Comments on: Let’s Talk About MSG

By: Cean M. Schopf

Cean M. Schopf — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:00:30 +0000

When I eat foods in restaurants or a lot of processed foods, I get a variety of symptoms: swollen throat, headache, diarreha and running nose. I have assumed that it was msg in the foods. However, I can eat Bragg’s Aminos, soy and all spices w/o a reaction. I would like to solve this problem. To the person who thinks sodium chloride is the same as msg, chemically they both contain sodium, but they are chemically different!

By: garcho

garcho — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:40:00 +0000

No one is allergic to MSG who isn’t also allergic to table salt. MSG does not make anyone feel bad, or sick, it certainly doesn’t cause asthma! Americans are really scared of not being frightened. There is nothing wrong with MSG, end of story. Science and fact trump your silly stories about “eating at a friend’s party once…”

By: David Alexander

David Alexander — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:36:34 +0000

Ouch. MSG! I remember one Passover dinner years ago. I suddenly got nauseous and very dizzy. Remembered a similar reaction to takeout Chinese food. We’d just finished our chicken soup and I asked to read the label. My aunt looked at me funny but there it was – MSG! Never again!

By: Dawna

Dawna — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:56:52 +0000

MSG is thought to be the cause of alot of ailments when it could be celiac disease, gluten intolerance or some other sensitivity. This is what I found out after being told I had a severe MSG sensitivity. A biopsy actually confirmed that I have celiac disease instead. I cannot eat anything with wheat in it. I don’t go out of my way to eat things loaded with MSG either. After totally avoiding wheat/gluten for several months I feel 500% better. It turns out that celiac disease was actually the problem and not MSG sensitivity.

By: Joanne

Joanne — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:53:35 +0000

It took me years to discover that my migraines were linked to MSG. The problem is that a reaction to MSG can occur up to 48 hours after consumption. In my case, it’s approx 24 hrs after I eat something with MSG. My migraine episodes have dropped from once a month to about once a year when I slip up and eat something with hidden MSG. It’s usually from eating at a friend’s dinner party — I worry that it’s downright rude to quiz a friend on what’s in the food, but end up suffering for 3-4 days afterward.

Which leads me to why I’m writing. When you say you think of conducting blind taste tests on friends & family, I certainly hope you warn them that some of the foods may contain MSG. I would end a friendship with anyone who knowingly fed me MSG just to see if I reacted. I might even sue!

I believe as you do that many people who say they are sensitive to MSG, actually are not. But I do know that for me it is toxic in a very real, painful, and debilitating way. I wish it were labelled more clearly — just something like “contains glutamates” on the list that warns about things like peanuts, soy, or wheat gluten.

BTW, I enjoy Chinese food & frequent a local restaurant where the owner is WONDERFUL about discussing which dishes can be prepared without MSG and which should be avoided. I have never had a reaction from her food. The local Italian place is another story: the owner refuses to discuss the idea that he may be using an ingredient that’s making me sick. Of course, I no longer go there. And lest anyone think I have a problem with Italians — I am 100% Italian.