Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is one of the most toxic ingredients in our food supply. Commonly known as ‘the flavor enhancer,’ MSG is a neurotoxin and to some, can be highly addictive.
MSG is found in a large variety of processed foods, sometimes hiding under alternate names including yeast extract, glutamic acid, hydrolyzed protein and sometimes ‘natural flavors.’ It appears frequently in frozen foods, salad dressings, crackers, canned soups and processed meats, to name only a few.
The chemical breakdown of MSG is 78 percent free glutamic acid, 21 percent sodium and approximately 1 percent contaminants. According to Dr. Russell Blaylock, “studies have shown that the body uses glutamate, an amino acid, as a nerve impulse transmitter in the brain and that there are glutamate-responsive tissues in other parts of the body, as well.”
He continues, “abnormal functions of glutamate receptors has been linked with certain neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s chorea. Injections of glutamate in laboratory animals have resulted in damage to nerve cells in the brain.” Ingesting MSG throws off the balance of glutamate receptors in the body, often causing system-wide havoc.
MSG has also been linked to many other health problems, including numbness, fatigue, eye damage, headaches, depression, disorientation and obesity. It has also been linked to cancers. It is imperative to your health to stop ingesting MSG, even though you may crave it, and the cravings may be quite strong for some people.
The first step is to avoid eating processed foods – period. Even those that do not contain MSG contain other chemicals, by-products and neurotoxins that have absolutely no place in a healthy diet. To stop your body from craving the MSG once you stop its intake, replace processed products with whole, organic foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
Foods containing magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium and zinc will help give your body what it needs to overcome MSG cravings. Vitamins B1, B6, C and E are also crucial.
Turmeric, a delicious Indian spice, can be greatly beneficial, as it contains curcumim, which supplies the body with DNA-repairing enzymes. Some people have seen success with gingko biloba and red clover, but it is best to talk to a natural health professional to determine the right dosage for your body.
You may also consider a cleanse or gentle detox regimen. Talk to a natural health professional to choose one that is right for your individual health needs. Once you have had MSG out of your system for long enough, and have replaced it with healthy, life-sustaining foods, you will no longer miss it, and will recognize foods that contain it for the poisons that they are.
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.healthilluminationproducts.com/page/msg
http://www.herbalhealer.com/msg.html
http://www.saynotomsg.com/life.php
http://lifewithnature.com/greenliving/how-to-detox-from-msg-and-aspartame/
