Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Reaction Samples ------------------------------------------- Here are a few samples of health problems from ingesting MSG and/or improvements stopping the ingestion of MSG that I found on the Net as well as some other relevant posts. The names have been removed to protect confidentiality, but many of these posts can be found in various archives and WWW search engines. Please note that this is only a small percentage of adverse reactions to MSG that have been posted to the Internet over the last year. The adverse reactions posted to the Internet are only a very small percentage of the total adverse reactions reported to various groups. HOW TO USE THIS LIST -------------------- The list is now in *reverse* chronological order such that the newest MSG reaction is at the top. If you are reading the list for the first time, please print out the whole list and ***read from the bottom up.*** For updates, *read from the top down* until you reach an adverse reaction that you have read before. I will be updating this every week or so. ---------- America Online Post Subj: MSG and Asthma Date: 95-11-12 18:44:36 EDT From: ErikC44 Monosodium Glutamate is responsible for my 8 year old daughters asthma and having gone into anaphylactic shock. There are presently 40 different names to represent MSG on food labels. They range from Hydrolized Proteins to Natural flavorings. If you or someone you know is having trouble with asthma and are either aware it is caused from MSG or are unsure of its origin and want more information send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Truth in Labeling Campaign, P.O. Box 2532, Darien, IL 60561. The Truth in Labeling Campaign (TLC) is a nonprofit organization working to require the labeling of all MSG in all processed food. ---------------- America Online/Allergies, Immune Disorders/Food Allergies group Subj: Re:MSG Date: 96-04-10 19:18:01 EDT From: NOdonn1226 I have had severe GI problems related to MSG for many years. I think this came on suddenly, but I'm not certain because I didn't know what was causing it until about ten years ago. If you want to E-mail me, I will be glad to write and give you more info. ---------------- 'Bisto' contains MSG Date Thu, 9 May 1996 11:13:08 GMT Newsgroups alt.support.headaches.migraine In the UK, 'Bisto' is a brand of RHM Foods Ltd. It is the market leader Gravy Granule product. I have just checked and found that it contains E621 (Mono Sodium Glutamate), as well as E635, Caramel (unspecified sub-type) and Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil. No wonder it triggers my migraine! I know I checked the ingredients years ago, and it did not contain the MSG at that time. Although I can avoid using this product at home (are there alternatives without the additives?), the major problem is restaurants! I expect that many use the same brand of product, even if it does come in industrial tins! ---------------- America Online Subj: MSG Date: 96-05-29 12:41:33 EDT From: DHypes7685 After eight years of multiple health problems and esp chronic fatigue and PAIN, thanks to several books and one great book "The Food Allergy Book" by Dr. William Walsh ISBN#0-9631544-7-8, I am cured of an unkown MSG intolerance....in fact according to the biochemical reaction of msg in the body this problem is probably inherint to every living, breathing mammal on the face of the earth. Wake up America!!! The major food corps have found a loop hole in the FDA's ruling and are adding msg to your food without having to identify it on the label as such. They are adding it as a "natural" ingredient as it it is naturally found in corn...so they can add corn and thus preserve foods with the msg found in corn without labeling it as msg. And corn comes in many names like: dextrose, maltose, dextrin, aspartame, xanthan gum, zein, and the obvious - corn syrup, corn starch or modified food starch, food starch or just starch and the list goes on and on... So far ten in my family are now well from multiple health problems due to hidden sources of msg now known and avoided. This discovery has transpired within our family over the past year with hours of research. Other recommened books are "The Whole Way to Allergy Relief and Prevention" by Dr. Jacqueline Krohn ISBN#0-88179-036-2 and "The Complete Guide to Food Allergy and Intolerance" by Dr. Jonathan Brostoff and Linda Gamlin ISBN#0-517-57756-9. From these books we put the puzzle together and the final piece was Dr. Walsh's book. We