| Author |
Message |
Carol H
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 12, 2001 - 1:46 pm: |    |
MSN has a cover story today on obesity and its unprecedented rise in children. They tried to blame it on video games and TV. If they only knew just how much of both I had as a kid. I was a very skinny child. My generation watched batman after school and played space invaders until Prime time started - then watched TV till bedtime. We were not as obese as these kids are now. We didn't eat as much MSG as these kids do. I doubt it is Nintendo. Not one mention in this article of MSG and the fact that scientists use it regularly to make lab animals obese on purpose. Talk about being oblivious. Who writes these stories for them, the Glutes? |
Anon
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 12, 2001 - 2:53 pm: | |
Carol,
Your still a youngster! I am posting as anonymous to hide my age.(ha-ha)
We had Lincoln logs, erector sets and slide viewers with black and white TVs'.
I agree with you though, that back then there was a lot less use of MSG by the food manufacturers. Also a lot more fresher vegetables,canned foods by your parents etc..
I look back and see a more balanced diet. A lot less fast food unlike today.
Junk food consisted of mainly ice cream, cookies, fizzys, candy etc.. Very little fast food, maybe a hamburger or pizza.
Today everything is to make a fast buck, so lets add additives to save money.
It is very sad to say the least where the food industry as a whole has gone. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 12, 2001 - 5:10 pm: | |
You're right, Anonymous. There was candy. I have the cavities to prove it too. I grew up a stone's throw from a candy stand (to my Dad's utter dismay). They didn't add MSG to candy then, though. I also used to eat my grandmas butter cookies all the time. Sugar and fat have always been around. MSG hasn't. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, December 13, 2001 - 9:33 am: | |
I was born in '47, and we only had whole milk, cream and butter on top of everything, lots of red meat, gravy, potatoes, icecream all the time, and ate like horses. We didn't have all the after school activities that kids have today...sure we played hard, but we sat lots playing with dolls, paper dolls, black and white TV, table games and cards, etc. There were always snacks at hand, which were often rich cookies, cakes, cheeses, fruits, and milkshakes. There was no such thing as low cal anything. I remember if I happened to see an obese person or child, I would stare wide-eyed, and Grandma would have to tell me to stop staring at that "poor" person. Needles to say, obesity was rare. The most profound amounts of MSG have been added to our foods in the the 80's and 90's according to safety expert and researcher, Wayne Erickson. Mike will have a pamphlet that is almost ready to post here for down loading. Wayne wrote a pamphlet about MSG and Mike, with Wayne's permission, has been using it to develop one for all of us to use via the Net. Please feel free to print and distribute as many of them as you want. It will be ready soon. |
Judy T
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 2:31 pm: | |
Two articles worth sending to family and friends on jassekhmet.tripod.com/MSG1.htm and jassekhme.trip.com/MSG2htm. MSG - The Deadly Mouth Aphrodisiac by Janet Allen |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 7:09 pm: | |
just click below:
http://jassekhmet.tripod.com/MSG1.htm
http://jassekhmet.tripod.com/MSG2.htm |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 10:19 am: | |
Thanks,Judy and Roy. These are excellent. We need to put a link to them.
Interesting side note. At the NoMSG convention referred to in one of the articles, I was told that many of the people there got very ill on some of the food prepared by the hotel restaurant and some had to go to the hospital. The NoMSG leaders had helped plan the meal with the kitchen staff and had educated them about MSG, but somehow it got in anyway. My daughter's friend worked in a Chinese restaurant and she said some of the cooks got great fun out of adding MSG to the meals of those who requested it not be added.
Sad commentary on our society. As the articles said, we need to get some respect and soon. This national health crisis is definitely changing our children and even the unborn. Unfortunately, as the author says, the vast power behind this cover-up, is forcing us to work via grass roots efforts...but we must not give up. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 3:31 am: | |
I had to copy this new posting from the http://www.NoMSG.com discussion board:
"Restaurants will have to declare the use of MSG on the menu, or other areas of the food display.":
http://www.smh.com.au/news/0203/20/national/national13.html |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 9:48 am: | |
Is this in Canada? Where is this from? |
Pat
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 4:25 pm: | |
Do you have dates when this is to become affective ? |
Gerry Bush
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 8:15 pm: | |
New South Wles, Australia! Yeah for the Aussies! |
Gerry Bush
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 8:15 pm: | |
That's New South Wales |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 1:33 pm: | |
Wonder what our so-called watch dog, the FDA, thinks about the Aussies doing that. They still consider it too big a task to legislate better labeling of MSG....what a crock. They would probably think it would trample the rights of restaurant owners to get them to do what the Aussies have done. Hats off to the minister of health from down under! |
Pat
| | Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 2:41 pm: | |
ditto, and double ditto |
Pat Shoffner
| | Posted on Saturday, March 23, 2002 - 3:28 pm: | |
Hi,
I first came to this web sight and asked about atrial fibrillation or a-fib as my husband was having an a-fib session every three days like clockwork. I was thinking that MAYBE msg had something to do with it. I was sent to Tom Fernstrom and he has been a wealth of information as has Jack Samuels from Truth and Labeling. Tom suggested today that I relate a little bit of our problem so as to encourage you that " this ain't no myth ". We have done the 'usual' thing as all of you have too. We have been to six doctors and ended up firing the first five. My husband has taken nine different meds. to correct this irregular heartbeat and the sideaffects were really bad for him ( his body can't stand meds). Finally I asked the last doctor if there was a CAUSE of this accurring and his reply was no, that all he could do was treat the SYMPTOMS. Now, does that sound familar ? ? ? That really ticked me off ! Then comes the nomsg idea. I threw everything out of my kitchen (really) and started from scratch - thanks Deb for your cookbook - that was two months ago. It has taken quite a while but FINALLY the a-fibs have stopped (well, I am knocking on wood as I write this ) He is now up to day nine without any sessions and that is a record. We finally scheduled an ablation process when we couldn't get anywhere (it takes six weeks to get in) and that is scheduled for this Friday. Now, of course we aren't sure if we should go through with it. But, just wanted everyone to know that Tom and Jack both have been a tremendous help to me as I dig for information - and this web sight has also been a good source for me ( remember the canola oil question ? ) Anyway, sorry to ramble but don't give up on thinking it is tough sometimes. It is well worth it and you all are great people. Stay healthy, OK ? |
DJ
| | Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 2:11 am: | |
Hello Pat,
I can remember about 6 years ago, when all of my illness began, one of the symptoms I had was heart a-fibs. I use to stand at the counter at work and pray, all the while my heart was doing its "dance". It was years later that I finally connected food to this problem, but the only a-fibs I get today happen after a cup of coffee.
Even though we have all been affected differently by MSG poisoning, we share so much. Having a place to go like Deb and this websight is truly a Godsend. THANKS Deb!
DJ |
Pat
| | Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 4:00 am: | |
Thanks DJ
Glad that you are doing well - even though you had to throw the coffee away. Good to hear of somebody else that figured out the problem. It is just good to hear that somebody else has been there and gotten better. |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 4:59 am: | |
Pat,
Thanks for the endorsement posting. We all need encouragement to not only to begin abstaining from Excitotoxins, but also to maintain that abstention when there are so many difficult situations and tempting food choices out there.
The reward of improved health and maintaining that "Feel Great" physical euphoria is well worth the effort.  |
Carol H
| | Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 7:16 am: | |
Pat, It was being able to actually hear my racing heart pounding in my ears at night after some MSG laced restaurant food, that I came to the realization that MSG was the cause of much of my medical troubles. That was the start of the whole MSG revelation for me. Now, I am very concerned that doctors are too willing to do surgical ablation procedures for afib. I hear ads for that procedure on the radio every morning. It's like that old story about whether to put a fence on the cliff or an ambulance down in the valley. I live on the Palisades. Here, we prefer fences on the cliffs. The ambulances are usually way too late. |
Gerry Bush
| | Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 4:40 pm: | |
Pat-I too used to have a serious irregular and racing heartbeat that was absolutely linked to msg AND aspartame consumption.
Have also been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and a heart murmur. As long as I manage to avoid these and other excitotoxins my heartbeat stays normal. No doctor EVER connected my symtoms to msg even though when it was acute, I was only 30 years old! Doctor only prescribed a beta blocker that never controlled the irregular heartbeat. And after taking the beta-blockers for a year and a half, I became violently allergic to them to. Now I can't even take any sort of medicine even for high blood pressure.
The first time that I ever had an inkling that irregular heartbeat could be related to msg was on this site just a few years ago. The sad thing is that I am now 55. For 25 years I suffered only to have the good folks here tell me how to control the afib. So much for doctors! |
MEMorrisNJ
| | Posted on Monday, March 25, 2002 - 7:25 am: | |
Re rapid heartbeat, I have learned that traditional doctors overprescribe digitalis glycosides ("Digoxin" or "Lanoxin" instead of making any connection to MSG. If you read about this drug in the book entitled, "Worst Pills Best Pills", you will see that this drug is highly toxic and must be closely monitored.(If you have any family members who swear by traditional medicine and are taking lots of drugs, this book is a must to read.) Presently, I am helping my elderly aunt who almost died from reacting to Digoxin. She was given a blood test every week to monitor the levels of digoxin in her body but she still was literally poisoned resulting in her severe loss of appetite, smell, taste, inability to sleep, etc. Two years ago, I helped my uncle recover from taking Lanoxin that pushed his kidneys over the edge -- he may have to start dialysis soon. |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 6:31 am: | |
MEMorrisNJ,
To your point, on Friday, March 22, 2002 I stopped taking the Digitek (Digoxin/Lanoxin).
