http://www.care2.com/greenliving/is-msg-making-you-fat.html
Is MSG Making You Fat?
By Lindsey Galloway, Natural Solutions magazine
Sure, MSG (monosodium glutamate) makes even bland food taste better. And you probably consume more of it than you think. You can find it (or its variant gluamate) in processed foods ranging from Doritos to ranch dressing. But could this ingredient be expanding your waistline, regardless of your total calorie intake?
New research from China says yes. In fact, of the study participants, those who ate the most MSG were three times more likely to be overweight than those who ate no MSG. The study was controlled for physical activity and total calorie intake, and still MSG proved to be an overwhelming culprit for extra weight. Previous research had suggested MSG’s role in nerve damage, and some researchers claim it may worsen the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.
Knowing most shoppers would be wary of picking up something labeled with MSG, certain food manufactuers try to hide the ingredient’s presence under words like glutamate, hydrolyzed protein, calcium casinate and yeast extract, all which contain MSG. Even vague labels like natural flavors may masquerade its presence. (Click here for a full list of alert words.) And unlike trans fats, which are banned from foods labeled organic, MSG can be found in organic products (usually through the form of yeast protein).
I don’t doubt that MSG and its variants sneak into my diet once in awhile, but now I’m going to be even more diligent about reading labels and banishing it from my food for good.
Natural Solutions: Vibrant Health, Balanced Living offers its readers the latest news on health conditions, herbs and supplements, natural beauty products, healing foods and conscious living. Click here for a free sample issue.
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17 comments
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thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner
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In reading the original article, I thought about individuals who overeat primarily processed junk foods, like snack cakes and chips. I have also looked into the "satiety factor" and I don't think these people feel satisfied with the sensory experience of these foods, making them eat more. There was also a recent story about obese individuals not having "the full or off switch" with eating that normal weight individuals may have. With all these factors in play, the MSG probably does have some role in some cases, especially with overeating or gorging.
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I truly am for self gardening,plant it and let grow!That's easy for me to say though,I grew up on a farm but I'm glad of it, especially when times are in such a need of healing,today. Prayers and faith and healing to everyone.
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The biggest problem is not knowing if "natural flavours" contain MSG. Almost all foods have "natural flavours" listed in the ingredients.
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I have a yeast allergy. Although I read ingredients and rarely buy packaged foods, I noticed flat crackers and other foods containing yeast and wondered why....
Many people have yeast allergies, especially women and this should be CLEARLY labeled.
Also, calories from SUGAR.
We need to crack down on the manufacterers putting ingredients in our food that are artificial chemicals. Other countries have banned what we allow here, even India!
cheers,
Nancy
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Much can be said against MSG, however evidence that it causes obesity is doubted at http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2008/08/no-evidence-msg-makes-you-fat.html . So Annie, which is it?
While removing MSG ingestion is a good thing, what seems more important in the vast majority of the patients I see is that MSG sensitivity almost always correlates to a deficiency of bioactive pyridoxine (not insufficient intake of B6 but insufficient bioactivation of it) extending back over years, even decades of their life. The impact of that on health is in all systems, to varying degree of obviousness. The usual reason for that also impacts all systems, and can usually be compensated, if not fixed. The paths to fixing or compensating that are not safely described in this small comment box. Ask your chosen nutritional/metabolic expert how to test for that, compensate, etc.
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I don't know if I can blame MSG intake for my weight problem, BUT I am glad to have the info on the prouduct names hiding MSG because I do have high blood pressure and I try to avoid MSG.
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I use MSG regularly. I am half Japanese and grew up eating it. No one in my family is overweight or even just chubby. I am a 51 y/o female at 5'7" and 110 lbs. It's too easy to blame something in the diet for a person's obesity. Sensible eating and activity is the key as well as moderation.
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BIG problem with society these days: the loopholes in food- labelling laws. It isn't just or ethically sound for food companies to try hiding any of the contents of their products behind other names, like this example of MSG masquerading as hydrolized protein, yeast extract, etc. By the way,when did we stop being able to produce natural, fresh, healthy foods? Corporations have created a false need for all kinds of bogus foods; processed crap for the kids because they just won't eat anything else- well, let them go hungry for a day, then. Maybe they'll learn to eat what mommy says they're gonna eat. On- the- go snack bars full of sugar and plasticky microwave minute- lunches for busy professionals... just wake up a little earlier and have a decent breakfast. Prepare yourself a nutritious lunch the night before. Your day may end up being a little longer, but you'll ultimately have more energy than you do when you fill yourself with sugar and chemicals and are essentially running on empty, and you won't be jumping into to your grave by exposing yourself to carcinogens and things that cause high blood pressure, hypertension, obesity, artery- clogging, strokes, heart attacks. The market for these dishonest companies' products exist because we allow it to. Adjust your lifestyle and values a bit- take that dollar to the farmer's market on a weekend outing with your family, or push for clean ingredients and honest labelling on commercial food products. Consume only what you need.
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