were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia (and all its associated names), MS, Chrohn's Disease, IBS, Diverticutilits, Migraines, TMJ(wore bite guards for years), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (some had surgery and some wore braces for years), colitis , gastoenteritis, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma (with inhalers), chostrochondritis, heart "murmur," chronic bronchitis, atopic dermatitis, dishydrosis, Adult ADD, rhematoid arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, chronic ear infections, vertigo, myofascial pain syndrome, sleep disorders, edema, anxiety/panic attacks,depression, incontinence (bladder and bowel), eating disorders, and auditory processing dysfunction to name a few. By now you are thinking...this person is crazy...well after all the realted medical problems suffered that could be possible, however, we no longer have any of them as long as we avoid msg (which includes processed corn products, some fermented products, and other items listed in Dr. Walsh's book). Those who are now well from all or some of the above medical problems and other symptoms include my sister, her children, my children, my mother, my grandchildren, my brother and myself. Hope this info helps -- what I would have given to have known it eight years ago... ---------------- Re: Monosodium Glutamate & Chinese Restaurant Syndrome: UL? Date 8 Jun 1996 22:13:12 GMT Newsgroups alt.folklore.urban [..MSG..] >I've never personally experienced this, and no one I know has eaten Asian >food and then complained of the headachey-type symptoms supposedly >associated with it. I am sensitive to MSG. I would not call "headachey-type" a good description of what I suffer. Its closer to "on knees begging to die headache". MSG is getting less popular even in Asian places. I think this is partly because many people that dont react to it at all still object to it being in the food. I have had a couple of experiences that were due to Asian food (One Chinese one Keorean). ---------------- Re: Monosodium Glutamate & Chinese Restaurant Syndrome: UL? Date Sun, 09 Jun 1996 07:15:45 GMT Newsgroups alt.folklore.urban I don't know what the "official" consensus is but I can definately tell you it causes serious problems in my case. I have extremely bad reactions to foods containing MSG. Just a small amount of MSG (such as that found in most Chinese food) causes migraines and stomach cramps that last for hours. If this isn't enough for you, I also have a book on "The Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" that I can cite for you. I'll go look for it if this thread continues. ---------------- Monosodium Glutamate & Ch Date 9 Jun 1996 16:49:55 -0400 Newsgroups alt.folklore.urban here's something from the horse's mouth - I (and my mother) are MSG-intolerant. However, in my case, it goes farther than that. I am full-blown allergic to MSG, to the point that I nearly died about eight years ago in a US-chain steak house from a steak laden with the stuff. This was confirmed about a year later when I went for allergy tests at the behest of my employer when I was suffering what seemed to be a flu that wasn't going away. Needless to say, I had to do a complete change in my diet - to the point where I now have to check every label of any foodstuffs commercially manufactured for any sign of MSG. This includes just about every soup Campbells makes (except for tomato and beef with vegetables and barley), cheaply made meat pies, flavoured potato and snack chips, etc. It also means being careful at just about every restuarant I go to, especially Chinese restuarants. (Mandarin and Ho-Lee-Chow excepted, as they don't use MSG). This has had some benefits, though - I've concentrated more of fresh stuff, like vegetables and fruit. Not only that, but I found that some of the extreme mood swings I suffered in my childhood and teen years (nothing really violent, but I tended to be overly sensitive and would go into fits of anger and/or sobbing at the slightest provocation) came much more under control so I could make some adjustments to my mental outlook. In fact, if my problems do recur, most often it turns out that I'd inadvertently eaten something that contained MSG. MSG intolerance is NOT an urban legend, believe you me. I have it, my mother has it, and so do many other people I know. ---------------- Re: What foods cause depression ? Date 10 Jun 1996 10:19:33 GMT Newsgroups alt.support.depression >Chinese food from a Chinese carryout absolute KILLS me for many many