Monosodium Glutamate, monosodium glutamate, MSG, glutamate - separating MSG-fact from MSG-fiction and industry propaganda

This Web site is dedicated to people with problems that once defied medical diagnosis -- people who discovered that elimination of MSG from their diets let them be well.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

AN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION: The glutamic acid in the human body is 100% L-glutamic acid -- (no contaminants) Food grade MSG may be 98.7% L-glutamic acid -- (1.3% contaminants) Pharmaceutical grade L-glutamic acid is 99% or more L-glutamic acid -- (1% or less contaminants)

 
  

IMPORTANT We want you to know of a petition filed with the FDA asking that the GRAS status of the food ingredient monosodium glutamate be rescinded. You can read the petition at http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=FDA-2007-P-0178 All comments had to be received by June 23, 2008.  Click here to read the submission of the Truth in Labeling Campaign.

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. http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_causes_glaucoma_optic_nerve_damage_000025_2.htm

 

The good news!  We've been told that Emerald BioAgriculture has stopped producing AuxiGro WP Wettable Powder for sale in the United States.  AuxiGro--the crop spray that contains more than 30% processed free glutamic acid (MSG).  We hope it's true. Is it or isn't it off the market?  Be aware that AuxiGro is still registered by the EPA for a variety of uses.  Also, be aware that even if AuxiGro is no longer being produced for sale in the U.S., farmers may still be using some from their supply. Could it be that  information provided by our Web page discouraged farmers from using it?  Could it be it didn't live up to expectations?  Could it be that it has been killing off bees?  Or could it be that the monosodium glutamate used in AuxiGro had toxic effects on crop seed germination and root elongation such as that described in the Liu, Zhou, Guo article.  It sure would be fun to know.  The bad news!  AuxiGro is being sold and used outside of the United States.  We know it's being used on wine grapes in Europe, but we haven't been able to tie down just where.  And we don't know on what other crops it's being used.

Re: Culinary tsunami--it's called umami ("the fifth taste" that MSG-sensitive people can't taste)

In mid March, we welcomed Forbes to the ranks of the American media promoting the use of neurotoxic and endocrine disrupting MSG in processed food.  On March 24, the glutes found a home for yet another writer, Stevenson Swanson, who, seems to have taken some industry  advertising dressed up as news, and pass it on to the very glutamate-industry-friendly Chicago Tribune.

Stevenson's article is really something special.  Monosodium glutamate, says Stevenson, "is a kind of essence of umani."   I think that's cute.  But I don't think it's cute to say that "...rigorous scientific studies have cleared [monosodium glutamate] of [causing adverse reactions]" when that simply is not true.  There are no "rigorous scientific studies" -- unless you call lacing the placebos in their double blind studies with the neurotoxic aspartic acid found in aspartame to be rigorous.  Aspartame!  It  kills brain cells.  It's an endocrine disrupter.  And it causes reactions similar to, if not identical to, the adverse reactions caused by monosodium glutamate.  Maybe "rigged" would be a better work than "rigorous."

Adrienne Samuels, Ph.D.
Director
Truth in Labeling Campaign
www.truthinlabeling.org
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 

We are proud that we have been able to provide information to people whose problems had defied medical diagnosis; people who just "didn't feel well;" people who knew they suffered adverse reactions when they ate MSG--and wanted to avoid it; and people who simply wanted to avoid this neurotoxic, endocrine disrupting, substance.

 

"Thank you sir.  You have helped a child regain his life...."  (excerpts from the letter of a mom whose child is seizure free -- now that the MSG is gone from his diet.

Glutamate Blockers? 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?

Take a minute to look (below) at the things  you need to know that the "glutes"  don't want you to know.

 

KNOW THIS: The ingredient that causes MSG reactions in MSG-sensitive people is manufactured/processed free glutamic acid.(1)  Manufactured/processed free glutamic acid is found in processed foods (9) -- but it is not found in unprocessed or unadulterated meat, fish, or vegetables (including soybeans, mushrooms, and tomatoes.).(3)  Only meat, fish, or vegetables that have been subjected to some sort of manufacturing or fermenting process will cause MSG reactions in MSG-sensitive people who ingest amounts that exceed their tolerances for MSG.(1) Dairy products, also, may cause MSG reactions in MSG-sensitive people because some dairy products are ultra-pasteurized, some are fermented, and many contain food additives such as carrageenan that are problematic for MSG-sensitive people.(1) All manufactured/processed free glutamic acid contains contaminants (D-glutamic acid, pyroglutamic acid, and others) (12,13), while the glutamic acid found in intact/unadulterated protein contains no contaminants.(3)  Some manufactured/processed free glutamic acid contains carcinogenic mono and dichloro propanols.(12) KNOW THIS:  With one exception, aspartame and processed free glutamic acid (MSG) cause identical adverse reactions in people who are sensitive to them.(2) In addition, the free glutamic acid found in MSG and the free aspartic acid found in aspartame both have been shown to kill brain cells and cause subsequent endocrine disorders in laboratory animals.(4)  (We don't do such experiments on humans.) KNOW THIS:  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) appears to be more interested in protecting the profits of big business than in safeguarding the health of consumers. DO THIS: When a manufacturer tells you there is no processed free glutamic acid in a product that made you ill, ask the manufacturer to back up his claim by providing you with a "free amino acid" assay.  If there is any free glutamic acid found, you can assume that the product contains MSG.  When a manufacturer tells you that any MSG in his product couldn't possibly harm you because it is "naturally occurring," inform the manufacturer that both arsenic and hydrochloric acid are "naturally occurring," too. REMEMBER THIS: If MSG wasn't harmful, it wouldn't be hidden. REFERENCES

