Comments on: Let’s Talk About MSG http://www.tigersandstrawberries.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-about-msg/ Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:55:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.2 Comment on Let’s Talk About MSG by: Dawna http://www.tigersandstrawberries.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-about-msg/#comment-58426 Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:56:52 +0000 http://www.tigersandstrawberries.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-about-msg/#comment-58426 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. 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.

]]> Comment on Let’s Talk About MSG by: Joanne http://www.tigersandstrawberries.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-about-msg/#comment-57951 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:53:35 +0000 http://www.tigersandstrawberries.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-about-msg/#comment-57951 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. 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.

]]> Comment on Let’s Talk About MSG by: DJB http://www.tigersandstrawberries.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-about-msg/#comment-57358 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:52:56 +0000 http://www.tigersandstrawberries.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-about-msg/#comment-57358 MSG = deliciousness and Umami. It enhances flavor. There is just as much, if not more, MSG in Mexican and Italian Food. When you dig deeper into the science the fear of MSG goes away. When MSG hits the acid in your stomach it becomes glutamic acid. Glutamic acid is an amino acid that is a building block for protein and occurs naturally in your body and in food we already eat. Whats funny is that knowing all this I still avoid it. MSG = deliciousness and Umami. It enhances flavor. There is just as much, if not more, MSG in Mexican and Italian Food. When you dig deeper into the science the fear of MSG goes away. When MSG hits the acid in your stomach it becomes glutamic acid. Glutamic acid is an amino acid that is a building block for protein and occurs naturally in your body and in food we already eat. Whats funny is that knowing all this I still avoid it.

]]> Comment on Let’s Talk About MSG by: Valierran http://www.tigersandstrawberries.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-about-msg/#comment-57351 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:27:50 +0000 http://www.tigersandstrawberries.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-about-msg/#comment-57351 I've believed that I have a sensitivity or allergy to MSG for several years now. Although I love to cook, I cook nearly everything from scratch because just about every kind of processed, packaged, and frozen food contains MSG. Or hydrolyzed soy/corn/pea protein, which is the other name I commonly see. But sometimes its hidden in "natural spices", which is quite annoying. And yet I can eat soy sauce, and often do, and haven't ever noticed a sensitivity to shellfish or tomatoes. I'd really love to know what I'm *really* allergic to. If it isn't MSG, what is it in those seasoning mixes and bouillon that makes me sick? Its digestive sickness rather than the tingling/headache, which adds a bit more confusion to the mix. I’ve believed that I have a sensitivity or allergy to MSG for several years now. Although I love to cook, I cook nearly everything from scratch because just about every kind of processed, packaged, and frozen food contains MSG. Or hydrolyzed soy/corn/pea protein, which is the other name I commonly see. But sometimes its hidden in “natural spices”, which is quite annoying. And yet I can eat soy sauce, and often do, and haven’t ever noticed a sensitivity to shellfish or tomatoes. I’d really love to know what I’m *really* allergic to. If it isn’t MSG, what is it in those seasoning mixes and bouillon that makes me sick? Its digestive sickness rather than the tingling/headache, which adds a bit more confusion to the mix.

]]> Comment on Let’s Talk About MSG by: Janna http://www.tigersandstrawberries.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-about-msg/#comment-39734 Thu, 16 Aug 2007 21:44:16 +0000 http://www.tigersandstrawberries.com/2007/02/19/lets-talk-about-msg/#comment-39734 I was searching online trying to figure out what the heck is going on with me right now, and I came across this website. Helpful, thanks to all for your postings. Right now, I have this weird pressure in my face and base of my neck. The backs of my arms, face, neck, shoulders...all on fire. My throat feels like its swelling. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like the cause of this may be the large bowl of beef pho I had about an hour ago. Just adding my experience...since there seems to be some debate here on this site. Thx! :) I was searching online trying to figure out what the heck is going on with me right now, and I came across this website. Helpful, thanks to all for your postings. Right now, I have this weird pressure in my face and base of my neck. The backs of my arms, face, neck, shoulders…all on fire. My throat feels like its swelling. From what I’m reading here, it sounds like the cause of this may be the large bowl of beef pho I had about an hour ago. Just adding my experience…since there seems to be some debate here on this site. Thx! :)

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