Diane,
DianeR wrote: Have you or someone else gone through Blaylock's work? He does write persuasively. But, as you point out, for me to know for sure I would have to dig up all the studies and read them for myself (unless someone has already done this work for me). That would be assuming I have the time or the expertise to do this, not to mention the motivation
Yes. I have. And yes you would. But, let me help. I have read his books and his articles and even looked into many of the studies. In addition, so has my colleague extensively who writes continuing education on the topic. So has the science committee I mentioned, who reviewed the data each year. All of who, are experts in not only conducting research but also in evaluating it.
Also "persuasive" scores points in marketing, not in science. Science speaks for itself. Often softly.
DianeR wrote:I don't know if Dr. Blaylock can be labeled alternative simply because he reaches a different conclusion. It isn't like he's relying on auras, crystals, homeopathy, quantum mechanics, etc., or lacks credentials. He's a board certified neurosurgeon and a former professor at a medical school, not some random nut.
Atkins was board certified with a stack of credentials. So, is Barry Sears. and Mercola, Whittaker, etc etc. Credential are helpful and I respect his, but again, it is not the deciding factor. The deciding factor is the data.
DianeR wrote: You mention "new data." Which studies are those?
Please read the simple CEU course I posted the link to, which is easy to understand and will discuss some of this.
DianeR wrote:You also repeat your point about China but didn't answer what I had to say on the subject. I've spent some time trying to find actual per capita average consumption figures of, say, China versus the US, but I've been unsuccessful.
Let me help you.
Consumption estimates for the USA is roughly .5 grams for the average consumer, spread out through an entire day. In Taiwan, per capita consumption figures are much higher, averaging 3 grams daily which is 6x the USA amount.
Rhodes, J., Alison, C., Titherley, J.A. et al. A survey of the monosodium glutamate content of foods and an estimation of the dietary intake of monosodium glutamate. Food Additives and Contaminants, 8:265-274, 1991.
The average American consumes around 10,000 mg (10 grams) of glutamate daily even if all the foods and beverages they consumed had no added MSG. Meanwhile, the intake of MSG amounts to approximately one-half gram per person, or 1/10 teaspoon, daily.
Wen you look at these numbers, remember a teaspoon is about 4.5 to 5 grams and a tsp is 5 ml.
Glutamate Content of Foods (mg/100 grams of food)
Potatoes 102
Corn 130
Tomatoes 140
Broccoli 176
Mushrooms 180
Peas 200
Grape juice 258
tomato juice 260
Walnuts 658
Chronic feeding of MSG to rabbits, dogs and monkeys found that even doses as high as 42g MSG/Kg body weight failed to cause any neurological damage. For a 70 Kg (150 lb) man this dose would be 2940 g daily or over 6 lbs of MSG per day.
Heywood R, Worden AN. Glutamate toxicity in laboratory animals. In Glutamic Acid: Advances in Biochemistry and Physiology. Edited by LJ Filer,Jr et al. p. 363. Raven Press, New York
An epidemiological survey of about 5000 users and nonusers of MSG in Hawaii found that chronic use of MSG was not associated with any increase in neurological problems. It also showed that the regular use of MSG did not affect serum cholesterol or blood sugar levels and had no effect on body weight.
Go G, Nakamura FH, Rhoads GG, Dickerson LE. Long-term health effects of monosodium glutamate. Hawaii Med J. 1973;32:13-7
DianeR wrote:I don't think it fair to say that he ignores what he views as other toxic chemicals
Agreed and you would be right if i said it. But, I didn't. I said many in the alt health field do while ignoring more important issues.
DianeR wrote:Moving beyond Dr. Blaylock, I tried to do a little more research. So, yes, I found Wikipedia. big grin Not science,
Agreed. bigger grin.
Doesn't count.
DianeR wrote:But if neurologists and neuroscientists can't agree -- and if it is true that, as Dr. Blaylock says, a number of neurologists confess to him that they advise their patients to avoid MSG and aspartame -
Does not count either. Scientists will also disagree, even those who work together on similar projects with similar perspectives. That is how science, and life works. Just because some MDs, think fat is good, doesnt mean the all the evidence supporting low fat is wrong.
Many MDs tell patients to avoid things, because they don;t know any better and/of heard/read the same mis information as everyone else. At the same time some MDs, tell patients not to worry, for the same exact reasons.
In here, our standards are much higher.
DianeR wrote:this gives me enough reason to convince me to avoid MSG. I don't need it, it isn't real food, and some experts think there is reason for concern about its safety.
I am not arguing or disagreeing with you or anyone wanting to avoid it.
But, let me ask you a more important question.
Can you find just one food, that has MSG in it, that you think would pass my guidelines and be recommended by me as an otherwise healthy food. Just one food that I would recommend and passed my guidelines and I would consider healthy, but you would want me to reconsider due to the MSG content.
Otherwise, again, this is a very moot point.
Thanks.
In Health
Jeff Novick, MS, RD
PS Maybe this will help put this in better perspective. I was just interviewed today for my opinion on "cloned" meat and why people should avoid it.
I said, I have no opinion on cloned meat but have a strong opinion on meat. I do not thing people should avoid meat because it is "cloned'. I think they should avoid meat regardless of whether it is cloned or not just because it is meat, period! And that is a more important health issue.
Meat is high in fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and void of fiber and many needed nutrients. Cooking it (heating either the protein or the fat) can create certain cancer causing compounds and it has been related to heart disease and colon cancer.
Isn't that enough?
Who cares if it is cloned or not, just avoid it anyway!