would call it clear and invaluable information. There's a very caring group that monitors the discussion board offered there. Also check out www.msgtruth.org for more scientific information. While you are defending the food industry and the FDA,and their impeccable record for safety, why don't you question the epidemic rise in Migraine, ADD, neurological disorders, diabetes, asthma, skin, stomach, and sleep disorders, depression, rage, racing heart, glaucoma (which is epidemic in China). ....All of which Drs. Blaylock and Schwartz contribute to the unregulated and vast use of glutamate in our processed foods. And then do a study on "glutamate blockers" the latest rage of the drug industry to treat these disorders. I personally know a single working mom whose little boy was covered from head to toe with a terrible rash. Only when she decided to avoid MSG did he get well. Check out the works of scientists, P.S. Spencer on ALS and Parkinson's, and world famous Dr. John Olney regarding glutamate. And please consider that possibility that "excess glutamate" is causing a lot of unnecessary suffering for millions. You have nothing to gain but better health as I have learned.
Happy to Be MSG Free
Many thanks to Deb |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 3:00 pm: | |
Deb A.,
Something tells me that the poster of the pro-MSG diatribe who goes by the handle "fsmb2" may be working for the Federation of State Medical Boards. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 10:23 pm: | |
Shrewd deduction, Roy, and quite possibly.
Sure demonstrates what we are up against with the mindset of many medical professionals and educators, if that is the case. |
Lisa Marie
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 3:29 am: | |
They did not put up my follow-up post which included the information from Deb. I am extremely upset by this. DJ, are you still here? Have you visited the Rosacea board at yahoo? |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 11:10 am: | |
Try emailing DJ...some addresses are posted...go to topics on the menu at the left. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 6:45 pm: | |
I think we should take that diatribe as a compliment. This person is obviously trying to discredit us because they perceive us as a threat - probably to their livelihood. But my argument is this: Hysteria did not likely cause my pituitary tumor, Tom's A-Fib, Deb's asthma and hypothyroid, Jerry's A.L.S., MEMorris's MS, my boyfriend's asthma, Roy's blackouts, and the seizures in the children of our friends on this board. This is not a community of hysterical people, but intelligent, aware, savvy, caring, concerned people with real- not imagined - illnesses diagnosed by real doctors who are at a loss as to how to make us better, and then are amazed that we recover when we avoid MSG and then relapse the minute we are poisoned unwittingly. Anyone who truly reads the postings on this board can see that. I think the powers that be are frightened that word is getting out. I now am finding links to msgtruth.org on websites in other languages. The Glutes are worried. Good. |
paula
| | Posted on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 9:11 pm: | |
Well said Carol! |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Friday, February 27, 2004 - 10:06 am: | |
Bravo, Carol! Isn't it interesting how such commentaries all seem to sound the same...we have had a couple people post here who have tried unsuccessfully to "set the people straight" about the safety of MSG...all seem to be parroting the same propaganda...all seem to have the same attitude: defensive, intelligent sounding but very narrow minded, and lacking in the slightest desire to do some independent research...as if, as you said, their livelihood depended on it. Yes, the glutes check in here...they make new pamphlets, take new angles. And if you notice, whenever there is a headline about a link to MSG and disease, they will conjure up some fascinating new take on MSG production in some new country or something. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Friday, February 27, 2004 - 10:11 am: | |
Maybe what we can do is get everyone to write about their own MSG experiences and send them to us. Then when we get a lot of them, we can send them all to the FDA, CDC, the Surgeon General, the major newspapers, you name it. In fact, Mike can probably add something to our home page inviting people to send us their stories explaining what we will be doing with them....hmmm...what do you think?....am just thinking out loud. Believe me, I am always trying to come up with new angles on how to get this story and the truth to the public somehow...no easy task. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 5:21 am: | |
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jolts
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 9:20 pm: | |
As per this link:
www.lef.org/magazine/mag2001/oct2001_cover_theanine_01.html
It says:
"Although essential to brain chemistry, too much glutamate kills brain cells. The most common cause of glutamate overload is insufficient blood supply. If the brain doesn't get adequate blood flow, glutamate surges, calcium increases, and free radicals damage cells."
