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(NaturalNews) Monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG, is a common food additive. It`s toxic and physically addictive. Fast food companies and other food manufacturers use MSG as a "flavor enhancer," so consumers will become "hooked" on their products and keep dishing out money for more. When people consume unhealthy foods containing MSG, they often gain weight and feel sluggish, and some also experience "MSG symptom complex." The symptoms can include headaches, chest pain, heart palpitations, nausea, and other heath problems.

Although MSG is normally associated with Chinese food, processed meats, and salty snacks, it`s also frequently found in bouillon cubes, canned soups and vegetables, barbecue sauce, salad dressing, and virtually every other processed food you eat. "Monosodium glutamate," or "MSG," won`t likely be listed in a products` ingredient list. It`s often disguised as calcium caseinate, gelatin, hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed yeast, yeast extract, soy extracts, "spices," or "natural flavorings."

Toxic Traps
Unfortunately, MSG is not the only toxin we`re exposed to on a regular basis. Toxic substances are in everything from the food we eat to the air we breathe to the water we bathe in to the products we clean with. Common toxins include PCBs and other industrial compounds, heavy metals, chlorine and other chemicals, molds, antibiotics, hormones, dioxins, and cancer-causing toxins found in meat and milk.

We absorb toxins and store them in our body fat. When you build up a lot of toxins, your liver becomes sluggish and doesn`t function properly. As a result, your organs stop metabolizing fat effectively and you gain weight. The more toxins you accumulate, the more weight you gain. And the more you weigh, the more toxins your body will store. It`s a viscous cycle.

The human body is designed to metabolize and "flush out" toxins, but since we take in such huge amounts, our bodies become overwhelmed and cannot properly process and eliminate all the harmful substances we amass.

Simple Ways to Detox your Life
It may seem like it is impossible to avoid MSG and other poisonous substances. While it is difficult to avoid toxins entirely, you can greatly reduce the amount of toxins you consume by eating organic vegetarian foods, especially fresh and frozen produce, whole grains, legumes, and other wholesome foods.

Eat fiber-rich foods, including brown rice and organically-grown beets, radishes, artichokes, cabbage, and broccoli, which are known as "detoxifying foods." Because organic foods are grown without the use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers, you`ll take in far fewer toxic chemicals. And, of course, since fruits and vegetables are naturally cholesterol-free and low in saturated fat, they`re healthier overall.

Organic meat is produced without antibiotics or growth hormones; however, it is not free of harmful dioxins, because animals absorb dioxins from the environment and store them in their flesh. When people eat animal products, they absorb the dioxins and other toxins that had built up in the animals` bodies. In fact, 95 percent of human dioxin exposure comes from red meat, dairy products, and fish. (The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies has even urged school lunch programs to offer fewer animal fats so that children aren`t exposed to so many dioxins.) Fortunately, there are no dioxins in grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, and other plant foods.

You can also help flush toxins from your body by drinking water, green tea, and taking herbs that protect the liver, namely dandelion root, burdock and milk thistle. Because vitamin C helps the body produce glutathione, a compound in the liver that drives away toxins, you can also benefit from eating citrus fruits, kiwi, spinach and other leafy green vegetables, and other foods rich in vitamin C. (And it goes without saying that you should stay away from highly toxic things like alcohol, coffee, and cigarettes!)

To detoxify your life even more, choose "green" cleaners and natural beauty products rather than chemical-based ones. Simply by shopping and eating smarter, you can drastically reduce the amount of toxins you take in.

And by buying natural products and organic, locally-grown fruits and vegetables, you`ll not only reduce your exposure to toxins, you`ll also help support farmers and companies that already promote healthful, sustainable living. That helps detox your body and your conscience.

References:

MayoClinic.com, "Nutrition and Healthy Eating," Zeratsky, Katherine, R.D., L.D.
"Monosodium glutamate (MSG): Is it harmful?" http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mo...

Wikipedia.org, "Monosodium Glutomate," http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoso...

Wikipedia.org, "Toxin," http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxin

GoVeg.com, "Dioxins," http://www.goveg.com/contamination_...

Institute of Medicine: Food and Nutrition Board, News From The National Academies, "Report Recommends Steps to Reduce Dietary Dioxin Exposure," July 1, 2003. http://www8.nationalacademies.org/o...

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