The Use Of Processed Free Glutamic Acid (MSG) In
Vaccines.
by Jack L. Samuels
adandjack@aol.com
I am very concerned about the use of processed free glutamic acid
(MSG) in
vaccines and infant formulas.
Let me begin by defining the term MSG.
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 "learning disabilities,"
"obesity," "asthma," "tachycardia," and "seizures" in combination
with the words "glutamic acid."
I would suggest that MEDLINE be accessed at a medical school
library or at a major public library. It has been my experience
that the MEDLINE retrieval systems available on Internet, are not
complete.
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.
You might check the studies by Reif-Lehrer and a study by Kenney
and Tidball. A later glutamate industry funded study by Kerr, et
al. attempts to discredit the above stated studies by narrowly
defining what an MSG reaction is. A careful reading of the Kerr et
al. study will disclose that 43% of the respondents in the study
reacted to MSG with reactions that we now recognize as possible MSG
reactions.
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: Kelso, J.M.; Jones, R.T.; Yunginger,
J.'W.: Anaphylaxis to measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine
mediated by IgE to gelatin, J. Aller. Clin. Immunol.. 91: 867-872,
1993.
I cannot help but wonder if at least some of the subjects in the
study of Kelso, et al. 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.
Merck does not produce DPT vaccine, and I have not yet received my
confirmation that the product includes processed free glutamic acid
(MSG). I am, however, told by others that it does. If you wish,
when I receive confirmation of the ingredients that are in DPT
vaccine, I will let you know.
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.
Finally, it is noted that the vaccines that we have reviewed
contain one or more "phosphates." Based on my experiences as
an MSG-sensitive individual with little tolerance for MSG, and
reports from other MSG-sensitive people with little tolerance for
the substance, phosphates can cause an MSG-type reaction. Although
we find no data in the literature to explain such reactions, we
believe that the reactions are related to the fact that phosphates
use up calcium and magnesium, minerals that are involved in the
metabolism of glutamic acid.
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.truthinlabelingorg/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
adandjack@aol.com
(858) 481-9333
