MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) Poisoning

Vitamin c megadose for severe msg sickness:

Sharing my experience with msg toxicity. Easy to narrow down the culprit, the only thing I ate that day was a clear soup with veggies, and a couple of dumplings. Husband was fine, he doesn't really have 'clean' diet. So his poisons are there, doing their long-term damage, but the immediate effects are hidden. Recall thinking this is too tasty to be just pork and spices. That day, nausea, lethargy, head pains. Bed early. Next morning, weakness, nausea, lethargy. Head pain, lower back pain. Concerned about kidneys. I am bedridden. Trying to drink enough water and resting. Think I just need rest. No. My entire four days off work I am ill. Finally forced to go Dr because I am due back at work.

Discussion with doctor, I have msg poisoning, head pain, lower back pain. I am worried about my kidneys. Educate doctor on excitotoxins, Dr says kidneys are fine, how does he know, he hasn't tested my kidneys, but explains no blood in urine, reason for pain is excitotoxins have attacked nerves. I am very relieved my kidneys are ok, and now know I need to restore my nerves. Offers antibiotics for virus, which we agree I don't have, antibiotics don't work for virus, and damage gut, and tells to take Ibuprofen, which damages gut. But he has forced my brain out of it's fog, because I've had to respectfully disagree with him.

Go straight to chemist, select least harmful vitamin c, (sorbitol but at least no aspartame) start chewing tablets in the store. 2000 mg to start. Then 1000 mg an hour. Then every half hour. 2000 mg. I eat them like lollies. It takes a day and a half to see improvement. And another day and half to be 'well'. Bowel tolerance was not reached at this high dose, further confirming depletion.

But the worst part of this poison was the effect it had on my brain, my thinking, which I did not know at the time. The reason I know my brain was affected, clouded? The answer lies in the Taurine and GABA, large containers, bought specifically for their msg neutralising properties, sitting in plain sight on the kitchen bench. I also could not think of the vitamin C, my go to, even though I was out and awaiting delivery. This is the scariest part, if msg can do this amount of damage to brain, nerves, immediately, what extent of damage over one's lifetime?!

Best to all looking for better health.

Hello I become very allergic to MSG. All kinds of things happen to me. I recently found something you can take that keeps away the bad side effects. It is taking 1/4 tsp of Cream of Tartar. it really works and I feel fine after. I just have to make sure I don't eat out too often. Please take care,

Hi, just now read the post on msg and reports of heart rhythm abnormalities. I respectfully disagree regarding msg's potency. All animals and all humans -- including those of Asian descent -- react to MSG with a variety of adverse physiological symptoms ranging from mild to severe. MSG is a potent neurotoxin. Even in the smallest amounts, it can -- among other things --affect heart rhythm, which is a neurological/electrolytic hiccup in the heart. It is also added to most "natural" and organic prepared foods, and nearly all "natural" pet foods. Check out the Truth in Labeling site for a long list of symptoms and pseudonyms.

First of all, if you are trusting the government to be responsible for your health, you will probably die an early, painful death, because they don't give a rip about it.

Secondly, consider what people will do for money. Corporate America is full of corruption. That's not to say that all is bad, any more than all of government is bad. But more often than not, corporate executives spend their day trying to figure out how to justify their jobs. So if they can find a way to make more money, they will. If it involves food additives that make you eat more, they don't care, as long as it's padding their pocket. This is the absolute truth: MSG IS hidden under other names. There are contracts in place that prevent disclosure of "secret" ingredients. So go on thinking that the government will protect with it's regulations if that's what you think. But when you come up with cancer, you'll be on your own. The government won't be there to help you.

Thank you! My goal now, honed over the last few years of increasing msg sensitivity, and now down-right visible, allergic reaction to soy sauce, is: if it doesn't fall off a tree, isn't pulled out of the ground, or wasn't just hit over the head -- don't eat it.

What I hope for, in the future, is more understanding from others - friends and relatives - who don't feel msg effects (yet). Really, I'm not nutty. I don't want to seem rude or ungrateful. I just want to feel healthy. Really I would love to eat that soy sauce soaked, surgared up Galbi beef - but I know, from too much past experience, that the dizziness, confusion, aching joints, swollen fingers, dead feeling stomach (for the next 3-5 days), migraine, incontenince, and rash or hives --- just isnt' worth it. :)

Twice lately, I've gotten a really bad stomach ache from Arby's. Not a normal one but due to a gall bladder attack. My gall bladder Always reacts to MSG that way and I can tell the difference between an MSG attack and a regular stomach ache. Arby's claims it doesn't use MSG but what about other "flavor enhancers" like disodium inosinate or disodium guanylate?

My legs swell up from MSG. I didn't realize immediately then I started to notice it as I ate different foods. I am very careful about what I eat. I avoid all processed foods but they sneak MSG in restaurants and after a while the back of my legs start to swell. I'm very happy I have found ways to flush it out asap!