days. >If I make the same thing at home, I feel great, but if I get take out, >whatever they put in there absolutely KILLS ME! Yeah - same here. I read somewhere (can't recall where right now) that the culprit is monosodium glutamate - which is why I also try to stay away from chips & other foods that have this in. Trouble is, it is a preservative and *so many* processed foods have it! But I always feel ten times worse after eating anything with MSG! ---------------- Re: MSG (A diversion of a followup) Date Mon, 10 Jun 1996 08:38:05 -0500 Newsgroups ba.food Excuse me. This is bunk. Pure and simple. I'm allergic to MSG and boycott restaurants using it, regardless of ethnicity of food served. The symptoms aren't hard to spot and I adamantly won't return to a restaurant where I've been served food containing it. I have data from my doctor detailing how MSG effects some people. There's certainly scientific evidence to support MSG allergies. My point is that medical researchers not funded by Campbells soup or any of the other huge food providers using MSG have detailed research indicating that some segment of the population is in fact allergic to MSG. You wanna cite experts, cite those who don't USE the damn stuff, please. Why am I so angry about this? Simple. MSG make me sick. If it doesn't bother you, fine. But please don't pass Narsai David off as an expert on this. If he's too lazy to cook soups and sauces to a satisfactory taste and feels the need to add MSG in order to improve the taste, let him also put a sign in his restaurant indicating that along with Basil or Paprika, he uses MSG. As a further indicator: many of us who are sensitive to sulfites (no longer allowed to be used in fresh food preparation) are allergic to MSG. ---------------- Re: Monosodium Glutamate & Chinese Restaurant Syndrome: UL? Date 10 Jun 1996 19:23:49 GMT Newsgroups alt.folklore.urban well, as long as we're getting anecdotal here, I generally have a bad reaction from alot of MSG, though not at as high a level as some have complained of. I'd also point out that a lot of the chinese restuarants around here (boston) advertise their lack of MSG, and none are suprised when you ask for your food without it. ---------------- Re: Monosodium Glutamate & Chinese Restaurant Syndrome: UL? Date Tue, 11 Jun 1996 18:52:27 GMT Newsgroups alt.folklore.urban >To be sensitive to the "noise level" of MSG that can be found >in ordinary supermarket items must be pure hell. Indeed. I have to be extremely careful or I wind up with the Headache from Hell, lasting several days in extreme cases. I'll know pretty quickly, though, whether I've been had, as I get a series of warm flashes within an hour or so after consuming an amount above my own noise threshold. The warmer and more frequent the flashes, the more severe the symptoms. ---------------- Re: Monosodium Glutamate & Ch Date 13 Jun 1996 06:52:10 -0400 Newsgroups alt.folklore.urban As an Asian-American who grew up eating Chinese and Japanese food, I think can blow a hole in this statement. My experience as a child was that anytime my family went out to eat at a Japanese or Chinese restaurant, I would always complain of having a headache--sort of a dull pressure, not a sharp pain--as well as a numbness in the mouth. Looking back on these symptoms, I have a hunch that they were caused by MSG, because it's the only thing I can think of that might have been the trigger. Since leaving the nest, I have essentially stopped going to Japanese restaurants and only eat at Chinese restaurants that do not add MSG to their foods. I have never had a recurrence of the type of headache I had as a child eating in Asian restaurants. I think also that this is one of the reasons that I really despise Japanese food to this day, a fact that causes my Japanese grandmother no small concern. Oh, well! I've also heard that there's a connection between MSG sensitive people and people who are Aspartame (NutraSweet) intolerant. When NutraSweet first hit the market, I tried diet soda sweetened with it, and every time I did, I'd end up with a splitting headache. After the fourth time or so, I gave up on the artificially sweetened beverages and stayed with sugared ones. Several years later, I read an article that made the MSG/NutraSweet connection. Is this psychological? I don't know, but considering that the symptoms for both MSG and aspartame hit me BEFORE I ever had any inkling that they had a reputation for causing such problems, I'd have to say that in my case it's physiological, not psychological. ---------------- Re: