Dangers of MSG

MonoSodium Glutamate (MSG) is one of the worst foods available to humans. It’s a salt-like substance that’s sold as a flavor-enhancing food additive. At least forty (40) million Americans have some form of allergic reaction to MSG, with some experiencing life-threatening anaphylactic reaction (anaphylaxis). According to the Mayo Clinic, some common reactions to MSG include:

• • Headache
  • Flushing
  • Sweating
  • Facial pressure or tightness
  • Numbness, tingling or burning in the face, neck and other areas
  • Rapid, fluttering heartbeats (heart palpitations)
  • Chest pain
  • Nausea
  • Weakness

In addition to the above, individuals who drink alcohol while they have MSG in their system also experience the following reactions:

• Swelling of the throat (causing difficulty in breathing)
• Burning of the throat
• Burning of the lips
• Non-stop vomiting
• Dehydration
• Fainting

However, this is a very small list. For a more detailed list of commonly reported toxicity of MSG symptoms, check out the list in the following table, which is based on books by Neurosurgeon Dr. Russell Blaylock (Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills) and Toxicologist Dr. George Schwartz (In Bad Taste: The MSG Symptom Complex). This list is posted on MSGMyth.com.

---

---

Did You Know?

• Toothpaste can contain substances that are sources of free glutamate that the average person won’t relate to the harmful substance in MSG or other excitotoxins, i.e. carrageenan, dextrose, aspartame, vegetable gums, artificial sweeteners, natural flavors, …not to mention, dyes, preservatives, and other chemicals.
• Most regular milk, especially low fat versions contain added dry milk solids, which are extremely high in glutamate, the harmful component of MSG.
• Some Mexican restaurants add “Sazon”, another word for seasoning salt with MSG, to their rice and beans.
• FDA considers MSG safe but independent researchers estimate at least 30% to 40% or more of the population may be MSG sensitive in varying degrees.
• That most doctors, dietitians and the public know very little about the toxic effects of MSG?
• That the billion dollar processed food industry and MSG producers pay lobbyists to make all of us believe MSG is safe for the majority of the population?
• That monosodium glutamate is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, a nonessential amino acid used to enhance food flavors? But it is also an excitatory neurotransmitter that destroys nerve cells in the brain of susceptible people?
• That 30 to 40% or more of our population is experiencing the harmful effects of what the medical society has recently called the “MSG Symptom Complex” and many of us don’t know it?
• Most of us ingest more MSG than we realize or than the FDA and researchers regard as safe?
• That the amount of MSG added to our processed foods has doubled every 10 years since 1945?
• That MSG is not just used in East Asian restaurants, but in most restaurants and most bagged, bottled, frozen, boxed, canned, or commercially prepared foods?
• That additives such as hydrolyzed protein and autolyzed yeast can contain as much as 40% MSG, and do not have to be labeled as such?
• That aspartame and L-cysteine are other powerful excitotoxins that cause similar damage to our bodies?

---

MSG in the News Around the World
Keep up to date with MSG-related news around the world.

• There is a potential class action lawsuit regarding MSG in NJ currently.  Lawyers are seeking consumers harmed by MSG:

https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/case/msg_new_jersey

• There is a potential class action lawsuit regarding MSG in NJ currently.  Lawyers are seeking consumers harmed by MSG:

https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/case/msg_new_jersey

• A study on MSG and obesity:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2610632/

• An article about MSG and ADD/ADHD

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/news/050928a.asp

• Some co-ops in the U.K. are banning MSG:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4670953.stm

http://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/newsmaker_article.asp?idNewsMaker=8595&fSite=AO545&next=2

• European Union E-Numbers (MSG is Number E621)

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/health/tm_objectid=15877607&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=e-numbers-explained-name_page.htm

• Unilever in legal and PR trouble for using MSG “substitute”  that has high amounts of free glutamic acid:

http://www.thanhniennews.com/business/?catid=2&newsid=10072

http://www.thanhniennews.com/business/?catid=2&newsid=10100

• Other companies turning to other flavor enhancers to replace MSG:

http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=12053

---

MSG Remedies
Depending on the severity of reaction, here are some possible remedies for MSG sufferers. For those who experience anaphylaxis, carrying an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen) is necessary. The best way to prevent anaphylaxis is to avoid MSG. For more information on anaphylaxis, its symptoms, causes, risk factors and prevention visit this page on MayoClinic website.