Can I get some feedback on this?
Pat Sr |
Deb A.
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Sunday, August 20, 2006 - 8:43 am: | |
This is the common explanation for excess glutamate in the brain. It is the reason why stroke victims have brain damage and why glutamate blockers are given to them ASAP. However, it is not the main reason the majority of us are MSG reactive, I believe, or why we have glutamate overload. MSG is flooding the average person's system due to the consumption of glutamate glut in our processed foods. Scientists and the glutamate industry still claim that our blood brain barriers can filter out MSG. Hundreds of tests on lab animals prove otherwise...some of us do have compromised blood brain barriers (some more permeable than others due to perhaps genetics, injury, age, etc.), but it cannot be the only explanation for the dramatic rise in glutmate related epidemics in the world, nor can inadequate blood flow. |
susan
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 10:25 am: | |
I've read Dr. Blaylock's books, and learned that Alzheimer's/Dementia can be caused by (and I know I'm oversimplifying) glucose-starved brain cells. Does anyone know if using Metformin for years can result in Alzheimer's/Dementia since it lowers blood sugar? What about other medications that stabilize blood sugar or inhibit blood sugar spikes? I've been on Metformin for over a year, am not diabetic, and have had severe mood swings--probably from my blood sugar levels being too low. My endocrinologist wants me to continue and increase my dosage, but I'm nervous about it since my mother has early onset Alzheimer's. |
MEMorrisNJ
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 5:17 pm: | |
That's a great question. From what I read, Metformin can certainly can effect your B-12 levels. And even "low normal" B-12 levels can create thinking problems --- I thought I was going crazy a while ago before I was diagnosed with this (and I wasn't taking any drugs). I've written about this before -- do I search for B-12 here at msgmyth.com
No wonder there are so many people in nursing homes with all the diabetics out there on this drug and doctors not testing for low-B-12! (Boy, does this make me MAD!)
I've also read that metformin can lower your CoQ10 levels. Here's one reference to get you started: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=dce59228-1023-4705-b1c7-b407be7b4fc6&chunkiid=21378 |
MEMorrisNJ
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - 4:52 am: | |
B-12 helps make B-6, I think.
More on B-12 and CoQ10 in protecting us from MSG is at Carol H's site at http://msgtruth.org/remedies.htm |
Lisa Marie
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 3:03 am: | |
Flu Shots (from "Organic Bites Email, 11/24/06)
SURVEY OF THE WEEK:
FLU SHOTS CONTAIN MERCURY
A survey of over 9,000 Americans found that an overwhelming majority of people had no idea their flu shots contain mercury. "More than 75 percent of Americans feel a mercury-containing flu shot should not be given to a pregnant woman or a child," said Lisa Handley, a founding parent of PutChildrenFirst.org, the group that organized the survey. Handley's own son, Jamison, had an adverse reaction to a flu shot containing mercury in 2003. "I know firsthand how life-changing a flu shot with mercury can be, since our son began his regression into autism after his flu shot." In 1999, government agencies called for the removal of Thimerosal, the mercury-based preservative in most vaccines. Then, in 2001, the American Academy of Pediatrics stated that, "mercury in all of its forms is toxic to the fetus and children." Despite these actions, 90 percent of this season's flu vaccines still contain Thimerosal.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_3400.cfm |
Lisa Marie
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 3:07 am: | |
Monsanto and Genetic Engineering
(from Oraganic Bites email, 11/24/06)
QUICK FACTS OF THE WEEK
The biotech industry has officially celebrated the planting of the billionth acre of genetically engineered crops.
75% of the world's genetically engineered crops are grown in the U.S. and Argentina.
More than 90% of world's genetically engineered seeds were developed and sold by the Monsanto Corporation (planted predominantly with Monsanto's genetically modified corn, cotton, soyabean and canola seeds).