For about three weeks previous, I was experiencing occasional short bouts of A-Fib. I had assumed this was being caused by MSG ingestion because I was traveling and eating in restaurants. But I also noticed a return of the very sensitive nipples -- a symptom that had caused me to half the Digitek dosage previously.
Since the A-Fib bouts continued after I returned home where I knew I was not ingesting MSG, I thought that perhaps the Digitek itself was causing the bouts. I was also experiencing some swelling and fluid retention that I assumed was from the A-Fib bouts.
Almost immediately the bouts of A-Fib stopped with the Digitek elimination and each day the nipple sensitivity is diminishing. I am also urinating more often and not experiencing the swelling.
I have made an appointment with my doctor to run this self diagnosis past him for his concurrance. |
MEMorrisNJ
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 7:38 am: | |
Tom: Here are some references from the book I mentioned that may be available in your own library --- Irregular heartbeats are one of the many signs of overdose ---- Do NOT stop taking this drug suddenly! Your doctor must give you a schedule to lower your dose gradually. ("... if you get too little, you may develop symptoms of heart failure or a rapid heart rate." Yet, they also report: "... up to 8 out of 10 long-term users can stop using the drug successfully, under close supervision by a doctor, with no harmful results." ---- You should be wearing a medical ID bracelet with the name of this drug. ---- This medication interacts with a long list of other drugs including valium, milk of magnesia (see book for list).--- While on it, you must have alot of potassium, adequate magnesium, low salt and low dietary fiber.--- In addition to checking your heart and bp, you may want to ask your doc to measure your kidney and liver functions, blood levels of potassium, magnesium and calcium PLUS blood levels of the drug itself. --- Fluid retention is one of the many signs of toxicity. In fact, these were the first signs for both my uncle and aunt. The book is available in our reference section of our library and maybe it is in yours so a purchase is not needed. Please let me know how you do. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 3:40 pm: | |
Thank you all for sharing your stories about racing heart, fibrillations, or arrhythmia. These are such common symptoms of MSG toxicity, and just today I received 2 e mail from people wondering if their racing heart conditions could be due to MSG. I sent them to this discussion board for information and was delighted to see all the related postings on this topic. I thank you from the bottom of my no-longer-racing heart!
P.S. So glad you found the answers you all were searching for and glad we could help with this site. |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 27, 2002 - 11:15 am: | |
Deb A,
Please tell anyone who contacts you about A-Fib, racing heart or arrhyyhmia that they are welcome to contact me directly for more information.
As you know from a direct e-mailing to you, I have summarized a lot of information garnered off this discussion group and its linked sites into a few documents that can easily be customized to provide a quick and easy way for "newbies" to absorb and decipher pertinent information for A-Fib symptoms.
The disussion board and your site are fine ways of providing helpful information, but sometimes there is a need for one-on-one communication to make it easier for "newbies" to sort things out. If I and a few other "Oldies" are willing to devote time to answer questions directly associated with our individual symptoms, then we can get quicker results for those in need.
So I hearby volunteer to be the Heart Healthy Excitotoxin contact person for any newbies who want help and may not be comfortable with posting on the discussion board.
What I will do is keep a seperate file of those correspondences so that I can use garnered information and subsequent personal histories to document future avenues of advice. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Sunday, March 31, 2002 - 2:37 am: | |
More detail on the Australian ban:
"FINES FOR RESTAURANTS THAT DON'T WARN OF MSG USE
March 20, 2002
Sydney Morning Herald
Geesche Jacobsen
http://www.smh.com.au/news/0203/20/national/national13.html (note:link removed)
Regulations announced yesterday by the NSW, Australia, Health Minister, Craig Knowles, were cited as saying that restaurants will be fined if they fail to tell diners they use MSG, or monosodium glutamate.
The story says that while consumers can already identify MSG in packaged food, restaurants will in future face fines of up to $5500 if they don't provide similar warnings.
Mr Knowles was quoted as saying, "It's only courtesy to consumers and a fair thing that if people are using large amounts of added MSG they should let people know about it," and that restaurants will have to declare the use of MSG on the menu, or other areas of the food display.
The Allergy Unit of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital estimated that between 5 to 10 per cent of the population suffered adverse effects from food additives and up to 500 patients a year tested positive to MSG intolerance." |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Sunday, March 31, 2002 - 4:33 am: | |
I sent the Minister an e-mail at this site:
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/minister/
Below is the content of the e-mail. I suggest we all do the same. Maybe this campaign will spread to the USA.
Tom
************
I applaud your effort to have restaurants notify customers when they use MSG. But are you aware that MSG is "Hidden" in a number of ingredients used today in processed foods? They include:
Cut and Carry List of Ingredients to Avoid
monosodium glutamate
glutamate
natural flavor(s)
natural flavoring(s)
maltodextrin
carrageenan
gelatin
spice(s)
seasoning(s)
seasoned salt
dough conditioner(s)
yeast extract
autolyzed yeast
autolyzed yeast extract
autolyzed anything
broth
stock
soup base
nutrasweet / aspartame
hydrolyzed protein
hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP)
hydrolyzed plant protein
hydrolyzed oat flour
hydrolyzed anything
sodium caseinate
calcium caseinate
caseinate
disodium guanylate
disodium inosinate
disodium caseinate
chicken/pork/beef "flavoring"
chicken/pork/beef "base"
bouillon
vegetable gum
plant protein extract
smoke flavoring(s)
malted barley flour
malt extract
malt flavoring(s)
malted barley / barley malt
malted anything
textured protein
guar gum
soy extract
soy protein
soy protein concentrate
soy protein isolate
soy sauce
whey protein
whey protein isolate
whey protein concentrate
kombu extract
l-cysteine
ajinomoto
More information can be found at:
http://www.truthinlabeling.org/
http://www.msgmyth.com
http://www.msgmyth.com/discus/index.html (discussion group)
http://www.msgtruth.org
http://www.ideatown.com/ntxa/index.html |
Ruth
| | Posted on Sunday, March 31, 2002 - 10:13 am: | |
Thanks Tom!
I just e-mailed the Minister of Health with my congratulations, a bit of information on my own sensitivity to MSG, and the problem with so much of it being hidden in ingredients that a restaurant diner could be ingesting a large amount that isn't labeled. Thanks for including that long list of hidden sources and the helpful websites in your post. |
Suzanne
| | Posted on Sunday, March 31, 2002 - 7:48 pm: | |
Good idea Tom, I just sent him a message also. Maybe he will be of help in some small way also. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Monday, April 01, 2002 - 2:50 am: | |
Tom,
Thanks for the health minister's contact information. I just sent him the link below:
http://www.annapolis.net/members/holland/resturas.txt |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 03, 2002 - 9:52 am: | |
How come citric acid and high fructose corn syrup aren't on lists of hidden msg? |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 03, 2002 - 3:18 pm: | |
Go to our site at www.msgmyth.com and you will see corn syrup and citric acid listed in the second box. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 8:17 am: | |
Some companies claim that they make their corn syrup without chemicals and use an osmosis type process, saying this does not create as much glutamate residue. And there is some citric acid still made from citrus fruits, but most of it is made from hydrolyzed corn. For these reasons, we don't put them under the first heading. |
kEVIN
| | Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 1:49 pm: | |
Deb,
We had an artical in the Rochester New York news paper by Celia Topping, under the heading of nutrition know-how. Basicly she explains how wonderful umami is. It goes on to talk about all forms of glutamates and how good MSG is as a flavor enhancer.
She is completly full of bull. I would like to send you the artical if its ok. It is rather long to post.
She also leaves an e-mail address.
It goes on saying how clinical studies can not trigger asthma netherless all foods with MSG must be labeled that have msg added.
She is so full of hot air it almost makes me sick.
Anyway I can send it to you?
Thanks,
Kevin |
Carol H
| | Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 2:46 pm: | |
That reference to "umami" definitely is the clue that the Glutes got to that reporter. The glutes are practically the only ones in the US that use that ridiculous term. I spent quite a bit of time taking food science classes and the only place that term came up was in the glossy PR ads put out by Ajinomoto for selling MSG to food scientists ten years ago. You know, after that "60 Minutes" episode that explained how bad MSG was. Now this newspeak term for "drug-like reaction to an overused neurotransmitter in our food supply" is popping up all over again. It annoyed me ten years ago.... |
Kevin
| | Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 2:54 pm: | |
Carol,
If you read this artical you would think this woman is paid by the gluts as it is so off the wall even telling people MSG is good for them and is a good food flavor enhancer.
I figured I would have to at least send it to someone.
I would try to post it but with my typing speed it would take two days.
Kevin |
PB
| | Posted on Monday, May 20, 2002 - 8:57 am: | |
Right after I realized I was MSG sensitive; but before I'd purchased your
book; I was watching QVC, and this broth came on which said (NO MSG added).
I even listened to someone who called in who said that they were SO happy to
find a broth which didn't contain MSG. I WAS THRILLED !! I ordered
some...........then I read your book. So, I emailed the company, and this
was the response I received. Thought you might get a chuckle from it; but
it pains me to think that someone who knows that they are MSG sensitive
could be duped into thinking that this is a safe product !! I also emailed
the Heinz Company (who makes our favorite ketchup) and they emailed back
that the "natural flavorings" cannot be given to me as they do not have a
patent on their product; and the ingredients are "proprietary".
Hum........ I've given up ketchup instead !!