Hi Kimmi -

You recipe sounds delish - however one problem... those chicken "flavoured" ramen noodles are chock FULL of MSG.

I had the worst reaction ever after eating them. I love the taste, but they make me sick as a dog.

Just saying, anyone who has issues with nerve toxins and wants to stay away from MSG should not eat this!

Carly

Very interesting! I have been seeing a doc for ventricular arrhythmia (they can't find out why I have it, either), and he prescribed slow release magnesium for me, even though my tests have come back with NORMAL magnesium levels. Do you think doctors know the link between MSG and arhythmias? I have had severe classical migraine since I was 3 years old, and I am a type 1 diabetic. HARD to get off aspartame when you are a diabetic, and I consider it poison, too. I heard Taurine may help with MSG sensitivity. Damn! This crap is in everything I eat-all my fav foods. I wondered why folks lined up for BLOCKS to get Chik-Fil-A chicken.... loaded with the stuff! I am overweight, and I find I overeat MOST after foods high in MSG. This is NOT FUNNY! I saw the studies on how to make obese mice... Give them MSG... which I now call 'RAT POISON"!

Sadly I was raised on frozen food, hot dogs and McDonald's. During my childhood in the late 60's and 70's, “convenience foods” were considered a boon to many “modern” mothers. Especially mine, who was widowed young. Supposedly MSG toxicity is cumulative. I believe it, because now in my 50's if I have even one meatball from a packaged meal, I get a blinding headache, and violently sick to my stomach. 24 hours later, I can barely move, have difficulty breathing, heart palpitations; AND an unquenchable thirst! It is an absolute nightmare. For the people asking about L-Glutamine triggering similar symptoms as MSG: I am sad to report that I can NOT tolerate L-Glutamine supplements at all. I get the same horrible symptoms that I get from consuming MSG in foods, just my experience after many tests. I also do not tolerate any roasted nuts very well. I occasionally eat a few raw nuts; but even raw walnuts can trigger a mild headache. (Walnuts are high in naturally occurring L-Glutamine.) I have noticed Vitamin A helps me, magnesium Glycinate, taurine, and raw coconut water, as one contributor mentioned. It has to be raw coconut water, nothing packaged. I also take potassium to offset the high sodium imbalances after accidentally ingesting MSG. I eat very simply 98% of the time. Eggs from my own chickens, raw goat or cow milk from local farms, and raw cheese and butter. I can't recommend raw milk enough, do some research, it's been an absolute God send for me. Look into Weston Price, wonderful website with lots of information and great resources. I hope this helps someone; for many years, it has been a very confusing, uphill battle to understand what was wrong with me. After many meals, I would not only react as if I'd been poisoned; BUT I FELT like I was poisoned!! Meanwhile, everyone else who has eaten the same meal as I had, felt absolutely fine. So bewildering and depressing! I believe I developed this debilitating allergy due to constantly consuming foods laced with MSG from the time I was 3yrs old until about 35yrs old, when I started searching for answers. Sending my best wishes to any and everyone caught in the nightmare of navigating MSG toxicity.. 🙏🏼

On eczema, I believe removing the cause is the best cure. The causative factor is usually soap. No matter what kind - if it's soap, don't use it. One of our psychiatrists came in with a classic case of exzema (in his forties). I took one look at him and remarked, "that looks itchy, is it?" He said yes. When I caught him without an audience, I asked him if he ever tried leaving off soap for his eczema. He said he had and it got better at first, then got worse.

This almost threw me off track, until I thought to ask him what he used instead of soap. He replied that he didn't remember the name of it but it was some kind of medicated cream. I then suggested that he try leaving off soap again and not using any thing instead. He was surprised when told to just use a thick, wash cloth and water when bathing, nothing else, but agreed to give it a try. Several days later when he was next on call, he came in with the smoothest complexion and very happy with it.

People who forgo the use of soap also find that they have less body odor and attract fewer insect bites.

Again, on headaches, remove the cause, instead of looking for a cure. Aspartame (Nutrisweet) is well known for causing headaches. So is Monosodiumglutamate. If you want to find some other things they can cause, type in Excitotoxins, and hit search. For those who think MSG is only found in stir-fried (Chinese foods), make a list of the names MSG is hidden under in the ingredients list, then go into your kitchen and see how many of your foods have one or more of them listed in the ingredients.

Classic example is the 15% chicken broth that may be contained in a well-known brand of raw chicken that you must take home and cook...The MSG isn't mentioned because they didn't add MSG - they added chicken broth which contained the MSG.....Learn to protect yourself and your loved ones by learning these legal loop-holes. Oh, yes, you will also learn that that they are named excitotoxins because they excite the neural cells (Brain & Central nervous system) to death.

