MSG (monosodium glutamate) is an ingredient that is in many foods — both human foods and pet foods. MSG is a synthetic (man made) ingredient.

MSG is most popularly known for its use in Chinese cooking. However, MSG is based on a natural food enhancer that the Chinese used for thousands of years, which is derived from certain mushrooms. This natural food enhancer is okay. It's the synthetic version that is not.

Due to the fact MSG is cheaper, the man–made version of MSG, replaced the natural and original food enhancer.

Jack LaLanne is a famous person who was inspired by Paul Bragg. Paul Bragg is famous for saying humans can live to be 120 years of age. While Jack LaLanne once said if man made it, don't eat it. MSG is one of those ingredients man made which we, as humans, should not eat let alone give to our pets because MSG will not let us humans live to be a 120 years old nor will it benefit our pets.

While doing some research on MSG and its side effects, I found an interesting web site — Truth In Labeling. Truth In Labeling provides information about sources of MSG including vaccines such as the H1N1 (Swine Flu vaccine) along with some of the many dangers of MSG.

Based on the Truth In Labeling web site, I discovered that MSG was in many sources.

Always Contain MSG:

The following ingredients always contain MSG.

Glutamate                Glutamic acid
(E 620)                  (E 620)


Monosodium glutamate     Monopotassium glutamate
(E 621)                  (E 622)

Calcium glutamate        Monoammonium glutamate
(E 623)                  (E 624)

Magnesium glutamate
(E 625)


Ajinomoto
Calcium caseinate
Natrium glutamate (natrium is Latin/German for sodium)
Gelatin
Sodium caseinate
Textured protein
Vetsin (Vitsin)

Anything hydrolyzed

Autolyzed yeast
Yeast extract
Yeast nutrient
Yeast food

Sometimes Contain MSG:

The following ingredients sometimes contain MSG.

Bouillon and Broth           Barley malt
Carrageenan                  Citric acid
Malt extract                 Malt flavoring
Maltodextrin                 Natural beef flavoring
Natural chicken flavoring    Natural pork flavoring
Pectin                       Protease
Soy protein                  Soy protein concentrate
Soy protein isolate          Soy sauce
Soy sauce extract            Stock
Ultra–pasteurized 	         Whey protein               	 	
Whey protein concentrate 	 	 Whey protein isolate


Anything enzyme modified
Anything fermented
Anything protein fortified
Flavors(s) and Flavoring(s) 	 	
Natural flavor(s) and flavoring(s)
Seasonings  (the word seasonings)

Signs MSG May Be Present:

The following ingredients work synergistically with MSG to enhance flavor. Therefore, if the following ingredients are present, then chances are MSG is too.

Disodium 5'–guanylate
(E 627)

Disodium 5'–inosinate
(E 631)

Disodium 5'–ribonucleotides
(E 635)

• Hydrolyzed proteins may be listed as pea protein, whey protein, corn protein, etc.
• If a pea were whole, it would be identified as a pea and not pea protein.
• Calling an ingredient a protein suggests that the ingredient has been hydrolyzed.
• When you beauty products, soaps, shampoos, etc containing ingredients that have been hydrolyzed then chances are there is MSG. Some products also contain MSG when there are proteins or amino acids used.

Some vaccinations contain MSG, which can cause brain lesions in young laboratory animals and causes endocrine disturbances like obesity and reproductive disorders later in life.

Everyone reacts to MSG differently. Most people react based on the dose used.

Do yourself, your family and your pets a favor — avoid MSG.