----- Original Message -----
From: Research and Del.
To:
Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2002 6:24 PM
Subject: Better than Bouillon
> Dear Patty,
>
> All of our Better Than Bouillon are MSG free. First of all, it is illegal
> not to declare MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) on the label based on the FDA
> labeling regulations because some people would get sick from it. Secondly,
> Autolyzed Yeast Extract and Hydrolyzed Soy Protein are not MSG. They are
> type of yeast that is naturally grown to produce the specific broth flavor
> which is totally different than MSG (chemically processed).
> So, hopefully this answered your question!!!
> |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 3:41 am: | |
The Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) has responded, with a form letter, to my e-mail regarding their proposed mandatory declaration of MSG by restaurant and food outlets.
You can read more at:
http://www.anzfa.gov.au/foodstandards/recentstandardsdevelopment/applications/applicationa432mandatorydeclarationofmsgbyrestaurantsandfoodoutlets/index.cfm
(and click on "html") |
anon
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 8:20 pm: | |
The Seattle Times this week had a series of in-depth articles about early-onset Alzheimer's disease (people who were diagnosed in mid-life).
I wonder ... who, if anyone, is really studying the link between MSG and Alzheimers? That disease is so devastating and the numbers of people affected are growing at such an alarming rate, it seems like an important place to focus attention.
I know that MSG is responsible for many horrible symptoms and syndromes, but since Alzheimers is so common and already gets so much press, it seems like focusing attention on this ONE connection might be important. (Instead of say, trying to get the media to pay attention to ALL of MSG's effects. That can make people think we're just nuts.)
I think people might listen if we make a lot of noise and have some reliable research that makes the connection between MSG and this horrible disease.
Thoughts, anyone? |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 24, 2002 - 9:01 am: | |
What can we do to promote an MSG relationship to Alzheimer's...and what proof can we use? I am sure that there is a connection, but does anyone have any suggestions that would catapult what we suspect out there to the right people...and who would that be? Just food for thought? It's a great idea. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 24, 2002 - 9:09 pm: | |
The link below suggests that in Alzheimer's patients, neurons may have a problem with glucose metabolism, causing them to react abnormally to glutamate:
"When these neurons are stimulated by glutamate--even normal amounts of glutamate--their regular mechanisms go awry and they are flooded by calcium, with deadly consequences."
http://www.alzheimers.org/unravel.html#rpet |
anon
| | Posted on Thursday, July 25, 2002 - 8:31 pm: | |
Roy, thanks for the link. (how do you find this stuff so quickly!) I'd like to follow the trail further to find out who exactly is studying the glutamate link. But it is interesting to see that it is mentioned right there on the alzheimer's info web site, albeit somewhat lost among the list of many other theories (how DID you find that, anyway?) |
laurie M
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 7:30 am: | |
http://www.lundbeck.com/investor/releases/ReleaseDetails/Release_73_EN.asp
Just search for Alzheimers, glutamate and studies!! |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 2:44 pm: | |
Great news, Laurie. Maybe the new medicine will help other MSG sufferers, too.
http://vuwin.on24.com/vuwindow/scripts/vuwin.asp?ref=quot&cb=quot&id=76367&type=av |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Friday, September 13, 2002 - 4:40 pm: | |
Fascinating! Received this e mail today:
"X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2615.200
Debby there is some work being done in the field of diabetes which has some use to those sufferring with MSG type problems. May help validate things for people. Also useful to counter the non scientific regging that people with MSG intolerance get.
Company called diatranz in New Zealand test for glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies. Found in diabetics type 1.It is an immune system mistake after cocksackie virus infection.I suspect if you have this antibody the negative effects of loading with MSG would become apparrent more aggressively. I also wonder whether these antibodies have any influence in autism. There is an increased incidence of diabetes in schizophrenic patients.
I think in the USA there also needs to be some review of this antibody in relation to the so called epidemic of bipolar disorder.
Dr. N. G. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Friday, September 13, 2002 - 8:03 pm: | |
There are links regarding Type 1 diabetes and GAD (glutamic acid decarboxylase) on http://www.msgtruth.org. It would be interesting to look into any correlation there might be between GAD and these other disorders. Also - Taurine, which may be adversely impacted by an overabundance of glutamate, is being studied for use in epileptic as well as diabetic patients. I also personally know of an Alzheimer's researcher who is studying taurine as well. Taurine was also to be investigated in ALS screening trials using FDA approved substances that could easily cross the blood brain barrier. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Friday, September 13, 2002 - 8:10 pm: | |
Deb A, check out this link - it explains pyridoxine dependent epilepsy. What is interesting is that it explains what Vitamin B6 has to to with GAD (glutamic acid decarboxylase) GABA, and glutamate. http://wwwchem.csustan.edu/chem4400/sjbr/Mullins02.htm |
Carol H
| | Posted on Friday, September 13, 2002 - 8:13 pm: | |
Here's another about GAD and autism:
http://www-east.elsevier.com/bps/abstracts/26560abs.htm |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Saturday, September 14, 2002 - 9:52 am: | |
This brings up so many questions that need answering as it applies to our condition....where are the scientists who should be bringing all this related info to the table? It's time to recognize a growing epidemic of excess glutamate disasters....being created prenatally, I believe and post, of course. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Saturday, September 14, 2002 - 10:01 am: | |
Forgot to thank you, Carol for finding these great links. How are you doing? Busy summer?
Sure has been for us...am looking forward to the slower, cooler days of fall.
Fun news: Our sons are both expecting their first babies next April! That will be 9 grandchildren!
Had a table at a health fair last night and got some good responses...talked with several women who had fibromyalgia, and who were amazed their doctors didn't tell them about excitotoxins...I had the info from the U. of Florida and they had hope in their eyes..were real excited to learn more. A couple were desperate and very tired of trying more drugs. When I go to these fairs, if I can reach just one person, it is well worth it.
What struck me is the growing number of people with fibromyalgia, and of those with family and friends who have it...epidemic proportions...don't people get it..how odd it is that this is happening to so many people? |
Carol H
| | Posted on Saturday, September 14, 2002 - 3:12 pm: | |
Deb A, Congratulations on the new additions to the family! Big families are a lot of fun. I now have nine neices and nephews and its a blast!
I don't think many people are seeing the links between all these things, and the food industry ain't talkin'.
As for myself, I've been pretty busy with work, volunteering, and learning lots of new software. The band has been busy with many media appearances. I am also starting my own band now. I am also going back into NYC again more. My friend (an opera singer) and I have begun seeing plays in the city. She often saves me an extra ticket to Broadway shows and such. We are trying to recapture the fun we had last year, before all the craziness started. In fact, I met my friend and drove into Manhattan on September 11 this week, down the West Side highway looking at the beautiful sun on the Hudson river. We had a lovely dinner on restaurant row with a writer friend who lives in the city, and from there went to see Tale of the Allergists Wife. Our writer friend laughed louder than we did, and we laughed pretty hard. The crowd was small but appreciative, and it was good to hear laughter in New York City again on the anniversary of a terrible event, but we felt it was the best way to spend Wednesday. At midnite, my friend and I drove past Ground Zero. I was finally ready to see it. In my mind I had made it so much bigger in scope than it appeared from the West Side Highway. Now it looks like a construction zone, orderly, and serious, but not like I had pictured it in my head, compared to the rest of the City which looks unchanged. I could not bear yet to actually park the car, get out and peer through the fence, or even see the sphere in Battery Park up close, but the last thing in the world I felt this September 11 was fear. New York is trying to get back to normal. Now that my little brother moved into Greenwich Village this summer, fear is not an emotion I would like to associate with NY anymore. Laughter, happiness, good times with friends - that is what I want to reconnect with there again. I think there is still hope |
Kevin
| | Posted on Sunday, September 15, 2002 - 4:37 am: | |
Here is a little food humor that was sent to me. I found it amusing and wanted to pass it on.
And God populated the earth with broccoli and cauliflower and spinach and green and yellow vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.
And Satan created McDonald's. And McDonald's brought forth the 99-cent double-cheeseburger. And Satan said to Man, "You want fries with that?"
And Man said, "Super size them, please." And Man gained pounds.
And God created the healthful yogurt, that woman might keep her figure that man found so fair.
And Satan froze the yogurt, and he brought forth chocolate, nuts and brightly colored sprinkle candy to put on the yogurt. And woman gained pounds.
And God said, "Try my crispy fresh salad."
And Satan brought forth creamy dressings, bacon bits, and shredded cheese.
And there was ice cream for dessert. And woman gained pounds.
And God said, "I have sent your heart healthy vegetables and olive oil with which to cook them."
And Satan brought forth chicken-fried steak from Cracker Barrel so big it needed its own platter.
And Man gained pounds, and his bad cholesterol went through the roof.
And God brought forth running shoes, Man and Woman resolved to lose those extra pounds.
And Satan brought forth cable TV with remote control so Man would not have to toil to change channels between ESPN and ESPN2. And Man gained pounds.
And God said, "You're running up the score, Devil."
And God brought forth the potato, a vegetable naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition.
And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fat fried them. And he created sour cream dip also.
And Man clutched his remote control and ate the potato chips swaddled in cholesterol. And Satan saw and said, "It is good."
And Man went into cardiac arrest.
And God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.
And Satan created the HMO. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Sunday, September 15, 2002 - 3:53 pm: | |
Thanks, Carol...yes, we have a great time with our family. Good to hear that New York is rising to the task of finding good in the world in the aftermath, and that you are enjoying life there again. It certainly has been a tense time for Americans everywhere, but we are quite resilient.