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(click above for an outline, and below for individual subjects)

NEWS AND VIEWS	The truth is out about CSPI	Warning: Watch out for .....
ARE YOU AT RISK FROM EXPOSURE TO MSG?	---Recognizing and/or diagnosing MSG adverse reactions ---Pinpointing MSG as a reaction trigger ---A list of reactions that might be MSG-induced adverse reactions ---Where is MSG hidden? ---A list of ingredient names used to hide MSG in food ---Consumers tell us....about vertigo and other things they've overcome	Obesity The obesity epidemic: should we believe what we read and hear?  Epilepsy? MSG and epilepsy?	---Understanding brain damage and endocrine disorders caused by MSG ---Understanding MSG's link to neurodegenerative disease. ---Understanding "slow neurotoxins"
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE GLUTAMIC ACID FOUND IN PROTEIN and THE POTENTIALLY HARMFUL MANUFACTURED GLUTAMIC ACID WE REFER TO AS MSG?	How is MSG manufactured?	How do we know MSG causes brain damage and neuroendocrine disorders like obesity?	How do we know MSG causes adverse reactions like asthma, migraine headaches, heart irregularities, and seizures?
HISTORY	History of use of MSG	Regulatory history
WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY THAT MSG IN FOOD, DRUGS, COSMETICS, DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS, AND PESTICIDE PRODUCTS NOT BE LABELED?		Who are the people that get the job done so effectively? This is how  the "MSG is safe" game is played The US government plays an active role in keeping MSG in food, drugs, dietary supplements, children's' medications, cosmetics, fertilizers, fungicides, plant growth enhancers -- and more -- hidden
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT THE "GLUTES" DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW	The FDA says it's illegal to claim no MSG in a product if it contains any free glutamic acid (1)(2) MSG kills brain cells and causes a variety of adverse reactions.  It doesn't matter if you call it "umami" or not. The International Food Information Council (IFIC) has a name that doesn't give away the fact that they might be promoting questionable substances such as caffeine, BST, sugars, Colors, MSG, and aspartame.  For over a decade, they have worked actively for the glutamate industry. Reactions to MSG are not  allergic reactions.  They can not be diagnosed through use of "allergy" tests.  Some other things the "glutes" don't want you to know	These are the "glutes" basic lies These are the Web pages on which you'll find their lies.  These are some of the tricks the "glutes" use to set up (fix) their research to guarantee it will come out as they want it to.  The Tarasoff and Kelly study is a really good example.  These are some of the tricks  used to get free advertising dressed up as news.	These are the "glutes," and others who speaks out on their behalf? A special role is played by the FDA.   You can read all about the "glutes" standard operating procedure -- published in Accountability in Research, a peer reviewed journal
DATA THE GLUTES DON'T WANT YOU TO SEE		References to peer reviewed scientific articles and discussion of industry's badly flawed studies	Timely papers written by Russell L. Blaylock, M.D.
SURVIVING MSG SENSITIVITY	Dealing with MSG sensitivity. Letters from people who have been helped by this Web site. Tapes on MSG to purchase. Ideas for those having trouble avoiding MSG.	To get the truth from manufacturers about the MSG in their products, you have to  understand their deceptive tactics.	Government resources on the Internet Other Web sites with information about MSG and aspartame
	Support the Truth in Labeling Campaign - become involved	Thoughts from the editor Thinking of suing?	Contact us

 

We are proud that we have been able to provide information to people whose problems had defied medical diagnosis; people who just "didn't feel well;" people who knew they suffered adverse reactions when they ate MSG--and wanted to avoid it; and people who simply wanted to avoid this neurotoxic, endocrine disrupting, substance.  If you have questions that have not been answered here, please feel free to e-mail or call.

adandjack@aol.com 858/481-9333 http://www.truthinlabeling.org

This page was last updated on July 8, 2008