This is a paper I wrote for writing class what do you think?
Hope for a Cure
I chose to write about this topic because it is a struggle that I, and millions of people face everyday. This problem affects a large amount of people regardless of age or race. Many people are suffering from obesity related health problems, and the numbers are growing. Our children are even at risk.
There are many contributing factors to obesity. I think the environment we live in is very significant to our daily habits. Everywhere you look, is a fast food restaurant with signs stating how delicious, and inexpensive their food is. The convenience is probably the most appealing factor. After a long day at work, no one wants to go home and cook a meal, or go to the grocery store. With “fast food” all you have to do is drive through, tell them what you want, and with out even having to get out of your car, you have your meal in about 5 minutes.
One of the main reasons for craving this food could be caused from Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) or as restaurants call them “flavor enhancers.” MSG is highly addictive and has also been proven to create obesity. I read in an article recently *”MSG Slowly Poisoning America”(5-1-04) that scientists were creating obese rats and mice for diet, and diabetes test studies. Since there are no naturally obese rats or mice, they had to create them by injecting them with MSG when they were born. They found that MSG triples the amount of insulin that the pancreas creates, causing rats and quite possibly humans, to become obese. This is a frightening thought when you look in your cupboards, and have to struggle to find something that does not contain MSG.
Hughes 2
Manufacturers who use this product are required to list the use of MSG, but they have found a way around this by using different names. Some products even state that they are “MSG free” when in fact, they are not. Some other words for MSG *(“The Excitotoxins – The Taste That Kills” (By Dr. Russell Blaylock, MD 3-6-03) include: hydrolyzed protein, sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate, yeast extract, textured protein, and hydrolyzed oat flour. These are just a few names they use. The list has about 15 or 20 additional alternative names for MSG. It is most commonly used in restaurants, and processed foods. Also in the article I read, the author asked a very intriguing question, “If MSG is not harmful, then why do they try to hide the fact that they use it?” I think if people want to solve the obesity epidemic, they should start with MSG, and its harmful effects on people.
One of the harmful effects of MSG, is that it can contribute to panic attacks and anxiety. I have personally experienced this effect. I have a lot of anxiety problems and when I eat something that has a lot of MSG added, for instance: Chinese food, or Ramen noodles, it greatly increases my anxiety. But some foods are hard to stay away from when you are on a tight budget. This makes it nearly impossible to afford healthy or organic foods. I have tested this theory myself. I ate healthy for about two weeks, then I ran low on money, and I couldn’t afford healthy foods. So for the rest of the month, I had to resort to Ramen Noodles, and Macaroni and Cheese. So, in regards to my experiences, I think money is a large contributor in healthy eating, and dieting today.
I believe some of the obesity problems could be partly due to people relying on a miracle, or some kind of cure to take care of all their problems. I see several commercials everyday for products, claiming to be the next miracle that will solve all your problems. Then in words so small you can barely see, it states that this product will only work with diet and exercise. It is disappointing that these businesses will prey on people’s hope’s and desperation just to make a buck. I think if there weren’t so much advertising, then maybe people would rely more on traditional ways of losing weight.
