23 replies to this topic

[gabrielle]

Since going on a gluten-free diet, I wasn't sure at first if I could have Monosodium glutamate- but I read somewhere that it wasn't derived from wheat so it was okay. BUT-I've eaten things that seem to be gluten-free but have Monosodium glutamate in them and I get sick. I had a few potato chips with this ingredient and I was hunched over grabbing my stomach. I am guessing there is a connection- I just was wondering if anyone else gets sick off of this as well.

[KaitiUSA]

30% of people in general have a reaction to MSG. MSG is very bad for you..it is not a gluten reaction. MSG is ok from a celiac standpoint. Alot of people do have problems with MSG though.

[gabrielle]

I knew it wasn't the absolute best for you, but i guess i dont really remember a reaction to it before . Hmm. thank you for responding!

[KaitiUSA]

O yes it is horrible for you...it can cause many symptoms. They also tell people that are pregnant to avoid MSG....

read this article:

why msg is harmful?
Monosodium glutamate is a drug and a neurotransmitter. Glutamate is a highly regulated chemical of the nervous system, and a proper balance is necessary for healthy brain and organ function.


In fact, every major human organ is now known to contain glutamate receptors. Overstimulation of these receptors—in the brain or elsewhere—can lead to numerous health problems, many of which may mimic other disorders (such as fibromyalgia or heart arrhythmia), but can go undiagnosed for decades, all the while creating a life of misery and disability for the unfortunate sufferer.

Its ever-expanding use by the food industry causes great concern in the medical profession because MSG overstimulates brain cell activity. It is neither a necessary additive, nor a harmless flavor enhancer like common table salt. MSG actually tricks your brain into thinking the food you are eating tastes good. Manufacturers can therefore use inferior ingredients to make a mediocre product seem tastier. Higher profits and low-quality products of little nutritional value prevail at the expense of consumer health.

MSG intolerance is not an allergic reaction, but a powerful drug reaction. Even in those people who do not suffer acute, immediate reactions to the substance, prolonged or acute exposure will destroy brain cells in anyone.

Many foods, such as soybeans and tomatoes, contain naturally high levels of free glutamate, which may cause MSG reactions in particularly sensitive individuals. The processed form—monosodium glutamate—is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, and it is the highly refined substance (which actually looks a lot like table salt) that is added in huge quantities to most processed foods at manufacturing facilities. Restaurants also frequently add MSG to their menu items. Many that advertise “No MSG added” may not add MSG to the food once it is prepared, but MSG may actually be present in the individual ingredients used to prepare their food.

[KaitiUSA]

Here are some common reactions in an article I found:

common reactions
People's reactions to MSG will vary depending on their sensitivity to the substance. At low doses, some people will experience no obvious physical symptoms, despite the acute neurochemical activity that occurs whenever anyone ingests the substance.

Following is a list of well-documented reactions to monosodium glutamate. Individuals with extreme sensitivities may experience seemingly incurable fibromyalgia-type pain, while others may have immediate, acute reactions, including heart attack.

Remember: a high enough dose is toxic to anyone—which is far more likely as more and more foods contain higher percentages of MSG (mostly in disguised forms: click here for a list of common aliases found on food labels).

headaches
migraines
stomach upset
nausea and vomiting
diarrhea
irritable bowel syndrome
asthma attacks
shortness of breath
anxiety or panic attacks
heart palpitations
partial paralysis
heart attack-like symptoms
balance difficulties
mental confusion
mood swings
neurological disorders (Parkinson's, MS, ALS, Alzheimer's)
behavioral disorders (especially in children and teens)
allergy-type symptoms
skin rashes
runny nose
bags under the eyes
flushing
mouth lesions
depression
and more

[gabrielle]

OH MY!!!!!!! How is this ingredient at all passed by the FDA???????|
That is awful, thank you so much for sharing this information.

[KaitiUSA]

I know! I could not believe all the problems associated with that. I try to stay as far away from it as possible. I occasionally have foods with it in it but I try to keep my intake of it very low...if pregnant women shouldn't have it then why should we?

[ianm]

Just one more reason to not eat processed foods.

[lovegrov]

Kaiti,

Please give us the source for this information on MSG. MSG is one of those things theres a lot of hysteria and misinformation about and having a source can help people judge the veracity of the information.

richard

[KaitiUSA]

Many sites had the same info but I got these particular articles from:

http://www.nomsg.com/harmful.html

Even though from a celiac standpoint MSG is ok it is bad for you and thats a known fact.
Health food stores up here will not sell anything with MSG in them.

[rmmadden]

I found out after going gluten-free that I am MSG sensitive. I get the shakes and a general off-feeling that takes about 1-hour to pass. I avoid MSG as best I can.

Cleveland Bob

[Jklinge]

Since going on a gluten-free diet, I wasn't sure at first if I could have Monosodium glutamate- but I read somewhere that it wasn't derived from wheat so it was okay. BUT-I've eaten things that seem to be gluten-free but have Monosodium glutamate in them and I get sick. I had a few potato chips with this ingredient and I was hunched over grabbing my stomach. I am guessing there is a connection- I just was wondering if anyone else gets sick off of this as well.

I use to get sick off msg like you did so I called my doc and he told me that msg is a FORM OF GLUTEN

[sa1937]

I use to get sick off msg like you did so I called my doc and he told me that msg is a FORM OF GLUTEN

Not true. But some people do not tolerate MSG but it's not because it is a form of gluten. http://www.celiac.co...ents/Page1.html

You might also want to check out this link: http://www.livestron...uten-free-diet/

[psawyer]

This brought-back-from-the-dead topic is six years old.

MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. Glutamic acid is a non-essential amino acid found in the molecular structure of most proteins. The often asserted claim that MSG contains gluten is just wrong. However, gluten (a protein) when broken down into its constituent parts will yield some glutamic acid. When sodium is present, glutamic acid will form monosodium glutamate by binding with a single sodium atom.

Refined MSG causes a reaction in some people, including some people with celiac disease. There is no special concern about MSG for those of us with celiac disease.

[etta694]

30% of people in general have a reaction to MSG.

If we could hear everything our bodies are saying to us... we would eat very differently.