We all should play and laugh more, and Kevin, you just gave us more of the latter. What a riot...I am going to print that one up and show it to my company tonight. Can smell my Grandmother Graesser's Roman apple cake baking now...it's in the book, and it always brings back happy memories of my grandma's kitchen. Have a wonderful evening, everyone! |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 7:50 am: | |
I received this as e mail from an online thyroid disease network. Perhaps we can reach Elisabeth Deffner and send her the recent information out of the U. of Florida about fibromyalgia and MSG/aspartame elimination, along with our book ....anyone good at tracking down addresses? Roy..Tom...haha
Article Review from Fibromyalgia AWARE Magazine (Sept-Dec 2002)
by Diana Karol Nagy
In this cover story, Elisabeth Deffner tells the story of Jennifer Watkins, Miss Pennsylvania USA 2002, who breaks stereotypes of beauty queens. Now 26, Watkins was diagnosed with FM at the age of 15, when she was a cheerleader, scholar and typical busy teenager.
Watkins says FM now "gives her opportunities she would not have had otherwise." She tries to use her celebrity to reach out to others with FM and let them know they're not alone. In addition to her charitable work, Watkins is director of media relations for a Pennsylvania company that produces several beauty pageants.
Watkins was shocked when first receiving her diagnosis and needed much care off and on until she was around 20 years old. When she was first diagnosed, she was just told to deal with the pain. But now, she gets multidisciplinary care and is off all pain medication. She takes vitamins and exercises as much as she is able to. She also believes that laughter is the best medicine.
Watkins started competing in pageants at age 18. At first she was afraid to tell people she had FM, because she was afraid people would think she couldn't work hard, but after she won Miss Pennsylvania USA 2001, she began to speak on behalf of FM. She says, "There's no reason to hide it. I'm not ashamed."
She goes on to say that having FM has changed her, but in many ways she is now a stronger person. She admits to having bad spells, but she deals with them and then moves on. Watkins wants people to know that with FM, "you can have a life, be active and reach out to others in need."
Next week: It's Not Imagined. "New brain-scan proves what people with fibromyalgia are experiencing is real pain."
For more information on Fibromyalgia AWARE Magazine or to subscribe, see the National Fibromyalgia Association's website at: www.fmaware.org
This article review is not intended to be an endorsement for Fibromyalgia AWARE Magazine or the National Fibromyalgia Association. It only serves to provide information about fibromyalgia to health care consumers. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 3:03 pm: | |
Deb A.
The only Elisabeth Deffner I came across on the web is with the Orange, CA Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, 439 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, CA 92866, (714)538-3581, ext. 13, www.orangechamber.com. I have not verified that it is same Elisabeth Deffner. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 2:02 pm: | |
Look what CompuServe's serving up to their subscribers today:
"This Food Additive Could Cause Blindness
By Cathryn Conroy, CompuServe News Editor
The flavor enhancer MSG--monosodium glutamate--has been linked to blindness in rats and possibly humans based on an animal study conducted by scientists at Hirosaki University in Japan. New Scientist magazine and Reuters report that in addition to blindness, the rats who were fed a diet high in MSG suffered serious eye damage and had thinner retinas than other animals. MSG is a common flavor enhancer in Asian and processed food used to improve the taste of sweet, salty, bitter, or sour foods.
Did you know it could do this, too? Foods that contain MSG can also create other problems. Find out a common complaint.
Previous studies had concluded that glutamate caused nerve damage when it was directly injected into the eye. Lead researcher Hiroshi Ohguro wanted to know if eating foods with MSG would also cause eye damage. The results: Glutamate, which is neurotransmitter or chemical that carries a message, reduces sight by destroying some retina cells and damaging others. The rats fed diets enriched with MSG had high levels of MSG in the fluid that bathes the retina, reports Reuters. So is it safe to eat foods with MSG? "Lesser amounts should be OK," he told New Scientist magazine Wednesday, "but the precise borderline amount is still unknown." The rats were fed a dose of MSG that was far higher than we humans would normally eat. Still, if you love the way MSG makes food taste, you might want to think about finding a new favorite spice. Peng Tee Khaw, an eye expert at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, told Reuters, "If you're a sodium glutamate junkie, then you could potentially run into problems with your retina," he said.
Love Top Ramen, Oodles of Noodles, and Cup-a-Soup? Beware! They're packed with MSG. Find out more." |
MEMorrisNJ
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 4:15 pm: | |
Great that the word is getting out! Thanks Roy.
Here is message posted at http://health.discovery.com/news/afp/20021021/msg.html
Oct. 23 — Eating too much monosodium glutamate (MSG), the flavor enhancer widely used in Asian cooking and snack foods, could make you go blind, according to research reported in next Saturday's New Scientist. Rats fed on diets high in MSG suffered vision loss and a thinner retina, the layer of light-sensitive cells on the rear wall of the eyeball, says a study led by Hiroshi Ohguro of the Hirosaki University. His team fed rats three different diets for six months that contained either high levels of MSG, moderate levels, or none. In rats on the high-MSG diet, some retinal nerve layers thinned by as much as 75 percent. And tests that measured retinal response to light showed they couldn't see as well. “Rats on the moderate diet also had damage, to a lesser extent," the British weekly says. MSG is an amino acid that acts as neurotransmitter — a chemical that helps sends signals among brain cells. Previous studies have shown that when MSG is injected directly into the eye, it can cause nerve damage. But Ohguro's study, says New Scientist, is the first to show that it can have this effect through food that contains MSG. The researchers notably found high concentrations of MSG in the vitreous fluid which bathes the retina. Their theory is that MSG clings to some retinal cells and destroys them, and also disrupts the ability of surviving cells to relay electrical signals to the brain. The high-level MSG diet comprised 20 percent of flavour booster, which Ohguro acknowledges is large. "Lesser amounts should be OK, but the precise borderline amount is still unknown," he was quoted as saying. The findings might explain where there is such a high rate of normal-tension glaucoma in eastern Asia, he suggests. This is a sight-threatening illness that does not have the telltale buildup of pressure in the eyeball normally associated with glaucoma. Peng Tee Khaw, a glaucoma specialist at London's Moorfields Eye Hospital, said Ohguro's concerns were credible. The amounts of MSG in the highest diet are "a lot, lot higher than you'd eat. But if you're a sodium glutamate junky, then you could potentially run into problems with your retina," Peng said. Lower dietary intakes of MSG could have an accumulative effect over decades, which would explain why people tend not to develop normal-tension glaucoma until they are in their forties. The study is published in full in a specialist journal, Experimental Eye Research.
I saw similar report in banner on CNN TV. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Friday, October 25, 2002 - 4:26 am: | |
Check out http://www.msgtruth.org/eyesight.htm
Data shows that eyesight is dramatically deteriorating among Asian teens. Stroke is also on the rise among this same group. |
Evelyn H.
| | Posted on Friday, October 25, 2002 - 6:36 am: | |
OK, I just saw this on the Web and posted it elsewhere on this site. Sorry. Should have known someone would have found and posted it before me. :-) |
Pat Shoffner
| | Posted on Friday, October 25, 2002 - 2:22 pm: | |
Hi
Interesting information about retina etc. Before I 'wised' up I was also eating too much msg and like so many, it took years to figure out my problem was the msg thingy. 38 years ago I had a detached retina that was operated on, got another about ten years ago that was beginning to get holey so that was repaired (obviously I have retina problems in both eyes ). Then I had a cataract removed from one eye and was told I would need the other one done in the near future. By this time I threw EVERYTHING out of my kitchen ( I mentioned six months ago that my husband was going in for ablation as he had a-fib ). Anyway, went back for a check up this past spring for my other possible cataract - the doctor checked my eye THREE times because he couldln't figure out why it had improved (not a huge amoount, but some ) and that a cataract removal was not necessary at this time at least. I think it all has to do with that%^&*() stuff. Guess I'm rattling on here but just a thought on the news stuff posted. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Friday, October 25, 2002 - 2:30 pm: | |
Pat - that is GREAT news. I'm still sorry that you suffered so much before finally healing, though. |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Saturday, October 26, 2002 - 6:16 am: | |
Pat,
Your news is good news and I hope Jim is doing well too. My latest eye pressure readings indicate no increases over the last two years. Previous to my having alleviated MSG & Aspartame from my diet, those readings would have been on the increase.
I'm also having success in weaning myself off the prescription medications I had been on for Congestive Heart Failure and A-Fib. I'm hoping that once I am successful with this, my pressure readings will decrease as some of the meds can cause increased eye pressure.
I have been A-Fib free for close to a year now as long as I keep the abstnance and supplementation going. |
Fran
| | Posted on Saturday, October 26, 2002 - 11:07 am: | |
Last year just before I came off MSG's I went off to the opticians as I noticed that at times my eyesight was really blurry. I came away with glasses after being told that it was my age (42). I was kind of proud of my new glasses and put them on the next day only to find that I could not see properly out of them. I thought this was a bit strange. Over the days I began to notice that my eyesight could change from being spot on to not being able to see anything close up. Threading needles was a big test. Could this have been down to the ammount that was in my system at any given time?
Guess what happened when I stopped MSG? My eyesight has stayed the same and I don't need the glasses. If only, if only if only people would take this issue seriously. So many of us have been through h*** and back. I sometimes get kind of mad thinking about all the lost years I had. But then I think I am lucky as I found out. But some people do not want to hear.
