Just what the heck is MSG or monosodium glutamate? And why has this food additive been condemned by researchers for decades? Why should MSG consumption be avoided and how?

Manufactured glutamate-that is, not the naturally-occurring glutamic acid found in meat broths and naturally fermented foods like soy sauce, is a neurotoxic substance causing a host of negative reactions, especially in sensitive individuals. The name for these is "excitotosins."

Dizziness, violent diarrhea, hives, headache and anaphylactic shock are some short term reactions. The more insidious long term consequences of MSG ingestion involve neurological damage in children, and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases in adults. Research shows brain lesions, obesity and retinal degeneration in animal studies are linked to MSG.

Many, many, many processed foods contain MSG because MSG is a flavor-enhancer. Processing methods tend to remove nutritional benefits along with flavor. Read the labels of your favorite snack foods, especially in the "chips and dips" category and you'll find very few MSG-free snacks. But snacks are not the only category of food containing MSG and similar flavor-enhancers: meat broth substitutes (i.e., bouillon, etc.), seasoning mixes from salad dressings to taco sauces, crackers, processed and minimally-processed meats (most sausages), canned soups - just about any processed food with seasonings added may contain MSG and related substances.

Avoiding MSG and other excitotoxins is difficult at times because of deceptions in labeling. Here's how to make it easier: First, look for "MSG" or "monosodium glutamate" in the ingredients list.

Chances are good that if a processed food product contains three inches of ingredients in teeny, tiny print on the package, there's a flavor-enhancer in there somewhere!

Next, look for ingredients that ALWAYS contain a form of MSG. These are calcium caseinate, sodium caseinate, textured protein, hydrolyzed protein, and citric acid. Sally Fallon, author of Nourishing Traditions, says " . . . soy foods, nutritional yeasts, protein powders, malt flavorings, amino acids and various mixes labeled 'flavorings,' 'natural flavors,' or 'seasonings' USUALLY contain MSG." Another good reason to avoid processed foods is that even if MSG and the like are not deliberately added to a food product, MSG can form or develop during the processing itself.

Until next month, Chew On This: "Margarine eaters have twice the rate of heart disease as butter eaters." (Nutrition Week 3/22/91 21:12)

"Let food be your medicine," sums up Sue Cosgrove's stance on health and wellness. She believes nutrient-dense and biologically-alive sustenance is not only nature's best prevention, but also nature's best cure for many maladies. Comments are welcomed by the writer at chewsorganic@yahoo.com.