What foods cause depression ? Date Wed, 12 Jun 1996 23:11:09 -0500 Newsgroups alt.support.depression I don't know about MSG being a preservative, but I do know that it is a flavor inhancer. It is the only ingredient in Accent. I suffer from migraines(sp?), and I discovered that I would get a migraine after eating chinese food(sometimes while eating it depending on how much of the stuff is in the food). I'm not sure if it can cause depression, but I do know that after I've had one of my migraines I have many days of recovery and a listless, vague, sence of what is around me. I guess you could say that it does "enhance" depressive feelings. At least they do me. I would advise anyone who suffers from depression unipolar or bipolar to keep away from the stuff. What a terrible thing to turn a sugar beet into. ---------------- Re: Cafergot any side effects ? Date Mon, 17 Jun 1996 14:37:06 GMT Newsgroups alt.support.headaches.migraine I second the support for Cafergot. After 30 years of headaches, it finally gave me enough non-headache time to systematically discover my triggers. It works great for me, except in the cases where I have a heavy dose of toxin (trigger) which is not metabolized yet. This is common if I get too much alcohol (which is sometimes 1 drink) or MSG. ---------------- Re: Monosodium Glutamate & Chinese Restaurant Syndrome: UL? Date 19 Jun 96 22:01:12 UTC Newsgroups alt.folklore.urban : >I've never personally experienced this, and no one I know has eaten Asian : >food and then complained of the headachey-type symptoms supposedly : >associated with it. I can asure you that my wife experiences similar reactions to MSG. ---------------- MSG Reaction - Veg Web Board/Health http://vegweb.com/wwwboard/health/ From: Iweridd Subject: Re: MSG Date: June 15, 1996 at 05:19 GMT I have also found I cannot tolerate MSG. I get headaches from MSG, but sometimes the headaches are severe and have caused me to vomit. I avoided Chinese food for years because I would usually get sick from it. Now that consumers are more aware of MSG, I have been able to find Chinese restaurants that do not use MSG. In my local area, there are 3 Chinese restaurants. 1 of them never uses MSG, so that is the only one I patronize. Other things to watch out for....Ranch style salad dressing almost always contains MSG. Many potato chips and snack foods contain MSG. Frozen convenience foods often contain it. You really have to read the labels. But as it goes by several different names, it is hard to always find out. (Well, until the headache kicks in.) ---------------- MSG Reaction - Veg Web Board - http://vegweb.com/wwwboard/health/ From: Tina Subject: Re: MSG Date: June 13, 1996 at 23:07 GMT When I am subjected to MSG, I have a tendency to swell up like a balloon! Not only that, I experience shortness of breath and my face gets real blotchy. Many asian restaurants cater to very specific dietary concerns. For religious / spiritual reasons, many asians cannot eat ANY preservatives of any kind. If you specify NO MSG at the restaurants you frequent, you will find that they will get used to your needs rather quickly. ESPECIALLY if you tell them that you are allergic to it. No restaurant owner wants to be taken to court over MSG! I can tell immediately if a dish contains MSG. If someone trys to pass it off on me after I've specifically asked them not to, then management needs to know about. Restaurants that serve up fresh food should not have a problem accomodating your request. MSG brightens up "old" vegetables and gives them a glossy appearance. Who wants to eat old food anyway? Bottomline. Make sure your needs are known and don't feel bad about speaking up about it. ---------------- MSG Reaction - Veg Web Board - http://vegweb.com/wwwboard/health/ From: Maraya Subject: Re: MSG Date: June 14, 1996 at 07:52 GMT For years, I didn't know what was giving me migraine headaches and a terrible upset stomach. When I discovered it was MSG, I had a hard time. It was in everything! Now it is easier because I don't eat all those processed foods anymore, but I still find it, even in canned organic products. For example, Westbrae canned organic beans have "autolyzed yeast," which is a form of MSG. It goes by many names. I have a list somewhere, and I'll post it when I find it. By the way, when you find a restaurant that is unwilling to be concerned about MSG allergy, just tell them you have high blood pressure or a heart condition, and you MUST limit your sodium intake or you could become very ill. They usually