Can we write to the writers of these articles to do with msg and eyesight and tell them how wrong they have it. The BBC one made out that you only got levels of MSG at chinese takeaways and this was safe twice a week!!!! I would be dead after thé first course of the first takeaway
My best to all of you
Fran |
Judy T
| | Posted on Saturday, October 26, 2002 - 3:51 pm: | |
Pat: Fantastic news! Fran: Wow, I'm impressed. My eyes, too, have stayed the same for the past 3 years. They were going down annually. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Sunday, October 27, 2002 - 1:53 pm: | |
Same here. In fact, when I was just in the first year or two of trying to eliminate MSG, I had an appointment with my optomotrist, and my eye pressure test was bad. Pressure was around 23 and 26 and the doctor was worried about glaucoma. I was in my 40's. I told him I had been poisoned by MSG the night before and had a bad headache and could I be retested in a week. He said he was aware that MSG did "bad things" to the eyes and agreed. My readings the following week were 15 and 16. He was amazed and wondered how many others were effected. Fran, it never hurts to write letters. One never knows when they will be read by the right person and published or passed on to some scientist or doctor. |
su
| | Posted on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 5:34 pm: | |
The evidence just keeps on coming. My husband was getting terrible palpitaions daily since using Starbucks coffee while out at work. It was even decaff, I think they flavor it, even the plain stuff.
I also learned that they use genetically modified ingredients. I wonder if gmo food is prone to have msg, since it is really processed. And for the record
Several companies including Dannon yogurt changed their ingredients for the Europeans. Dannon stopped using GMOs for the European consumer but continues to sell GMO contaminant product to us dumb Americans.
I am insulted. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Monday, December 16, 2002 - 6:28 pm: | |
The Wall
street Journal of today, December 16, 2002 devoted an entire page and part of the first page to perchlorate runoff making its way to water supply of millions. Identified in 22 states, including Arizona, Texas, Nebraska, Iowa, New York, Maryland and Massachusetts. The Colorado River the main source of water for about 15 million homes across the Southwest contains perchlorate at roughly seven times the level that that the EPA says is safe. The Colorado River water irrigates 95% of america's winter lettuce crop.
Even the smallest traces of perchlorate may be dangerous. Perchlorate affects production of thyroid hormones and can cause thyroid disease. Fetuses and newborns are at even greater risk because thyroid hormone production is crucial to normal brain development.
A Must-Read. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 2:49 am: | |
The link below is to a newspaper article about MSG as a migraine trigger:
http://www.channelcincinnati.com/health/298989/detail.html','width=450,height=225')/ |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 2:52 am: | |
correction:
The above link refers to a TV broadcast. It has a video attached. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 2:54 am: | |
(p.s. - the video link does not work) |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 1:52 pm: | |
Thanks for posting that, Roy. I have seen that article before. See what we can do, folks??? Write to the health editor of your local newspaper sharing your own story and you will be surprised what can happen. When writing about MSG, it is best to sound well informed, and not opinionated and angry...and be sure to make it obvious that you want to help others avoid what you have gone through. If more people did this, it would really make an impact! |
Judy T
| | Posted on Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 1:21 pm: | |
Hey! We hit the big time! The March/April edition of Experience Life magazine lists this site as one of others to contact regarding Excitotoxins. Yes the name of the article is "Excitotoxins, They're supposed to enhance flavor and excite your tastebuds, but could these common food additives also be overexciting your cells---and doing damage to your nervous system?" Olney, Blaylock and Schwartz are highlighted. The author is Matthew Solan. The article is 3 pages long and gives a great background. Boxed area are "The many faces of msg" and "Are you reacting to msg?" The editors are at lifetimefitness.com Please buy this magazine to support them and/or e-mail them (the editor is at experiencelife@lifetimefitness.com ) and thank them for the article. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 5:10 pm: | |
Here's a link to the Excitotoxins article:
http://www.lifetimefitness.com/magazine/index.cfm?web_action=article_detail&article_id=119 |
Carol H
| | Posted on Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 8:12 am: | |
Wonderful article. He pegged it exactly and thoroughly. Bravo! |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 9:02 am: | |
Judy, how did you find this? Mike and I are grinning from ear to ear and can't stop. I've sent several journalists to Carol's site, Jack's, and NoMSG's. In the last several months we have been contacted by an amazing number of journalists, some freelance, who have been assigned, and others who have decided to do an independent article about excitotoxins...how exciting is that?!...but often we just wait and can only hope that an editor will actually approve of the controversial topic and print the story. You are all part of this story and the cause...our site was mentioned I think, because the author could read the comments here on this board and easily come to the conclusion that we are not a bunch of uneducated alarmists. The only way that this issue will get the public's attention is if we do as Carol just suggested here about writing our congressmen, and what Judy just suggested about e amiling the editor of this magazine and thanking him/her also. Then we can look for articles in upcoming magazines that are about excitotoxin issues (migraine, ADD, racing heart, depression, obesity, fibromyalgia, etc.) and when MSG/aspartame are NOT mentioned, let them know what you know, and if it IS, take a minute and thank them, sharing your story briefly. Editorials are printed and any extended coverage will reach even more people. Education is key. And now that there is a new article out, you can bet the glutes will be launching a counter attack...they always do. So while this will be a hot topic, it is the best time to get involved with e mail and letters. It won't last...and then we will wait and hope for another break. Let's all get busy and strike while the iron is hot. Thanks guys! |
Judy T
| | Posted on Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 10:30 am: | |
My son-in-law received the magazine as a complimentary copy (he is a world class triathlete and many of the articles are about health and sports in general). I can't find the magazine at Barnes and Noble or at Borders so I'm going to write the editor and get some copies, probably at $4 a copy. Why? 'Cause when friends or others ask for info from me, I don't have to photocopy mounds of material, explain what is hard for me to explain, and get past their looks of incredibility. I can give them a copy of the magazine, on loan, and tell them to read page 452. This is a very credible appearing magazine and of course the article is just right...while not going into the details of either symptoms or msg hidden sources that we all live, it does give enough information to catch about 80% of folks who suffer and gives about 80% of the remedies or ameliorating remedies. The magazine is really top rate when you look at the advertisers and quality of format, etc., and has a two year history at least from looking at the guts of it. It must be such a select group of readers, however, that it does not appear on magazine racks which is too bad. Please, everyone, check out the article as Roy gave the link above. Write the editor and thank them, ask for more about excitotoxins, let's keep the ball rolling. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 1:31 pm: | |
Judy T, it is the magazine of a health and fitness club that appears to have club locations in at least 8 states. There is probably a very good readership in those states. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Monday, March 24, 2003 - 8:48 pm: | |
Carol, can you tell us a few of the states (clubs)that the magazine appears in... any out here in the West? Think I will try and get a copy and do the same as you, Judy. It sure is nice to have something to arm yourself with, and the article is very good. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Monday, March 24, 2003 - 8:53 pm: | |
Carol, regarding the link request that Tom suggested, I asked that your site be added, too. Hope that is okay. Yours may have a better chance, since it is a ".org" site. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 - 1:53 pm: | |
No problem |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 5:04 am: | |
Judy T, Deb A. and Carol,
I took the web link to the Experience Life article and circulated it to all my personal and work e-mail distribution lists. Many of the people on these lists are familiar with me and my health issues with regard to my Congestive Heart Failure of a couple of years ago, but may not have paid attention to my "rantings" about MSG. Because this article was so concise and well written (as well as having the "authority" of being published), I thought it opportune to distribute it this way. I have received a good number of thanks and anecdotal accounts of similar experiences. Many have even passed the information on to friends and relatives.
I thought I'd do this right away in case the article gets archived soon. We'll have to track this in case it does so we can reference the archived link location.
I also finally made the employee suggestion to my company (SBC) that they consider studying the employee base' nutritional habits to determine what is driving up their medical costs and absenteeism. There are 750,000 employees and their dependents associated with SBC and healthcare costs and attendance management is a problem.
SBC had 2 Million work days of absence last year. It is as if the entire SBC workforce of Wisconsin and Arkansas put together - were gone EVERY DAY.....
10% of workforce = 90% of absence
Healthcare costs: $2.2 BILLION in 2002.
2003 will increase $300 Million, Management increased contribution will cover $100 Million of that...
It is hopeful that with the above figures some of these larger companies will sit up and take notice of what excitotoxins might be costing them. If just 10% of the 750,000 could be helped by abstinence and supplementation, that would save SBC $250 million in 2003. Imagine how that amount of money could finance a campaign against the food industry’s continued use of the poisons.
I’m not sure if this is a coincidence, but recently SBC and the City of Chicago distributed a survey designed to seek information from its employees about various health concerns and habits. Many of the questions in the survey dealt with stress, anxiety and other symptoms that could be attributed to excitotoxins. It may be the first step to collect data to identify the underlying causes of poor health among middle class America. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 7:25 am: | |
Wonderful work,Tom. I would love to post that published article on this site, but am sure I would need permission from the magazine. I should e mail and ask for that.