If you also research meta-bolic syndrome X (now called insulin resistance) by orthodox medicine) you will also find that excitotoxins are the same things that cause insulin resistance which ends up as full fledged Diabetes Mellitus,Type 2 which used to be called DM, adult onset, but was renamed to DM type 1 for juvenile onset and type 2 for adult onset, because children (even toddlers, are now developing type 2. So be your own health defender by learning all the names the excitotoxins are hidden under, stop buying these products, and write the supplier telling them why you aren't buying their product. You will only have to make one list because the excitotoxins are the same ones that makes us kick out excess insulin, proceed through insulin resistance, then to full fledged DM, type 2 and all of its complications.

Dear Jim,

My husband's best friend has a daughter who used to work at Arby's and at the time she worked there they did not use real beef.

I learned the hard way that the gallbladder needs saturated fat to contract.

You could be reacting to any combination of things...even the bread because GMO's are in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. I do not believe anyone can legitimately claim "non-GMO" just due to wind and bird droppings. This makes assimilation difficult. Degrees of infiltration will vary.

There is a list of hidden sources of MSG @ www.truthinlabeling.org

There is a book called, "A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives" by Ruth Winter, M.S. that is very good...not 100% but is informative if you can obtain a copy.

I truly hope you find some answers that help you. It has taken me over two decades of piecemeal learning by the process of elimination how toxic our entire food supply has become.

KT

I just got hit by what I think was MSG poisoning

I went to get my health check for my driving license - required in U.A.E. for anyone over sixty

Night before I'd been at the company Christmas splash, drank a bit, ate a lot of fancy food in a swanky hotel...in the morning I felt a bit woozy, but nothing an expreso couldn't fix

So they took my blood pressure.. normally if I drink, morning-after it's 140/90

It was 190/120

Crazy

I didn't feel bad particularly, but the doctor wasn't going to give me a "Medical Fitness Certificate", and he had that look they get when they think they will need to talk to the loved-ones soon.

My wife had noticed I came back from work with a red face for the past few weeks...coincided with opening of a Pakistani Restaurant near us, she said I was drinking too much, I said "don't worry"

190/120 is so, something...I got freaked out - didn't drink...in a day my BP went down to 147/100...that must have been it!!

Next day, went to lunch at the Pakistani restaurant that just opened up near where I work...came home at 18:00...BP 170/110

Thinks...Could it NOT be the drink? Perhaps it's the food from the Pakistani restaurant...VERY TASTY

Goes on internet...remembers sensitivity to MSG in the past

So they say the cure is drink in liters 3%-to-5% of body weight (one liter = 1 kilo) to flush out the glutamate

That causes arteries to constrict...so BP goes up, so I did that

Then I figured..."alcohol dilates arteries"...I drank 1/4-bottle of whisky

BP went down to 130/90 in two hours

Glad to know I'm not dying

Hello, Here is the most comprehensive list I have seen of foods to stay away if you are attempting to avoid MSG:

http://www.msgtruth.org/avoid.htm

I started thinking about fast foods and MSG after talking about MSG with a fellow ECer. Quite a while back I realized that after I stopped eating MSG for a month or so - if I ate at Arby's - the roast beef in their sandwich had so much MSG in it that it actually made the tip of my tongue hurt! Funny, I had never noticed it before. The web said that Arby's took out MSG a decade ago. Well, they may have taken out MSG, but there is something going by another name that is MSG in that meat as far as my tongue is concerned!

KFC is also a huge user of MSG and does the same thing to me. There is actually so much added to the chicken coating that I can "feel" it on my tongue.

I hardly ever eat any fast food anymore. It seems to be in almost everything.

I believe that the addictive nature of the chemicals / high fructose corn syrup (a GMO item) and MSG are responsible for the obesity and poor health of Americans today.

I am 50. When I was a child I do not recall there being more than 2 or 3 kids in my entire grade school who were overweight. Look around you the next time you are out in a crowd.... It is shocking how obese we are as a society. Don't even get me started on the rate of childhood diabetes these days!

My opinion - ALL are due to the additives in fast and processed foods!

I don't have a severe, life threatening allergy to this nerve excito-toxin called MSG, thank God. I don't know how people who do even cope. I just get a pounding headache a few hours after eating an offending food item, which can last anywhere from a day to three, - depending on how much I ingested - which is total misery.

Anyway, just a few random thoughts and a cool website I thought I would throw out there.

Carly :)

I can always tell if I've had too much MSG when my nail beds or cuticles get very tender & red for about 1 day; also get hyper and maybe some anxiety.

As avoidance from food additives can be unproductively restrictive, I always keep my pocket size Vit. Bottle on hand while eating out. Here's a good protocol to protect the body from these nasty foreigners: before you even enter the parking lot of the restaurant take 1grm Vit-C (preferably w/ bioflavonoids), while eating take 1 or 2 whole food multi, selenium, CoQ10 or Ubiquinone, fish oil, and any superfood antioxidant ( I am currently taking "Grapeseed/GreenTea/PineBark Extract" in caps). There are some really good flavonoid rich superberry complex extracts available in tabs or caps.

