Anxiety Symptoms and MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)

It was back in the 1980's in England that MSG first attracted public attention to any great extent. I had already read about some of the reported symptoms of MSG, as my son had problems with food intolerance and apparent reactions to food additives, such as artificial colorings and flavorings.

Once the topic of monosodium glutamate hit the news stands, it started to disappear as an ingredient in many foods. Word then got around that the Chinese used it freely, and Chinese restaurants keen to keep their custom started to put up "No MSG" Signs in their windows.

The Chinese and Japanese use MSG like salt, and it is described as a seasoning. Where I now live, in the Philippines, you will find people will only know MSG by the brand name of the variety they use, not as MSG.

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Although governments generally regard MSG as safe, there have been a large number reports of side effects in people who are sensitive to it. One of the symptoms is anxiety, and one of the people who has been affected in the past was Deanne Repich. With her permission, I reproduce below an article she wrote on the subject of MSG.

Could MSG Sensitivity Affect You?

by Deanne Repich

The powerful link between food and mood can either
help or hurt our efforts to live a healthy, anxiety-free
life. Many anxiety sufferers have experienced first-hand
how ingredients like caffeine or aspartame (NutraSweet (R))
can trigger or worsen their physical symptoms.

MSG is another ingredient that may trigger symptoms in
some people. Most Americans consume MSG daily,
due to the fact that it is present in thousands of processed
foods.

What Is MSG?

MSG is shorthand for monosodium glutamate. It is a
manufactured flavor enhancer that is commonly added to
many of the foods Americans eat every day, such as
soups, processed meats, Asian cuisine, and frozen
dinners.

Glutamate is found in two forms. "Bound" glutamate is
linked to other amino acids, forming a protein molecule.
"Free" glutamate is not linked.

MSG is processed, "free" glutamate. MSG is created by
separating, or "freeing" bound glutamate from its links to
protein molecules. This manufactured separation process
adds an extra "punch" to the flavor of food.

MSG Sensitivity

When a person has an adverse reaction after recent ingestion
of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and/or any other ingredient
that contains processed, free glutamic acid, we call them
MSG-sensitive.

Note: The food industry uses the term "MSG" to refer to
monosodium glutamate only. In reality, consumers use the
term "MSG" when referring to any form of processed free
glutamic acid that causes adverse reactions.

Here are a few examples of adverse reactions that have
been reported after ingesting MSG. Keep in mind that
these are only a few examples, not a complete list
of the adverse reactions that have been reported.

-- Anxiety
-- Depression
-- Migraine headaches
-- Skin rash
-- Mood swings
-- Nausea
-- Cramps
-- Chest tension
-- Dizziness
-- Confusion
-- Heart palpitations or rapid heart rate
-- Flushing
-- Burning sensations
-- Sweating
-- Numbness
-- Excessive thirst
-- Difficulty concentrating
-- Lethargy or sleepiness
-- Seizures
-- Hyperactivity
-- Swelling
-- Changes in blood pressure

Do you experience any of these symptoms? If you notice that
symptoms are triggered or aggravated within an hour or two
after eating, then you may be MSG-sensitive.

Just as people have different symptoms to neurological drugs,
people seem to have different reactions to MSG. Some people
are affected by MSG and others are not. It's unclear as to why
some people have adverse reactions and others do not.

MSG Symptom Complex

According to the FDA, two groups of people can experience
short-term reactions, which are referred to as MSG Symptom
Complex, as a result of ingesting MSG.

The first group of people are those that eat large does of MSG
(three grams or more), especially on an empty stomach. The
second group of people are those with severe or poorly
controlled asthma who consume MSG.

A few MSG Symptom Complex symptoms include nausea,
rapid heartbeat, drowsiness, chest pain, and difficulty
breathing.

The FDA states that a typical serving of food containing MSG
contains less than 0.5 grams of MSG. With that said, I know
from personal experience and by talking to others with MSG
sensitivity, in certain individuals even small amounts of
MSG can trigger or worsen symptoms.

Debate Over the Safety of MSG

In 1959, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified
MSG as a "generally recognized as safe" food ingredient
under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Hundreds
of scientific studies confirm the safety of MSG.

However, the use of MSG in food has remained controversial.
Several independent reports have questioned studies as
seriously flawed for a variety of reasons.

Here are a few of the reasons that bring some research
confirming the safety of MSG into question:

-- Several pivotal MSG investigations used monkeys instead
of mice (mice more closely approximate human reactions);
-- Placebos used included MSG-related products that could
make the placebo and non-placebo results indistinguishable;
-- Studies included a narrow range of symptoms that participants
could select from when describing their reactions;
-- People with MSG sensitivities were not accepted into study
participation.

Despite the FDA approval, many consumers remain skeptical
because several independent studies have shown adverse
reactions as a result of ingesting MSG.