Monsanto's GE seed sales alone brought the company over $4 billion last year. Outside of GE seeds, Monsanto's past and present product-line has included Agent Orange, DDT, PCBs, rBGH and aspartame.
Notable historic quote: "Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech food. Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is the FDA's job." - Phil Angell, Monsanto's director of corporate communications. "Playing God in the Garden" New York Times Magazine, October 25, 1998.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/monlink.cfm
To subscribe to Organic bites:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/organicbytes.htm |
Roy Piwovar
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 3:40 am: | |
There is now a class action lawsuit against Monsanto:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_3329.cfm |
Deb A.
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Thursday, November 30, 2006 - 11:38 am: | |
Monsanto has been sued so many times, but they just pay the penalty and go on their merry money way....making us sicker and sicker. |
Deb A.
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Thursday, November 30, 2006 - 11:43 am: | |
Mike and I are very sorry it took so long to get this board up and running again. We upgraded the program, but ran into some snags with it. Mike has been up late the last few nights trying to fix it. We got so much email from people who were very concerned. This board is a lifeline for so many. Thanks to all of you for what you bring to it. I really missed you guys! |
Judith
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, December 04, 2006 - 11:23 am: | |
People who have't yet had their flu shot should take some care to inquire of the ingredients. The newer versions contain lots of ingredients now, in their efforts to remove thimerosal. After looking at my choices, I chose the one with thimerosal. At least I knew what to expect. Anything is better than the flu. |
Anonymous
Posted From: 209.204.178.27
| | Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 12:44 pm: | |
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071205153142.htm
Well, surprise, surprise. Would you believe I have a family history of alcoholism?
Jennifer |
Bill S
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 5:47 pm: | |
Reminds me of the Dr. Blaylock's nutrition and behavior video where he says 60 something percent of the population have a tendency to become hypoglycemic. And some people very much so. And he says the alcohol gives them great energy. I read in the newspaper that this is a myth. I know it makes me sleepy, but I'm not an alcoholic either. I think the paper is just covering up the fact that it makes some people dance on tables. |
Dianne
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 2:52 am: | |
Some of you may have received an email from Mercola.com and already clicked on "Ten Tricks to Using Google You Probably Don't Know". It offers a link to "Scientific Research at Your Fingertips With Google". After I searched for a few minutes I came across this abstract (and many more):
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WHC-4RJXWPF-3&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=0cdfd013a3e99311f744237aaf9e950e
Available online 11 January 2008. Abstract
Chronic inflammation is a common theme in a variety of disease pathways, including autoimmune diseases. The pathways of chronic inflammation are well illustrated by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is of a serious concern due to its increasing prevalence in the westernized world and its direct correlation with lifestyle factors, particularly diet. Importantly, NASH may ultimately lead to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. We previously reported that injection of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in ICR mice leads to the development of significant inflammation, central obesity, and type 2 diabetes. To directly address the long-term consequences of MSG on inflammation, we have performed serial analysis of MSG-injected mice and focused in particular on liver pathology. By 6 and 12 months of age, all MSG-treated mice developed NAFLD and NASH-like histology, respectively. In particular, the murine steatohepatitis at 12 months was virtually undistinguishable from human NASH. Further, dysplastic nodular lesions were detected in some cases within the fibrotic liver parenchyma. We submit that MSG treatment of mice induces obesity and diabetes with steatosis and steatohepatitis resembling human NAFLD and NASH with pre-neoplastic lesions. These results take on considerable significance in light of the widespread usage of dietary MSG and we suggest that MSG should have its safety profile re-examined and be potentially withdrawn from the food chain.
Although in medical terms some of the abstracts are understandable and quite interesting. |
prg
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - 7:01 pm: | |
MSG and obesity link established pretty doggone well:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-08/uonc-urf081308.php |
prg
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - 10:46 am: | |
Okay, one more, then I'll go, like, have a life:
Just scanning what scientific literature I can find on the Net, it looks like several (maybe all?) anti-epileptic drugs work by regulating glutamate in some way: transport, conversion into GABA, etc.