listen to that, and may go out of their way to prepare something for you. ---------------- America Online/Gen. Disab./Interstitial Cystitis & Diet group Subj: RE: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Date: 95-05-25 14:12:48 EDT From: Artist2001 Anybody else have a problem with this stuff? Or have an "antidote" for it (like baking soda or Tums are for acid foods sometimes)? I found out from a doctor on a radio show that MSG can be legally called "natural flavor" on a package label. So now I avoid things with "natural flavor" too--- which means avoiding a whole lot of prepared foods and spending a lot more time in the kitchen. ---------------- Re: MSG Date Thu, 27 Jun 1996 12:14:11 -0700 Newsgroups alt.food.fat-free In response to your posting about MSG, for me personally, MSG triggers my asthma and also raises my blood pressure. ---------------- Re: MSG Date Fri, 28 Jun 1996 07:51:03 EST Newsgroups alt.food.fat-free MSG is a flavour enhancer. Basically it is salt. It looks like a fine white powder. My whole family is allergic to it. Get the sweats, dizzy, headache sleeplessness... and once I passed out in a Chinese restaurant because of it. I read the labels and avoid foods with it in. It is used in Chinese restaurants a lot. Ask them not to and they wont use it in the stirfrys. But the MSG is usually already added to things like egg rolls and spring rolls and pre made stuff like that. ---------------- America Online/General Health Disc./Migraines Subj: Re:msg/aliases Date: 96-06-26 00:18:44 EDT From: LACY1893 I've had migraines for over 20 years. My how time flies when your having fun! The thing that has made the most dramatic improvement in my frequency of headaches was reading the book "In Bad Taste...MSG" After following the advice in the book, I have cut down on my headaches by 50%. By the way, my neurologist, bless his heart, says there is no way MSG can make me have a headache; but, I know better!!! ---------------- Date: Tue, 18 Jun 1996 09:53:04 +0900 To: xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxxx Subject: Grateful in South Korea Dear xxxx, I'm mainly writing to you to say THANKS. Your work on the net has helped me more than you can imagine. I am Australian but am living in South Korea, teaching in a small university here in a far rural area. For you information, here is my experience with one of your favourites, MSG. Ever since we arrived here, 2 years ago, I have had a dreadful insomnia problem. 3 or 4 nights a week I'd been awake until 4, 5 in the morning, my head racing, ears ringing, muscles jittery. (particularly front of my thighs, almost sore they were so tense). I tried to link the problem with everything. I knew it had to be related to Korea because everytime I left the country on holidays, problem disappeared. Since we came to Korea, I've gained 10 kilos, and combined with sleep problems I was starting to become extremely depressed about everything in general. My periods started to be really irregular, and with mood swings, weight gain etc I thought problem must be hormonal. I had thought of MSG early on: they sell the stuff in various sizes up to 5 kilo bags in all the local supermarkets and grocery stores, in fact, they sell more msg than salt. I tried avoiding Korean food but it wasn't a total ban, and it didn't work. I thought it could have been reaction to plastic wallpaper and plastic flooring in our apartment, stress (but I wasn't stressed), sleeping on the floor, dust, I was even starting to think of electromagnetic fields, I was desperate as I was walking around like a zombie for lack of sleep and if problem hadn't been solved I think I would have had to give up here. Anyway, I went to a western (American) doctor in Seoul a few weeks ago, as a final resort. I told him my symptoms and even mentioned I suspected MSG, but he didn't see any reason to think about food. (when do western doctors ever think about causes?) He gave me anti-depressants and vitamin B tablets. I came home and couldn't bare the thought of taking the anti-dpressants, and in a final act of desperation, searched for MSG on the net, which we were only just connected to. I found your MSG article. Everything made sense when I read it. I'm female, 28 y.o. I'm asthmatic and have a few allergies, suffer from mood swings and hypoglycemia. I was diagnosed a couple of years ago with fibromyalgia, another diagnosis I rejected and something I managed to make myself feel better over by getting some acupuncture. (now I wonder if that was caused by aspartame, I was