HMO's are paying for excitotoxin related illnesses and don't even know it....good place to get the info to. |
Judy T
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 8:33 am: | |
Tom: You are most ambitious and I think you can make strides with your company. Who knows, maybe not at first but one seed will probably grow. Your idea of distributing the link and e-mailing it to friends/relatives was brilliant. Of course. I'll do that right away for my circle of folks. Thank you. |
Margie
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 7:12 am: | |
Thanks Roy for posting that link! I emailed a thank you letter to Cincinatti news for publishing it. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 10:44 am: | |
Another sad and scary story in the news yesterday. I heard on the radio that Gulf war veterans are now coming down with Lou Gehrig's disease in large numbers. It may have been the most large scale food safety experiment in history. Imagine American GIs all dutifully eating their MREs with the REQUIRED amount of MSG added to them ON PURPOSE, and drinking lots of free diet soda, (it was after all- the desert) supplied to them by our wonderful corporate sponsors. You know, the diet sodas that came over on pallets and weren't refrigerated before the GIs drank them. (You know, the diet sodas with aspartame in them - the stuff that breaks down in heat, and acts synergistically with MSG to damage the heat regulating part of the brain). What a great irony, that Donald Rumsfeld, the guy who helped see to it that aspartame got approved over the objections of the FDA scientists, would preside over the mass poisoning of his own troops by MSG and aspartame. I don't know about you, but if I wasn't sure about the MSG and aspartame link to Lou Gehrig's disease - this would clinch the connection for me...... |
Carol H
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 10:48 am: | |
A link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-09-22-gulf-war-als_x.htm |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 11:48 am: | |
You know, I never liked Rumsfield, and nearly puked when I heard some Bimbo on a radio talk show call him "sexy". Now I KNOW he's an AS*.
Why in God's name would he DO such a thing with that pea brain of his? Override scientific research ?? What was his 'excuse' this time? Who is HE to refute scientific data?? Sounds like the man needs to be strung up by his balls, tarred and feathered.
I read the article and that is *scary*. Apparently the Wornick company contracts with the govt to sell loads of this stuff. I'd love to be a fly on the wall and witness how the so called "food" is processed and exactly *what* is put in it.
Were they really given free diet sodas?? If so, by which sponsor?? |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 - 5:59 am: | |
Carol,
Thanks for the link to the article. I went on the VA sight at:
https://iris.va.gov/Scripts/iris.cfg/php.exe/enduser/cci/ask_1.php?p_sid=dd1gi7Ug&p_lva=&p_sp=&p_li=
and sent a suggestion to my local VA hospital that stated:
"I would like to suggest to Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi that he consider the cause of increased cases of ALS, MS and Parkinson's diseases in Gulf War Veterans might be linked to ingestion of Excitotoxins such as Monosodium Glutamate and Aspartame. He can refer to Dr. Russell Blaylock's research in the book "Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills" or contact Debby Anglesey author of "Battling the MSG Myth" at avenger@msgmyth.com. We care about our soldiers and veterans and should not be putting them in harm's way by providing them with questionable food and drink additives."
Perhaps others here could do the same so that they get a minnie flood of letters. |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 - 8:15 am: | |
Carol,
Also I took advantage of researching this article's references and sent out the below e-mails -- may I suggest that others take advantage of this research and send like e-mails:
Robert.Haley@UTSouthwestern.edu
Robert Haley
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
Neuro_Journal@urmc.rochester.edu
Robert Griggs
Editor, Neurology Journal
rh266m@nih.gov
Ronnie Horner
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
srobinson@ngwrc.org
Stephen Robinson
National Gulf War Resource Center
Having read the recent article in USA TODAY titled “Studies tie Lou Gehrig's disease to Gulf War vets” by Rita Rubin, I would like to suggest that you consider that the cause of increased cases of ALS, MS and Parkinson's diseases in Gulf War Veterans might be linked to ingestion of Excitotoxins such as Monosodium Glutamate and Aspartame.
These food additives are relatively new to the scene (post WWII) and thus could be linked to more recent military conflicts where soldiers consume MREs with added MSG and drink diet sodas containing Aspartame from containers exposed to high temperatures.
You can refer to Dr. Russell Blaylock's research in the book "Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills" or contact Debby Anglesey author of "Battling the MSG Myth" at avenger@msgmyth.com. We care about our soldiers and veterans and should not be putting them in harm's way by providing them with questionable food and drink additives.
Sincerely,
Tom Fernstrom
Tfernstrom@aol.com
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
editor@usatoday.com
Editorial/Opinion
USA TODAY
Having read the recent article in USA TODAY titled "Studies tie Lou Gehrig's disease to Gulf War vets" by Rita Rubin, I would like to suggest that Rita consider that the cause of increased cases of ALS, MS and Parkinson's diseases in Gulf War Veterans might be linked to ingestion of Excitotoxins such as Monosodium Glutamate and Aspartame.
These food additives are relatively new to the scene (post WWII) and thus could be linked to more recent military conflicts where soldiers consume MREs with added MSG and drink diet sodas containing Aspartame from containers exposed to high temperatures.
She can refer to Dr. Russell Blaylock's research in the book "Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills" or contact Debby Anglesey author of "Battling the MSG Myth" at avenger@msgmyth.com. We care about our soldiers and veterans and should not be putting them in harm's way by providing them with questionable food and drink additives.
Sincerely,
Tom Fernstrom
Tfernstrom@aol.com
(They ask that you include your address and daytime telephone number)
CC:
Robert.Haley@UTSouthwestern.edu
Robert Haley
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
Neuro_Journal@urmc.rochester.edu
Robert Griggs
Editor, Neurology Journal
rh266m@nih.gov
Ronnie Horner
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
srobinson@ngwrc.org
Stephen Robinson
National Gulf War Resource Center |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 - 2:33 pm: | |
Bravo, Tom!!!!
There's a chapter in our book making that connection..it may have sounded crazy to some back then, but we believed it made perfect sense, and now with this news, Carol, all the more so. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Thursday, September 25, 2003 - 4:50 am: | |
Tom, you are the BEST! Thank you. |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Thursday, September 25, 2003 - 4:57 am: | |
Dear NOMSGers,
On Tuesday, September 23, 2003, WGN TV News broadcast a health segment news story that stated the below:
"Alzheimer's Treatment
The Food and Drug Administration is considering approval of a new drug aimed at newly diagnosed and late stage Alzheimer's patients.
Memantine works like no other approved Alzheimer's therapy.
Instead of stimulating memory cells, it stops the brain chemical glutamate from getting overstimulated.
Memantine studies at the Chicago Center for Clinical Research helped document the benefits. Doctors compared patients' cognitive ability behavior and daily activities.
The FDA will hold a public hearing Wednesday before making a recommendation.
Memantine would work in conjunction with currently approved Alzheimer's drugs to boost a patient's overall performance."
If you check out this website: http://www.memantine.com/index.htm
It becomes obvious that the effects of Glutamate on the brain are becoming obvious to the pharmaceutical industry.
How can we use this data to approach the FDA and prove to them that while fast tracking the approval of a drug to block Glutamate activity and which sells for about $219 for 56 pills, they could well enough use this same research to revisit their approval of added glutamate to our food supply? |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, September 25, 2003 - 8:18 am: | |
They HAVE to know that food is causing the problem...they get so many complaints about MSG and aspartame, and they also have access to animal studies and the lastest tests on humans...which, when given to the public, are edited of certain data, according to Adrienne Samuels....I will post her study on our site. They are covering their behinds, in my opinion. But if I'm wrong, and they are just bogged down by red tape, constant changing of the leadership (which they known for),and are totally ignorant of the facts, then, sending them some of the latest findings of the glutamate/glaucoma/heart/migraine, etc. connection (from headlines) may be a start. The problem is that they stand by the glutes who say that MSG cannot cross the blood brain barrier...which is ridiculous...are they just counting on the average person to not question that or to be ignorant of what goes on with the brain and excitotoxins? I think this goes beyond commom decency into public deceit(perhaps for the economic and political ramifications). But we must try to reach the FDA and the public...perhaps HMO's, too. I think offering proof that there is excess glutamate being added to foods, and that it can leak into the brain (hypothalamus and brain stem))would be a good way to start. Letters, and lots of them is what would be good. Just thinking out loud. |
Margie
| | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 1:23 pm: | |
I agree with you Deb. They know quite well what this is doing to people. How can they not with all the supporting evidence...including pharmaceutical drugs which counteract excesses of glutamate?? Antidepressants? Now Memantine? It's one big lie is what it is...and all about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ |
Valerie
| | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 6:45 pm: | |
Couldn't have said it better myself! Well done Margie. |
Carol H
| | Posted on Friday, January 09, 2004 - 1:18 pm: | |
Anyone see this latest story on asthma being highest in minority neighborhoods in Chicago? http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-health08.html It seems asthma rates differ BY NEIGHBORHOOD.
I bet no one is checking proximity of these kids to fast food places (found often in cities)in their neighborhoods. Different rates of addition of MSG to fast foods which would depend on each individual fast-food establishment would probably produce an effect like this. KFC for example may use more MSG than McDonald's, or a particularly popular bodega may go heavy on the use of Adobo seasoning which is mostly MSG. Why are they not looking at this? |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 11:01 am: | |
With fast food chains targeting minority neighborhoods, I don't see the situation improving any time soon.
http://www.commercialexploitation.com/articles/african_american_perspectives.htm |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 1:16 pm: | |
Current issue of "Living Without" magazine (Winter 2004) has article on MSG. Resources listed are Deb's cookbook and the Battling the MSGMyth website; George Schwartz M.D.'s book "In Bad Taste"; and The Truth In Labeling Campaign's website.
There is also an excellent artiicle on Sulfites and an article on apparent food sensitivities due to the latex gloves worn by some food handlers. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 1:54 pm: | |
Here's a link to "Living Without" magazine (the article is not online yet).
http://www.livingwithout.com/2003winter.htm |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Monday, January 12, 2004 - 7:21 am: | |
I sure would like to get a copy of that issue...don't have a Whole Foods market here...can probably order one. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Monday, January 12, 2004 - 7:07 pm: | |
Deb A.
