The Danger of MSG and How it is Hidden in
Vaccines
By
Jack Samuels
The glutamate industry and
companies, including pharmaceutical firms, that wish to use processed free
glutamic acid (MSG) in their products, improperly claim that the term "MSG"
only applies to the food ingredient "monosodium glutamate."
They pretend not to realize
that "monosodium glutamate" is nothing more than glutamic acid that has been
freed from protein through a manufacturing process (processed free glutamic
acid), salt (sodium), and moisture. It is the processed free glutamic acid
that MSG-sensitive people react to, providing that they ingest amounts that
exceed their tolerances for the substance.
Consumers may react to
processed free glutamic acid that is contained in any food ingredient or
product, including AuxiGro, regardless of the name of the ingredient or
product.
Because MSG-sensitive people
may react to all ingredients and products that contain processed free
glutamic acid, they refer to such ingredients and products as containing
"MSG."
In August, 1995, the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) noted in a document entitled the "FDA
Backgrounder" that consumers frequently refer to all [free] glutamic acid as
"MSG." The "FDA Backgrounder" is still in use by the FDA and can likely be
found on their Web site.
Based on peer reviewed studies,
there is no question that glutamic acid is neurotoxic. This can be easily
confirmed by accessing
MEDLINE retrieval service for studies dating from 1966 to the
present, using the words "glutamic acid" in combination with the words
"brain lesions" and then "neurotoxicity." I would also suggest that you look
up the words besity," " and "seizures" combination with the words "glutamic
acid."
There is also no question that
the young are most at risk from MSG. To confirm this, you might start by
reviewing the work of John W. Olney, MD and look up the words "glutamic
acid" in combination with the words "blood brain barrier" and "placental
barrier."
You will learn that the blood
brain barrier is not fully developed in the young to protect against toxins
that enter the blood, and that glutamic acid can also penetrate the
placental barrier.
Disregarding the blood brain
barrier and the placental barrier issues, the literature clearly indicates
that, based on the amount of MSG used in the 1970s,
over 25% of the population react to MSG.
Although we have not reviewed
all vaccines used on infants, we have found one or two sources of processed
free glutamic acid (MSG) in those that we have information on. In discussion
with a retired executive of a company that produces vaccines, he suggested
to me that all viral vaccines would have free glutamic acid, used to feed
the live virus.
The glutamic acid in vaccines
are often described as "stabilizers," i.e., ingredients to keep the virus
alive. We describe them as a hidden source of processed free glutamic acid
(MSG).
An example for you would be the
Chickenpox Vaccine by VariVax -- Merck & Co., Inc. (Merck). This vaccine
includes "L-monosodium glutamate" and "hydrolyzed gelatin."
Another example would be
Merck's M-M-R vaccine. The product insert states that the growth medium for
measles and mumps includes "amino acids" and "glutamate." It is also stated
that the medium for rubella included "amino acids" and "hydrolyzed gelatin."
Finally, it states that the "reconstituted vaccine" for subcutaneous
administration includes hydrolyzed gelatin.
We have no way of knowing which
amino acids are used in Merck's vaccines, but we do know that the amino
acids "glutamic acid," "aspartic acid," and "L-cysteine" are neurotoxic.
We also know that any
hydrolyzed protein, such as the hydrolyzed gelatin will contain some
processed free glutamic acid (MSG), some aspartic acid, and some L-cysteine,
all considered to be neurotoxic by neuroscientists. Even without hydrolyzing
gelatin, gelatin contains over 11% processed free glutamic acid (MSG) and
some aspartic acid and L-cysteine. It is present as a result of the
manufacturing process that results in gelatin.
The product insert for M-M-R
vaccine by Merck provides a contraindication that states, in part:
"Hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine, including gelatin." It is
footnoted to the following
reference.
I cannot help but wonder if at
least some of the subjects in the study above reacted to gelatin. Most
reactions to processed free glutamic acid (MSG), as contained in gelatin,
are not IgE mediated. They are best described as a sensitivity to a toxic
substance.
If you wish to determine more
about Merck vaccines, I would suggest you call their National Service Center
at (800) NSC-MERCK. Do not ask about the presence of "MSG" in vaccines.
Rather, ask about the presence of "free glutamic acid." You will have a
better chance of getting a reliable answer.
Not long ago, a vaccine for
Rotavirus came to market. The product, which contained some processed free
glutamic acid (MSG), carried a warning in the product insert that it not be
used for individuals who had a hypersensitivity to MSG. Shortly after the
Rotavirus came to market, it was found that the vaccine resulted in
digestive blockages, and the product was withdrawn from the market.
One last comment regarding the
exposure of infants to processed free glutamic acid (MSG): the presence of
processed free glutamic acid (MSG) in infant formulas.
We have found that major brands
of infant formula, if not all infant
formulas, contain some processed free glutamic acid (MSG). The
hypoallergenic soy formulas contain very high levels of MSG. See
www.truthinlabeling.org/formulacopy.html for further detail.
It might be worthwhile for
someone to do a study of people who were raised on hypoallergenic formulas
to determine if they have experienced a higher incidence of obesity,
learning disabilities, and/or ADHD, in childhood and/or endocrine disorders
later in life, as compared with people who were breast fed, and then as
compared with people who were raised on milk based infant formulas.
If I can be of any further help
to anyone on this important subject, they should not hesitate to write or
call. If anyone receives a list of ingredients from vaccine producers, I
would be pleased to go over the ingredients and advise them of the
ingredients that contain processed free glutamic acid (MSG).
Jack
Samuels
Phone: (858) 481-9333
E-mail: adandjack@aol.com
MSG Links
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