A recent article in Scientific American explained how they have discovered that what causes migraines is actually electrical activity in the brain (not that stuff we've been told for decades about swollen blood vessels at all, which is again why I say what I do about doctors: they don't know it all even if they want to and think they do).(And I like doctors. I just know their weaknesses.)
This is SO fun. Unfortunately I need to go earn a living. Sigh...
--prg |
Dianne
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2008 - 1:40 pm: | |
prg,
Yes, discovery is fun and you are doing a great job at it!!! Keep up the good work and keep posting those links too. |
prg
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2008 - 7:48 am: | |
Dianne, I'd like to have that Mercola piece about Googling scientific research. Is there a link to it? I'm a Google addict. :-)
That abstract above is pretty shocking. Even more shocking is that there appear to be dozens if not hundreds more like that one, quite a pile of scientifically validated evidence that glutamates are Seriously Bad News--for rats only, of course. None of this applies to humans.
This isn't just a controversy, it's starting to look more like a coverup! Tobacco industry redux? Do we have to wait another 50 years and hundreds of thousands of deaths?
Sigh...Not to mention not being able to eat PIZZA any more (first things first after all)...
;-) |
Dianne
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2008 - 4:53 pm: | |
This is the Mercola article:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/01/26/ten-tricks-to-using-google-you-probably-don-t-know.aspx
This is the Google link (have fun):
http://scholar.google.com/ |
Debbie H.
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2008 - 5:26 am: | |
Is MSG in epideral? Does anyone know if MSG is contained in the meds used for an epideral? I have noticed that myself, as well as many others, developed chronic conditions (mine being migraines) after having a baby. It also has me wondering, if the infant is affected as well. Contributing to GERD or autism?? Just thinking out loud here...
I have had migraines most of my life, but they didn't become chronic until after my 2nd baby was born. I also experienced extreme Post-Partum Depression. Side note- He was born with acid reflux, and had problems with it until he was 3 yrs. old.
Thanks for any info!
Debbie H. |
Amanda S.
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 8:02 am: | |
I don't know if MSG is in an epidural, but because I also suffer from terrible migraines, I refused to have an epidural (of course, with a C-section you wouldn't be able to turn down the epidural) with both of my children. I chose the narcotic option instead, definitely not as good as using no meds, but at least the effects to mother and newborn are only temporary. I was so afraid of ending up with even worse headaches or a never ending headache that I couldn't even fathom the idea of having an epidural. I wouldn't be surprised if it contributed to your son's condition, so sorry; glad to hear that it seems he is now doing better. |
Roy Piwovar
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 1:51 am: | |
In recent days, a study on epidurals has been in the news, in which they were found to be much safer than previously thought. Complications from them were found to be on the order of 1 in 20,000, or less.
In other scientific news, low dose naltrexone was said to reduce glutamate accumulations and stop disease progression in some disorders:
http://autoimmunedisease.suite101.com/article.cfm/glutamate_excess_in_multiple_sclerosis_variants |
Deb A.
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 10:49 am: | |
Roy, I found this study very exciting...gives me hope. For the article to actually specify that glutamate is also found in MSG is amazing. I made a few copies and have put them in the files of several of my son's patients who I have been tryng to educate about MSG and the link to their neurological disorders, which include Parkinson's and even Lyme's Disease. The one with Lyme's disease fascinates me. She is about 63, and she says her daughter was just diagnosed with it. Neither remember any tick bites, but since the symptoms (many of which mimic those of MSG toxicity)fit, that's what they believe they have. This article mentions the link. I also hear from people who were diagnosed with Lupus, but found out it was MSG that was causing symptoms. Think of all the wrong diagnoses out there..and the drugs being taken. |
Cathy218
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 5:51 pm: | |
I will try to make this concise.