I'll be happy to send you my copy. It may take me a few days to send it.
I noticed only after sending the original post that the article states in small print that it was originally printed in Fall 2000. There is a short update however. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 8:43 am: | |
Anonymous, thank you so much! But if it is a reprint, then I have it from the Fall issue. I don't think they included our web site address in the old issue...is it in this one? We have had lots more email and phone calls lately...it must be due to this article. It takes something like this to spur more interest in MSG. We need to send more such articles to other magazines! |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 10:38 am: | |
Yes, Deb A. The issue does include your web site address. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 1:07 pm: | |
Thanks, Anon. Would you please give me the name of the author. Is there an e mail address in the magazine where I can write to the editor? I have given my copy away. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 11:19 am: | |
DebA.
The author is Kathy Evans Wisner.
Write to:
Editor@LivingWithout.com
or
Living Without P.O. Box 2126
Northbrook, Il. 600065 |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 5:05 pm: | |
Deb A.:
I sent you tonight by priority mail a copy of the above issue of Living Without. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 7:49 am: | |
Thank you!!!! |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 10:05 am: | |
I thought this should be posted again. Thanks, Carol.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Carol H on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 12:23 pm: Edit
For anyone interested in contacting US congress about the Bush Admin.'s reaction to the obesity report put out by the World Health Organization, here is the CSPI action alert
The food lobby may be fighting this report because it blames them. When you respond to this, please mention that MSG has been proven to cause obesity. The food industry is fighting this report tooth and nail because it would focus attention and blame exactly where the food industry does not want it - on them, and their industry which - like the tobacco industry gets people addicted to their product by taking advantage of the fact that glutamate acts like a drug.
Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Tommy Thompson and
lobbyists for the Grocery Manufacturers of America are urging
the World Health Organization (WHO) to weaken its anti-obesity
recommendations. Tell Secretary Thompson to drop his opposition
to the WHO's anti-obesity policy.
You can take action on this alert either via email (please see
directions below) or via the web at:
http://cspinet.org/alert/WHO
Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.
http://cspinet.org/alert/WHO/forward
Stop the Bush Administration from Burying WHO Anti-Obesity
Report
INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA THE WEB:
If you have access to a web browser, you can take action on this
alert by going to the following URL:
http://cspinet.org/alert/WHO
INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA EMAIL:
Just choose the "reply to sender" option on your email program.
Your letter will be addressed and sent to:
Secretary Tommy Thompson
----THIS LETTER WILL BE SENT IN YOUR NAME----
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
Please abandon your efforts to weaken the long-awaited World
Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy on Diet, Physical
Activity and Health.
A healthy diet is crucial to preventing obesity, diabetes, heart
disease, cancer and other chronic illnesses. The WHO's
recommendations would help consumers improve their diets by
calling on governments to limit food advertising aimed at
children, to use fiscal and pricing policies to encourage the
consumption of healthful foods, and to consider ways to
discourage the use of unhealthful ingredients like trans fatty
acids. Such approaches support - not supplant - people's efforts
to exercise personal responsibility and make healthier food
choices.
Your office has previously called on the WHO to adopt far
weaker, unspecified approaches, like "better data and
surveillance." However, billions of dollars spent by the
industry on junk food advertising, inadequate food labeling, and
pricing policies that promote the over-consumption of
high-calorie foods are just a few of the elements of the overall
food environment that make it difficult for consumers,
especially children, to exercise individual responsibility.
Limits on food marketing aimed at children and restrictions on
the use of unhealthful food ingredients, as called for in the
WHO Global Strategy, are essential tools in the effort to help
Americans eat better and maintain a healthy weight. We urge you
to let the WHO report be finalized without changes called for by
the food industry.
----END OF LETTER TO BE SENT----
Sincerely,
Your Name here
cc:
Assistant Director General Catherine Le Gales-Camus
Director General LEE Jong-wook
Special Assistant William Steiger
Your Congressperson
Your Senators |
T.L.
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 9:20 am: | |
Thought I'd post this one here:
Again...they have named the culprit to be glutamate...but don't relate it to the poisoning of our food with it. It's from WebMD:
"Brain Scans Reveal ADHD Differences
Some Children with ADHD May Have Different Levels of Brain Chemicals
By Jennifer Warner"
WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD
on Thursday, December 04, 2003
> Email to a friend > Printer-friendly version
Dec. 4, 2003 -- Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may actually have different levels of certain chemicals in the brain than other children, a new study shows.
Using new imaging techniques, researchers found that children with the hyperactive form of ADHD had 2 1-2 times more of a brain chemical known as glutamate, which acts like a stimulant in the brain. In addition, the brains of children with this subtype of ADHD also had lower than normal levels of GABA, a chemical that has inhibitory properties in the brain.
Both of these chemicals are neurotransmitters that carry signals to and from nerve cells in the brain. Researchers say these differences may explain the behavior of children with poor impulse control.
"Glutamate is an excitatory amino acid that leads to easier stimulation and excited neuronal pathways," says researcher Helen Courvoisie, MD, assistant professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore. "GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter and inhibits those pathways in the brain."
In addition to revealing differences in brain chemistry, the study also showed that these gaps correlated to the children's scores on tests of language, memory, sensory, and learning skills.
Courvoisie discussed the findings of the study Thursday at a briefing on neurological disorders sponsored by the American Medical Association in New York City. The study also appears in the December issue of the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences.
The Brain and ADHD
Researchers stress this is only a preliminary finding and more study is needed to confirm these results. But by better understanding the workings of the brain in children with ADHD through studies like this, they may be able to develop improved treatments. The findings may also eventually lead to the discovery of a biomarker for ADHD that could be used in screening for the condition.
The study used a variation of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to measure the levels of six chemicals in a small area in the frontal lobe of the brain. This area is responsible for controlling several key functions involved in ADHD, including impulse control, attention, movement, and language.
Researchers measured the levels of these brain chemicals in 16 children ages 6 to 12 years old. Eight of the children had previously been diagnosed with the hyperactive type of ADHD.
There are three types of ADD: attention deficit, hyperactive, and combined type. Most children have the combined type.
The brain imaging indicated that with children with this subtype of ADHD are exposed to higher than normal levels of excitatory brain chemicals.
However, all of the children with ADHD were taking some type of stimulant, such as Ritalin, although they did not take the medication for at least 24 hours before imaging or the psychological testing.
"We don't know if some of these effects could be due to long-term effects of Ritalin," says Courvoisie. "It is a short-acting drug, and we would think that it wouldn't, but it is possible."
In addition, researchers say they can't say at this point whether the findings of this study would apply to the other types of ADHD.
That's why Courvoisie says further studies are needed to look at the brain function in children with ADHD both on and off stimulant medication.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCES: Courvoisie, H. Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, December 2003; vol 15. Helen Courvoisie, MD, assistant professor, division of child and adolescent psychiatry, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore.
© 2003 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 2:19 pm: | |
Thanks, T. L. Again, it supports everything we have been saying for years about ADHD. What can we do to open their eyes to the fact that MSG is the problem in our food??? And that it is destroying our kids? |
Carol H
| | Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 7:26 pm: | |
Another story about ALS and U.S. military service - where they force feed the troops MSG. A 60% greater chance of getting A.L.S. than non-military persons. These soldiers served before the Gulf War, so this is not Gulf War syndrome. It is something else. http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=4992347
I think it is the MSG. Why else would U.S. soldiers today have a higher rate of suicide than in Viet Nam, AND a 60% greater risk of A.L.S. to boot? Coincidence? I think not. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2004 - 12:07 pm: | |
You're finding some great stuff! There's enough information out there...just got to get it to the right folks!....and also convince them that the glutamate in our food is getting into the brain. |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Saturday, May 08, 2004 - 6:22 am: | |
Carol,
The article linked below mentions that the US Army was a pioneer user of MSG, in its "C Rations", and that the food industry followed.
http://www.focusnewsletter.org/msg.htm |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 3:27 pm: | |
I downloaded the article....well written...must have been before NoMSG ceased. Our poor soldiers! |
Tom Fernstrom
| | Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 6:14 am: | |
Deb A, Carol & Roy,
A few facts mixed with a few recollections:
Discovery of Glutamate
The first steps in the discovery of MSG took place at Tokyo Imperial University in 1907. Professor Kikunae Ikeda noted "There is a taste which is common to asparagus, tomatoes, cheese and meat, but which is not one of the four well-known tastes of sweet, sour, bitter and salty."
He started experimental work on Kombu Seaweed, another source in which he found the taste was present. He succeeded in extracting crystals of Glutamic Acid, 100 grams of Kombu Seaweed containing around 1 gram of Glutamate. He noted that the Glutamate had a distinctive taste, different from Sweet, Sour, Bitter and Salty, he gave this taste the name "umami". Shortly after he isolated MSG, Kikunae Ikeda became a partner in what would become the Aji-no-moto (the "essence of taste") Company. In fact, throughout the Orient MSG is known as Aji-no-moto, much as "xerox" is used as a generic term for copying machines or "kleenex" for all paper tissues in the United States. In recognition of the importance of his work, Dr. Ikeda's original isolated substance is encased in a monument at Tokyo University.