As one ages (as if I really need to reiterate this), these nutrients become increasingly necessary or total avoidance of additives would be necessary. This fact is probably how these unhealthy yet stimulatory agents are allowed in our foods to begin with. Whatever studies are done probably don't include people over 40 or 50. So, many or most folks of the younger ilk slam this stuff down and go buzzing right along (they actually like its stimulation on the palette and brain).

Wydo from Ventura, CA: MSG overexcites the neurons til they become damged and die. According to Dr. Blaylock, Vitamin E, DHA (from DHA or Fish oil capsules), Zinc and Magnesium are the best antitodes to MSG. Zinc in particular is a very good calcium channel blocker. What is that? MSG opens the door for calcium to flood your brain and build up on the dendrae (brain cell endings) which slows down their reaction time and causes alzheimers and other neurodegenerative diseases. Zinc is a calcium channel blocker and closes that door effectively for about 3 hours after Zinc intake (useful if you know you are about to consume suspect food). Magnesium helps control that more effectively, and DHA and Vitamin E help maintain the mitochondria in brain cells. What is that for? Mitochondria are what keep cells alive, their energy centers. When these mitochondria are compromised as is with MSG intake, the cells malfunction then die. Hope that wasn't too technical but it is important to understand how this functions so we know how to combat it. When I began taking these, my headaches after my noodles stopped, as did my flinching and RLS.

Hi Everyone...Just to highlight some dangers of disguised MSG, its labeling, and its effects:

"U.S. food regulators and chemical companies are intentionally making it difficult to avoid M.S.G., by using other names to hide its presence in ingredients lists. Yes, they really are trying to dumb us down, and these deceptions are allowed as a matter of official policy."

"Common Names Used To Hide M.S.G. In Ingredients Lists
Gelatin
Calcium Caseinate
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP)
Textured Protein
Monopotassium glutamate
Hydrolyzed Plant Protein (HPP)
Yeast Extract
Sodium Glutamate
Glutamate
Autolyzed Plant Protein
Yeast Food
Yeast Nutrient
Glutamic Acid
Sodium Caseinate
Autolyzed Yeast
Vegetable Protein Extract
Soy Protein
Hydrolyzed Corn Gluten
Natural Flavor *
Artificial Flavor
Spice *
Senomyx **

* Since the F.D.A. has intentionally left "Natural Flavor" and "Spice" without meaningful definitions, the chemical companies freely use these names to hide the presence of toxins in your foods. The system works this way by design.

** Senomyx -- We are not going to report what this chemical is, because you would have trouble believing us. Read about it yourself, and stay away from it. Naturally, the F.D.A. has awarded it a G.R.A.S. (Generally Recognized As Safe) rating, with it only having been "scientifically" tested by its manufacturer (wink). Now get this, for here comes the real kicker: this stuff is going to be marketed to the health-conscious consumers in much the same way that canola oil has been. Are there any doubts remaining about what the real agenda is?"

"[MSG's] commercial use is permitted only due to its marketing before the 1958 Food Additive Amendments to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which in effect grandfathered hundreds of substances which had never been tested for safety, including MSG..."

"Certain neuroscientists have, for years, warned that consumption of neurotoxic amino acids (glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and L-cysteine) place consumers at risk -- with most risk to newborns and young children whose immature blood-brain barriers leave them less well protected than more mature people. There is now additional and growing concern on the part of neuroscientists that the glutamate that we eat may cause or exacerbate neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease."

"Industry has begun to proliferate products with the words 'No MSG', 'No Added MSG', or 'No MSG Added' on product labels when the products contain hydrolyzed protein (which invariably contains MSG) -- a practice that is clearly in violation of existing FDA regulations. Hidden MSG is not limited to use in food. MSG sensitive people have reported reactions to soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners, and cosmetics that contain hidden MSG. The most obvious common hiding places are in ingredients called 'hydrolyzed protein' and 'amino acids'. Drinks, candy and chewing gum are also potential sources of hidden MSG... Binders and fillers for medications, nutrients, and supplements, both prescription and non-prescription, including internal feeding materials and some fluids administered intravenously in hospitals, may contain MSG. Reactions to MSG are dose related, i.e., some people react to even very small amounts of MSG while others usually only react to relatively more. MSG-induced reactions may occur immediately after contact or after as much as 48 hours."

-- Aspartame Poisoning Information Canada

"The Documented Effects Of M.S.G. Consumption
- Epilepsy
- Vision Disturbances
- Panic Attacks
- Heart Attacks
- Parkinson's Disease
- Huntington's Disease
- ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Brain Lesions
- Retina Damage
- Obesity
- Food Cravings
- Depleted Nutrients
- Hyperinsulinemia
- Stunted Growth
- Crosses Into The Fetus
- Ocular (Eye) Destruction
- Liver Damage
- Diabetes
- Kidney Damage
- Vastly increased chance of ADD,ADHD, Asperger's or Autism
- Severe Headache
- Shortness Of Breath
- Chest Pains
- Asthma
- Slowed Speech
- Gastrointestinal Disturbances
- Swelling
- Numbness of Hands, Feet, or Jaw
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Allergy Reactions
- Irregular Heart Beat
- Unstable Blood Pressure
- Pain in Joints or Bones
- Abrupt Mood Changes
- Tingling in Face or Chest
- Pressure Behind Eyes
- Difficulty Swallowing
- Anxiety Attacks
- Explosive Rages
- Balance Problems - Dizziness or Seizures
- Mini-Strokes
- Fibromyalgia
- MS
- Tenderness in localized areas, neck, back, etc.
- Chronic Post Nasal Drip
- Sleep Disorders
- Blurred Vision
- Chronic Fatigue
- Extreme thirst or Dry Mouth
- Hypoglycemia
- Difficulty Concentrating and Poor Memory"

