Detox Friday - Pantry Detox Continues

We are going to continue detoxing our pantry.  Last week we tackled trans fats and high fructose corn syrup.  This week it's Monosodium glutamate (MSG), we are only doing one because there are many places it hides. 

What is MSG? 
MSG is a sodium salt that is used as a flavor enhancer.  It is a stimulant that stimulates both the taste buds and the brain. In fact, according to Russell Blaylock it excites neurons and causes them to rapidly fire until they become exhausted and eventually die.  If that is not bad enough, it also promotes inflammation on the liver.  Typically is was found in Chinese food but because of sensitivities most Chinese restaurants no longer use it. 

Side effects of MSG:
Headaches, flushing, sweating, numbness, tingling, burning in the face or neck, heart palpitations, chest pains, nausea and weakness. 

I had a very scary experience as an early teenager.  My sister had just eaten a can of Campbell's chicken noodle soup (loaded with MSG), her throat started to close and she couldn't breathe.   I am so glad that my mother was there because she gave her Benadryl and she was able to breathe.  I would've have frozen and not known what to do..I panic in these kinds of situations.  Now that I think about it, it was probably scarier for her! 

Where is MSG found?
Salad dressing, sauces, flavored potato chips, seasoning mixes, soups, gravy mixes, frozen foods, low fat foods and other processed foods.

This is an ingredient where you need to check your ingredients list. 

Ingredients that ALWAYS contain MSG: 
Glutamic acid
Glutamate
Anything hydrolyzed
Anything autolyzed
Yeast extract
Calcium caseinate
Sodium caseinate
Gelatin
Textured protein
Soy protein anything

Ingredients that FREQUENTLY contain MSG or free glutamic acid:
Carrageenan
Bouillon broth,
Flavors, flavorings
Maltodextrin
Citric acid, citrate
Ultra pasteurization
Barley malt, malt extract
Pectin
Anything that contains enzymes
Anything fermented (excluding traditional fermentation)
Anything protein fortified
Whey protein
Soy sauce
Seasonings

This is why we are only tackling one ingredient this week.  It "hides" in many places.  If you can't look at ALL the above ingredients in your pantry, at least look at where it is always hidden. 

Let me know how you are doing detoxing your pantry. 

Source: Pantry Principle, Mira Dessey