drinking a couple of cans of diet coke a day at that stage, I've just read you aspartame article). Your description of who should avoid MSG fitted me perfectly. So after reading your article, I just stopped eating Korean food, period. Within 2 days problem solved! In past few weeks I've slept every night except two nights where I ate Korean food. As I said, I'd thought of MSG before but trouble was sometimes I'd not be able to sleep and I'd eaten home cooked western food all day, I hadn't realised effects could hang around for 72 hours. .... ------------- Newsgroups: alt.med.allergy Subject: Headaches Date: Fri, 6 Oct 1995 05:10:12 GMT I'm new to this group. Just discovered it. I suffered from terrible headaches for years, but about 3 years ago, someone told me about m.s.g. and that some people are sensitive to it. It is in nearly every processed food we eat. I realized that I had been consuming m.s.g. daily for years. It came to the point where I would be in bed for entire days and suffering from nausea as well. When I cut out m.s.g. 3/4 of my problem was solved. I found that I am sensitive to other foods as well, but taking an allergy pill helps those, but it would not touch a headache caused by m.s.g. I can have it now in VERY small amounts (such as in soups) without an adverse reaction. But I was off it entirely for a couple of years. The headache usually starts in the back of the neck and you may feel a little dizzy. It's usually in one side of your head. Also, with me an m.s.g. reaction doesn't usually happen until about 12 hours after I've consumed the food with m.s.g. So if you have headaches you can t get rid of try elliminating m.s.g. It MIGHT help. ------------- America Online/MSG Reaction - Allergies, Immune Disorders/Chem Sensitivities Subj: Re:MSG Date: 96-04-10 19:07:58 EDT From: Maotz I have sensitivity to MSG, and simply avoid the stuff - no flavored chips, reading ingredients on frozen foods, no fried rice or egg rolls at Chinese restaurants (more goes in this than anything else) I can get by eating at these restaurants if I just avoid those two foods, but I still cannot eat there two or more daysin a row, I have to watch the freguency of Chinese food unless they specify in the restaurant NO MSG. Then I can merrily eat there as much as I want or as funds permit. I also avoid some processed meats like hotdogs balogne, which is rather easy for me because I don't like these foods, but I can't even eat them to be polite, You'd be surprised how often this comes up on camp-outs, parties, etc. I'm just considered eccentric about what I'll put in my mouth, but better that than hogging the restroom the whole night about an hour after ingesting these foods! The only sure-cure I've found is avoidance. I feel if I do get the runs, I want the poison out of my system as soon as possible, so no Keopectate! ------------ Re: Migraines and Food intolerances/alergies Date 12 Feb 1996 11:21:01 GMT Newsgroups alt.support.headaches.migraine On Feb 11, 1996 14:30:42 in article , 'cort@netzone.com (cort)' wrote: .... Small quantities of MSG will give me a very bad bilateral vasscular headadche the following day or days. .... ------------- Re: Migraines and Food intolerances/alergies Date 12 Feb 1996 16:20:52 GMT Newsgroups alt.support.headaches.migraine Many of my migraine triggers are foods or additives: MSG, balsamic vinegar, pickled herring, olives, etc. .... ------------ Re: Progression of Fibromyalgia Date 13 Feb 1996 17:16:31 GMT Newsgroups alt.med.fibromyalgia Consider yourself added to my prayer list! My church and faith have maintained my sanity during insane times.... About myself___ I was diagnosed with FM 16 years ago when I couldn't climb the stairs to get my two year old up from his nap (I had put off seeing a Doctor for weeks). I fully anticipated putting a ramp on the front of my house.. the pain in my legs was so intense. I remember praying to God at the time that I would accept anything if He would only let me keep the feeling in/use of my hands. Imagine bartering with God. .... MSG has always been a no-no.. instant flare up! ------------- Date: Wed, 14 Feb 1996 22:29:01 -0800 Subject: msg To: Multiple recipients of list ALLERGY my reaction to msg is getting more severe as i get older. i am a 44 yr old white male with no other health problems and only mild allergy problems related to trees and dust. i am not obese. i suffer severe water retention when i ingest msg. my problem is encounters of the "eating out" kind. i cannot identify msg at restaurants. is there a