Reaction to MSG

If you have health problems that the doctors cannot fix, then consider your bodies reaction to MSG. Beyond the basic definition of MSG, we are left with the question of what is MSG to our body.

What is MSG?

It is difficult to define what MSG is to our body. It is even more difficult to identify an adverse reaction to the consumption of MSG since there are so many different names for MSG.

You may have an adverse reaction to MSG from food, drugs, cosmetics, or supplements and never know the cause.

The most common reaction to MSG is Monosodium Glutamate Symptom complex. It was first described in 1968 as the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome.

Both anecdotal reports and small clinical studies attribute various symptoms resulting from MSG in our diet. These symptoms include...

• MSG-induced asthma
• headache
• migraine headache
• throbbing headache
• feeling of head expanding and contracting
• dizziness
• pin prick sensations
• jaw tightness
• throat tightness
• upper back tightness
• dry mouth
• flushing
• urticaria
• angio-edema
• pitting pedal edema
• polyps
• rhinitis

One 20078 study found that perennial rhinitis with bilateral numerous internal polyps was caused by MSG intolerance.

MSG has a widespread reputation for eliciting a variety of symptoms, ranging from headache to dry mouth to flushing.

Irrational Disbelief Syndrome

If you have ever seen the Irrational Disbelief Syndrome Commercials starting in 2009, then you might appreciate the following. In one of the scenes in the commercial, a man says he has only one word to say about gravity....no way.

MSG has become one of the many 'Irrational Disbelief Syndromes' that plague mankind. Some will have the same comment. In effect, they will comment, 'I have only one word to say about reactions to MSG." No way.

In literature, there are numerous reports of an MSG-sensitive population. The problem is that according to literature, there is no demonstrable reaction to MSG using placebo-controlled trials.

This presents numerous challenges.

One, some doctors who do not deal with this often will not believe it is a real problem or if they do, the problem may not be connected to MSG. With no science to back this, there will be little support.

This is not a doctors do not want you to know thing. Many progressive doctors work on what is called evidence based medicine. This means they diagnose and treat based on the evidence. With a lack of evidence, they have to rely on the art of medicine. Those who are progressive but who have not left the common sense of the art of medicine will be able to see the big picture.

One thing that is for certain. If you have an awareness of MSG causing problems, then you probably know that you do better if you avoid MSG. Many who have a sensitivity to MSG can tell within a few hours of ingesting even a small amount, such as in one portion of one meal.

Reaction to MSG, Not an Allergy

The reactions to MSG, often thought to be allergic in nature, is in reality may be a toxicity response.

According to the Merck Manual, in some people, food additives can cause a reaction that resembles but is not an allergic reaction. For example, monosodium glutamate (MSG)"

With this knowledge, there is a simple protective step that some have taken to be able to have a life in a world where MSG is everywhere. So it is possible to go out to dinner, have your steak and eat it too.

The option, take the MSG antidote. More on this later.

Migraine Headache Reaction to MSG

Relpax (eletriptan HBr) one of the newest migraine headache medications now lists MSG as a trigger of headaches. Many sites on the web will list this a reaction however, it is poorly reported in peer reviewed medical literature.

Allergy, Intolerance, Toxicity or Poison

Few people have true food allergies. Most have what are more correctly called food intolerance. Sometimes food intolerance's are actually misdiagnosed when they are in reality a toxic reaction or a reaction to being poisoned.

For instance, many who have felt they had an intolerance to milk (lactose intolerance) found that when drinking organic milk or eating organic yogurt they did not have the symptoms they were afflicted with for years.

The reaction was the effects of being poisoned by the hormones given to cows that end up in the milk.

One hypothesis is that MSG could be a significant causative and pathogenic factor of cancer. Before you get to excited about spreading this on the web, remember, this is just a hypothesis.

Hypothesis of the cause and development of neoplasms

Excitotoxin And Neurotoxin

Peer reviewed medical literature refers to MSG and the reaction it causes in the body as either an excitotoxin or neurotoxic. The result, MSG is a neuro-excitotoxin.

The nerve pathways in the body are stimulated, activated and affected by MSG. Since MSG stimulates, there is a potential for some foods that you may be intolerant to have a more adverse reaction. In the case of allergies, this could result in an even greater allergic reaction.

MSG causes reactions in the nerve cells. This starts in the mouth where the process first starts. Then as it is absorbed, other cells in the body start to be affected. This is dependent in part on the distribution by the blood and lymph. The next most dramatic effect of MSG is in the brain.

The most common response is the stimulation of hunger, taste, and smell.

It is the over stimulation that causes the intolerance problems in some. Since is can be lethal to your pet lab rat, as a neuro-excitotoxin, there are numerous reasons to avoid it.

Reaction to MSG Symptoms Include...

• burning sensation on the neck
• burning feeling on the shoulders and torso and arms
• burning sensation on the thighs
• numbness or pressure in the face
• chest pain or heart palpitations
• nausea
• vomiting
• head pain
• migraines
• flushing and sweating
• wheezing
• feelings of pin pricks in the above areas
• pedal edema

Some have noted that the reactions are worse if foods with MSG are eaten on an empty stomach or if there is a greater amount of MSG in the food.

Symptoms tend to show up in as little as one half hour and as long as two hours after eating food that has MSG.

These symptoms usually go away after a few hours.

More severe reactions can result in a visit to the emergency room of your hospital.

Some have found that MSG in combination with Prolactin (hormones in cows milk) can cause the symptoms to become more long lasting and severe.

Although it is possible to avoid MSG in you home, it may not be so easy when eating out. A solution for some is to supplement their diets with the antidote to MSG.

If it Works for Your Pet Lab Mice, Then....?

In this study...it was observed that MSG, above 4 mg/g body weight, produced oxidative stress which was counteracted by the body by maintaining the level of glutathione, which was done by increasing the activity of its metabolizing enzymes.

Studies on the effects of MSG in Mice

So if the body reacts to MSG by increasing the glutathione, what happens when the GSH is boosted with supplements? Some have found that supplementing glutathione production with glutathione boosting co-factors can actually help aleve the symptoms of MSG.

So when friends and families are going out to supper, you can too. All you have to do is to take one of the supplements that will have the fastest onset. There are two ways to boost the glutathione in the body.

One GSH boosting supplement is convenient to do on the go. This may just eliminate the reaction to MSG that many experience.

The second is called the Water Cures Protocol. Take a pinch of unprocessed sea salt and dissolve it in your mouth. Then drink a glass of water, about 10% of your body weight will work. This not only hydrates your cells but it also increases your glutathione, setting up your body to protect its self.

Do You Have a Unique Reaction to MSG?

If you have a unique reaction to MSG, would you please share? Contact Us

N Acetylcysteine: The MSG Antidote

Effects of MSG More on the effects of MSG.

Foods that Contain MSG A comprehensive list.

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