MSG Madness!
We have by now, all heard that MSG is bad for us. But do you know why is it particularly bad for children with autism and how to recognise it in your foods?
Monosodium Glutamate.
A flavour enhancer used in the food industry to make cheap foods taste better. Often found in Asian fast food, canned vegetables, soups, meat stock cubes, processed meats, flavoured crisps, coffee syrups….the list is LONG!!
Why is it a problem?
In order to understand this we have to think in terms of brain chemistry.
We have several substances that the brain uses to make us feel ok. And i use the word “ok” on purpose as ok means “in balance”. It’s neither over excited nor depressed nor anxious. It’s just the right amount of brain chemicals to keep us in good safe working order. These substances the brain uses are called Neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that convey messages to our organs and often create a chain reaction to help us increase something needed, or decrease something not needed. Creating homeostasis in our body (the correct balance to live!!).
The most talked about neurotransmitter is Serotonin. This vital substance, although used by the brain, is mainly (90%) produced in the gut and transported to the brain for use. (If your child has poor gut function or inflammation we can see our first problem!) Serotonin affects mood (can be aggressive, depressed, anxious), sleep, emotion, sexual activity and appetite.
Although neuroscientists have discovered around 60 of these neurotransmitters there are 7 main ones we think of. These are acetylcholine, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, histamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.
Ok, but what does all this have to do with MSG and autism!!?
Three key points.
When we consume foods loaded with MSG, this chemical passes through our intestinal walls (firstly disrupting and damaging our good intestinal bacteria along the way) and out into the blood stream making its way to the brain. At first this chemical has an activating effect on our pleasure centres in the brain, it feels good! This is the first step to being addicted to junk food, which many children are! They are actually craving the drug effect of MSG on the brain and as with all drugs more and more is needed to provide that satisfaction. If your child becomes aggressive and demanding for a particular type of food, do research if MSG is at play here and causing an addiction cycle in their brain.
MSG is taken up by receptor sites in your child’s brain that would usually be used by neurotransmitters, which lets not forget, are messengers that deliver vital information all over the body and brain. MSG literally blocks these receptors and so the normal functions of the neurotransmitters are prevented. An imbalance of neurotransmitters quickly occurs (can be minutes to hours) and will upset the brain chemistry causing a host of emotional problems (aggression, depression, tantrums, over emotional or increase in brain fog/lost in own world). Sleep is often disrupted as the balance of serotonin and melatonin is off (how many parents resort to giving melatonin?) Let alone damaging symptoms in the body you cannot see.
MSG causes an inflammatory response in the body, mostly felt in the brain and stomach. Headaches and stomach aches can cause behaviours in non verbal children who cannot explain their symptoms. You may see an increase in head banging or pushing on the head area, or stomach pain which causes them to push on the stomach area, or simply just become more angry and upset.
So you can see that for a child who may already have leaky gut, issues with sleep, behavioural changes and brain fog, by introducing an avoidable food additive you may exacerbate or even create symptoms that could be avoided.
MSG has been debated across the years mainly between the Food Industry claiming it’s safety and the people who have suffered symptoms from it. I know who i will listen to!
Please note that MSG has been renamed many times and goes under many guises. This is the current list:
Names of ingredients that always contain processed free glutamic acid.
Glutamic Acid (E 620)2
Glutamate (E 620)
Monosodium Glutamate (E 621)
Monopotassium Glutamate (E 622)
Calcium Glutamate (E 623)
Monoammonium Glutamate (E 624)
Magnesium Glutamate (E 625)
Natrium Glutamate
Yeast Extract
Anything hydrolyzed
Any hydrolyzed protein
Calcium Caseinate
Sodium Caseinate
Yeast Food
Yeast Nutrient
Autolyzed Yeast
Gelatin
Textured Protein
Soy Protein Isolate
Whey Protein Isolate
Anything :protein
Vetsin
Ajinomoto
Names of ingredients that often contain or produce processed free glutamic acid
Carrageenan (E 407)
Bouillon and broth
Stock
Any flavours or flavouring
Maltodextrin
Citric acid, Citrate (E 330)
Anything ultra pasteurised
Barley malt
Pectin (E 440)
Protease
Anything enzyme modified
Anything containing enzymes
Malt extract
Soy sauce
Soy sauce extract
Anything protein fortified
Seasonings
Foods most likely to contain MSG
Fast Food. Fast food, particularly Chinese food, is one of the most common sources of MSG.
Chips and Other Snacks.
Condiments.
Seasoning Blends.
Processed Meats.
Frozen Foods.
Soups.
Instant Noodle Products.
YIKES!! So what’s the answer? You’ll notice that pretty much all of these are in food products with an ingredient list!! They are not on fresh whole single foods! Meat, vegetables, fruits, fish etc. So check your labels and check again!
Did you eat many of these foods in pregnancy? Is it something that needs detoxifying using Homeopathy?
To simply conclude
You are less likely to consume MSG accidentally if you cook your own foods.
MSG has a direct effect on your child’s behaviour because it disrupts and blocks the brains own neurotransmitters and causes inflammation in the brain and gut.
If you realise you and your child regularly consume MSG and you wish to stop, there may be a period of time for the brain to correctly rebalance itself so don’t expect miracles straight away!! The body needs to “come down” from regularly having a drug that affects the brain so expect some withdrawal symptoms.
As you may know I am a Homeopath specialising in the treatment of children with autism. I use homeopathy to detoxify your child from substances that may have contributed to (or caused) their autism as well as those substances that exacerbate their symptoms.
I always am looking for ways to help your child and diet/food choices are major components to health and recovery (for everyone!!)