MSG….its everywhere!

Well not quite…..but it is in a lot of places that you might not be aware of.

Elizabeth and I were talking the other day and she mentioned that in her household they would be working to avoid monosodium glutomate AKA: MSG…due to its purported potential instigation of atrial arrythmia issues.

When she brought it up, I did my best Cliff Clavin imitation telling her how to find various foods without it.  We decided that although many of you may already avoid and know the purported risks of MSG, but it seems that many do not, so here is my data dump.

First of all why avoid MSG?

Headaches/Migraines: I first decided to avoid it when my brother seemed to get horrific headaches after consuming it.  I tend to avoid consuming things that people in my gene pool have issues with…..call it a preemptive strike.    There is more data about the headache and migraine trends associated with it.

Cardiac issues: a cardiologist was asked recently about whether MSG could have caused a recent bout of atrial arrythmias.  His reply was that it would likely be good to avoid it.  Of course, there is no clinical data supporting this recommendation, but it should be a strong indication in that he quickly agreed with the suggestion to avoid it.

Increased appetite:  It could also be a contributing factor to obesity….MSG is added to the diet of test animals when scientists are trying to fatten them up.  Huh, not that obesity is a problem for we as humans…..

Seizures: in test animals again…. Basically between the documented headaches (that is noted on the Mayo Clinic online site, by the way) and seizures in test animals when using it, it seems to me that MSG is not good for the brain.

So, I choose to stay away from it and my kids are trained to read labels for it before purchasing foods.

Here is the link on the Mayo Clinic site which gives the disclaimer about no known long term issues, but does acknowledge the many short term effects that are pretty well documented….even if anecdotal.  Click here to go to the Mayo Clinic MSG information.

So, that said, if you want to avoid it, it takes work.  It is a wonderful flavor enhancer and food manufacturers have used it for years in LOTS of things.   Here are few of my favorites that you may want to check out:

1) Flavored chips….pretty much all of them unless you are buying organic/natural types.  Cool Ranch, Nacho Cheese Doritos,  Those great Tostitos with a hint of lime.  Chicken in a Biskit crackers…etc.  Look at ALL the flavored chips…..it is hard to find any without it.

2) Ranch Dressing.  I give you another challenge.  A few of the common manufacturers have started to make a few ranch salad dressings without it and it will be usually on the front of the bottle when they do.  Again, if you shop all natural brands….like Newman's own, Briannas, etc.  you will find no MSG, but otherwise, they ALL have it…even those Hidden Valley Ranch dry packets.

3) Bouillon cubes.  Wylers changed their instant version a while ago to eliminate it, but unless they have changed, their cubes still have MSG.  I switched to Herbox brand….they don't have MSG.

4) Asian Food.  Some high quality restaurants have started to advertise "no MSG" on their menus.  If they don't have this advertisement, they likely have it.  It has been pretty much a staple in asian food over the years.

I hope that some of you find this information….well informative!

Please comment if you disagree, or if you have anything to add.  Others will benefit from YOUR comments!!!

Barb