Information from:
http://healthwyze.org/index.php/neutralizing-msg.html

One of the best ways to remove or neutralize MSG from your body is to supplement with Taurine. This is a required amino acid for your body that is non-toxic and easy to purchase. Taurine completely neutralizes the effects of MSG.

WARNING!

Be careful with supplements. They are FULL of MSG ingredients. I had a four-month MSG headache because of a calcium supplement with maltodextrin. Having heard that a calcium deficiency caused headaches, I would take extra and make the headache worse & worse. It was a nightmare that messed up my life well beyond the miserable four months. Now I'm having the same trouble finding a magnesium supplement that doesn't give the same headache, though I don't know which of the ingredients is the problem.

Unfortunately, it is not just government or corporate titans at fault. It is much the public at large and consumers everywhere that are to blame.

Many are unaware or not that interested in gaining more knowledge about the foods that we eat and the products that we buy. For many of us, the assumption has been that if the food item is available at a market or in a restaurant, it must be safe to eat. But that may no longer be the case.

Now here is a natural compound that nevertheless should not be added to foods. MSG is a sodium salt form of one of the non-essential amino acids, glutamic acid. Not the tastiest thing on its own, when you add MSG to foods it greatly increases that item's savory flavor. Alongside various forms of sugar, it is probably the most effective and widespread food additive for increasing processed food's tastiness.

In the long run, MSG has not been proven to negatively affect human health. Still, that's of little comfort to the millions of people who experience the MSG symptom complex, a wide array of immediate symptoms associated with consumption of MSG. Briefly these include headaches and migraine, heart palpitations, profuse sweating, dizziness, brain fog, and respiratory issues.

Unfortunately, it can take a long time for those who are sensitive to monosodium glutamate to recognize that their symptoms are related to consumption. This is especially true for two reasons; first that MSG is among the food industry's favorite food additives, and second that they hide it under a literally dizzying array of alternate names.

If you are looking for MSG or glutamic acid on your food labels, here are a few of the terms you should be searching for: MSG, glutamic acid, glutamate, (or any variation on all the previous), yeast extract, hydrolyzed items, and soy or whey protein.

Plus a few good internet resources with lengthier lists:

http://www.msgtruth.org/avoid.htm
http://www.truthinlabeling.org/hiddensources.html

Hey the poster is absolutely correct. Whey protein powders (most of the brands) are a denatured food product. When any food (almost any but definitely milk) is cooked low and slow, or processed in a certain way (hydrolyzed, autolyzed etc), the glutamates are freed, creating a very tasty flavor, but trouble for some. Unless you have an excess of glutamate, or your body has trouble clearing excess glutamate, it's tolerated well by people. These lucky folks will be OK for now and sometimes infuriating smug, but they may not be so lucky in the future. There is evidence that eating too much glutamate may lead to Alzheimer's and other similar brain diseases in later years.

Some people have more glutamate receptors in the brain than GABA receptors, and these will have a hard time with whey. There is a brand out there that is not denatured, but I still wouldn't eat it.

I'd just like to add that for myself having anything with msg in sets my acid reflux off really badly. So those of you with acid reflux keep away from it especially!

L taurine is what the body uses to process MSG

I fully agree with you. I'm 50 too and 1) see overweight kids every where, where as a kid there was like only 2-3 out of a class of 30, at most, and 2) have found if I totally cook for myself and so only eat food that nothing was added to - I'm ok, feel great, and my weight is good. BUT --- if I eat out, or if friends cook (who think I'm nutty) and just a dash of that 'natural fish sauce', or just throw in a hot dog - I'm toast. I end up going through a range where the best is just being dizzy for a couple hours, to having hip and knee joints ache, to swollen fingers, to incontenince (oh so joyful), to a sick stomach for 3-5 days, to full on please-help-me migraines. I know this now about me, I can handle it, avoid eating out unless have to because of work or relatives - and most of the time that works. Luckily for me (unlucky for her) my Mom has Celiac disease so she totally understands what I experience and totally doesn't take it personally if she cooks something for relatives and I (like she) doesn't eat it, but eats something different.

