MonoSodium Glutamate [Much used flavour enhancer E621 in the food-industry, Vé-Tsin (Chinese name), Ajinomoto (Japanese name)] intolerance.
"There have been reports of allergies and/or sensitivities to MSG, sometimes attributed to the free glutamic acid component, which has been blamed for causing a wide variety of physical symptoms such as migraines, nausea, digestive upsets, drowsiness, heart palpitations, asthma, anaphylactic shock, and many other complaints. "Chinese restaurant syndrome" is often used as an example of the symptoms purported to be caused by MSG."
"An unknown percentage of the population may react to MSG and develop MSG symptom complex, a condition characterized by one or more of the following symptoms:
burning sensation in the back of the neck, forearms and chest
numbness in the back of the neck, radiating to the arms and back
tingling, warmth and weakness in the face, temples, upper back, neck and arms
facial pressure or tightness
chest pain
headache
nausea
rapid heartbeat
weak pulse
violent dreams
bronchospasm (difficulty breathing) in MSG-intolerant people with asthma
drowsiness
weakness."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_glutamate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_glutamate#MSG_intolerance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_restaurant_syndrome
Have any of you (or any of your relatives or friends) experienced health difficulties resulting from using MSG ?
I would appreciate hearing your experiences.
Originally posted by ivanhoeOh absolutely!
MonoSodium Glutamate [Much used flavour enhancer E621 in the food-industry, Vé-Tsin (Chinese name), Ajinomoto (Japanese name)] intolerance.
"There have been reports of allergies and/or sensitivities to MSG, sometimes attributed to the free glutamic acid component, which has been blamed for causing a wide variety of physical symptoms such as migraines, nau ...[text shortened]... h difficulties resulting from using MSG ?
I would appreciate hearing your experiences.
No trouble until the local chinese food place started putting it in their food. OMG! I was so unbelivably wired, the shakes and so on, very weird. Never noticed the same feeling/reaction with any other food though but I always ask if it's they put it in when I get chinese food now though.
Originally posted by dagsHow did you know it was MSG which was doing what you described ?
Oh absolutely!
No trouble until the local chinese food place started putting it in their food. OMG! I was so unbelivably wired, the shakes and so on, very weird. Never noticed the same feeling/reaction with any other food though but I always ask if it's they put it in when I get chinese food now though.
Can you please elaborate on what you mean when you describe your feelings and or reactions to MSG as "the shakes" and "very weird" ?
Originally posted by murrowAre the headaches the only symptom you experience after MSG consumption ?
yes i get headaches from msg.
i love chinese food though ... you can always ask for them to leave it out.
crisps (US: chips) are the thing that I struggle to find without msg.
How do you know it is MSG which causes your headaches ?
Originally posted by ivanhoeit also makes me kind of edgy / wired, a bit like after too much coffee.
Are the headaches the only symptom you experience after MSG consumption ?
How do you know it is MSG which causes your headaches ?
i've noticed it just from trial and error - eg i found myself with a particular type of headache (behind my eyes) and check the packet of something i've eaten and it has msg in it. i guess it's like a kind of mild allergy.
soy sauce is another thing you can easily find with and without - and i found the ones with msg in give me a headache while the ones without don't.
that simple.
whoever tells you the effects are a myth are in the pay of the msg factories.
which is not to say it affects everyone like this, obviously...
Originally posted by murrowThat's it, but kinda not but it's sortof the same.
[b]it also makes me kind of edgy / wired, a bit like after too much coffee.
I don't think many foods have MSG in them in Oz as I've only ever been like that after chinese food but since I don't eat Indian or Thai and so on I'm only guessing.
Originally posted by murrowThe effects you describe are very familiar to me.
it also makes me kind of edgy / wired, a bit like after too much coffee.
i've noticed it just from trial and error - eg i found myself with a particular type of headache (behind my eyes) and check the packet of something i've eaten and it has msg in it. i guess it's like a kind of mild allergy.
soy sauce is another thing you can easily find with and witho e pay of the msg factories.
which is not to say it affects everyone like this, obviously...
Murrow: ".... whoever tells you the effects are a myth are in the pay of the msg factories."
Right. It is high time for real independent and unbiased scientific research to convince the health authorities of the very unpleasant and undesirable health effects MSG can trigger in people who are sensitive/intolerant to this flavour enhancer.
They are already using MSG in homes for the elderly and other health institutions because "scientific research" has shown people eat more food if MSG is added.
Of course you eat more if MSG is added. That's the very reason the food-industry is adding this flavour enhancer to our food. We will consume more if MSG is added and they will earn more money. Some things are simple.
Normal people would say MSG is addictive, but not the scientists of the food-industry.
In their zeal to try and sell their product to the homes for the elderly and other health institutions they are in fact admitting that using MSG in the food will cause a gain in weight. It's very healthy for the old folks, they claim ! .... but if somebody dares to claim MSG might play a role in the obesity epidemic, MSG suddenly becomes a substance which will NOT cause a gain in weight, on the contrary, it is a simple flavour enhancer with no side effects whatsoever.
Meanwhile the health authorities confirm this position of the food industry referring to "scientific" research.
http://www.ific.org/publications/brochures/agingbroch.cfm
"Can Anything Help to Improve the Eating Habits for Older Americans with Impaired Taste and Smell?
Yes. Enhancing the flavors of foods can help improve eating and, subsequently, health for older Americans. Adding table salt or flavor enhancers such as monosodium glutamate (MSG); spices and herbs; or other concentrated essences and extracts to food can improve the taste and aroma of foods. These enhancements can improve food enjoyment and increase food intake, which is important for maintaining a healthy weight, a strong immune system (??) and overall health.
