MSG Controversy
Every now and then I revisit this topic and wish I hadn't ignored it for so long.
A friend of mine asked me why in nutritional circles there is controvery about MSG - what does it do that's so bad?
Wiki does not address the health controversy in detail - just mentions it. In Wiki I find just how "hidden" MSG is as a substance in our food supplies today.
MSG is only one of several forms of free glutamate used in foods. Free glutamate may also be present in a wide variety of other additives, including hydrolyzed vegetable proteins,
autolyzed yeast,
hydrolyzed yeast,
yeast extract,
soy extracts,
protein isolate,
"spices"
"natural flavorings."
(See the Truth in Labeling website for the full list.)
This isn't even the full list!
Wiki goes on to discuss a few labeling issues and petitions that are quite interesting.
So I go to visit TRUTHINLABELING.ORG
A few claims are made here - the site not incredibly easy to read:
[MSG is] neurotoxic and endocrine disrupting
MSG kills brain cells and causes a variety of adverse reactions
I find a few really interesting notes --
Have you noticed that pharmaceutical companies are spending millions of dollars developing glutamate blockers with which to fight neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer's disease, while the glutes are pouring (often hidden) processed glutamate (MSG) into our food?
Finally one disease is mentioned with what appears to be a credible reference attached:
GLAUCOMA
"Researchers have observed abnormally high levels of glutamate in people and animals with glaucoma. Glutamate is an amino acid that excites nerve cells. In the eye this occurs during vision. Some experts theorize that in glaucoma, either reduced blood flow or increased pressure on nerve cells triggers the release of excess glutamate. In large amounts, glutamate causes the nerve cells to fire intensively, which eventually destroys them."
University of Maryland Medical Center.
But by far the best information I find on the topic is here: MSGTRUTH.ORG
It's well organized, documented, easy to read... and extremely concerning. Here's just some of the stuff I found out there...
Latest MSG study in rural China shows that MSG DOES contribute to obesity in humans, regardless of caloric intake and activity
Diseases which may be exacerbated by MSG, are autism and any disease which is treated with the following commonly prescribed glutamate BLOCKERS - NBQX, Haloperidal, Baclofen, Riluzole, Tramadol, Tizanodine, Ibuprofen, Topiramate, Lamotragine, Memantine, Ketamine, and Lithium, as well as Vitamin B12, Vitamin E and Vitamin C.
Diseases which may be caused by MSG are obesity, Type II diabetes, and high blood pressure. In studies, HEALTHY mice were made obese and leptin resistant, and AMPK was activated. Animal studies also showed that glutamate constricts blood vessels. It acts as a calcium channel OPENER, and increased appetite in healthy animals by 40% by acting on the hypothalamus. Those taking calcium channel blockers may be interested in knowing that MSG COUNTERACTS the most often prescribed medications for high blood pressure - calcium channel blockers.
Consequently, if you think you are immune from the effects of MSG because you don't have the autism genes, or the Alzheimer's genes, or high blood pressure, note that free glutamic acid acts on the pancreas to secrete insulin and acts to stimulate hunger by targeting the amygdala and hypothalamus and creates valium-like GABA in otherwise HEALTHY folks.
This site gives a list of body systems adversely affected by the ingestion of MSG in the diet. Click for more information!
- Allergic response – MSG is not a true allergen but may directly affect immune response by stimulating or damaging the nervous system.
- Blood Pressure - may create taurine deficiency – calcium channels stay open – causing high blood pressure and counteracting calcium channel blocking medication.
- Blood vessels – Glutamate is vasoactive - it changes the diameter of the blood vessels - one reason why it may cause headaches.
- Brain
- Digestive system
- Endocrine System
- Hearing
- Heart Rate - May create taurine deficiency – (taurine regulates heartbeat) causing irregular or racing heartbeat.
- Hypoglycemia – MSG’s stimulation of pancreas decreases blood glucose, making hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) worse.
- Hypothalamus
- Lungs - Asthma - due to MSG’s stimulatory effect on the nervous system (See Johns Hopkins research) would explain why asthma is induced in some by MSG.
- Nervous system
- Pancreas – glutamate stimulates the pancreas and may cause Type II diabetes, obesity, and insulin resistance.
- Thyroid function
- Vision
the facts on this MSG study
Here's the source I hunted down from Obesity magazine:
This research provides data that MSG intake may be associated with increased risk of overweight independent of physical activity and total energy intake in humans.
For clarification's sake... It's a study where the participants were Chinese. An assistant professor of University of North Carolina School of Public Health, led the research.
He cautions that more research is needed to establish whether there really is a cause-and-effect relationship between MSG and weight, but notes that the amount of MSG being used around the world has been increasing.
Already there are rebuttals
No evidence MSG makes you fat
...the report that 30% of the highest users of MSG were associated with overweight compared to 12% of non MSG users — an adjusted odds ratio of 2.75.
Although this might sound like a big correlation, given the poorly tenable odds ratios for this type of study, it’s another example of a data dredge statistical coincidence.
And another food fear myth is born.
I wish there were a more balanced source for all this food research information. *sigh*
Glutamate is vasoactive
Hey, thanks for sharing all of that. My coworker recently gave me some information about MSG because I get headaches rather frequently and he had read that the additive can constrict blood vessels, which causes headaches. I think my headaches are hereditary but I've been considering an MSG-free diet to determine if it might contribute to the frequency of them.
MSG makes you fat (article)
New research from China says ... In fact, of the study participants, those who ate the most MSG were three times more likely to be overweight than those who ate no MSG.
The study was controlled for physical activity and total calorie intake, and still MSG proved to be an overwhelming culprit for extra weight. Previous research had suggested MSG’s role in nerve damage, and some researchers claim it may worsen the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.
Knowing most shoppers would be wary of picking up something labeled with MSG, certain food manufactuers try to hide the ingredient’s presence under words like glutamate, hydrolyzed protein, calcium casinate and yeast extract, all which contain MSG. Even vague labels like natural flavors may masquerade its presence. (Click here for a full list of alert words.) And unlike trans fats, which are banned from foods labeled organic, MSG can be found in organic products (usually through the form of yeast protein).