Nutrition Center

MSG - Is it Safe?
By Dr. Erik J. Rosseland, D.C.

I want to share with you some of the things I have found while researching Monosodium Glutamate (MSG). Many of us came to first know of MSG because it was being added to Chinese food and people were having various reactions to it including headaches, stomach disorders, fatigue, depression, increased heart rate ....

MSG is found in crackers, soda, vitamins, toothpaste, soup, salad dressings, processed meats, frozen entrees, ice cream and frozen yogurt; in some breads, canned tuna; and often in "low‑ fat" foods (to make them seem tastier to make up for flavor lost when fat is reduced or eliminated). MSG stimulates brain cell activity and "tricks" your brain into thinking the food you eat tastes good. Manufacturers can use inferior ingredients and thus make the product seem tastier. (Source ‑ NoMSG ‑ National Organization Mobilized to Stop Glutamate).

Now, let's clarify some terms: L‑ glutamic acid, monosodium glutamate, D­ glutamic acid. Glutamic acid is one of the amino acids that are the building blocks of proteins. It occurs naturally in many foods, for example, tomatoes, milk and mushrooms. It is involved in a number of brain functions as it functions as a neurotransmitter. This natural glutamate in plants and animals is known as L­ glutamic acid.

Our digestive process breaks down this natural or "bound" glutamic acid and it is then delivered to glutamate receptors in our body and brain. Broken down this way is harmless. In a factory, however, the bound glutamic acid in certain foods (corn, molasses, wheat) is broken down or made "free" by various processes (hydrolyzed, autolyzed, modified or fermented with strong chemicals, bacteria, or enzymes) and refined to a white crystal that looks like sugar. This substance is known as monosodium glutamate or MSG. It is 78.2% glutamate, 12.2% sodium, and 9.6% water. Its chemical formulation has been modified and is D‑ glutamic acid, a very different structure (remember my article on true vitamin C vs. a synthetic mirror image ascorbic acid which is detrimental ‑ same concept). It also contains some L‑ glutamic acid, pyroglutamic acid, and other contaminants. Keep in mind that there is no D‑ glutamic acid, pyroglutamic acid, or other contaminants in the protein found in plants and animals, only L‑ glutamic acid (from the book, Battling the MSG Myth).

MSG sensitivity is a sensitivity to free glutamic acid that occurs in food as a consequence of manufacture. All protein contains glutamic acid bound in it, but only when glutamic acid had been freed from protein before it is eaten do people have MSG sensitivity reactions.

With some exceptions, the FDA requires that ingredients ‑ MSG containing ingredients included ‑ must be called by their common or usual names. The name "monosodium glutamate" is reserved for the ingredient that is a 99% combination of glutamic acid and sodium. The names of most other MSG containing ingredients won't give consumers a due to the fact that the ingredients contain MSG ‑ "monopotassium glutamate," "autolyzed yeast," "hydrolyzed soy protein," "sodium casienate," "calcium casienate," "gelatin" are examples of ingredients that contain MSG (Truth in Labeling Campaign, PO Box 2532, Darien, IL 60561). Other possible sources of MSG include textured protein, carrageenan or vegetable gum, flavorings or natural flavorings; chicken, beef, pork, smoke flavorings, bouillon broth or stock; barley malt, malt extract, malt flavoring, whey protein, whey protein isolate or concentrate, soy sauce or extract ("No MSG" 1‑ 800‑ 232‑ 8674 (800‑ BEAT‑ MSG).

Also, when MSG is added as an ingredient of another substance it need not be listed on the label. For example, you buy a frozen dinner with soy sauce in it and that soy sauce has MSG in it; all that is required is that soy sauce be listed on the ingredients list. So it can be very difficult to avoid MSG in foods as labeling can be deceptive.

Dr. Rosseland can be reached at Soul Purpose Chiropractic Center, 3670 N. First Ave, Tucson, 85719; 520‑444‑1937 or info@SoulPurposeChiropractic.com for any questions or comments or to schedule an appointment.