list of all of the different names associated with msg. i use benedryl when i suspect that i have ingested msg. is there any better way to treat? i am 185lbs but usually go to 195 when i encounter msg. after 36 hours i can spend hours in the restroom as i have a flood of water when my body releases the fluid build up. any suggestions? ------------ MSG List Date Tue, 19 Mar 1996 00:18:00 -0500 Newsgroups bit.listserv.autism Here you go, and remember, read your labels. I know being off of this stuff has drematically changed my family. We stay away from; Red dyes# 3, 27, 30, & 40 Yellow dyes#5 & 6 nitrates, and nitrites aspartame and nutrasweet Monosodium Glutamate The FDA does not require lableing for MSG disguised foods, please be aware of the following: Hydrolyzed vegetable protein hydrolyzed plant protein calcium caseinate yeast extract textured protein plant protein extract sodium casienate autolyzed yeast hydrolyzed oat flour Additives that frequently contain MSG malt extract malt flavoring bouillon stock flavoring natural flavoring natural chicken or beek flavoring seasoning spices carrageenan enzymes soy protein concentrate soy protein isolate whey protein concentrate ------------ Re: MSG & sulfites Date Wed, 6 Mar 1996 17:55:38 GMT Newsgroups alt.support.asthma Yes...along with the people who don't have such a sensistivity reacting with disbelief (once I had to show someone that I really could tell which foods did and did not have MSG, merely on the basis of which ones didn't smell like vomit). I'm sensitive to a lot of "flavor enhancers", including MSG, sulphites sometimes give me a problem, and garlic and NutraSweet also give me problems (in case you're trying to correlate triggers; it might be a general cause, also if you have an MSG allergy/sensitivity, you might want to be careful about a garlic treatment. I'm no doctor, though.) There are some products out there without MSG, although some use other MSG-like substances, which also seem to set me off, so it might be the sodium. As a practical matter, avoid anything which seems to trigger you, regardless of what the labels say. ------------ American Online/MSG Question Subj: MSG Date: 95-10-14 23:00:34 EST From: Mike8787 My mother has recently developed a problem when eating foods with MSG... she becomes nauseous, vomits, very sick to her stomach. This is something that happened suddenly, without warning, and she has to be very careful not to eat anything containing MSG, sometimes difficult in restaurants... ------------ Date: Fri, 17 May 1996 14:59:46 -0700 To: mgold@holisticmed.com Subject: Add me to your list... If you have any sort of list of people that have reactions to MSG or can forward to anyone on your MSG page, you may want to know that I suffer migraines and vomiting from MSG and that I can easily tell by my reactions whether food I consume contained the substance (blindly). ------------- Re: constant headaches Date Mon, 20 May 1996 01:35:06 GMT Newsgroups alt.support.headaches.migraine .... MSG is my enemy. .... ------------ Do I really need it? Date 10 May 1996 09:24:23 -0400 Newsgroups rec.food.cooking My Mom gave me one of her old cookbooks because I'm kind of in a 60's retro cooking phase. Anyways I didn't notice till I got it home that literally every recipe calls for Accent (mono-sodium glutomate). Do I really need it? (Gives me a headache) Can I leave it out? And if I do, do I need to sub something for it? -------------- Subject taco seasoning mix Date Sat, 01 Jun 1996 23:46:13 GMT Newsgroups rec.food.cooking I have found that I get sick from monosodium glutamate and now skip food with msg with no problem with one exeption. Could someone please post recipes for taco seasoning mix. I cant find any without it and dying for good ol' tacos. Thanks, Jay --------------- Re: Seeking some advice Date Wed, 12 Jun 1996 22:05:29 -0500 Newsgroups alt.support.headaches.migraine My biggest trigger is MSG. Other things are also triggers, but I have been able to control my choices and situations. As he says, ddoing without somthing is no deprivation if it avoids the migraine result. By reading labels carefully and asking at restaurants about contents, I am able to avoid MSG. Cracker Barrel and Olive Garden restaurtants have been very accommodating, as are most of our local restaurants, with chefs knowledgeable and/or checking labels of their ingredients. Campbells Soup Co is now supplying products without MSG and will send consumers information about their products as will Kraft Co. (800 phone numbers are on labels.)