Why Do Americans Overeat?

MSG Revisited
By Bill Sardi A food technologist whispered to me on the phone that he had been hired by a large processed food producer, who will remain unnamed, to design foods so consumers would eat larger portions. The vast majority of processed and ready-to-eat foods have been tampered with, but consumers are unaware of this. The 8591 calorie manwich Why do Americans overeat, more so than any people in any other developed country? Could it be something laced into American foods that causes people to eat more than they should? What very few Americans grasp is that there is an intentional effort to get people to eat more food. If Americans dont have a plan to counter covert efforts to encourage overeating, they will surely lose the battle of the bulge. Oh, everyone knows Americans are super-sizers. Americans invented double-double burgers, triple-scoop ice cream, giant French fries, and the like. But we cant blame all of our weight problems on McDonalds. In countries where fast food is being consumed, people are heavier. But again, is it just the calories? Why do people want to overeat? Animals dont do this.
Copyright 2005 Bill Sardi Not for posting on other websites.

The hidden food-craving molecule added to foods is well known by Americans, MSG, but it is better known for causing Chinese restaurant syndrome (headaches, shortness of breath, allergic reactions, etc.) than its more obvious purpose to get people to eat more food. Monosodium glutamate interferes with the brain hormones that signal a person has consumed enough food. The safety of monosodium glutamate (MSG), a taste enhancer added to many processed foods, has been hotly debated since 1968. The FDA has accepted studies sponsored largely by MSG producers to prove their product is safe. [Journal
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Nutrition 130: 1049-52, 2000] While some individuals are sensitive to MSG and develop a wide variety of symptoms (headaches, facial pressure or tightness, chest pain, nausea, rapid heartbeat, drowsiness, weakness and difficulty breathing), for the most part these symptoms are downplayed and trivialized. MSG may not significantly impact the mortality rate (Americans arent dying, at least not right away, from MSG-laced foods). However, in virtually every study conducted, animals become obese when given MSG. Its disingenuous to say MSG is safe.

But again, this report didnt make headlines. The public remains unaware, thinking its their lack of willpower rather than their brain has been doped to dull hormonal control over food consumption.

German Report Ignored

German researchers recently published their concern that the worldwide rise in obesity is related to MSG in processed foods. The world news press ignored this report. The German investigators hypothesize MSG intoxicates nerve cells in the brain, disrupts signals (leptin) which indicate fullness, which leads to overeating. MSG can also raise blood pressure, say these researchers. MSG exposure prior to birth may disrupt feeding regulation. Their report concludes: We suggest abandoning the flavoring agent monosodium glutamate .. particularly during pregnancy. [J Pediatric Endocrinology Metabolism 16: 965-8, 2003] In the most recently published study, researchers at the University of Sao Paulo State in Brazil report that MSG added to a standard diet increases food intake. Overfeeding then results in conditions such as diabetes. [Nutrition 21: 749-55, 2005]
Copyright 2005 Bill Sardi Not for posting on other websites.

MSG-fed mice become oversized overeaters. There are research reports dating back 30 years which repeatedly show that monosodium glutamate, a taste enhancer added to many foods, induces obesity in animals. In 1976 the British Journal of Nutrition published a report entitled The induction of obesity in rodents by means of monosodium glutamate. [Br J Nutrition 35:25-39, 1976] Its interesting to note that mice treated with MSG in the neonatal period grow into obese, stunted adults without overeating! [Am J Physiology 257(2 Pt 1):E139-44, 1989] I hope you comprehend the above statement --- to repeat, animals on MSG became fat WITHOUT OVEREATING! Furthermore, Americans may have been preconditioned to overeat by exposure to MSG in the womb!

Selective MSG spiking of unhealthy foods

MSG makers hide behind safety claim

If nobody dies suddenly after consumption of MSG, and only a few sensitive people develop headaches and other reactions, then whats the big deal? The MSG issue sounds no worse than peanut allergy which actually results in death for a small number of individuals annually. So, for the moment, lets just say MSG is relatively safe (it isnt, it overstimulates neurons and is particularly toxic to nerve cells in the eye and brain over the long term).