It is important to remember other dietary concerns, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) when enhancing food flavors. Adding table salt may not be the best choice to enhance flavors if a low-salt (or low-sodium) diet is recommended because of high blood prressure. MSG may be a better option because it contains only one third the sodium of table salt. When small quantities of MSG are used in combination with a reduced amount of table salt during food preparation, the flavor enhancing properties of MSG allow for far less salt to be used during and after cooking. MSG brings out the best natural flavors in food and can reduce total sodium by 30 - 40 percent without reducing palatability.
When considering flavor enhancement for older adults, keep individual food preferences, allergies or sensitivities in mind. With an abundance of alternative combinations of spices, herbs and food ingredients, it is possible to enhance flavor while addressing individual choices and preferences.
The senses of taste and smell play an important role in eating habits. Loss of these senses can impact your health by reducing the desire to eat.
Tastes and smells are important because they bring pleasure and enjoyment to eating, which can improve the desire to eat. This, in turn, can help maintain a healthy weight (??) and immune system, which will improve overall health.
Without the simple pleasures of taste and smell, the overall quality of life is greatly reduced."
http://www.ific.org/publications/brochures/agingbroch.cfm
The MSG manufacturers are even selling this addictive flavour enhancer as a medicine which will improve your overall health !
MSG IS THE NICOTINE OF THE FOOD INDUSTRY.
There is also a thread of the same name in the General forum, because I wanted the people in the General Forum to have the opportunity to react to this subject.
http://www.redhotpawn.com/board/showthread.php?threadid=47034&page=1
I think it is best to continue discussing the subject here in the Debates Forum.
Originally posted by dagsMSG is added to a lot of products. Soup (Campbell's for instance), (gourmet)sauces, gravies, bouillons, broths, stocks, bouillon cubes, cookies/biscuits, ready to eat and packed meals, crisps/chips, Asian dishes, etc etc .....
That's it, but kinda not but it's sortof the same.
I don't think many foods have MSG in them in Oz as I've only ever been like that after chinese food but since I don't eat Indian or Thai and so on I'm only guessing.
http://www.rense.com/general52/msg.htm
MSG?
I was shocked too. I went to my kitchen, checking the cupboards and the fridge.
MSG was in everything! The Campbell's soups, the Hostess Doritos, the Lays flavored potato chips, Top Ramen, Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Heinz canned gravy, Swanson frozen prepared meals, Kraft salad dressings, especially the 'healthy low fat' ones. The items that didn't have MSG had something called Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, which is just another name for Monosodium Glutamate. It was shocking to see just how many of the foods we feed our children everyday are filled with this stuff. They hide MSG under many different names in order to fool those who catch on.
But it didn't stop there. When our family went out to eat, we started asking at the restaurants what menu items had MSG. Many employees, even the managers, swore they didn't use MSG. But when we ask for the ingredient list, which they grudgingly provided, sure enough MSG and Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein were everywhere. Burger King, McDonalds, Wendy's, Taco Bell, every restaurant, even the sit down ones like TGIF, Chilis', Applebees and Denny's use MSG in abundance. Kentucky Fried Chicken seemed to be the WORST offender: MSG was in every chicken dish, salad dressing and gravy. No wonder I loved to eat that coating on the skin, their secret spice was MSG!
http://www.rense.com/general52/msg.htm
http://www.msgfacts.com/aboutus.html
Not only does MSG make good food taste better for consumers, new studies show that MSG may play a role in the overall health and nutrition of people who need it most. Aging, as well as a number of diseases and illnesses, decrease our ability to taste and smell. This decrease in our senses is a major contributor to poor nutritional status in populations like the elderly, making it increasingly difficult for doctors and nutritionists to ensure that their patients get much-needed nutrients. Studies have found that adding MSG to certain foods, such as soup and mashed potatoes, has been successful in increasing the food intake in institutionalized elderly populations.
The above is taken from the site of the Glutamate Association "MSG facts".
http://www.msgfacts.com/aboutus.html
The Glutamate Association, established in 1977, is an association of manufacturers, national marketers, and processed food users of glutamic acid and its salts, principally the flavor enhancer, monosodium glutamate (MSG). Among the Association's international members are many of the world's largest food companies involved in such diverse areas as the manufacturing and marketing of food ingredients, spice and flavor blends, and canned, frozen and other packaged prepared foods.
"...................."
"Based upon the thorough review and endorsement of MSG's safety by international regulatory authorities and the scientific community, The Glutamate Association supports the use of MSG as a safe and extremely effective flavor enhancer, increasing the palatability of a wide variety of foods.
http://www.msgfacts.com/aboutus.html
Originally posted by ivanhoeI certainly think it's possible, but I think it unlikely.
The effects you describe are very familiar to me.
[b]Murrow: ".... whoever tells you the effects are a myth are in the pay of the msg factories."
Right. It is high time for real independent and unbiased scientific research to convince the health authorities of the very unpleasant and undesirable health effects MSG can trigger in people who a ...[text shortened]... ll improve your overall health !
MSG IS THE NICOTINE OF THE FOOD INDUSTRY.[/b]
If it were in everything, we would all be overweight, or at least the overwhelming majority since most of us eat many of the same things.
MSG might not help matters but I doubt it's the cause of all the overweight/unhealthy people.
Food is addictive. After I haven't eaten for a while I get mad cravings and have to eat something 🙂
If you want to blame someone for so many people being overweight, blame the people themselves. Loosing or maintaining a healthy weight is as simple as eating less and exersizing more.
What's more likely, a worldwide conspiracy to make everyone eat more and therefore fat, or, people are basically lazy and enjoy eating?