I recently wrote a blog about MSG (monosodium glutamate) and how toxic it is to the body. I am frustrated by my constant cravings for foods that contain it. When I was shopping at The Spice Shop on Main Street in Saint Charles, I saw that they sell it. I was so frustrated and shouted, “Toxic Poison!” to no one in particular. My son rolled his eyes. Crazy Old Mom was on a “tirade” again. This “flavor enhancer” is the bane of my existence.
Now, you might be reading this and thinking, “Who is this lunatic and why does she hate MSG so much?” Well, the reason is because once I consume it, I can’t stop eating whatever it’s in. I have not consumed my favorite food, General Tso’s chicken with crab Rangoon, from Green China since I wrote my last column, but not a day has gone by that I haven’t been sorely tempted to consume it. Now, I don’t have definitive proof that it’s loaded with MSG, but no other food I eat “lights my brain on fire” like that. It is sedative, stimulant, and emotional support all in one meal.
Today, while doing some research for a column, I discovered glutamate is a type of neurotransmitter that occurs naturally in the brain.
“Chemical neurotransmission is a chemical signaling process in which a chemical released from the nerve terminal can excite or inhibit the next neuron in the circuit. The chemical is referred to as a neurotransmitter, and there are many different neurotransmitters found in the nervous system.” – Michael Kuhar
Michael Kuhar, the author of the excellent book, “The Addicted Brain” writes, “Drugs act on a brain that is already wired to make us feel good.” He cites extensive research with rodents for determining the different thresholds for pleasure and pain and how that has influenced the science behind brain function.
“Neurotransmitters are powerful and even dangerous in that they can profoundly alter neuronal function through their signaling properties, especially if they interact with receptors in the wrong place and at the wrong time.” – Michael Kuhar
Glutamate is “excitatory (it excites the next neuron in the circuit).”
Merriam-Webster
But in my last blog entry I missed an important fact about Monosodium glutamate; it occurs naturally in some foods. So, MSG is not toxic when it occurs naturally–at least not that I’m aware of. And, I would venture to guess this chemical is necessary toward inciting hunger and other important bodily functions. Since food is necessary for survival, we need it. But when MSG is extracted and added UN-naturally, it “excites” us to over-consume.
Why is all of this important?
Our bodies are hard-wired to experience pleasure. We naturally seek it out. I see this evidenced in the behavior of my 9-month-old grand daughter. For Christmas she got more toys than a baby will ever need and she is captivated by the sounds and lights that come from the electronic gizmos. She is also stimulated by a smile, a poke to the ribs or a kiss. These natural pleasures make her feel loved and secure and are (in my opinion) more wholesome. While I get very angry at companies who extort our natural bodily functions by creating substances that make us addicted, we are gifted with a mind that is more powerful than any physical desire.
Every natural human impulse has the capacity to be corrupted by impure desire. While I rail against companies for manufacturing foods that contain high-fructose corn syrup, MSG, and hydrogenated fats with the sole purpose of profit and at the expense of human health, the plain truth is–they make it that way because humans are susceptible to corruption. Shoot, most of us are so entrenched in addictive behaviors that the mere mention of abandoning our vices causes us to reject the idea completely. If we begin to contemplate it at all, we shudder at the idea of giving them up. For those of us who make a sincere attempt, we often fall back into them and decide it’s not worth the struggle.
The key to my success in living a healthy lifestyle has been exchanging unhealthy and impure desires for healthful and pure ones. I enjoy eating healthy foods. I just had to learn how to make them. Yes, it takes more effort to prepare a healthy meal than to run through a drive through restaurant. But the results are worth the effort.
One of the most shocking discoveries on my journey has been how great exercise makes me feel. When I first began my journey to live a healthy lifestyle, I knew I had to exercise because physical activity stimulates the cells that burn fat and I had a lot to burn. It felt awful because I was so large (310 pounds) and walking around with all that weight was painful. That got better as I lost weight. Then I learned physical exercise also helps alleviate my anxiety and depression. This has to do with endorphins.
“There is a surprising variety of neurotransmitters. They can be small molecules such as dopamine, or, they can be mega-molecules such as endorphin, which are equivalent to multiples of molecules the size of dopamine.” – Michael Kuhar
Dopamine is known as the “feel good neurotransmitter” and endorphins are hormones that “reduce pain and enhance pleasure.” Therefore, I can take a jog and get a much better result brain-wise than eating a bag of M&M’s. Therefore, I have exchanged an unhealthy habit for a healthy one.
For those who didn’t fall asleep during the brain chemistry lesson, use what you have learned to make wise choices. We may have “hijacked brains” but we can set them free. This journey is not impossible–only difficult.
The human mind is a powerful weapon. Use it. Learn. Then start to fight.
I say “fight” because modifying behavior will feel uncomfortable at first but once it becomes a habit, you will find hope and healing. In a world where so much is beyond our control, shouldn’t we at least try to control what we can?
Now, go forth and conquer!
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