Its difficult to find statistics regarding consumption of MSG by country, which appears to be intentionally concealed. Annual worldwide demand is about 1.1 million tons, with most being sold in Asian countries whose populations are not overtly obese. Have we ignored the obvious? Could it be that this taste enhancer is selectively being added to junk foods like potato chips, salad dressings, and other snack foods that are often consumed in between meals, thus adding greatly to the daily calorie load? It could be the selection of foods that MSG is added to, not just the MSG itself, that is helping create the obesity epidemic. When selectively added to snack foods it leads to overeating unhealthy foods. MSG is sprayed on some fruits and vegetables which would encourage consumption of nutrient-rich foods.

MSG makers claim many foods already include glutamate, about 11,000 milligrams per day, and that the amount added in processed foods as a taste enhancer, less than 1000 milligrams, doesnt significantly contribute to overall glutamate intake. For example, a cup of tomato juice provides a significant amount of glutamate. Well then, why dont food producers add tomato powder rather than MSG to foods? This obviously reveals their sleight of hand. Glutamate in foods is not the same as MSG added to foods. Additionally, the FDA has no idea how much MSG Americans are consuming. The door is open for food producers to dump as much MSG in their products as they choose.

Copyright 2005 Bill Sardi Not for posting on other websites.

Glutamate Contents of Foods

Glutamate Food Size (mg/serving) Tomato juice Tomato Meat loaf dinner Human breast milk Mushrooms Parmesan cheese Corn Peas Cow's milk 1 cup 3 slices 9 oz. 1 cup 1/4 cup 2 Tbsp 1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1 cup 0.827 0.339 0.189 0.176 0.094 0.047 0.031 0.024 0.016

foods containing added MSG must declare it as an ingredient on their labels. Processed foods may also contain other ingredients that contain significant levels of free glutamate, such as autolyzed yeast, soy sauce and some flavorings. These ingredients, like any other ingredients, are declared on the label by their names. But how are consumers going to memorize all the names MSG goes by? Here is the nomenclature surrounding MSG: Words Used On Food Labels That Identify MSG
MSG Monosodium glutamate Monopotassium glutamate Glutamate Glutamic Acid Gelatin Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Hydrolyzed Plant Protein Autolyzed Plant Protein Sodium Caseinate Calcium Caseinate Textured Protein Yeast Extract Yeast food or nutrient Autolyzed Yeast

Canned tuna (in 1/2 can 0.008 water) Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The profit motive is behind MSG inclusion in foods

The Food producers want Americans eating more of their products. Doctors, the guardians of public health, profit handsomely caring for overweight, diabetic, hypertensive patients. So do the pharmaceutical companies. All these groups profit from obesity. The FDAs complicity in the covert spiking of MSG into American foods is revealed by its policy of disguising MSG on food labels. The FDAs website says when MSG is added to food the FDA requires monosodium glutamate to be listed on the label. Other salts of glutamic acid also have to be declared on labels and can't be lumped together under spices, natural flavoring or other general terms. But there is a catch. Another FDA webpage says: Currently,
Copyright 2005 Bill Sardi Not for posting on other websites.

Efforts were made over a decade ago to stop all this confusion and label MSG as MSG so wary consumers could avoid it altogether. An FDA webpage says: In 1994, FDA received a citizen's petition requesting changes in labeling requirements for foods that contain MSG or related substances. The petition asks for mandatory listing of MSG as an ingredient on labels of manufactured and processed foods that contain manufactured free glutamic acid. It further asks that the amount of free glutamic acid or MSG in such products be stated on the label, along with a warning that MSG may be harmful to
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certain groups of people. FDA has not yet taken action on the petition. Ten years and the FDA has not been able to respond to the petition. So most American homes have MSG-spiked foods in the cupboard. Other Wording That MSG Goes By On Food Labels
Malted Barley (flavor) Barley malt Malt Extract or Flavoring Maltodextrin Caramel Flavoring Stock Broth Bouillon Carrageenan Whey Protein or Whey Whey Protein Isolate or Concentrate Pectin Protease Protease enzymes Flavors, Flavoring Reaction Flavors Modified food starch Rice syrup or brown rice syrup