Is anyone interested in calling attention to the posting of the words "natural flavors" on labels in the products that we eat and drink? I am seeing it on many products that have organic ingredients. After reading the feedback on EC about natural flavorings and MSG causing heart palpitations and cardiac arrhythmia, I think this might be something worth pursuing. I am going to start writing the companies of products in my house that have "natural flavors" posted in their list of ingredients and inquire more about these flavorings. I have a few brands of tea and juices that I will start with! When I get a response, I will post it on the site. Anyone interested in doing the same? It would be great to compile a list of products with "natural flavors" and company responses. Be interesting to see how companies respond to consumer inquiries on this subject.

According to the Truth in Labeling website, here's how you inquire about MSG:

http://www.truthinlabeling.org/nomsg.html

"If you want to find out if there is processed free glutamic acid (MSG) in a product, you must ask the manufacturer for information about "free glutamic acid." Don't ask about "MSG." Manufacturers find it convenient, when speaking to consumers, to tell them that there is no "MSG" in their product, meaning that there is no ingredient called "monosodium glutamate." Even if a manufacturer tells you there is no MSG in a product, there may be autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed pea protein, carrageenan, sodium caseinate, enzymes, and a whole slew of other ingredients that contain or create processed free glutamic acid (MSG) during manufacture.

If you are told that all of the MSG in a product is "naturally occurring," thank the manufacturer for that meaningless information, but explain that all processed free glutamic acid (MSG) is referred to as "natural" by the FDA -- so "natural" tells you nothing. In fact, as the word "natural" is defined by the FDA, the food ingredient "monosodium glutamate" is "natural."

It is the amount of processed free glutamic acid in the product that will determine whether or not you might suffer an MSG reaction. If the manufacturer claims not to know whether or not there is processed free glutamic acid (MSG) in his or her product, ask that the product be analyzed for free amino acids, including free glutamic acid. There are tests for measuring free glutamic acid. The AOAC Official Methods of Analysis (1984) gives one method. There are others. The cost of testing should be no more than $100...

MSG, or rather monosodium glutamate has to be listed on the label no matter what. It cannot be listed as "natural flavor", "flavor" or "flavorings", but rather must be listed by its specific common or usual name... monosodium glutamate.

Exceptions to this regulation as stated in the Code of Federal Regulations are 1) where the food is presented without a label such as in a restaurant or eating establishment ? this will also apply to "to go" or "take out" orders; 2) in a general grocery store where the product is prepared at the store level and is sold as a RTE (Ready to Eat) item, as in products sold at the deli counter.

I suspect the reason for labeling some things, especially products label "Organic" as "MSG Free" is to achieve the marketing impact reaction of, "well, then if it doesn't say 'MSG Free' it must contain MSG."

The reference cites for my basic argument are listed below -

From the FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service) FAQ web-site:

What substances or ingredients can be listed as "natural flavor," "flavor," or "flavorings" rather than by a specific common or usual name?
Ingredients such as ginger, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, celery powder, and garlic oil may be listed as one of the three categories mentioned above. They may be designated as "natural flavors" because they are substances used chiefly for flavor. They do not make a nutritional contribution, are not derived from an animal species, and there are no health concerns linked to them.

How will I know if there is monosodium glutamate (MSG) in a processed meat or poultry product?

MSG is classified as a flavor enhancer by Federal regulation. When it is added to a product, it must be identified as "monosodium glutamate" on the label.

The actual cites for the FDA regulation are in the Federal Code of Regulations - 21 CFR 101.22; Natural Flavors is covered in subpart a(1, 2 and 3) and monosodium glutamate is covered in subpart h(5).

For FSIS there are two cites for the regulations: Meat (Beef, Lamb, Veal, Pork, others) 9 CFR 317.2; Poultry (Chicken, Duck, Turkey, Goose, others) 9 CFR 381.118.

Also listed in the USDA Food Standards and Labeling Policy Book is a section as below. Though the Labeling Policy Book indicates that these statements are "voluntary", trust me when I say that if an ingredient is one of the "big 8 allergens", specifically monosodium glutamate, it will be on the label.

D. Labeling of Ingredients of Public Health Concern

Because there are foods and food ingredients to which some individuals may have a sensitivity (i.e., an allergic reaction or intolerance), FSIS emphasizes the importance of accurate, informative product labeling. FSIS supports including voluntary statements on labels to alert people who have sensitivities or intolerances to the presence of specific ingredients, particularly the "big 8" allergens (wheat, crustaceans (e.g., shrimp , crab, lobster), eggs, fish, peanuts, milk, tree nuts (e.g., almonds, pecans, walnuts), and soybeans) and other specific ingredients (monosodium glutamate (MSG), sulfites, lactose, and Yellow 5 (tartrazine). FSIS provides the following example: "Contains: milk, wheat gluten, soy." FSIS further supports identifying the source of a specific ingredient in a parenthetical statement, (e.g., "whey (from milk)".)

There are always people who will do things illegally, but my position is based on the law.

Jim

MSG: I learned something else myself in looking this one up.That latest wrinkle of the manufacturers hiding the hydrolyzed plant protein under pea, soy, corn, etc. protein. I guess we are getting the word out somewhat or they wouldn't be shifting names for the most deadly form of all for MSG because it also contains aspartame.