NEED HELP RE: Citric Acid Cycle and Muscle Pain
Could this be what our issue is, overall?
This is what I think happened.
Years of antibiotics, kills acid and enzymes in tummy, malabsorbtion (this was confirmed based on Genova Diagnostics lab tests)
Since no acid and enzymes...many vitamin and mineral levels were VERY low (confirmed Genova Lab NutraEval test) showed all amino acids low, Magnesium, Manganese, B vits, Folate all low.
Most importantly: In the Krebs Cycle...Citric Acid process that converts food to energy...there were major problems with the Citric Acid AND Ketoglutaric phase.
They have me on Ketoglutaric Acid amoung other things such as probiotics.
I read that candida can mess up the Ketoglutaric phase. My doctor says this is a VERY rare problem!
So here is my question:
I react to a lot of the list with free glutamate...including vitamins ending with Citrate, citric acid and glutamate and glutamine etc. Would this make sence for most of us who react to these things...the MSG and free glutamates build up because our bridge is broken? The Ketoglutaric Cycle link in the Kreb's Cycle Bridge of energy.
Doc thinks I have leaky gut...one doc thinks so one does not. I have reacted to many treatments they have tried.
I get hives, throat starts to close, extreme muscle pain, ringing in ears, eye blurriness bla, bla, bla...I can control most of these with careful diet. BUT the muscle joint pain...doc thinks it can be helped with magnesium iv's. Also I have NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO energy..they attribute this to my messed up Ketoglutaric acid phase. Anyone know anything about this Ketoglutaric Acid Phase and how long it may take to start working and is it fixable? I need energy.
Hugs to all of you. I am getting answers to this crAZY, CONSUMING ILLNESS AND WHEN i AM feeling better I promise to help others! |
Jennifer
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 8:00 pm: | |
Ummm...in my own research, I have discovered that sulfites knock out the ATP cycle...converting glutamate to alpha-ketoglutarate(sp?) is disrupted.
Dunno if you're sensitive to sulfites....but I'd certainly believe anything that knocks out the Kreb's cycle/ATP production/Citric Acid metabolism will affect glutamate sensitivity.
I take Nature Made Super B Complex, 1000iu of vitamin D, and 1000mg. of taurine every day. It sure helps a lot.
Jennifer |
Jennifer
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 8:03 pm: | |
Forgot to add...I had a chronic pain thing going on not unlike fibromyalgia. I'm also sensitive to sulfites.
Jennifer |
Cathy218
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 8:07 pm: | |
Is the fibro better?
What do you keep away from re: sulfites?
Thank so much for your help.
I take all of what you're taking too. Plus more...I added slowly and have no reactions to what I am taking now. |
Jennifer
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 8:22 pm: | |
Let's see...Sulfites - have many things in common with MSG items, like corn products (HFCS, dextrose), caramel color, etc. Also potato "products", grape products (fresh organic grapes/raisins *may* be OK) including wine, which I always avoid. Also dried fruit, unless organic or specified sulfite free, and shellfish. Also many mixed alcoholic drinks. There's a lot more. A web search for "sulfite demons" should show a site dedicated to sulfites. There's no link to MSG there, though, but still good info.
The "fibro" is...gone. I don't eat a whole lot of bad stuff anymore. Exercise is probably %30 of keeping the pain away. I just take a class I enjoy that makes me move. No gym membership.
Jennifer |
Elaine B
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 7:23 am: | |
Jennifer, I have the chronic muscle, joint pain & am curious how long it took for your fibro symptoms to dissapear. ( I'm assuming you stick to a very strict diet & exercise.) |
cathy218
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 9:48 am: | |
My joints and muscles are really bad as well. Cutting out MSG and all forms of free glutamate while helpful with many of my symptoms...the inflamation in my joints is getting progressively worse. The doc thinks it is my lack of magnesium. +++++What did any of you find was your issue with your joints and how did you solve it? They want me to take magnesium iv's...could magnesium deficiency be the culprit? |
Jennifer
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 9:50 am: | |
It took 3 months or so for the back pain to mellow. But when I stopped eating MSG, suddenly I felt *SO* much better. I think that took less than a week.
