What is MSG really? Welcome to what may be the most controversial food additive known to mankind. We used it like most people use salt when I was a young child. It looks like salt, but little did we know the dangerous health conditions this flavor enhancer could create.

My childhood is kind of a blur and this could explain some of my memory lapses.

MSG is in All Fermented Foods!

1. MSG is a salt of Glutamic Acid and is also known as Monosodium Glutamate.

2. An amino acid called glutamic acid is present in most plant and protein rich foods. Glutamic acid is also found in the human body.

3. In its unprocessed or natural state this amino acid presents no problems.

4. When it becomes processed free glutamic acid, which has been freed through a manufacturing process or fermentation process, this is what creates problems for sensitive people.

5. Therefore, MSG is Processed Free Glutamic Acid.

MSG is a Very Dangerous Neurotoxin

Neurotoxins cause damage to your central nervous system.

Once MSG crosses your blood-brain barrier, it can excite your nerve cells to death.

Blood-brain barriers that have not fully developed are at a greater risk for damage. This would mean that young children are at a greater disadvantage than older children.

The elderly that have weakened blood-brain barriers are also at a greater risk for damage when excessive amounts are consumed.

Pregnant women risk exposure to their unborn baby!

What Health Issues are Related to MSG?

Health problems created by MSG:

*Abnormal Heartbeat

*Blood Pressure Rising or Dropping

*Loose Stools

*Vomiting or Throwing Up

*Pain in Joints

*Moody Feelings

*Rage Reactions

*Migraine Headaches

*Dizziness

*Vision Blurred

*Anxiety

*Feeling Cold

*Trouble Breathing

*Urination Increase

*Itchy Skin

Fermented Foods to Eat Cautiously

You will need to pay attention to the amount of soy sauce, fish sauce and parmesan cheese that you consume as these foods contain a high amount of MSG.

If you are extremely sensitive to this toxin, you may need to refrain from consuming all fermented foods and drinks. Most people who consume a moderate amount of fermented foods and drinks will not have problems.

It makes sense that fermented foods with a higher protein content would be more problematic to sensitive people.

Unless you are extremely sensitive to this toxin, fermented food does not seem to cause the adverse problems that are associated with manufactured MSG.

What is MSG or Monosodium Glutamate History?

A Japanese Scientist in 1908 by the name of Kikunae Ikeda was the person who discovered Glutamic Acid and its ability to make foods taste a certain way.

Not too long after Mr. Ikeda's discovery, the world-wide use of MSG began to happen.

It was first sold under the name Ajinomoto and was used as a flavor enhancer. Creating commercials where Ajinomoto was repeated over and over using a catchy jingle helped to make it a very popular product.

MSG is still being sold as a flavor enhancer to this day and under new names such as Accent! It's still being put into our food and most people have no clue that it's still around.

Before you create any more damage to your brain, make sure you read this practical guide to Healthy Eating which is available online at Healthy Foods.

Posted under Food Allergy