Is MSG only found in Chinese Restaurants?

Is MSG only found in Chinese Restaurants?

Many people avoid Chinese Restaurants because the claim they are allergic to MSG (Monosodium Glutamate).  However, MSG is found in a vast number of unsuspecting places and both natural and artificial.

For more information on both natural and artifical sources of MSG;   contact Dr. Holly at holly@choicesunlimited.ca

While in excessive quantities MSG is a neurotoxin and can cause a variety of reactions.  A healthy body can deal with it effectively in by changing a molecule called choline to betaine.  Choline is found in dairy and whey products.

MSG doesn’t have a flavour of it own.  But it can enhance the flavor of foods by effecting how the tongue, nerves and brain interact.  MSG causes an cells to overact – creating an intensified reaction to the flavour of the food.  But this over-reaction of the cell creates a balloon effect that in turn exhausts the cell and then it dies.  Upper neurons may die within 3 hours and lower neurons may die within 18-24 hours.

Different studies show different percentages but between 5 and 30 percent of North Americans show noticeable reactions to MSG.  Further, many scientists suggest that it can contribute to Alzheimers, Lou Gehrigs Disease, Huntington’s Chorea, Parkinsons and other neurological disorders.

But MSG is not just found in Chinese Restaurants!  It is also found in most processed foods:  cakes, donuts, candy, snack foods, dairy products, frozen prepared products, salad dressings and soups.

It is also found in flavourings:  chicken, beef, pork, smoked and “natural” flavourings of bouillon, broth, stock, malt extracts and flavourings, whey protein, whey protein isolate or concentrates, soy protein, soy protein isolate or concentrate, soy sauce or extract, “zest”, gourmet powders, etc.

In addition, it hides behind other terms such as:  hydrolyzed protein, sodium caseinate or calcium caseinate, gelatin, textured protein, carrageenan, or vegetable gum.