Beware of MSG and its aliases

This flavour agent is found in so many products, from soups, to salad dressings, frozen meals, pre packaged meals, chips, surprisingly enough it is even found in low fat products. MSG is found in fast food, and even in some coffees. Therefore, reading the food label can help you find MSG in the product being consumed. Beware as other names are often used for MSG, such as accent, aginomoto, natural meat tenderizer, and hydrolyzed vegetable protein as well.

We aren't aware of the potential impacts of MSG. It is used to enhance flavour, and therefore makes you more addicted and keeps you coming back for more. Could it be the cause of the many intense cravings we get for our favourite coffee, chips or burger; can it be blamed for the need that arises for more fast food all the time?

Studies have found a potential link between MSG and obesity, such a concern in our society today, especially a rising concern amongst our children. MSG causes the pancreas to release three times more insulin. Diabetes has also been linked to high MSG intake.

MSG effects have been studied on laboratory animals. After MSG ingestion, eventually brain lesions occur specifically in the hypothalamus area. Eventually these brain lesions, lead to endocrine disorders, such as obesity, reproductive disorders and more. The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating thirst, hunger, body temperature, and blood pressure as well. It plays an essential role in linking the nervous system to the endocrine system (hormone control). It is evident that a disruption of this brain section is detrimental to our health.

A lot of our food contains this chemical, and yet we do not realize how it is chemically interacting within our bodies. This chemical has also been linked to asthma, migraines, headaches, skin rashes and to more severe conditions, such as tachycardia and seizures. There have been many other adverse reactions linked to the ingestion of MSG such as vomiting and nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, sleep disturbance, fatigue, weakness and many more other symptoms.

More and more MSG is being added to the many products we are consuming on an everyday basis, products we feed to our children. With diabetes and obesity as an epidemic, there has to be an awareness of this increasingly used flavour enhancer. We live in a society in which industry and profit dominate. It is up to the consumer to find the hidden MSG and avoid becoming an addict, a MSG addict.

<@RB>Tip<@$P>: Look for these on your ingredient list, don't expect to simply see MSG as a listed ingredient; E620 Glutamic acid, E621 Monosodium glutamate, E622 Monopotassium glutamate, E623 Calcium diglutamate, E624 Monoammonium glutamate, E625 Magnesium diglutamate.

<@RBI>— Christina Ferreira animates a series of weekly community kitchens at various West Island locations. For more information about the Bread Basket Project, call West Island Citizen Advocacy at 514-694-5850.<@$P>