I have been reading about MSG for the past few days. The sites I have visited are MSGtruth.org, MSGmyth.com, and turthinlabeling. I was drawn to this topic because I have family who may be suffering from fibromyalgia and my readings pointed me to MSG. The first thing I noticed is that MSG is in ALOT of American foods under many different names. It is addictive and causes a host of damages.
As I continued to read, I came across a post on a discussion form that said MSG is a myth and the scare is very cult-like. The poster's professor debunked the MSG myth/cult. All is well. The poster did not elaborate what the professor said.
Below I have a list of physical symptoms caused by MSG. It seems awfully all-inclusive and I am distrusting it. My question to the Hatracker medicos, pharmacists, and everyone else is: Are the dangers of MSG a myth, or is it a Toxin in almost every food that is poisoning us all?
quote:1. Severe headache 12. Shortness of breath, chest pains, asthma 23. Slowed speech 2. Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting 13. Swelling, pain, or numbness of hands, feet, jaw 24. Chronic bronchitis-like symptoms, allergy reactions, dry cough, hoarseness or sore throat 3. Irregular heart beat or blood pressure, racing heart 14. Pain in joints or bones 25. Heavy, weak feeling in arms and legs 4. Depression or mood change, bipolar, SAD 15. Flushing or tingling in face, chest, pressure behind eyes 26. Irritable bowel or colitis 5. Abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, colitis, IBS 16. Gagging reflex or difficulty swallowing 27. Attention deficit disorder, anxiety attacks, rage, panic attacks 6. Balance problems, dizziness, or seizures, mini-strokes 17. Hyperactivity, behavioral problems 28. Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, fibromyalgia, MS, Parkinson's 7. Tenderness in localized areas, neck, back, etc. 18. Chronic post nasal drip 29. Pressure behind eyes or on head, neck, shoulders 8. Sleep disorders 19. Skin rash, itching, hives 30. ADD, ADHD, Rage Disorder 9. Blurred vision or difficulty breathing 20. Bloated face, dark circles under strained eyes 31. Asthma 10. Chronic fatigue or sleepiness 21. Extreme thirst or dry mouth 32. Weight problems, obesity, hypoglycemia 11. Excessive perspiring or shuddering and chills 22. Difficulty concentrating and poor memory
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
I doubt that MSG would cause fibromyalgia (being an auto-immune disorder, where your body's immune system attacks your nerve endings - I think it's much more likely to have been triggered by a virus) and have a hard time believing that it is the cause of all of those maladies you listed.
I, personally, avoid MSG because it is a known migraine trigger, and I have noticed a connection between its consumption and my own migraines. I also think it is a wise practice to try to limit one's intake of commercially processed foods because of all the myriad chemicals and compounds added in the process. It's almost impossible to completely avoid them, but it's not difficult to learn to do your own cooking and limit their use.
Posted by arevoj (Member # 7347) on :
Ditto ludosti's second paragraph above. I've found this to be the case for me as well.
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
when you avoid MSG, do you actively avoid: only msg, or do you also avoid
I don't necessarilly avoid the hydrolyzed proteins because they can be from many different sources. I have no problem with yeasts. So, I mainly avoid just MSG.
Posted by arevoj (Member # 7347) on :
MSG - yes. I also get suspicious when I see the term "natural flavoring" as it can be MSG.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I like MSG. It makes stuff taste good.
I have never, ever had any health problems I attribute to it. But that's just me. As for the list, it IS suspiciously inclusive.
Lets see some studies, and maybe I'll believe it.
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
natural flavoring also often referrs to soy
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
The list is a little inclusive. I admit I took it from a website were the author is selling a book--fear tactics work best in selling something.
The first link MSGtruth.org is managed by a collection of scientists and citizens who have experience in the food industry.
Both of those links reference studies in the scientific community that back up their claims. Under diease states, there are links that interested me about fibromyalgia.
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
Hmmm.... Causing and aggravating are two very different things though. I think it's interesting that MSG may aggravate fibromyalgia.
It's like with migraines - people who suffer from them find that they can be triggered by certain things, but those things (in and of themselves) don't automatically cause migraines in everyone.
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
Science probably doesn't have an answer for you lem. MSG may aggrevate the condition in your family member's case. Maybe not. Try cutting it out and see.
Is MSG toxic? I don't doubt that there are people who suffer from every condition listed there when the eat MSG, I also don't doubt that the vast majority of people suffer no ill effects from MSG. The golden rule of nutrition, everything in moderation, probably applies perfectly well here.
Incidentally, MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. Glutamate is a non essential amino acid, but also a very common one in the body. You'd be hard pressed to find a single pathway that doesn't use it directly or one of its derivatives (well, not really, anyone who's taken biochem should be able to name one, but I'm trying to impress you with its importance ). I'm not saying you can't overload on it, too much water is toxic too, but I'd be stunned if MSG in moderation was toxic to the average person. But don't ask me what "moderation" is, I'm no nutritionist
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). I'm not saying you can't overload on it, too much water is toxic too, but I'd be stunned if MSG in moderation was toxic to the average person. But don't ask me what "moderation" is, I'm no nutritionist ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)