Another disturbing fact

There are some other disturbing concerns about the use of MSG. This taste enhancer may help the hidden population control agenda. In 1977 Science Magazine reported that MSG administered during the neonatal period resulted in a sequence of events that became manifest during adulthood --reproductive dysfunction in female and male animals. MSG exposed female mice had fewer pregnancies and smaller litters while males exhibited reduced virility. [Science 196: 452-54, 1977]

Natural Chicken, Beef, or Pork, Lipolyzed butter fat Flavoring "Seasonings" Soy Sauce or Extract Soy Protein Soy Protein Isolate or Concentrate Cornstarch Flowing Agents Wheat, rice, or oat protein Anything enriched or vitamin enriched Protein fortified "anything" Enzyme modified "anything" Ultra-pasteurized "anything" Fermented "anything" "Low" or "No Fat" items Corn syrup and corn syrup solids Citric Acid (from corn) Milk Powder Dry Milk Solids Protein Fortified Milk Annatto

Make a concerted plan to counter the efforts to get you to overeat

The pervasive control of federal health agencies by economic interests, in particular the food, dairy and pharmaceutical industries, is hidden from view. When you go up against MSG you are opposing the FDA, the National Academy of Sciences, UN food organizations, and the American Medical Association, who have given their approval to MSG as a food additive. You will have to dismiss advice from these agencies to avoid falling victim to this overeating conspiracy. Just as the public has been misled on the link between mercury in vaccines and autism, and the inclusion of plasticized (hydrogenated or trans) fats in baked goods with metabolic and cardiovascular problems, the FDA parrots a predictable script, provided by MSG producers, that
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Spice Gums Dough Conditioners Yeast Nutrients

Copyright 2005 Bill Sardi Not for posting on other websites.

their product is safe. When will Americans wake up to this ruse? In the meantime, how do Americans protect the sensitive nerve cells in their eyes and brain from being fried by MSG? Dietary supplements are widely available and can be used to effectively counter the deleterious effects of MSG on nerve cells in the brain and eyes. Taurine, an amino acid, protects nerve cells from MSG toxicity. [Brain Research 1038:123-31, 2005; J Neuroscience Research 66:612-9, 2001; Brain Research 1038:123-31, 2005 ] So does magnesium. [Progress Brain Research 116:225-43, 1998; Acta Neurobiology Exp (Warsaw). 64:461-6., 2004]

A good source for followup study is Dr. Russell Blaylocks book Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills.

Here is a list by msgtruth.org of some of the foods that commonly have MSG. McDonald's chicken patties, Caesar salad, Cobb salad, seasoned beef, sausage, chicken fillet Doritos Pringles (the flavored varieties) KFC fried chicken and most of their other products Progresso Soups
Copyright 2005 Bill Sardi Not for posting on other websites.

Lipton Noodles and Sauce Lipton Instant soup mix Cup-a-soup or Cup-o-Noodles Planters salted nuts - most of them Accent -this is nearly pure MSG Sausages - most supermarkets add MSG to theirs Processed cheese spread Supermarket poultry or turkeys that are injected or "self-basting" Restaurant gravy from food service cans Flavored ramen noodles Boullion - any kind Instant soup mixes Many salad dressings Most salty, powdered dry food mixes read labels Flavored potato chips Restaurant soups made from food service soup base or with added MSG Worcestershire sauce Kombu extract Dry milk and whey powder Dough conditioners Medications in gelcaps - contain free glutamic acid in the gelatin Fresh produce sprayed with Auxigro in the field.

Source- www.msgtruth.org