Suddenly I actually had enough energy to slowly start rebuilding my body with exercise. Once I gained some muscle strength, the pain started to fade - that's what took about three months.
Mind you, I've been taking the class for nearly three years. It's only been since December that I actually feel like taking it to the next level. I'll never be an athlete, but would like to take it from merely "healthy" to "respectable". I made that last part up, but it sounds good.
I still haven't actually taken it to the next level....but I just might do that soon.
I went from physical therapy (which didn't help, but may have prevented further decline), to a Pilates class twice a week offered by the therapist. This is where the first little bits of progress started to happen. When that class was canceled, I signed up for a martial arts class.
In my experience if you tell the instructors about special needs they're more than willing to work with you....if they don't, there's others out there that will.
Jennifer |
cathy218
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 9:55 am: | |
Kreb's Cycle,PLEASE read above.
Could a problem with the Ketoglutaric phase of the Citric Acid phase be the cause of this sudden allergy to many things including citric acid, any vitamins in citrate form, glutamine etc? And can it be fixed simply by taking a Ketoglutaric supplement and HOW LONG before it would work? This cycle turns food into energy....I have NONE (energy).
I thank you for yor responces. |
Jennifer
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 10:01 am: | |
cathy,
I would certainly try the magnesium. I don't supplement because I haven't found a safe one at the store. Many people here order online. I do indulge in an epsom salt foot bath from time to time.
Eating too many carbs will make me "feel" inflamed, but we are all different as to what we should eat. Sulfites get me with inflammation too.
There is a cause for the inflammation - but you can try dozens of doctors and dozens of diets before finding the cause. Hang in there. In my experience, once you find the real cause, you'll know it.
Jennifer |
Dianne
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 12:54 pm: | |
If I might jump in here about joint inflammation and muscle problems. MSG without a doubt increases this, but so does eating too many carbs. Jennifer, you are the first person I've ever come across who said this too. For years doctors looked at me like I had a vivid imagination when I would tell them this. Anyway, I've been taking magnesium for years, without even knowing that it helped counter the affects of MSG. I've been on the noMSG diet for 2 1/2 years and although I've been able to decrease my pain meds gradually, every time I tried to get below a certain point I couldn't do it. BUT 6 days ago I was finally able to discontinue one of the meds (Neurontin), I am cautiously optimistic that I can remain off of it and that eventually I can get off the other med too. So I guess healing takes time and probably a different time frame for everyone. But I consider myself lucky to have had some symptoms that forced me to eat healthy.....for the rest of my life. |
Deb A.
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 3:18 pm: | |
Citric acid contains glutamate since it contains residues from the corn it is made from...although there may be more to it. Another theory about carbs...if the main carbs people consume are grain products from high glutamate sources like wheat, corn, and other grains and simple sugars, which contain both glutamate (fructose, corn syrups) and sulfites, then cutting out those items should help the highly glutamate sensitive. MSG or glutamate is a known inflammatory agent, a vasoconstrictor, and endocrine disruptor. When I was trying to avoid MSG the first year or two, I still would get bad joint pain now and then. I learned to cut back on some foods naturally high in glutamate and that made a difference. Then I found out that most butter that is not organic contains sulfites. When I switched to organic butter (I make a blend of mild olive oil, butter, water and salt), the pain in my hips and knees disappeared. I couldn't believe how well sulfites are even hidden...don't have to be on label in some cases...mayo, non organic dairy, fruit drinks..unless above a certain amount, according to the FDA. I think a lot of unwary people with joint pain are reacting to not only MSG, but to sulfites, too. Jennifer, I think I'll try taking taurine more often. Isn't it supposed to help with sulfite sensitivity? Thanks for your ideas..they help all of us so much. |
Melinda
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 8:40 pm: | |
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