MSG is back in baby food!
In 1968, Dr. John W. Olney, a neuroscientist, did experiments
in which he found that infant mice had severe brain damage when
given MSG and aspartate (brand name NutraSweet). The hypothalamus
was severely affected. This is an important part of the brain
which controls release of hormones. Science, 165 (1969)
He repeated his experiments with various animals of different
species with similar results. He also found that some of the effects
did not show until the animals were much older.
Dr. Olney testified before the U.S. Congress in 1969, and as a
result, MSG was removed from baby foods. However, pregnant mothers
were still consuming MSG.
Dr. Olney did experiments which showed that pregnant monkeys who
were fed MSG had babies with some brain damage. Other researchers
had similar results with rats.
(reference: article about MSG, Mark Gold, 1995)
MSG is contained in most packaged products (and now even in some
fresh produce such as grapes, strawberries, and potatoes). Baby
food manufacturers have sneaked it back into the jars of baby
food and boxes of cereal, by (legally) calling it different names,
such as: hydrolyzed .... (ANY protein that is hydrolyzed***; just
watch for the word "hydrolyzed"--for example hydrolyzed
vegetable protein which is abbreviated HVP), textured protein,
gelatine, yeast extract, autolyzed yeast, calcium caseinate, sodium
caseinate, glutamate, glutamic acid. Or, they include ingredients
which themselves usually contain MSG: malt extract, stock, broth,,
bouillon, carrageenan, "natural flavor", "flavoring",
maltodextrin, whey protein, soy protein concentrate, soy protein
isolate, pectin, enzymes, protease, "seasonings", "spices",
soy sauce, soy protein, natural pork flavoring (or other natural
meat flavoring), smoke flavor--this is only a partial list! Some
ingredients contain or create enough MSG to affect sensitive people:
citric acid, corn syrup, milk powder, corn starch, modified food
starch****, rice syrup, "protein-fortified" products,
"enriched" products, "ultra-pasteurized" products.
***"Hydrolyzed protein is a natural flavoring from animal
blood or other decaying protein sources. This substance is then
subjected to acid hydrolysis, normally concentrated hydrochloric
acid, at temperatures from 200-220 degrees F. for 4-6 hours. Sodium
hydroxide (which is sold commercially as Drano) is then added
to neutralize the solution.
Other sources of MSG include hydrolyzed milk proteins that may
be labelled as sodium caseinate or calcium caseinate. These additives
are often found in frozen dairy products like ice cream and yoghurt,
without being identified. They can also be found in hot chocolate
mixes, breads, and processed meats. MSG should be avoided by nursing
mothers and their infants. "
From the book "Prescription for Dietary Wellness, by James
F. Balch, M.D, and Phyllis A Balch, CNC
**** Modified food starch acts as a thickener in baby food, and
in some infant formula. Research shows that it cannot be properly
digested by baby and is linked to digestive ailments such as diarrhea,
malabsorption, and changes in gastrointestinal flora. It may be
implicated in Crohn's disease. There is also a concern that the
chemicals used to modify the starch are cancer-causing and cause
gene mutations. Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society
#149 (1997)
According to the Food and Drugs Act, there is a long list of highly
corrosive chemicals that are used to make the modified starch,
including nitric acid and sulphuric acid. There is likely a chemical
residue left in the modified starch.
Even though the original foods (like corn, wheat, potatoes, tapioca,
arrowroot) from which the starch is taken have nutritional value,
the starch components do not. Modified starch is high in calories
but is devoid of vitamins, minerals, proteins, trace elements,
and enzymes. Modified starch is indigestible even by healthy people.
Tests on lab rats show that the digestive tract tends to become
coated with this starch, which likely impedes its digestibility.
In 1970, the World Health Organization (WHO), warned that modified
food starch poses an unknown health risk.
Source: Hard to Swallow, The Truth About Food Additives (1999)
Check the ingredients in jars of baby food in your supermarket.
The "bananas" contain modified tapioca starch, and sugar!
It takes only a few seconds to mash a banana, and it is much healthier
and cheaper. The "blueberry" dessert contains modified
cornstarch, modified tapioca starch, as well as sugar, brown sugar,
and water. It also contains citric acid, which may have glutamate
in it, and which can cause an allergic reaction in some people.