The whole article will be tackling about the effects of MSG for gout. Yes, MSG, as in the Monosodium Glutamate. Can it be of any great help for the condition, or can it be the other way around? Read on to this article and you will know!
MSG for Gout…
The monosodium Glutamate or MSG is one of the most popular flavor enhancers. If you have already tried eating at a Chinese restaurant, you know the amount of MSG they add in their dishes. Not just that, you may also know the bloated feeling once you get out of that restaurant. However, it is not only in Chinese foods that you can find MSG. In today’s day and time, there are various food companies that use it in various products. These include processed foods that you can find in grocery stores, just like condiments, desserts, breakfast cereals, cheese, cured meats, potato chips, canned vegetables, canned soups, crackers, as well as frozen foods, and some others. What the MSG does is actually make all of that food taste much fresher and smell better… while it destroys your health silently.
Do not let anyone tell you then, but the MSG is a huge toxin. It is an excitotoxin, meaning, it has also been in connection with the Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, as well as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
What is Monosodium Glutamate or MSG?
In the actual fact, monosodium glutamate was actually born in the year 1908, by the Japanese inventor Kikunae Ikeda. He is the first one to identify the natural flavor of the seaweeds. This is the reason why he went on and create the artificial additive we now know as the MSG.
The chemical composition of the MSG consist of 78% free glutamic acid, about 1% of contaminants, and 21% of sodium. Furthermore, there are also guanylates in it, which includes disodium guanylate, calcium guanylate, dipotassium guanylate, and guanylic acid as well. These colorless, odorless white crystals are mainly used in low sodium foods in enhancing the taste. So that you can think that you are eating something healthy, even though you’re not. All of these guanylates are then metabolized into purines in the body and must certainly be avoided, especially those who are suffering from gout.
MSG for Gout: What else is in it?
In MSG, there is also inosinates. Including the disodium inosinate, calcium inosinate, dipotassium inosinate, and inosinic acid. These are primarily and naturally found in various animal products like broths, pre-cooked noodles, meat, poultry, cheese, and the likes. They use inosinates as an addition to MSG. The very same way as the MSG, the inosinates will also get metabolized into purines. Therefore, you should watch your intake of it.
MSG for Gout: What can it do to you?
All of the food companies care about is their own bottom line while they are destroying your health. Various flavor enhancers like the monosodium glutamate are used in practically every processed product and may cause a variety of health issues. Just like the dizziness, fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, and joint pain. This is since the artificial flavorings and the artificial sweeteners stimulate the pancreas. Thus causing the body to have an imbalance in the insulin and blood sugar levels.
Furthermore, if you are also suffering from heart conditions, MSG may cause rapid heartbeat. This is not a good thing for those who suffer from gout. Because it is better for us to use natural spices in adding additional taste to the foods we eat. Even though it takes more work, it is very important to be considerate of the things we put in our foods.
MSG for Gout: The final say
The Food and Drug Administration actually requires that various food companies must list the monosodium glutamate in the label if they put it in their product. However, there are some companies that know you too well, thus hiding this ingredient through some other terminologies. Some of the strange terms the use include:
- Hydrolyzed Protein
- Gelatin
- Glutamic Acid
- Monopotassium Glutamate
- Autolyzed Yeast
This is actually the reason why you should be looking at the label of the products that you buy. This is a good rule that you can live by. It will not get you into any trouble at all –that is for a certain. Additionally, a lot of restaurants use MSG in their dishes. Therefore, you should ask them if the one that you’ll order contains MSG or not.
When it comes to gout, I hope it is clear that MSG is not really good for the condition. Avoid it entirely, or at least reduce excessive consumption.
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