MSG - "Poisoning" chain letter meme

[Buffy]

I got a chain letter meme the other day that's obviously making the rounds initiated by a self-published book that goes by the same name as on the subject line of the chain letter: MSG-the slow poisoning of America.

The basic thesis is this: MSG is used by scientists to cause obesity in mice. MSG has been much more widely used in mainstream products (non-Chinese food!), and thus it may be causing the massive increase in obesity that we see occuring. Others claim all sorts of horrid things like ADHD, Alzheimers, Alcoholism, High blood pressure, migraine headaches and even Tinnitus.

I did some research and there are a few folks who have put up sites detailing their own horrific experiences with the nasty side effects claimed (see: http://www.msgtruth.org/ , and http://www.msgmyth.com/ ). The industry apparently does use the stuff all over the place (its not just for Chinese food anymore!), and has its own counter-propaganda site (http://www.msgfacts.com). Snopes is interestingly silent on the subject (so far).

Its really hard to find any unbiased info on the topic. Does anyone know anything definitive?

Cheers,
Buffy

[C1ay]

Originally Posted by Buffy

The basic thesis is this: MSG is used by scientists to cause obesity in mice. MSG has been much more widely used in mainstream products (non-Chinese food!), and thus it may be causing the massive increase in obesity that we see occuring.

A news story I read the other day suggests that the increased use of fructose as a sweetener could be contributing significantly because it causes you to feel hungrier than you really are.

Story here.

[Racoon]

Scary thought! Hmmmm..Some people must want us obese and sick
The only thing I know about Mono- Sodium- Glutimate is that It is A JUGGERNAUT of a molecule!!! (ie Sumo Wrestler of Molecules!)
And that although I don't have an allergic reaction to it, it does make me feel bloated and lethargic.
Thanks Buffy! another thing I gotta' worry about/ look out for...

[Celeste]

I have a terrible intolerance to MSG. It makes my heart beat erratic. (PVC's)
I've even had to be taken to the emergency room because it has been so bad.

MSG is a sodium salt of Glutamic Acid, an amino acid and is a drug. It acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter.

I've found it listed as an ingredient in packaged gravies, spices, processed chicken nuggetts and most packaged frozen dinners, canned foods, drinks, candy, and any of the foods that have one of these listed:
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Hydrolyzed Protein
Hydrolyzed Plant Protein
Plant Protein Extract
Sodium Caseinate
Calcium Caseinate
Yeast Extract
Textured Protein (Including TVP)
Autolyzed Yeast
Hydrolyzed Oat Flour
Corn Oil

[Mercury]

I find it strange the time I first heard about people's intolerance to MSG-ed food. Monosodium glutamate is basically a salt. Glutamate acid is an amino acid and the excessive ones are flushed out from our body through urine…

To me, MSG is the most wonderful creation in culinary.

[Drip Curl Magic]

wow, that's good to know. I guess I should start paying attention to what's in my food from now on. Luckily, I'm naturally skinny as a twig, so I don't really need to worry about getting fat... but it still doesn't sound like a drug that I want in my food. ick.

[Michaelangelica]

Originally Posted by Celeste

I have a terrible intolerance to MSG. It makes my heart beat erratic. (PVC's)
I've even had to be taken to the emergency room because it has been so bad.

Its ubiquitous in supermarkets.
I try to avoid it but can't.
I have a bad reaction to large amounts of it too.
I react as if I have been given amphetamine.
My heart races, I am "speedy", aggressive, illogical, can't spell, can't sleep then 18-24 hours later I collapse sleep for a day or two then spend two days in a "brain fog"
My worst experience was from a Japanese BBQ restaurant who kept dosing the vegetables with a huge shaker of what I thought was overdoing the salt.

[Celeste]

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica
I react as if I have been given amphetamine.
My heart races, I am "speedy", aggressive, illogical, can't spell, can't sleep then 18-24 hours later I collapse sleep for a day or two then spend two days in a "brain fog"

Your reaction makes perfect sense. I too, feel like I've just been given amphetamines. Staying away from it is almost impossible if you enjoy "simple foods" from time to time. Even eating Doritos are out for me.

Glutamate is the most common excitatory (stimulating) neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Intravenous injections of glutamic acid (as monosodium glutamate) have been shown to increase exercise tolerance and heart function in people with stable angina pectoris. It has also been shown to restore normal heart rates in those suffering from Bradycardia (very low heart rates). Am J Cardiol 1991;68:291-5.

Because over stimulation of glutamate receptors is thought to be a possible cause of certain neurological diseases (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [Lou Gehrig’s disease] and epilepsy), people with a neurological disease should consult of physician before supplementing with any form of glutamate.
J Neurology 1998

(Not so) happy eating,
Celeste

[Michaelangelica]

I love Japanese food

So a friend has written a little card for me in Japanese, which I flash in restaurants, which says:
"Do not give this White Devil MSG he will DIE and then sue you"

It seems to have worked so far

How can the Japanese cope with so much MSG????

[CraigD]

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

How can the Japanese cope with so much MSG????

Based on what I’ve read of it, the mystery is not “how can the Japanese (or Americans, or nearly any other nationality) cope with so much MSG?”, but “why do some people have adverse reactions to it?”

As Mercury noted back in January, MSG is just a carrier salt for the essential amino acid Glutamate acid. It’s an essential amino acid, meaning we can’t synthesize it internally, so must ingest it. It plays a major role in both cell metabolism and neurology, and is present in significant levels in most tissues. It’s found in significant quantities in many different foods, both plant and animal – according to the linked wikipedia article, the flavor-enhancing effect of MSG can be produced by selecting MSG-free food ingredients rich in glutamate acid. MSG is just a modern, 20th century culinary “cheat” for achieving a taste via more difficult cooking techniques.

The MSG salt breaks down quickly, so it’s hard to imagine how one’s body can “know” that the Glutamate acid came from it, rather than a more natural source.

According to the wikipedia article for MSG, a lot of scientists have attempted to determine how it causes adverse reactions, without success, though generating a lot of speculation.

Though one hears reference to “MSG allergy”, this appears to be a figure of speech and a misnomer, as it’s almost inconceivable that an immune system could recognize and generate a true allergic response to the salt or any of its breakdown products. Likewise, neither MSG not Glutamate acid can technically be called a poison.

Though it’s likely not very comforting it you’re MSG-sensitive and get a bad reaction to an unexpected dose of it, MSG-sensitive science enthusiasts can at least find consolation in being participants in an ongoing scientific mystery.