Plan A – Avoid MSG

Many of those afflicted with MSG sensitivity seriously attempt to avoid MSG. However, because labeling laws in the United States allow foods high in free glutamate to go unlabeled as such, those with “MSG Symptom Complex” are often unwitting victims of glutamate toxicity. 

At this time, there is little clinical data to provide information on remedies for MSG Symptom Complex, because most of the research done on MSG was paid for by the Glutamate industry. It should be noted that many of MSG sensitive individuals try to avoid most dietary supplements as they often contain items like gelatin or other substances that contain MSG. These individuals do not take any supplement lightly, as most cause them fear of a reaction.

Plan B – Possible Remedies

Taurine

Some MSG sensitive individuals report relief from some MSG symptoms by taking taurine in powder form free of additives or fillers. The rationale behind this approach is that glutamate competes with the amino acid cysteine for uptake in the body. An excess of glutamate will interfere with the body’s ability to convert cysteine into taurine, the other free form amino acid which acts as the body’s heartbeat regulator. Taurine is the body’s water soluble anti-oxidant, and inhibitory neurotransmitter. The body also uses taurine to make bile, which aids in the digestion of fats. 

The idea of taking taurine for accidental MSG ingestion is that since MSG may inhibit taurine formation, those with irregular heartbeat, digestive problems, epilepsy, vision disturbance, and panic attacks from MSG, may benefit from ingesting taurine instead of waiting for the body to make it. 

Unfortunately, most food scientists are not taught about taurine because adults are assumed to be able to make it and shouldn’t need to eat it. It isn’t even listed in most tables of the amino acids. However, taurine is so important in the body, that since 1986 it has been added to baby formula because it is essential for proper growth and development in humans. Also, studies of people with epilepsy have shown that taurine levels in the brain after a seizure are unusually low. Taurine is now being considered as treatment for diabetes as well as epilepsy.

Foods high in taurine include fresh fish and meat. It is not found in significant amounts in foods of non-meat origin. Heat for long periods of time destroys it. It is interesting that the Japanese use much MSG, but also eat diets high in fish, and raw fish at that. A Japanese meal of sushi contains much taurine, as well as MSG. Chinese food, which often is cooked at high heat and also contains mushrooms, another source of free glutamate, and often mostly vegetables, would contain less protective taurine.

Magnesium

In a recent report on CNN, magnesium was reported as one remedy for migraine sufferers. MSG is a migraine trigger. It should noted that some MSG sensitive individuals report relief from some symptoms by increasing intake of magnesium to avoid deficiency. The reasoning behind this approach is that glutamate is a calcium channel opener – it causes nerve cells to fire. Over stimulated nerve cells can die if too much stimulatory glutamate is present. Magnesium is the mineral the nervous system uses to switch overtaxed nerve cells to “off”. 

Vitamin B6

In the FASEB research report, Vitamin B6 is mentioned because it is the vitamin used by the body for many functions, including helping to convert amino acids into other amino acids. It has been shown that those with Vitamin B6 deficiency show increased sensitivity to MSG. It should be noted that it is possible to take too much Vitamin B6 and that for those with MSG sensitivity that are not Vitamin B6 deficient, more Vitamin B6 may not be of any benefit.

MSG is a calcium channel opener. This means it can act as a blood pressure RAISER. It is well accepted that high blood pressure raises the risk of stroke. In cultures that use copious amounts of MSG, such as Singapore, stroke is on the rise, even in young adults. Many of the newer cardiovascular drugs are calcium channel blockers. It is interesting to note that, Vitamin B6 is now being touted for cardiovascular health by physicians.  

