CARDIAC: Arrhythmias, Extreme drop in blood pressure, Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia); Angina; Cardiac Arrest Symptoms.

CIRCULATORY: Swelling, Fluid Retention.

NEUROLOGICAL: Depression, Mood Swings, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD); Dizziness; Light-headedness; Disorientation; Mental Confusion; Anxiety; Panic Attacks; Hyperactivity; Behavioral Problems in Children; Rage Episodes; Lethargy; Sleepiness; Insomnia; Numbness or Paralysis; Migraine Headache; Slurred Speech; Meniere's Disease.

GASTROINTESTINAL: Nausea; Vomiting; Diarrhea; Stomach Cramps; Irritable Bowel; Bloating, Acid Reflux.

RESPIRATORY: Asthma; Shortness of Breath; Chest Pain; Tightness; Runny Nose; Sneezing.

SKIN: Hives or Rash; Mouth Lesions; Temporary Tightness or Partial Paralysis; Numbness of Tingling of the Skin; Flushing; Sweating ("hot flashes"); Dry Mouth.

UROLOGICAL: Swelling of Prostate; Nocturia.

VISUAL: Blurred Vision; Difficulty Focusing; Temporary Loss of Vision.*

Among the report's key findings:

An unknown percentage of the population may react to MSG and develop MSG symptom complex, a condition characterized by one or more of the following symptoms:

burning sensation in the back of the neck, forearms and chest

numbness in the back of the neck, radiating to the arms and back

tingling, warmth and weakness in the face, temples, upper back, neck and arms

facial pressure or tightness

chest pain, back pain and/or tooth pain 

headache

nausea

rapid heartbeat

bronchospasm (difficulty breathing) in MSG-intolerant people with asthma

drowsiness

weakness.

The FDA-documented adverse reactions to MSG are, listed in order of frequency: headache, vomiting, diarrhea, heart rate change, stomach cramps, mood changes, fatigue, and dizziness. Other studies include reactions such as: difficulty in concentration, extreme mood swings, depression, difficulty with balance, sleep disturbances, convulsions, hyperactivity, esophageal reflux and heartburn, flushing of the skin, asthma, and swelling of the throat.

 If your particular reaction to eating MSG is a dangerously racing heartbeat and flushing skin, that will consistently be your reaction each time you consume MSG. I get horrible, hideous migraine headaches if I eat MSG. The severity is difficult to explain. These MSG headaches are worse than the pain of an abscessed tooth or a root canal. When I have these headaches, it feels like I'm being tortured with electrodes placed directly on the nerve endings in my brain. The pain is so awful; I wouldn't want my worst enemy to have to endure such pain.

 Monosodium glutamate (MSG) symptoms may include headache, bruxism (grinding or clenching of the teeth) throbbing of the head, dizziness, lightheadedness, a feeling of facial pressure, tightness of the jaw, burning or tingling sensations over parts of the body, chest pain, and back pain

 Severe, poorly controlled asthma  may be a predisposing medical condition for MSG symptom complex. May be the cause of many allergic reactions.)

The level of vitamin B6 in a person's body plays a role in glutamate metabolism, and the possible impact of marginal B6 intake should be considered in helping a person.

SOURCE:

*"Search for Health" magazine, 8/93, pg. 44, article by Adrienne Samuels, Ph.D.

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Looking for Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) on the Ingredient Label of food and beverages is not enough!! MSG is hidden under many names in ingredient labels -- making it difficult for migraine and chronic headache sufferers to successfully eliminate it from their diets....or even to determine if MSG is their trigger. Check the "Hidden Names of MSG" page to see the many names under which MSG is disguised by food industry giants (with FDA and EPA approval).

 HOW CAN MSG BE THE CAUSE OF MY HEAD PAIN? MSG is a neurotoxin which is used to "trick" the brain into thinking that food tastes better than it actually does. They call it a "flavor enhancer". The use of MSG also allows the food industry to use lower quality ingredients, and then "kick up" the taste by adding MSG, an inexpensive additive. Therefore, a huge economic gain is realized by the manufacturer.

There is such a huge economic investment in MSG that food giants and glutamate manufacturers have banded together to finance so-called medical research studies for the purpose of "proving MSG is safe". This spawns yet another economic interest: university research labs are the recipients of well-financed "research grants". And would you be surprised to learn that research studies funded by the food industry always "prove the safety of MSG"?

 HIDDEN NAMES OF MSG

 These ALWAYS contain MSG:

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Hydrolyzed Protein:

(plant, vegetable, any kind)

Sodium or Calcium Caseinate

Autolyzed Yeast, Yeast Extract

Yeast Food, Yeast Nutrient

Textured Protein  Glutamic Acid

These OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing:

NATURAL FLAVORS, flavoring, flavors,

Natural "anything" flavor.

Bouillon or Stock

Broth (chicken, beef, any kind)

Carrageenan

Whey protein, whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate.

Soy sauce, soy protein isolate, soy protein concentrate.

Malt Extract or Flavoring, Malted Barley

Maltodextrin

anything Protein fortified

Be very careful when eating out, especially Chinese food. (Check every label if you are having pain. EX: Doritoes are high in  monosodium glutamate.)