Hidden Names for MSG and Reported Symptoms of MSG Toxicity
Hidden Names for MSG
Foods always contain MSG when these words are on the label:
| MSG | Gelatin | Calcium Caseinate |
| Monosodium glutamate | Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP) | Textured Protein |
| Monopotassium glutamate | Hydrolyzed Plant Protein (HPP) | Yeast Extract |
| Glutamate | Autolyzed Plant Protein | Yeast food or nutrient |
| Glutamic Acid | Sodium Caseinate | Autolyzed Yeast |
Foods made with the following products often contain MSG.
| Malted Barley (flavor) | Flavors, Flavoring | Modified food starch |
| Barley malt | Reaction Flavors | Rice syrup or brown rice syrup |
| Malt Extract or Flavoring | Natural Chicken, Beef, or Pork, Flavoring "Seasonings" (Most assume this means salt, pepper, or spices and herbs, which sometimes it is.) | Lipolyzed butter fat |
| Maltodextrin | Soy Sauce or Extract | "Low" or "No Fat" items |
| Caramel Flavoring (coloring) | Soy Protein | Corn syrup and corn syrup solids (some companies use another process to make their product, saying it is MSG free) |
| Stock | Soy Protein Isolate or Concentrate | Citric Acid (when processed from corn) |
| Broth | Cornstarch | Milk Powder |
| Bouillon | Flowing Agents | Dry Milk Solids |
| Carrageenan | Wheat, rice, or oat protein | Protein Fortified Milk |
| Whey Protein or Whey | Anything enriched or vitamin enriched | Annatto |
| Whey Protein Isolate or Concentrate | Protein fortified "anything" | Spice |
| Pectin | Enzyme modified "anythng" | Gums |
| Protease | Ultra-pasteurized "anything" | Dough Conditioners |
| Protease enzymes | Fermented "anything" | Yeast Nutrients |
European numbers for glutamate containing additives:
| 620 | 625 |
| 621 | 627 |
| 622 | 631 |
| 623 | 635 |
| 624 |
Commonly Reported Symptoms of MSG Toxicity
Based on books by Dr. Blaylock and Dr. Schwartz
| Numbness or paralysis | Mouth lesions, sores |
| Swelling of hands, feet, face | Diarrhea |
| Mitral valve prolapse | Nausea |
| Arrhythmias or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (which can lead to stroke) | Vomiting |
| Rise or drop in blood pressure (a fluctuation) | Stomach cramps and gas |
| Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) | Irritable bowel, colitis, and/or constipation |
| Angina (pain in and around heart and ribs) | Swelling of/or painful rectum |
| Heart palpitations (change in heart beat, or irregularities, such as atrial fibrillation) | Spastic colon |
| Shuddering, shaking, chills | Extreme thirst |
| Tendonitis and joint pain, TMJ | Water retention and bloating (stomach swells) |
| Arthritic-like pain Muscle aches – legs, back, shoulders, neck | Abdominal discomfort |
| Flu-like symptoms | Asthma symptoms |
| Stiffness – jaw, muscles | Shortness of breath |
| Heaviness of arms, legs | Chest pain |
| Mental dullness | Tightness of chest |
| Depression | Runny nose and sneezing |
| Dizziness, light headedness | Postnasal drip |
| Disorientation, mental confusion, bi-polar | Bronchitis-like symptoms |
| Anxiety or panic attacks | Hoarseness, sore throat |
| Hyperactivity, especially in children (A.D.H.D.) | Chronic cough – sometimes a tickle cough |
| Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.) | Gagging reflex |
| Behavioral problems – delinquency, rage, and hostility | Skin rash – hives, itching, rosacea-like reaction |
| Feelings of inebriation | Mouth lesions, small waxy bits in throat, tonsils |
| Slurred speech | Tingling numbness on face, ears, arms, legs, or feet |
| Balance problems | Flushing, tingling, burning sensation in face or chest |
| Aching teeth | Extreme dryness of mouth, "cotton mouth", or irritated tongue |
| Seizures, tremors | Dark circles or bags under eyes, face swelling |
| Loss of memory | Urological problems, nocturia, uncontrollable bladder or swelling of prostate |
| Lethargy | Difficulty focusing |
| Sleeping disorders – insomnia or drowsiness (chronic fatigue) | Pressure behind eyes |
| Migraine headaches – facial or temporal Eye symptoms – tired or burning eyes to blurry vision, optic neuritis | Seeing shiny lights |
| Neurological diseases: ALS, Parkinson's, M.S. | Burning sinuses, broken sinus capillaries |
| Prostate, infertility, thyroid problems | Gastro esophageal reflux |
| Ear problems – tinnitus or Meniere's Disease | Cartilage, connective tissue damage |
| Gout-like condition (usually knees) | Gall bladder or gall bladder like problems |
| Kidney pain – Loin Pain | Hematuria Syndrome |
| Restless Leg Syndrome |
The new game is to label hydrolyzed proteins as pea protein, whey protein, corn protein, etc. If a pea, for example, were whole, it would be identified as a pea. Calling an ingredient pea protein indicates that the pea has been hydrolyzed, at least in part, and that processed free glutamic acid (MSG) is present. Relatively new to the list are wheat protein and soy protein.
Disodium guanylate and disodium inosinate are expensive food additives that work synergistically with inexpensive MSG. Their use suggests that the product has MSG in it. They would probably not be used as food additives if there were no MSG present.
MSG reactions have been reported to soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners, and cosmetics, where MSG is hidden in ingredients that include the words "hydrolyzed," "amino acids," and "protein."
Low fat and no fat milk products often include milk solids that contain MSG.
Drinks, candy, and chewing gum are potential sources of hidden MSG and of aspartame and neotame. Aspartic acid, found in neotame and aspartame (NutraSweet), ordinarily causes MSG type reactions in MSG sensitive people. Aspartame is found in some medications, including children's medications. Neotame is relatively new and we have not yet seen it used widely. Check with your pharmacist.
Binders and fillers for medications, nutrients, and supplements, both prescription and non-prescription, enteral feeding materials, and some fluids administered intravenously in hospitals, may contain MSG.
According to the manufacturer, Varivax–Merck chicken pox vaccine (Varicella Virus Live), contains L-monosodium glutamate and hydrolyzed gelatin both of which contain processed free glutamic acid (MSG) which causes brain lesions in young laboratory animals, and causes endocrine disturbances like OBESITY and REPRODUCTIVE disorders later in life. It would appear that most, if not all, live virus vaccines contain MSG.
Reactions to MSG are dose related, i.e., some people react to even very small amounts. MSG-induced reactions may occur immediately after ingestion or after as much as 48 hours.
Note: There are additional ingredients that appear to cause MSG reactions in ACUTELY sensitive people.
Remember: By FDA definition, all MSG is "naturally occurring." "Natural" doesn't mean "safe." "Natural" only means that the ingredient started out in nature.
