Collected Reports of Adverse Reactions to MSG
                                
                         January 1, 1995
                                
Ingestion  of  monosodium glutamate (MSG) is known to  produce  a
variety of adverse reactions in certain people.  These reactions,
although  seemingly  dissimilar, are no  more  diverse  than  the
reactions  found  as side effects of certain neurological  drugs.
We do not know why some people experience reactions and others do
not. We do not know whether MSG "causes" the condition underlying
the  reaction,  or  whether the underlying  condition  is  simply
aggravated  by  the  ingestion of MSG.  We  only  know  that  the
reactions  listed  below are sometimes caused or  exacerbated  by
ingestion of MSG.

All  forms  of MSG (free glutamic acid that occur in  food  as  a
consequence  of  manufacture)  cause  these  reactions  in   MSG-
sensitive  people.  Names of offending ingredients used  to  hide
MSG   in   products  include:  MSG,  glutamic  acid,   glutamate,
hydrolyzed  protein,  sodium caseinate,  autolyzed  yeast,  yeast
nutrient,  yeast  food, natural flavoring, and a  host  of  other
ingredients.   In  addition, the MSG  produced  when  a  protease
enzyme  or  other  reactive  agent is allowed  to  interact  with
protein  during  product  manufacture can  bring  on  these  same
adverse reactions in MSG sensitive persons; and there is often no
clue  on  the  product label that such an interaction  is  taking
place.

Cardiac  
  Arrhythmias
  Numbness or paralysis
  Seizures
  Extreme drop in blood pressure
  Slurred speech                          
  Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
  Angina

Circulatory
  Swelling

Muscular
  Flu-like achiness
  Joint pain
  Stiffness

Neurological
  Depression
  Dizziness
  Light-headedness
  Loss of balance
  Disorientation
  Mental confusion
  Anxiety
  Panic attacks
  Hyperactivity
  Behavioral problems in children
  Lethargy
  Sleepiness
  Insomnia
  Migraine headache

Digestive
  Diarrhea
  Nausea/vomiting
  Stomach cramps
  Irritable bowel
  Bloating

Respiratory
  Asthma
  Shortness of breath
  Chest pain
  Tightness
  Runny nose
  Sneezing

Skin
  Hives or rash
  Mouth lesions
  Temporary tightness or partial paralysis
    (numbness or tingling) of the skin
  Flushing
  Extreme dryness of the mouth

Urological
  Swelling of prostate
  Nocturia

Visual
  Blurred vision
  Difficulty focusing


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