$Unique_ID{BRK00841}
$Pretitle{Community and Social Problems}
$Title{What is MSG?}
$Subject{monosodium glutamate safety}
$Volume{Q-26}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What is MSG?


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QUESTION:  I've heard that many people get sick after eating Chinese food
because they have a bad reaction to monosodium glutamate.  What is MSG?  Why
isn't it banned if so many people get sick from it?

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ANSWER:  It has never been proven conclusively that monosodium glutamate makes
people sick.  MSG is a popular flavor enhancer, not only used by the Chinese
in cooking, but in many prepared foods.  MSG is most often made from molasses
derived from sugar beets.  The molasses is fermented to form the flavor
enhancer.
     MSG has gotten a bad name following an outburst of publicity about
something known as Chinese Restaurant Syndrome.  After eating at a Chinese
restaurant, many people report symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness,
light-headedness, headache, palpitation, weakness, nausea and vomiting.
Researchers investigating these symptoms found that MSG in ordinary quantities
produced only transient symptoms in a small percentage of problems.  They
suggested that many of those experiencing Chinese restaurant syndrome had
taken in MSG on an empty stomach, and that may have caused the adverse
reaction.  Individuals sensitive to MSG were found to have no reaction to the
additive if they ate a carbohydrate, such as bread, before consuming MSG.
     The Food and Drug Administration has not banned monosodium glutamate
because it is not viewed as a health problem affecting a significant
percentage of the population.
     Studies in the early 1980's, in fact, showed that MSG is quite safe.
However, I don't doubt that there are a number of people who are sensitive to
MSG and who must remain alert to its presence in food to avoid unwanted and
unnecessary reactions.  They must firmly request that their choices be
prepared without adding this product or, very simply, to eat at another type
of restaurant.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