It should also be noted that individuals who ingest too much alcohol put themselves at risk of damaging their liver and inducing Vitamin B6 deficiency. Because of this, alcohol use is not encouraged for those who are borderline Vitamin B6 deficient, or MSG sensitive.

For those patients who must restrict Vitamin B6 due to medical conditions (Vitamin B6 can interfere with Parkinson’s medications), avoiding MSG is critical, as there may be less ability to deal with an excess of glutamate.

Vitamin B6 is also used by the body to create another very important substance now listed in the formularies of hospitals for treating heart disease, a substance widely used in Japan for heart health, and which also seems to give some relief to MSG sensitive individuals – the next item in this list: CoQ10.

Alcohol use is not encouraged for those who are MSG-sensitive because individuals who drink alcohol while they have MSG in their system may experience the following severe reactions: Swelling of the throat (causing difficulty in breathing) Burning of the throat Burning of the lips Non-stop vomiting Dehydration Fainting

CoQ10

CoQ10, is a universal substance used all over the body in what is called the glucose to energy pathway. CoQ10 helps the body take fuel in the form of glucose, or blood sugar, and turn it into energy in the cells of the body.  CoQ10 has been of some benefit in reducing the symptoms of MSG Symptom Complex. 

The rationale is that since glutamate in excess can over stimulate nerve cells until they die, energy is crucial. If there is enough energy converted to help an over stimulated nerve cell withstand an excess of glutamate, than the nerve cell will recover. If however, there is a CoQ10 deficiency, the cell will run out of energy and die. This is a simplistic analogy, but, it does not appear to be coincidence, that the country with the largest consumption of MSG in the world, is also a large consumer of CoQ10.

It should also be noted that some MSG sensitive individuals complain of reactions to food items containing corn. Corn contains substances which interfere in the glucose to energy pathway. It was found early in the 20th century that diets consisting mainly of corn result in the disease pellagra. Pellagra is a deficiency of Niacin. Niacin is the vitamin that aids in the glucose to energy pathway. Niacin deficiency results in “The Four D’s”  Dermatitis, Dementia, Diarrhea, and Death, because work all over the body grinds to a halt, and cells die from lack of energy. Those with liver damage or Vitamin B6 deficiency and whose MSG sensitivity manifests itself as skin rash, digestive disorders, lack of concentration, and corn sensitivity, may be helped by taking CoQ10.

Unfortunately, CoQ10 is extremely expensive. However, it appears to help some individuals so much that they will spend the money to purchase it. It should be noted that the body uses many other vitamins to make CoQ10. Therefore, a well rounded diet can help the body make CoQ10 on its own. 

An interesting side note: 

• CoQ10 deficiency can be induced by too vigorous exercise – it depletes CoQ10.
• MSG can induce asthma attacks.
• There is also exercise induced asthma.

This begs the question – are athletes who have asthma and eat athlete supplements high in free glutamate at risk by depleting CoQ10 by both exercise and overtaxing the nervous system?

(Source: http://www.msgtruth.org/remedies.htm)

---

Miscellaneous Resources

MSGmyth.com
One of the best sites we have found so far for anyone who is allergic to MSG. It even includes a Forum with lots of useful information that others allergic to MSG have contributed. Unfortunately, since the site was updated, the Forum data was not copied to the new site so it has to be populated again.

Story of the Woman Who Started MSGmyth Web Site

Hidden Names for MSG

MSGTruth.org
MSGTruth.org is a not-for-profit site created by former food process engineer and food scientist Carol Hoernlein. This site is loaded with good information.

---

Books

• MSG Myth – A Survival Guide and Cookbook
  Read the reviews here on Amazon.com but order it cheaper here.
• Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills
  Mike Wallace of “60 Minutes” and his research team used this book as one of their sources to report on the increasing evidence of a brain tumor connection. Available from Amazon.com.

---