Sunday, January 1, 2012

The Medifast ingredients decoded: Part 2

I had no idea.


I had no idea how much information I would find.


Just from googling some ingredients from a diet plan.


Wow.


I have learned more in the last 4 hours than I have in a long time.


I am even more disgusted with Medifast.  


Really?


You just sprinkle some vitamins and minerals on stuff, wrap it in a wrapper, put it in a box and you call it healthy?


And I think what grieves me most is how this so called "healthy" diet is spreading like wild fire in the "church".


Christians wake up!


Just because it is "in" the "church" doesn't mean it's ok.  


It's not.


It's really not. 


Take the blinders off.


The blinders are killing you.

Let's start with MSG.


But wait, your say.


Medifast doesn't have MSG.
 There is only one Medifast product that claims to have MSG- the Cream of Tomato soup.


But there are SO many hidden sources of MSG in our food!


Here is another health issue I did not know about until looking into this.  

Excitotoxins.


Excitowho?

Most processed foods contain excitotoxins, notably any kind of commercial taste or flavor enhancers, such as caseinate, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, soy protein extract, yeast extract, or beef stock. These may be labeled as natural flavoring and are especially prevalent in soups, sauces, and gravies.

MSG is an excitotoxin, which means it overexcites your cells to the point of damage or death, causing brain damage to varying degrees -- and potentially even triggering or worsening learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease and more.

When an excess of food-borne excitotoxins, such as MSG, hydrolyzed protein soy protein isolate and concentrate, natural flavoring, sodium caseinate and aspartate from aspartame, are consumed, these glutamate receptors are over-stimulated, producing cardiac arrhythmias. When magnesium stores are low, as we see in athletes, the glutamate receptors are so sensitive that even low levels of these excitotoxins can result in cardiac arrhythmias and death.
What was that again?


Heart problems?
Death?
From MSG?


And there is more.  Lots of intestinal health problems are directly correlated to MSG consumption.



Not only is MSG scientifically proven to cause obesity, it is an addictive substance: NICOTINE for FOOD!

But Medifast doesn't say it has MSG, right?

Well, here is how they get around that.


Here is a list of ingredients that either have MSG or may have MSG in them but are not labeled as such. I think you will be quite surprised!

* Food Additives that ALWAYS contain MSG *

Monosodium Glutamate
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Hydrolyzed Protein
Hydrolyzed Plant Protein
Plant Protein Extract
Sodium Caseinate
Calcium Caseinate
Yeast Extract
Textured Protein (Including TVP)
Autolyzed Yeast
Hydrolyzed Oat Flour
Corn Oil  

* Food Additives That FREQUENTLY Contain MSG *

Malt Extract
Malt Flavoring
Bouillon
Broth
Stock
Flavoring
Natural Flavors/Flavoring
Natural Beef Or Chicken Flavoring
Seasoning
Spices

* Food Additives That MAY Contain MSG Or Excitotoxins *

Carrageenan
Enzymes
Soy Protein Concentrate
Soy Protein Isolate
Whey Protein Concentrate




 If you're consuming MSG, the level of glutamate in the blood can rise as high as 20-fold. 
You get very high glutamate levels in the blood after eating a meal containing MSG. 


You're stimulating all of the glutamate receptors. 
That's why some people get explosive diarrhea, because it stimulates the receptors in the esophagus and small bowel. 


Others may develop irritable bowel, or if they have irritable bowel, it makes it a lot worse. 


If they have reflux, it makes that a lot worse. 


The thing about the cardiac conduction system glutamate receptors is this may explain the rise in sudden cardiac death.

This is from an interview from a Neurosurgeon who has studied excitotoxins effects on the brain. 

"The worst of the things they're doing are the soy extracts. Soybeans, naturally, have one of the highest glutamate levels of any of the plant products. When you hydrolyze it, you release the glutamate, and the soy protein isolates. The glutamate levels are higher than a lot of what you'll find in MSG products, yet the vegetarians are just eating it like it's the healthiest thing in the world. There was a 25-year study done, which looked at people who consumed the most soy products, and they followed them for 25 years and did serial CT scans. They found out that the people who consumed the most soybean products had the greatest incidence of dementia and brain atrophy.These people are destroying their nervous system, and I talked to a lot of them who complained of severe migraine headaches. I said, "Get off the soy," and they do, and that migraine headache goes away. In addition, you have very high manganese levels, which is toxic to the very same part of the brain that produces Parkinson's. You've got a mixture of toxins with soy products, and the people think they are eating a healthy, nutritious product. It's destroying their nervous system, as well as other organs. 



I think people ought to avoid soy products as if they were poison."


Read the full interview about this here. It's totally worth your time.

So next time you eat a crunchy yummy bar, drink a delicious shake or snack on those pretzels.....check the ingredients for hidden sources of MSG.


You will find quite a few. 

Not looking so "healthy" after all to me.

KNOW WHAT YOUR ARE PUTTING INTO YOUR BODY!


I am going to  post the ingredients in a few "products".  You can go back and look at the list of items that either have or most likely have MSG and excitotoxins.  


