Let’s talk about the scariest abbreviation ever: MSG.
So WTF does MSG stand for?
Welp, MSG is “a flavor enhancer that’s known widely as an addition to Chinese food, but that’s actually added to thousands of the foods you and your family regularly eat, especially if you are like most Americans and eat the majority of your food as processed foods or in restaurants.”
Reactions to foods containing MSG — known as ‘MSG symptom complex’ — include:Headache
- Headache
- Flushing
- Sweating
- Facial pressure or tightness
- Numbness, tingling or burning in the face, neck & other areas
- Rapid, fluttering heartbeats
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Weakness
After freaking out, I decided to ask my friend, Fredie ( who’s a certified nutritionist ); he provided this chart that clearly shows the sickie, hidden names for MSG. So I made my own visual, but pretty ( ya know, Skinny Confidential style- in cute colors, naturally ), to hang on the fridge.
The first graph ( in pink ) are substances that always contain factory created free glutamate, which is the harmful form found in MSG.
The second graph ( in teal ) are stubstances that often contain some factory created free glutamate in varying amounts. Note: some food labels list several of these items, which can add up to a considerable and dangerous amount in one product:
The next graph ( in grey ) shows ingreds suspected of containing enough processed glutamate to cause reactions in sensitive individuals:
If you want to read more about MSG, click here.
I know it’s kinda confusing, but if you use these charts to inspect your foods at home…you’ll be absolutely F-ing shocked. After going through my cupboards/fridge, I was disgusted at how many products contained MSG ( or MSG’s hidden names ).
Ignorance is NOT bliss!! Educate yourself on nasty-ass MSG!!
Mmkay! MSG 101 is over! Now go have a fab, insane, extra relaxing weekend ; ). xx.L
Yikes…. MSG is nasty… Thanks for the pretty charts!
MSG, while certainly not a health food, is only dangerous to people who are sensitive. It’s literally found in almost every kitchen in SE Asia. It doesn’t worry me anywhere near the amount that pesticides and MGOs worry me.
Hang on, so what does MSG actually do? What’s wrong with it.
It’s known to cause the following:
Headache
Flushing
Sweating
Facial pressure or tightness
Numbness, tingling or burning in the face, neck and other areas
Rapid, fluttering heartbeats (heart palpitations)
Chest pain
Nausea
Weakness
{ source }
MSG is an excitotoxin… meaning it overexcites your brain cells to the point that they die. This can cause permanent brain and nervous system damage in addition to the symptoms Lauryn talks about… pretty scary stuff, especially because it is not regulated so there’s no saying how much you can be exposed to if you don’t watch for it.
Another scary thing is that it can cross the placental barrier, meaning it can also harm the brain of unborn children
Check out the article ‘The bad seed’ in ELLE -August issue……shocking!!!!
Pretty pink chart, though!
Thanks for posting more relevant topics like these on your blog! I also liked the post you did on Wheat Belly – how did you feel when you eliminated gluten from your diet?
Ooh thanks for the charts! I’m trying to eat healthier and more natural foods so this was a huge help! Thanks!!
Interesting that MSG can have so many different names! This Mayo Clinic article talks specifically about MSG symptom complex/research about MSG and if it’s truly harmful: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/monosodium-glutamate/AN01251
what’s a healthier/more natural substitute you like to use in place of corn starch?
I personally use either arrowroot powder or potato starch. I have to avoid as much corn products as I can due to a child with a moderate corn allergy. Both arrowroot powder and potato starch have been working well for us as a corn starch substitute
Wow its so bad for us. I am doing a detox to try and rid myself of all these harmful ingredients
The MSG-danger has been counter-proved is what I heard. Long time ago people thought it was bad, but that’s not the full truth anymore. Not sure I will believe the other stuff you say either after this.
every controlled study that has found MSG to be safe has been funded by the International Glutamate Technical Committee (the nonprofit organization founded by the glutamate industry itself, i.e. the people who profit from MSG) or their supporters. Seems questionable to me. At the end of the day, it isn’t about ‘believing’ what Lauryn says or not, it’s about doing your own research and deciding what’s best for your life and your health.