Nitrites, phosphates and glutamate are used in flavoring and packaged meats and other foods. Unbound glutamate acts as a neurotoxin. It also, in excess inhibits the bodies production of cysteine and glutathione. The body uses cysteine to make glutathione and taurine. Even lifters that use l-glutamine to aid recovery, should cycle it to prevent toxicity. Excess glutamate has been shown to increase chances of acquiring cancers and has shown to reduce survival outcomes. Phosphates have been linked to cancer, as well.
You know, sometimes our actions have consequences and our health is no exception. I do not know why this conservative site has so many members that turn a blind eye to the fact that we are to blame for the cost of health care. These changes in our food supply over the last 4-5 decades have result in the modern syndrome, immune suppression, depression, high blood pressure, joint pain and others. We can change these outcomes, if choose, more wisely as to what we put into our bodies.
In Great Health,
In an earlier post you said that nitrites, phosphates, and MSG were used as flavorings. They are not....and you are still wrong with the statement above. Nitrites are used primarily in meats to create an environment unattractive to bacteria. Phosphates have a multitude of applications in food, but I've never seen them used as flavorings. Leavening, maintaining protein dispersion, calcium and phosphorus fortification, emulsifying action, color stability, pH adjustment, moisture binding, etc. are all uses of phosphates in food -- but no flavoring.
MSG is used most commonly as a flavor enhancer. It is not a flavoring. The fear of sodium nitrate, phosphates and MSG are totally unfounded and unsupported by legitimate science. That fact hasn't stopped the chemicalphobes, however, from doing what they do best.
Unbound glutamate acts as a neurotoxin.
This is unmitigated BS. Of course, if you eat MSG by the bucketload, all sorts of bad things could happen to you....just like if you drink too much water. But water is good for you, right?
Excess glutamate has been shown to increase chances of acquiring cancers and has shown to reduce survival outcomes.
More crapola. Your central nervous system cannot function without glutamate. Most people have about 4 lbs. of glutamate in their body at any given time. Your body produces glutamate naturally. You need to find sources for information where the authors actually have some training in chemistry, biology and human physiology.
Phosphates have been linked to cancer, as well.
Pretty scary, huh? Foods you eat every day contain chemicals that are known carcinogens. They occur naturally but don't impact your health in those minuscule amounts. If you overwhelm the body with just about anything, bad things can happen, including cancer. But I don't know of any people shoveling huge spoonfuls of phosphates down their throats, do you?
These changes in our food supply over the last 4-5 decades have result in the modern syndrome, immune suppression, depression, high blood pressure, joint pain and others.
As I've said on a regular basis here, people fear the things they don't understand. You are no different. If you base your opinions on emotion, you end up with comments like yours. Fortunately, there are enough people out there who base their decisions on sound science so our food supply becomes safer and safer. That's just one of many reasons why we are living longer and healthier lives than at any other time in human history. Bummer, huh?