Pretzels
Soy protein isolate, wheat flour, modified wheat starch, soy flour, seasoning blend [honey powder (honey, maltodextrin), evaporated cane juice, cinnamon, rebaudioside A (stevia), natural flavor, silicon dioxide], vital wheat gluten, butter, wheat protein isolate (wheat gluten, phosphate, lactic acid), malt syrup, corn syrup, modified food starch, pectin, maltodextrin, canola oil, baking powder, soy lecithin, natural flavor, salt, yeast, sodium hydroxide.
Chili bites
Soy protein isolate, corn flour, rice flour, corn starch, soy flour, tapioca starch, pea fiber, inulin, xanthan gum, nacho cheese seasoning (cheddar cheese powder, pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, disodium phosphate, lactic acid, dehydrated onion, chili pepper, garlic, maltodextrin, spices, whey culture, buttermilk solids, yeast, paprika, turmeric, salt), baking powder,
Parmesan cheese puffs
Soy protein isolate, corn flour, rice flour, corn starch, soy flour, tapioca starch, pea fiber, inulin, xanthan gum, dry parmesan cheese seasoning (part skim milk, cheese cultures, enzymes, whey, salt, non-fat dry milk, buttermilk solids), baking powder,
 S’More’s bar

Soy protein isolate, evaporated cane juice, chicory fiber, polydextrose, maltitol syrup, nonfat dry milk, fractionated palm kernel oil, brown sugar, milk protein isolate, glycerine, rolled oats, sugar, brown rice syrup, rice starch, cocoa powder, natural and artificial flavors, soy lecithin, sunflower oil with tocopherol, maltodextrin, distilled monoglycerides, palm oil, salt, rice flour, dextrose, sucralose, carrageenan, cornstarch, acacia gum.
Cream of Broccoli soup
Whey protein concentrate, calcium caseinate, chicory root extract (inulin), sodium caseinate, yeast extract, maltodextrin, oat fiber, chicken fat, broccoli, hydrolyzed corn gluten, xanthan gum, dried cauliflower, non-fat dry milk, natural broccoli flavor, potassium phosphate, tapioca flour, potassium chloride, potassium citrate, soy sauce (soybeans, wheat, salt), dried onion, dried garlic, tapioca maltodextrin, dextrose, dicalcium phosphate, magnesium oxide, molybdenum yeast, ascorbic acid, chromium yeast, selenium yeast,


Pudding


Fructose, calcium caseinate, milk protein isolate, soy protein isolate, chicory root extract (inulin), cocoa (processed with alkali), modified food starch, natural and artificial flavor, sweet dairy whey, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, xanthan gum, partially hydrogenated canola oil, corn syrup solids, dl-methionine, acesulfame potassium, soy lecithin, sodium caseinate, salt, mono and diglycerides.

Coffee pudding
Calcium caseinate, sugar, fructose, sunflower oil, chicory root extract (inulin), maltodextrin, dextrin, whey protein concentrate, instant coffee, reduced cholesterol egg powder [egg whites, egg yolks, maltodextrin, polydextrose, modified corn starch, corn oil, titanium dioxide (color), salt, guar gum, xanthan gum, annatto (color), spice], cellulose, natural and artificial flavor, sodium caseinate (a milk derivative), xanthan gum, acesulfame potassium, carrageenan, mono and diglycerides.
Orange drink
Whey protein isolate, dried egg whites, dextrin, fructose, sugar, citric acid, natural flavor, gum arabic, soy lecithin, acesulfame potassium, maltodextrin, rebiana (stevia extract), annatto (color). 
BBQ bites

Soy protein concentrate, tapioca starch, soy protein isolate, navy bean powder, soybean oil, sugar, salt, dextrin, maltodextrin, torula yeast, natural flavors, onion powder, brown sugar, dextrose, yeast extract, molasses, tomato powder, extractive of paprika, citric acid, spices, garlic powder, potato starch, corn starch, guar gum, pectin.



Honey mustard pretzels

Soy protein isolate, wheat flour, modified wheat starch, soy flour, seasoning blend [sugar, prepared mustard powder (distilled vinegar, mustard seed, salt, turmeric, paprika, spice, garlic, natural flavor), onion powder, honey powder (honey, maltodextrin), salt, maltodextrin, modified food starch, dextrose, fructose, wheat flour, sodium diacetate, citric acid, paprika, turmeric (added for flavor and color), spices, natural flavor], vital wheat gluten, butter, wheat protein isolate (wheat gluten, phosphate, lactic acid), malt syrup, corn syrup, modified food starch, pectin, maltodextrin, canola oil, baking powder, soy lecithin, natural flavor, salt, yeast, sodium hydroxide


Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal


Rolled oats, soy protein isolate, oat fiber, low moisture apples, calcium phosphate, spice, soy lecithin, salt, potassium chloride, maltodextrin, magnesium oxide, acesulfame potassium (non-nutritive sweetener), dl-methionine, modified food starch, natural & artificial flavors, corn syrup solids,


Maple and brown sugar oatmeal

Rolled oats, soy protein isolate, oat fiber, brown sugar, calcium phosphate, modified food starch, soy lecithin, potassium chloride, salt, natural & artificial flavors, maltodextrin, acesulfame potassium (non-nutritive sweetener), magnesium oxide, dl-methionine, sucrose, propylene glycol,

Pancakes

Whey protein concentrate, rice flour, soy protein isolate, dried egg whites, dextrin, oat fiber, erythritol, dried apples, natural flavor, baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, baking soda, corn starch, calcium phosphate) guar gum, xanthan gum, soy lecithin, maltodextrin, rebiana.