If I recall correctly, it was the Japanese who first added MSG (made from seaweed) into their military rations. The food additive, monosodium glutamate, was first used in the United States in any quantity in the late 1940s. According to Dr. George Schwartz, author of In Bad Taste: The MSG Syndrome, although considerable effort had been spent to introduce MSG to the USA, little had been accomplished prior to World War II. However, sometime during the war, the use of MSG in Japanese soldiers' rations was noticed. As the US began winning battles in the Pacific region and capturing prisoners and their rations supplies, they became aware of MSG's ability to make canned food more palatable. But making MSG from seaweed was an expensive process. The US military was in charge of Japan's reconstruction after the war. Again if I recall correctly, after a cheaper method of MSG production was discovered, Ajinomoto was given an exclusive contract by the US Government to produce its MSG in order to aid in this reconstruction effort.. In 1948, a symposium on MSG, presided over by the Chief Quartermaster of the Armed Forces, was held in Chicago for members of the food industry.
Modern commercial MSG is produced by fermentation of starch, sugar beet, sugar cane, or molasses. About 1.5 million metric tons were sold in 2001, with 4% annual growth expected. |
MEMorrisNJ
| | Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 9:27 am: | |
Coenzyme Q10 May Ward Off Migraine Attacks - Medscape, 4/29/04 - "migraine may be caused by a decrease in mitochondrial energy reserve ... 100 mg of CoQ10 three times a day ... Approximately 48% of those who took CoQ10 had a 50% response rate during the three-month study, while this occurred in about 14% of those taking a placebo"
https://profreg.medscape.com/px/getlogin.do?urlCache=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5tZWRzY2FwZS5jb20vdmlld2FydGljbGUvNDc0ODMxX3ByaW50 |
Carol H
| | Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 6:51 am: | |
Thanks, Tom. It was 1956 when the Japanese finally discovered the new method. I was so shocked when I was watching an old James Bond movie and heard Bond tell someone his mission involved the secrets for making MSG the new way. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 8:44 am: | |
Thanks, Tom...good to educate everyone about the origin of MSG. Many people just think it's a preservative. I was told that the main starches used are corn, wheat, and tapioca.
Carol, I was channel surfing the other day, and happened to stop at that same James Bond movie, and hear him say that about MSG and his mission.
I was so surprised...of course had seen it years ago, and wouldn't have had a clue about what he was talking about.
There's an article in one of the most recent Women's World magazine about substances that trigger our hunger and are making us fat. I read the article, which said flavor enhancers are the culprit....then the only glutamate rich ingredient they listed was yeast extract or isolate.....very disappointing. but at least the word "flavor enhancer" was used. |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Monday, August 09, 2004 - 7:45 pm: | |
Just received this...not sure what to think...the thought occurred to me that it could be a hoax, but I forwarded it on to Jack Samuels to see if he could give him some contacts. Sure wish I were a scientist with a lab! And I hope this is for real. We need more scientists interested in MSG who want to make a difference.
I'm assuming he is from India???
"Dear Sir,
I am PhD in biochemistry,and my PhD thesis was on MSG, and I published 4 papers in national and international journals, presently working as Lecturer in Govt. Medical College, Amritsar, I want to work with you on MSG in your lab.
Thanking you.
Yours Faithfully,
Dr.K.S.
(I left out his name to protect his privacy) |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 7:06 am: | |
I fowarded his e mail on to Jack Samuels and at his suggestion, requested that this doctor send us copies of his papers. Wish I could hire him to do studies! |
Deb
| | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 6:06 pm: | |
Just found this:What do you want to bet it contains alises for MSG or glutamate???Hydrolyzed protein, autolyzed yeast, perhaps?
"Instant soup launched
CAMPBELL'S soup, a familiar household name, launched the 'instant' version of its three most popular flavours today.
Cream of mushroom, cream of chicken and cream of corn soup can now be prepared in a matter of seconds, simply by pouring the sachet contents into a mug and adding 200ml of boiling water.
The instant soup, targeted at children, is the first savoury breakfast beverage to be launched here.
"Consumers are constantly challenging us to create food products that are not only of notably higher quality, but which also complements their dynamic lifestyles," vice-president, Asia, Campbell Arnott's Asia Pacific, Joseph Folds said.
The new instant soup fulfils all the demands of the discerning consumer without compromising taste and health benefits, as it does not contain the flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate, or MSG.
"We are confident mothers will approve of the new soup as it is fortified with calcium, iron, Vitamins B1, B2 And B3," Head of Marketing, Campbell Soup Southeast Asia Sdn Bhd, Julia Lim said.Campbell's instant soup is sold at major supermarkets, hypermarkets, grocery shops and leading retail outlets at the recommended retail price of RM3.40 (Peninsular Malaysia) and RM3.60 (East Malaysia) per box.
Each box contains three 22gm sachets." |
Deb A. again
| | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 6:10 pm: | |
Note: The 3rd paragraph from the bottom....what is it telling us?...they KNOW that MSG compromises health!!!!! |
Roy Piwovar
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 3:11 am: | |
Deb,
The link below underscores that Campbell's instant soups contain no "added" MSG, which is probably an admission that they contain hidden forms of MSG.
http://www.bookworm.com.sg/contest/cont-campbell-2004-07.htm |
Deb A.
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 10:06 pm: | |
In First magazine for women this month (yellow cover), there's an article about MSG and the obesity link..excellent. It's about the work of a doctor and researchers at a New York university/hospital???Can't remember the name...my daughter has borrowed my copy or I would be more specific. |
vrtu1
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 3:45 am: | |
For more details on the First magazine article check under the Addresses for Congressman thread on this website's discussion board. |
vrtu1
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 4:03 am: | |
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
The following is with reference to HR 3684, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2003 which Bush just signed to go into effect in 2006. Unfortunately as far as I can tell it does not include reactions to Manufactured Free Glutamic Acid (MSG). Also I sent this to my congressman via the reply tab when responding to an e-mail that was sent to me, however the e-mail was returned as undeliverable, hmmm? So I delivered it in person!
What follows dealt with information from
EnjoyLifeFoods that came from PeanutAllergy.Com.
Food Allergen Labeling & Consumer Protection Act becomes Law:
Millions of Americans Will Be Able to Easily Identify
Safe and Unsafe Foods
August 3, 2004 (New York, NY) The Food Allergy Initiative celebrates a major victory in its public policy campaign as President George W. Bush signed the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (S. 741) into law last night. The primary mission of the Food Allergy Initiative (FAI) is to support research to find a cure for life-threatening food allergies by 2010. Until a cure is found, FAI is committed to keeping food allergic children healthy and alive by creating safer environments for them. The Food Allergy Initiative led the effort to insure that this bill was passed by Congress and signed by the President so that food-allergic consumers would be able to easily identify a product's ingredients, trust the accuracy of the ingredient statements, and stay healthy and alive.
The only way for someone with food allergies to keep from having a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction is to completely avoid foods that contain the allergens. Food-allergic consumers are forced to decipher labels for every food product they purchase, every time they shop -- a terrifying and dangerous process -- made even more difficult by the technical language used in ingredient statements.
Would you know that albumin refers to egg, caseinate to milk, textured vegetable protein to soy? "Natural flavors" could refer to peanuts, tree nuts, or any other food. A recent study at Mount Sinai School of Medicine demonstrated that after reading a series of labels only 7% of parents of children with milk allergy were able to correctly identify products that contained milk and 22% of parents of children with soy allergy were able to correctly identify products that contain soy.
The new law, effective January 1, 2006, will provide necessary information for school nurses, teachers, caregivers, and chefs who must help millions of food allergic students and restaurant patrons avoid the food allergens. Recent studies estimate that over 11 million Americans have a food allergy. Over six million are allergic to fish and shellfish alone. Over three million are allergic to peanuts and tree nuts and the number of children with peanut allergy has doubled in the past five years. Each year, over 250 Americans die due to the ingestion of allergenic foods, and 30,000 receive life-saving treatment in emergency rooms.
The bill requires food manufacturers to clearly state if a product contains any of the eight major food allergens responsible for over 90% of all allergic reactions; those allergens are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy. In addition, it requires that the Food and Drug Administration conduct inspections and issue a report within 18 months to ensure that the food manufacturers comply with practices to reduce or eliminate cross-contact of a food with any major food allergens that are not intentional ingredients of the food.
Todd J. Slotkin, Chairman of the Food Allergy Initiative and father of twins with life-threatening food allergies, says that, "Our government established the first line of defense in the prevention of deaths and/or serious illness from food allergic reactions. We thank Congressmen Lowey and Greenwood and Senators Kennedy, Gregg and Frist for the years of hard work and cooperative bipartisan effort that paved the way for this bill. Over eleven million Americans live in fear of eating the wrong food with every bite they take. This bill will enable them to trust that ingredient labels are accurate."
Sarah Gitlin, age thirteen and allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, and fish, explains that she tries "very hard to eat only foods that are safe. If a food might contain anything I'm allergic to, I avoid it. But who would guess that a common popcorn brand would use the words "natural flavors" to mean peanuts? And who would guess that the words "vegetable protein" or "plant protein" would be food companies' code words for tree nuts? Recently, a lollipop manufacturer used the words 'natural flavors.' I assumed that it would be okay because the flavors, fruits and mints, didn't seem to be the type to contain nuts. By pure luck, I noticed that they also had a peanut butter flavored pop, and the "natural favors" were referring to peanuts. Thanks to the Food Allergy Initiative's hard work in ensuring the passage of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act, I will not have to wonder whether every "natural flavors" is a death sentence."
The bill will also benefit the estimated 2 million Americans with celiac disease. The bill calls for the Food and Drug Administration to issue final regulations defining "gluten-free" and perm | |