The fact that they haven't attacked Dr. Blaylock personally at this time tells me that he is right in suspecting that they are attacking those helping him get the word out instead, because they know he can prove their lies in court and when that happens, their goose is cooked and they know it.

I wonder if we could get a good class action lawsuit going against the suppliers of monosodium glutamate & aspartame? I would love to see that happen. I know a lot of people who would love to join in that suit.

Have heard two comments now regarding Oxygen Therapy or Hyperbaric Therapy. I am about to give this therapy a go. Also just wanted to say that I think this website is a fantastic forum and agree that the use of Splenda and Aspartame are huge culprits of outbreaks. I haven't had an outbreak for approx 4 weeks now, however I had a chinese dish today for lunch (around 1.30pm) and found out it contained MSG after eating it. I am now experiencing the tingling and itching sensations (now 11.05pm) which are my warning bells going off, so I've taken 2 l-lysine tablets. Not sure what exctly is in MSG but I'm about to search the net for some answers! Will be embarking on the Oxygen Therapy and low carb/high protein diets as protein contains natural l-lysine. Will keep u posted on how it pans out!!

Since I was a child I have had reactions to excitotoxins. Worse in the last 7 years. For a couple of years I was covered with a hot stinging hot rash on my neck and around my eyes, feeling terrible. The allergist said none of my tests showed to much of any one food to be the cause. Than one day my bother said, quit the sugarless drinks, and flavored chips. I did and I got 50% better. I than read the excitotoxin books and now only get reactions though still miserable when I eat out or overlook some ingredient. (at least once or twice a week).

The doctors have mainly given me cortisone to put on my skin. Now I just found out that I have a blood clot in my eye. I know it has something to do with excitotoxins or my overuse of cortisone. I always gain alot of weight during my reaction times. Is it the toxins or the corts causing that. Someone knows but any research out there is buried. $$ I saw an author interviewed on late night comedy channel and he nailed it when he said that our society has gone over the edge in that only corporate $$ values rule.

Question, what to do, I do not want any syndrome, I just want to be healthy.

You are spot on. This is because MSG increases cysteine uptake, and cysteine competes with taurine. Taurine is a heartbeat regulator, so when Taurine uptake is restricted, voila, cardiac arrythmias or other heart issues. MSG is one of many things put in our foods now that increases cysteine levels :( . Hence why Taurine supplementation is important for anyone consuming suspect food. Taurine Knowledge courtesy of Dr Blaylock. I am his biggest fan!

I am particularly sensitive to foods with high free glutamate content whether it be MSG or any other form and I feel great when taking L-Glutamine. 1 yea so far

I react to l-glutamine and to d-glutamine. I stay away from anything that as glutamine in it and anything that has flavours or seasoning. Make it from scratch including soy sauce and you can live with the problem. Just don't buy anything that has been processed.

More on MSG Senomyx

http://www.senomyx.com/company/

"Commercialization...
Senomyx has four savory flavor ingredients that were discovered and developed in-house and have received regulatory approval in the U.S. and many additional countries. Nestlé is currently marketing products that contain one of Senomyx's Savory Flavor Ingredients in the Pacific Rim and Latin America.

Collaborations...
Senomyx has entered into product discovery and development collaborations with seven of the world's leading food, beverage, and ingredient supply companies:

Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Cadbury plc, Campbell Soup Company, The Coca-Cola Company, Firmenich SA, Nestlé SA and Solae. These collaborations provide Senomyx with research and development funding, milestone payments based upon achievement of research or development goals, and royalties on sales of products incorporating our flavor ingredients. We are primarily responsible for the discovery, development and regulatory approval of our new flavor ingredients, while each collaborator will bear the costs and responsibilities for manufacturing, marketing, selling and distributing its consumer products that contain Senomyx flavor ingredients. This arrangement is intended to allow Senomyx to benefit from our collaborators' brand recognition, global market presence, established sales and distribution channels, and other industry specific expertise.

Msg isnt just used for flavor enhancement bob. Why dont you take sometime and really learn about something before making a comment.

MSG and even aspartame are being put into supplements these days. Google Excitotoxins.

Our food sources are coming more and more from a few sources and more and more have things in them (like medicines) which are not good for your health.

Yes yes and yes! I love this idea. I wrote in last month about Lea & Perrins steak sauce causing atrial fib in my mother and me, so I will write this company first and let you all know.

I would like to share my recipe for mayonnaise that I like very much.

Cooked Mayonnaise
Makes 3 Cups

Combine in saucepan:
1/3 c. unbrominated, unbleached, unenriched, natural white flour
1/2 c. sugar
1 t. salt
Add: 3/4 c. water
1/2 c. white vinegar
Cook over low heat, stirring until thickened. Remove from heat and pour into blender. While beating, add:
2 cloves garlic
2 whole eggs
Continue beating and slowly add:
2/3 c. salad oil
Chill before serving.