Sugar free maple syrup

Water, sorbitol, cellulose gum, salt, caramel color, natural and artificial flavor, acesulfame potassium, potassium sorbate (preservative), sucralose, sodium benzoate (preservative), lactic acid.


Chocolate chip cookies

Soy protein isolate, brown sugar, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla), resistant corn starch, dried apple, rice flour, dextrin, calcium caseinate, natural and artificial flavor, sunflower oil, maltodextrin, salt, xanthan gum, guar gum, acesulfame potassium, sodium caseinate, soy lecithin, sucralose, mono and diglycerides, natural tocopherols.



 Whew doogie!  



That is a lot of MSG if you ask me!   



Did you notice another trend?  



I did.



Every single "food" product listed has soy. 

Almost all have acesulfame potassium (except a few of the snacky ones- but don't fret.....they have enough yeast to counteract any missing poison!)


Did you know that:



Methylene chloride, a solvent used in the manufacture

 of acesulfame potassium, is the substance that may 

give the food additive its potential carcinogenic 

characteristics. 

In addition
,
 exposure to methylene chloride for long periods of

time may lead to such side effects as:


■Breast tumors
■Chronic respiratory disease
■Depression
■Headaches
■Kidney and liver problems
■Leukemia


■Lung tumors
■Mental confusion
■Nausea

■Visual disturbances




Acesulfame potassium may also increase the appetite, 

by tricking the satiety signals of our body. When 

consuming products that contain this artificial 

sweetener, cravings for extremely sweet foods may 

develop. In these conditions, taste perception is 

changed and the taste of fruits and vegetables do not 

feel tasty anymore.


Just in case you forgot what he said about soy here it is again:


"The worst of the things they're doing are the soy extracts. Soybeans, naturally, have one of the highest glutamate levels of any of the plant products. When you hydrolyze it, you release the glutamate, and the soy protein isolates."


So, if you are still thinking about using Medifast to help you reach "optimal health"......you might want to reread this before you damage your brain, your heart, your digestive system and your endocrine system.

Cause that's exactly what this diet will do.


All in the name of "health"

2 comments:

Bethany Schweitzer Goshorn said...

I stumbled across your post in a google search. This is exactly what I was looking for. I was contemplating doing medifast but I was concerned what was being used as a meal replacement that didn't include real food. Thanks for listing ingredients and addressing the msg and soy!

KathyB said...

I also stumbled across when doing some research on Medifast and soy. I started the Medifast diet in Jan 2010 and lost about 35 lbs in about 4 months. This diet was the easiest diet I had ever done and I actually enjoyed it. I could have followed it forever. And well did, for 2 years to maintain my weight loss. Loved it so much, i even started selling the products and helping others lose tons of weight. But before you go thinking I am going to tell you how wonderful this diet is, this is not going in that direction. Keep reading. After about 2 months on the plan, following it exactly, and feeling great. Probably the best in many, many years. You see, I suffer from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome for many, many years and was at rock bottom when I started this plan. So when I started, something clicked, and I felt immediately better. Not healed, but definitely much better. So back to 2 months in... I noticed I had a lump under my chin. Actually, a large lump about the size of a golf ball. I had no idea what it was but went right to the doctors. He prescribed some antibiotics saying it was probably an infection and to come back if it did not go away in a few days. Well, it went away and never came back. I then thought nothing more of it. I continued to follow Medifast and lost weight and maintained my loss. Again, as months, years went by, I felt better with the fibro and CFS, but not healed, but better then prior years before Medifast, so I continued to have a product or two each day to maintain my loss while eating a fairly light healthy diet. All was good and I could have followed this forever. Then, in the summer of 2012, I found a lump in my breast. I went to get a mammogram, which lead to a biopsy, and was then diagnosed with breast cancer. I caught it early on, thank God, and had lumpectomy and radiation treatments. At which, during that time, something told me to stop Medifast. The diet I loved, that finally worked to help me lose weight and keep it off, I had to end. Trust me, it was and still is a battle to stay off these products when I felt my best in years following that plan. Plus, looked better then i did in years. Its a constant battle I face everyday. Even after all I've been through. Am I saying Medifast caused the lump under my chin and the cancer lump in my breast? No. But it all seems too coincidental and has made me do lots of research on Medifast, soy, and breast cancer. I have a feeling that one day the Medifast walls will come crashing down. Someone will prove it causes cancer and will live richly, happily ever after! Think twice before following this plan. There is definitely ingredients in the products that the human body is not made to handle.