No MSG Added - a Little White Lie?

MSG is one of the more common migraine food triggers. You might not find M, S and G on the label of whatever product you are buying at your local grocery store, but rest assured, it's most likely there. Even if it says - no MSG added.

Linda Hoffman, chef, teacher and writer, penned down a nice article on the subject. Here's a small excerpt:

"[There is] a variety of symptoms clustered under the term "MSG sensitivity." They ranged from migraine headaches, dizziness, heart palpitations and even anaphylactic shock associated with short-term use. Longer-term use has been linked to neurological damage in children and to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's in adults, according to Sally Fallon in ''Nourishing Traditions.'' A 1969 study (Schaumburg et al) determined that roughly 30 percent of the population experienced adverse reactions to MSG ingested as part of an ordinary diet. Yet today, MSG is present in most processed foods, even those labeled "No added MSG," the key word being "added."

MSG is manufactured during the process of protein hydrolysis. When a product is 99 percent MSG, the FDA calls it monosodium glutamate, and requires it to be on the label. The FDA does not require labeling to identify MSG unless it is added specifically for flavor or if the product contains less than 99 percent pure MSG.

According to www.truthinlabeling.org, the following ingredients on a label always contain MSG: glutamate, monosodium glutamate, monopotassium glutamate, yeast extract, any hydrolyzed protein, glutamic acid, calcium caseinate, sodium caseinate, yeast food, hydrolyzed corn gluten, gelatin, textured protein, yeast nutrient, autolyzed yeast and natrum glutamate.

Another 30 ingredients often contain MSG or create it during processing, ranging from bouillon to barley malt to whey and soy protein isolates. If you have concerns, please do your own research on the internet by searching for MSG or monosodium glutamate."

A good advise. And our thanks to Chef Linda Hoffman for once again reminding us of the MSG and it's dangers.


link: MSG still around but harder for consumers to spot