Battling the MSG Myth [Plastic Comb]

Debby Anglesey (Author), Michael O. Anglesey (Editor), Krista L. Jensen (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author, Debby Anglesey, has researched and written a book that addresses the connection of glutamate (MSG) to the dramatic rise in health problems such as ADD, headaches, depression, obesity, stomach problems, and neurological disorders. Describing her own past health condition as being "one foot in the grave", she shares her remarkable journey from despair to reclaimed health. When her 19 year old son's health suddenly spiraled downward, Debby went into first gear and discovered the hidden culprit lurking in the majority of the items we eat today from snack foods to vitamins.

Today, she devotes much of her time answering e-mail, letters, and phone calls regarding MSG, and has helped hundreds of fellow victims of this growing health crisis.

Debby Anglesey and her husband, Mike, live in Washington state and have two daughters and two sons and six grandchildren. She wrote her book to help her family and friends, never dreaming how many people it would eventually reach. The 20th century gave us much in terms of new technologies. However, we are now reaping the results of the massive amounts of chemicals that infest our water, air, soil, and food. Our bodies are not equipped to handle such an assault. MSG is one of the most dangerous factory created substances added to and sometimes hidden in much of our processed foods. Yet, unlike smokers who choose whether to light that first cigarette, most of us don't have a choice regarding hidden sources of MSG in our foods.

In 1999, after an article about Debby and the work she does as a consumer advocate appeared in the local newspaper, Debby and Mike were invited to be interviewed for the local evening news program. The three minute segment spurred invitations to speak to local groups and a book signing and discussion at Barnes & Noble. When the newspaper article and photo were picked up by the Associated Press, calls and e-mail from people around the country trying to order the book began to pour in. Wh

Product Details

• Plastic Comb: 233 pages
• Publisher: Front Porch Productions; 2005 edition (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967049202
• ISBN-13: 978-0967049205
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,589,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #78 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Special Diet > Low Salt

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource and Guide ! This book improved our lives, October 12, 2005

By 

Chris M - See all my reviews

This review is from: Battling the MSG Myth (Plastic Comb)

Anyone suffer from migraines, post nasal drip, difficulty concentrating, lack of energy, feeling sick often? How about achy joints or vision problems?

My wife bought me this book because I was intermittently suffering from intense migraines only after playing hockey. I couldn't figure out what was triggering them. People were telling me I must have health problems, etc. I heard it all. The doctors I saw couldn't figure out what was causing them either, but recommended keeping a food journal. It turns out that MSG in food (even up to 48 prior) was causing these intense migraines-which leave you miserable for days afterwards.

The information inside this book is amazing and shocking. There are so many names for MSG--the food companies keep trying to hide the truth. Inside this book you will find a complete breakdown and explanation of most of the hidden names for MSG and other dangerous neurotoxins that are in almost everything in our kitchens, at restaurants, etc.
I was very disturbed to find out that the amount of MSG in food has been doubling every ten years-and there is no regulation. In fact, food companies don't even have to list the ingredients, and they can simply put "Natural Flavors" on the labels, when they are hiding the adding of significant amounts of MSG and related chemicals.
Why do they get away with this?
Once again, the FDA apparently seems to have been bought. It is estimated that 40% of the US population is sensitive to MSG-so why is it in all of our food? Because food companies make more money when their products taste better. And thank the lobbyists too-they get rich with their bribery and propaganda-lying to the population-saying that MSG, and aspartame are safe.
The problem with this book is that it will expose the danger in your diets. If you are sensitive to MSG (and most people are) and other related neurotoxins that your friendly food companies pump into their products, you will find that almost all the food in your kitchen contains unsafe chemicals that they shouldn't.
Okay, so maybe you knew "bad stuff" was in soy sauce and ALL ketchup-except organic, most canned soups, etc.; but did you know it was also in your ice cream (carrageenan), dairy products-cheeses, cereals, sprayed on fruits and vegetables, most all snacks-look for "hydrolyzed proteins" and "protein isolates?" It sucks, but it's true.

This book has changed our lives for the better-I bought this book for everyone in our family.

Thanks to the author for such a great reference book.

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Battling the MSG Myth, September 15, 2001

By 

Judy M Thompson (Reno, NV United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Battling the MSG Myth (Plastic Comb)

I was so so sick and didn't know why. This book saved my life. I now understand how excitotoxins have poisoned my body. After 1 1/2 years I feel better than I have for 20 years. I am well and I avoid msg and msg hidden by other names, thanks to Debby Anglesey. This is a marvelous hands-on book that talks about msg, sulfites, and helps with common sense recipes that work.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive coping guide for MSG sensitivity, September 15, 2001

By 

"thesweep" (Tenafly, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Battling the MSG Myth (Plastic Comb)

Deb Anglesey has written the best coping guide for dealing with the dramatic diet changes one must make if they are sensitive to MSG. I was a food industry scientist, and I feel that this book is extremely important. Monosodium glutamate is hidden in so many foods, and since many people react to it with asthma, and other serious medical conditions, it is crucial to find where it is hidden. Deb Anglesey helps you not only find where it is and eliminate it, she has great ideas on what you CAN eat.