MSG vs natural forms of Glutamate

[Dace]

Can someone give me the thumb nail sketch?

In reading the chocolate supplement thread the conversation went to MSG....and then lead to some info about tomatoes and yogurt containing MSG (among other foods)

I am sure there is a difference in toxicity between MSG and naturally occurring forms of it. I know I can google it but I am hoping to skip an hour of research by leaning on those of you in the know

 

[tortoise]

What I do know is that it is naturally ocurring and probably impossible to eliminate. And not that you would want to eliminate it if you could! It is necessary for life. But excesses can cause problems.

 

[VickiLynn]

According to a book I'm reading, called Death by Supermarket, glutamate is found naturally in foods. Bound glutamate is linked to protein, and free is not. The free glutamate is the kind that adds flavor.

MSG that is manufactured comes from a kind of seaweed called kombu. It all started in WWII, when American GI's in Japan were raving about the food there. It was discovered that Japanese cooks used the seaweed to flavor their dishes. The American military started researching ways to add the product to their rations. And American industry naturally jumped on the bandwagon. The book says between 1948 and 1969 they were even adding it to baby food

 

[Dace]

Death by Supermarket sounds awesome....who is the author?

So is Bound Glutamate bad? Free Glutamate bad? or is only the manufactured stuff the bad stuff?

 

[Dace]

Also....just to be sure I am clear:

The process of de-fatting and or drying dairy produce produces MSG? Which does not then have to be listed as an ingredient because it is a chemical change the occurs thru the process? Am I even close on that?

 

[freemotion]

Yes, that is in an article on www.westonaprice.org. No time right now to search for the article....I think I put MSG in the search when I found it recently.

 

[VickiLynn]

From what I understand, bound glutamate is not a problem. Free glutamate should be avoided (it's free to wreck havoc with your cells). MSG is free glutamate.

This is the book. It's very interesting:

http://www.amazon.com/Death-Superma...g-Poisoning/dp/1569803323/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

 

[Dace]

Cool, thanks guys!

 

[Dace]

Just thought I would share....

http://www.evenbetternow.com/als-diet.asp

One of the most dangerous food ingredients is monosodium glutamate (MSG). Dietary intake of MSG is associated with an increased risk of ALS, because ALS patients already have an excess of glutamate in their bodies.

There is a difference between naturally occuring L-glutamic acid that is found in many natural and unprocessed foods and processed free glutamic acid. L-glutamic acid is an amino acid that has a necessary function in the human body, and it will not typically cause any adverse reactions in people.

Manufactured free glutamic acid, on the other hand, is glutamic acid that has been freed from protein through a manufacturing process. It is a neurotoxin which can be very dangerous for those with neurological disorders and otherwise sensitive individuals.

There are over 40 ingredients in which MSG will be found.

Ingredients that often contain MSG or create it during processing include:
Label ingredients that always contain MSG include:
carrageenan
soy protein isolate
whey protein concentrate
whey protein (except non-denatured)
soy sauce
malt flavoring
barley malt
ultra pasteurized
bouillon and broth
soup stocks
maltodextrin
enzyme modified
natural flavoring
autolyzed yeast
hydrolyzed protein (any and all)
glutamate
glutamic acid
calcium caseinate
sodium caseinate
gelatin (yes, even jello)
textured protein
yeast food

For a complete discussion of MSG, its neurotoxicity and which foods to avoid, go to - www.truthinlabeling.org.

 

[~gd]

Yes go there if you don't know the difference between an amino acid and the sodium salt of that acid. a glutamate is any salt which contains either L-glutamic acid or D-glutamic acid or both. the other part of the salt can contain any number of Metalic elements. People who search for only Mono Sodium Glutamate in an ingredient statement are going to miss a whole bunch of other glutamates and manufacturers are wise to that trick and will make true claims on the label "contains no added MSG" If it tastes 'umami' = "brothy", "meaty", or "savory"' it probably has a glutamate in there, it just wasn't added as MSG. Dace's list is pretty much correct but the common mistake of calling any and all glutamate as MSG is still there. All the glutamates are the problem, and yes MSG is a glutamate.