Mono-sodium Glutamate (MSG)

[Larry_OHF]

About half of America is allergic to this artificial, salty-tasting preservative. It is used alot in resturants like chinese and japanese. Some people are trying to make it illigal to have, due to the severity of some people's allergy to it. I had never heard of the stuff until recently. I have a favorite chinese resturant that I go to near my work place, called Kow-Loon's. I love the General Tso's Chicken. A sign on the door the other day caught my attention: No MSG added. I wondered what that was.

Now, there is a Japanese resturant I love to go to called Kan Pai. The Japanese steak houses are the ones where the people cook on the table thing there in front of you and twirl knives and stuff. I LOVE their food...but...By the time I am finished eating, I hae to have Karen drive me hom I am in so much pain. I get home and lose it all down the twoilet. That fast! I am talking fifteen minutes! Well, I first thought it was the meat not cooked well, so I tried their veggie only plate. I still got sick. Well, they add sauces and stuff to the cooking food, and one item they add is soy sauce. Some soy sauces do contain MSG. So therefore, I think I am highly allergic to it.

I asked them if they have MSG in their food, and the woman said, No...it was illigal. I called the Winston-Salem Health department and asked them, and she said I was probably lied to...because MSG is not illigal...yet. She said that if the lady told me that, then they are trying to hide something to avoid trouble. So...I can no longer eat at my favorite Japanese resturant just because I think that they have MSG.
Do I get sick otehr resturants? Not as severely. I do not feel well after eating French-fries from Wendy's, though I have no problem with any other resturant's fries. I have been sick before at a chinese resturant in Maryland. That's all.

So...MSG...what do you make of it? Should it be removed from the consumer's meal plate? Do any of you know you are allergic? How did you find out and what are you doing about it?

[Gammit]

I figure as long as there's public awareness about it, then keep it available. I myself am allergic to soy sauce, so I just make sure to tell my favorite Chinese restuarants to go easy on the soy for me... then again, to what degree should public awareness be? Tough question. All in all, I'd say keep it legal.

[Sir Krustin]

MSG is a very popular thing with chinese food, it's what enhances the bland flavour of the vegetable dishes they cook. I find chinese without MSG (ie, "low sodium") to be very bland indeed.

Having said that, it's well documented that excessive amounts of MSG are detrimental to your health, and as you say many people are allergic.

I don't think they should illegalize it, but I definitely think the health risks mean that product labelling is a must. The option to ask for low sodium (no msg added) dishes for customers that are allergic or have cardiac/b.p. problems should be mandatory.

[Finn]

Larry, FYI Mono sodium glutamate is not a preservative at all. It is a flavour enhancer derived from tuber roots such as tapioca if I'm not mistaken. It doesn't have any distinct taste or smell on its own. It is sometimes mixed with salt and used to flavour dishes though it can be used on its own as well.

Since its only purpose is to make food taste better and has no nutritional value whatsoever, I don't think it should be resorted to. A good cook/chef wouldn't have to rely on MSG to flavour their cooking. Sadly its used very commonly and liberally in most eating establishments.

The more common reaction after consuming MSG is nausea, a feeling of numbness, dizziness and in some bad cases even temporary mild paralysis! Additionally, if consumed in large quantities(probably more than one teaspoonful) and over a long period of time, studies have shown that it can permanently affect a person's health and well being.

There isn't a sure way to find out if one is allergic or not except to consume a meal where MSG is used and in your case, its obvious that what you've described after having a meal at those restaurants is a possible adverse reaction to MSG. The best way to avoid MSG is not to frequent known restaurants that use it. However, since its so commonly used, this can be hard as it is found almost everywhere in food outlets, restaurants and even in canned foods etc.

[Larry_OHF]

I don't think they should illegalize it, but I definitely think the health risks mean that product labelling is a must. The option to ask for low sodium (no msg added) dishes for customers that are allergic or have cardiac/b.p. problems should be mandatory.

Agreed. I like what you said here better than the way I put it myself. You are right. It would be great to have optional form, as some people that are not allergic will want it in their food.

Good point.

[Larry_OHF]

Finn...very interesting that you said that. My wife disagrees with you. She is a Nutritionalist major, and learned in school about MSG. Since you are coming from Asia, I will tend to believe you over her text books and teachers if you promise not to tell her ! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 11-24-2002, 10:13 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

[antryg]

The first time I remember a big thing about the evils of MSG was in the early 80's. The thing is that besides Chinese and Japanese resturants there are many canned goods that use MSG not only as a salt but a preservative. Since the 80's there has been a dramatic decrease in MSG being used in canned foods and also many restaurants. If you think you are indeed allergic you might want to check your labels while shopping, you may be getting it unawares.
Sad news, the "salt" the chefs at your favorite Japanese restuarant use is probably MSG.
As far as I know Wendy's doesn't use MSG. Ask them if they do, you might also see what type of oil they are using. If fries are the only food you have a problem with at Wendy's it might be the type of oil.

[Larry_OHF]

Thanks for the info on the oil. I will do that. It's good to know what's out there killing me.

[WillowIX]

I wouldn´t call you an allergic for reacting against MSG. That´s actually the normal response Larry. [img]smile.gif[/img] MSG in the body metabolises to glutamate, which is naturally occuring in the body as a neural transmittor. So every human being will react to MSG when getting a large enough dose of it. MSG can also induce asthma. IIRC alcohol down regulates glutamatic receptors in the body so you can always get drunk and then go for some nice Japanese food. [img]graemlins/blueblink.gif[/img] I would not recommend this though . And I think MSG was derived from sea weed originally. So calling it artificial may not be accurate. And stay away from Indian food as well Larry. There is a very good article on this subject here: http://www.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/130/4/1049S

[Ronn_Bman]

I don't have any adverse reactions from MSG, but I don't really know much about it. I wonder if a lack of MSG is why I can never make Chinese food taste the same at home as it does in the restaurants?