I found this profoundly interesting because it affects me personally all the time and thought I’d pass the info along. I’ve always been aware that there are hundreds of harmful food additives that get pumped into our food supply all the time, most of the time without our knowledge. A good body cleanse is a useful way to counter-act these toxins by flushing them out but you can’t beat prevention as a means of treatment! Avoiding toxins in the first place is the best body cleanse method, by far!
So as I was doing some reading about additives, I was struck by a pretty well-known culprit: Monosodium Glutamate or “MSG.” Turns out some of the most notable symptoms for those sensitive to its effects are headaches and an aching in the back of the neck and shoulders. Sometimes this spreads to the forearms and palms and can cause irritation in addition to nausea, dizziness and a general poor mood or disposition. Wow! I notice those symptoms pretty often and usually assume them to be dehydration. But now I’m concerned that it may be more akin to MSG side effects.
What is MSG?
Many know it as the “chinese restaurant syndrome” because MSG has long been a staple among Asian restaurants as a flavor enhancer. MSG isn’t a completely man-made poison. In fact, it’s natural form isn’t quite so harmful, as it bonds with other amino acids, forming a protein molecule. However, when MSG is synthesized in a lab and sprinkled artificially onto your food, it isn’t bonded but rather a “free” molecule. This unnatural separation from the protein provides the punch to the taste buds but also floods the body with unbound acids that don’t help to do anything nutritional. This causes the side effects I mentioned.
The interesting thing about MSG is that everyone’s reaction is unique. Some people are considered “MSG Sensitive” and their reactions go beyond the aforementioned into the realm of increased anxiety, cramps, skin rashes, confusion, heart palpitations, and even seizures. Of course, these more extreme reactions are akin to any other food allergy and pertain to a small percentage or people. Still, the flood of unbound acid molecules into the body over-stimulates the brain enough to warrant caution from anyone. It simply isn’t nutritious and should be avoided.
As always, check your labels. MSG is in lots of processed and packaged foods, especially those with high sodium content. And, of course, always check with your Asian cuisine chef to make sure no artificial MSG is used in your Orange Chicken.