Sorry I forgot to follow up on my post about the Lea and Perrins Sauce and MSG. I wrote the manufacturer last month and got this response from their customer service: "We checked the L&P Worcestershire Sauce formula and there is no free glutamic acid. Please let me know if anything further is needed." I don't believe this after myself and my mother experiencing erratic heart rhythms on several different occasions!

I will start with I am food additive sensitive, BUT My family and I went to our local hibachi and sushi restaurant that we have eaten at several times. The sushi was great as always but the dinner was bitter to me which is the same taste I get with preservatives. My family gobbled their whole dinner down with me only have a small portion of mine. The rest of the 24 hours has been absolute misery. None of us were able to sleep. The crazy/real to life dreams were insane. The entire night I was felt like I was freezing but drenched in sweat. After nearly 18 hours later I still have a cold sweat and can't seem to get warm enough. My son wasn't able to go to school he felt so bad with weakness nausea and headache. I was very near to contacting poison control when I started googling our symptoms. How is this considered safe for human or animal consumption?! ? I know my harsher reaction is due to my sensitivities but I have only felt this bad after a true bought with food poisoning. The FDA should recognize and treat these chemicals as they do poisons and bring in the CDC for real evaluation!

This is under' the cold remedies cure catgory. Anytime I feel the slightest hint of a cold coming-on, I eat something that has MSG. flavored potato chips,and drink a glass of red wine,or a glass of orange juice. Monosodium-glutamate is also found in canned soup,not all of them use it,you need to read the label. This sounds funny-but it really works. When there was a rash of cold and flu outbreak at my workplace, I made this suggestion, but no-one took me seriously. But I never got sick.

Assuming you were right, still the monosodium glutamate would destroy the other functions pituitary, thyroid and most importantly, the control centers of the brain, the hypothalamus. There are countless research on the the dangers of monosodium glutamate. It should also be noted that a chicken soup, not in a canned one as it contains female estrogen, that is found in nearly all plastic lined canned foods and packaged food made from Bisphenol-A, where accumulative effects may also lead to miscarriage, obesity also.

It would be a lot safer to take L-Glutamine, which is a close cousin of the Monosodium glutamate, but doesn't have the brain damaging effects of the sodium attached to the glutamine molecules. The L-Glutamine has immune supporting effects and protect against cold. Adding l-glutamine with freshly cooked chicken soup (never canned), which is cysteine rich, with added vinegar would have been a better safer alternative. L-Glutamine is popularly used by body builders to reduce fat, but increase muscle mass, while monosodium glutamate does the opposite, by stimulating the appetite, but yet causes morbid obesity in rat studies, decrease growth and endocrine damages, so well known in many rat studies. A remedy for this cold require about two of L glutamine, with freshly cooked chicken soup and plenty of vinegar (or apple cider vinegar).

to respond to the woman with the terrible boils. I suffer from horrific cystic acne. I discovered that if I eliminate all forms of hidden MSG [do an internet search to find all that it is in] that my skin is perfectly clear. I am so sensitive that I cannot even touch anything with citric acid or natural flavor which is a form of hidden MSG and is in most shampoos, liquid hand soap, prepared foods, pop etc. I convinced my husband to eliminate all hidden MSG and his headaches, ezcema and skin rash went away. Now when he has any exposure the itchy, weepy skin rash comes back and today it is back with a vengence. He had mustard on Sunday and it flared. By Monday evening it was drying up and he licked the spoon of the ice cream he served our children and during the night it erupted so bad he could hardly sleep.

A good rememdy for all these skin things is a 125 watt clear infrared bulb. Not only will this clear up the skin but is great for any aches and it healed my son of acute asthma. Asthma requires a one hour treatment 1-2 times daily or more. The more you use it the quicker it heals. The only draw back is having to stay stationary so long. My husband hasn't had time to sit under it the past two days so he is still in bad shape. He started on the vinegar and honey last night to see if a change in body pH will help.

I found that msg caused my legs to become nearly paralyzed after eating something with msg. Also I had chest pains. I have done a lot of reading about msg and found all the dangers. I was noticing for a year or more that after I would eat a meal that my legs not only became nearly paralyzed but they would begin tingling, stinging and burning or being cold. I had read that rosemary was an antedote and have used it after eating and found that in 15 or 20 minutes that there was some improvement. I am glad to read that there are other alternatives too. It makes me so angry to learn that our food chain is so inundated with msg.

Like PD, I dicovered a connection between Chinese food and my migraines. It was MSG. I've had migraines from Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, and an ever growing list of prepared foods to the point where I don't eat them much anymore (better for my body anyway). I found the best way to avoid them is try to avoid MSG, but it's very difficult, so I also take magnesium (400 mgs) a day. It seems to help keep them down, although lately I've been getting a lot of them but I think it was dietary because I was eating junk. *L* I'm going to try the ACV and see if that helps.. But if Chinese food triggers you, it just might be MSG.. good luck!