MSG in Disguise

Recent research shows that a diet high in MSG can triple the odds of being overweight. That's because the glutamate in MSG overstimulates nerve cells to damage or even destroy them, triggering cravings and weight gain plus other symptoms such as headaches, stress, fatigue and brain fog.

As much as we want to avoid it, MSG is often disguised on products labels. When buying products, here are some of the terms that may signal the presence of MSG: monopotassium glutamate, yeast extract, hydrolyzed protein, calcium caseinate, sodium caseinate, yeast nutrient, autolyzed yeast, gelatin, textured protein, hydrolyzed corn gluten, natrium glutamate and vague words such as "flavorings" or "spices."

While it's tough to totally avoid this flavor-enhancing food additive, you can counteract its effect with foods rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C and E and beta carotene. Enjoying four servings daily of fruit like papayas or veggies like broccoli, carrots and peppers can neutralize oxidation and spur cell repair, recharging the brain's leptin response in days.