The term “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” has been associated with those that think MSG has somehow caused one or more of their ailments. For the uneducated, ignorant and those that believe in the conspiracy theories surrounding MSG, here a few facts.

MSG is a flavor enhancer, and its principal component is an amino acid called glutamic acid or glutamate. Glutamate is found naturally in protein-containing foods such as meat, vegetables, poultry and milk. The human body also produces glutamate naturally in large amounts. The muscles, brain and other body organs contain about four pounds of glutamate, and human milk is rich in glutamate, compared to cow’s milk, for example.

MSG is a natural product which is usually produced through fermentation, a process similar to that used in making beer, vinegar and yogurt. The process usually begins with the fermentation of corn, sugar beets or sugar cane. The finished product is a pure, white crystal which dissolves easily and blends well in many foods.

The University of Texas School of Public Health, the University of Texas Health Science Center and Harvard University School of Public Health conducted a study on MSG involving 3000 participants. They found that less than 2 percent of respondents reported symptoms characteristic of Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, and only 6 individuals associated these characteristics with consumption of Chinese food. In contrast, forty-three percent of respondents associated unpleasant symptoms with all kinds of foods and eating environments.

Department of Physiology, George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Services conducted a study in 1985. Individuals with purported symptoms of Chinese Restaurant Syndrome consumed a liquid solution containing 6 grams of MSG and an MSG-free control solution for comparison in a double-blind test.

The result. None responded only to MSG. 33% of the subjects reacted slightly to both the control solution and to the MSG solution, while the remaining people had no reaction to either solution. The study confirmed that MSG does not cause Chinese Restaurant Syndrome in most people who claimed to suffer from the syndrome.

There’s a lot more, and I won’t bore you with that now. The point is, MSG has never been proven clinically to cause harm to humans. Instead, people use it the same way they use fibromyalgia. It’s a quick target to blame for what ails you with no conclusive diagnosis.

I know I’ll take some heat on this. If you care to throw barbs, at least back it up with substantiated and legitimate studies, and good luck with that.

Below is a list of some of the maladies people associate MSG. I’m not sure I could expand on this. It includes everything from symptoms associated with smoking, bad digestive symptoms and bowel disease, (read: bad diet), ADHD, runny noses and being (fat) overweight.

- Severe headache
- Shortness of breath, chest pains, asthma
- Slowed speech
- Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting
- Swelling, pain, or numbness of hands, feet, jaw
- Chronic bronchitis-like symptoms, allergy reactions, dry cough, hoarseness or sore throat
- Irregular heart beat or blood pressure, racing heart
- Pain in joints or bones
- Heavy, weak feeling in arms and legs
- Depression or mood change, bipolar, SAD
- Flushing or tingling in face, chest, pressure behind eyes
- Irritable bowel or colitis
- Abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, colitis, IBS
- Gagging reflex or difficulty swallowing
- Attention deficit disorder, anxiety attacks, rage, panic attacks
- Balance problems, dizziness, or seizures, mini-strokes
- Hyperactivity, behavioral problems
- Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, fibromyalgia, MS, Parkinson’s
- Tenderness in localized areas, neck, back, etc.
- Chronic post nasal drip
- Pressure behind eyes or on head, neck, shoulders
- Sleep disorders
- Skin rash, itching, hives
- ADD, ADHD, Rage Disorder
- Blurred vision or difficulty breathing
- Bloated face, dark circles under strained eyes
- Asthma
- Chronic fatigue or sleepiness
- Extreme thirst or dry mouth
- Weight problems, obesity, hypoglycemia
- Excessive perspiring or shuddering and chills
- Difficulty concentrating and poor memory

I’m off to get some Chinese food. So there.

Fact source. www.msgfacts.com

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