What is MSG Doing in Fermented Foods and Drinks?
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 a little blurry and this could explain my inability to remember some of my earlier years.
It's found in All Fermented Foods!
1. Most people know MSG as monosodium glutamate, which is a salt of glutamic acid.
2. Most protein rich foods and plants have an amino acid called glutamic acid. This amino acid is also found in the human body.
3. In its unprocessed or natural state this amino acid presents no problems.
4. What causes the problems for sensitive people, is processed free glutamic acid which has been freed from protein through a fermentation or manufacturing process.
5. Therefore, MSG is Processed Free Glutamic Acid.
MSG aka Neurotoxin
Neurotoxins cause damage to your central nervous system.
MSG can excite your nerve cells to death after crossing your blood-brain barrier.
The young whose blood-brain barrier has not fully developed is at greater risk for damage.
Also, at great risk is the elderly. They usually have a weakened blood-brain barrier and are less able to keep excessive amounts of MSG from reaching their brains.
Pregnant women risk exposure to their unborn baby!
What Health Issues are Related to MSG?
Some of the health issues linked to MSG consumption:
*Rapid Heartbeat
*Extreme Rise/Drop in Blood Pressure
*Watery Stools
*Throwing Up
*Joint Pain
*Depression
*Anger
*Migraine Headaches
*Feeling Dizzy
*Blurred Eyesight
*Anxiety
*Chills and Shakes
*Breathing Problems
*Bladder Trouble
*Rash
Fermented Foods with High Amounts
Fermented foods that contain high amounts are Soy Sauce or Shoyu, Fish Sauce, and Certain Cheeses (especially Parmesan).
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.
Fermented foods with a higher protein content will probably create more problems for people with MSG sensitivities.
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?
In 1908, a Japanese scientist named Kikunae Ikeda was the first person to discover glutamic acid and its relationship to making foods taste great.
Shortly, after this discovery the world-wide use of MSG began to explode.
It was sold as a flavor enhancer and under the name of Ajinomoto. They created quite a catchy jingle for this food additive.
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 risk any more damage to your health, make sure you see this informative guide to Healthy Eating which is available online at Healthy Foods.