Another concern is the fact that FDA approval is based on data
provided by studies that have been in some way financed by
groups with a vested interest in MSG's success.

How Is MSG Different from the Glutamic Acid that Is
Present Naturally In our Bodies and Foods?

Glutamic acid, the main component of MSG, is one of the amino
acids that make up proteins. While some proponents of MSG imply
that it is naturally occurring glutamic acid, it is not. The MSG that
is found in processed foods is NOT identical to the glutamic acid
that is present in our bodies and foods naturally.

The difference is that the glutamate that occurs naturally in most
foods, such as meat, vegetables, and milk is "bound" to protein
and peptides. Because it is bound, it is not toxic.

MSG is created by "freeing" the glutamic acid from food, such
as corn and wheat through manufacturing processes. Manufactured
"free" glutamic acid is broken down rapidly in the body because it
lacks the links to other amino acids. The sudden increase in
glutamic acid can cause adverse reactions.

Naturally-occurring free glutamic acid present in some foods,
such as tomatoes and mushrooms, has not been shown to
cause adverse reactions. Only manufactured free glutamic
acid triggers symptoms.

Hidden Sources of MSG

Few people realize how prevalent MSG is. Fewer still realize that
there are many different names for processed free glutamic acid.
MSG is often combined with other substances and renamed, or
created by the manufacturing process.

These ingredients ALWAYS contain MSG:

-- Monosodium glutamate
-- Calcium caseinate
-- Textured protein
-- Monopotassium glutamate
-- Glutamate
-- Glutamic acid
-- Gelatin
-- Sodium caseinate
-- Yeast nutrient
-- Autolyzed yeast
-- Hydrolyzed corn gluten
-- Hydrolyzed soy protein
-- Hydrolyzed wheat protein
-- Hydrolyzed protein such as vegetable protein (the word
"hydrolyzed" on the label is a good tip-off)

If a product label says it contains some form of "hydrolyzed" protein,
it contains MSG.

These ingredients OFTEN contain MSG (or MSG is created during
processing):

-- Maltodextrin
-- Malt extract
-- Carrageenan
-- Soy protein isolate
-- Natural pork flavoring
-- Citric acid
-- Malt flavoring
-- Barley malt
-- Soy sauce stock or soy sauce extract
-- Soy protein or soy protein concentrate
-- Bouillon and broth
-- Natural chicken flavoring
-- Natural beef flavoring
-- Ultra-pasteurized
-- Whey protein concentrate
-- Pectin
-- Protease
-- Whey protein
-- Whey protein isolate
-- Protein fortified

Note: Even if a product label says "MSG free," it may still contain
processed free glutamic acid concealed under one of its other
names. Read the label to be sure.

During a recent trip to the grocery store I found several items
containing MSG, including:

-- Potato chips
-- Soup
-- Broth
-- Infant formula
-- Packaged stuffing
-- Taco seasoning
-- Packaged box dinners
-- Salad dressing
-- Soy sauce
-- Frozen dinners
-- Shampoo
-- Cosmetics
-- Canned vegetables
-- Processed meats

That's what I found in only ten minutes! Just think how many
items you'll find on a more thorough check!

My Personal Experience with MSG

I first learned about MSG through my own adverse reactions
several years ago when I noticed that my anxiety symptoms
seemed to worsen soon after I ate certain types of foods.
To test this hypothesis, I kept a food diary for a few months
and tracked symptoms that occurred within two hours of
eating.

Much to my surprise, I found that MSG was present in most of
the foods that triggered my symptoms! I also noticed that my
body could handle a small amount of foods containing MSG
without symptoms, yet if I ate more than a small amount, my
body reached a trigger point and symptoms occurred.

Upon discovering this revelation, I decided to remove the
trigger foods containing MSG and tracked the results. I
quickly noticed a dramatic improvement in how I felt!

What You Can Do

Each person is unique. While many people experience adverse
reactions after ingesting MSG, you may not. The amount of
MSG you can eat without experiencing symptoms varies with
the individual too.

If you suspect you are sensitive to MSG, keep a food diary for
a few weeks. Track the foods you eat, note any symptoms that
occur within two hours of eating, and whether or not these foods
contain MSG. This process will help you determine if MSG may
be a factor in triggering or aggravating your symptoms.

Try removing foods containing MSG from your diet for a few
weeks and see how you feel. Print out this article and bring it
with you to the grocery store to help you recognize which foods
contain MSG.

I think many of you will find, as I did, that your symptoms
improve after reducing the amount of MSG in your diet.

Keep in mind that removing MSG from your diet is not a quick
fix or magic solution to overcoming anxiety. An anxiety disorder
is more than just physical symptoms. Anxiety-promoting thought
patterns and behaviors also play a key role.

However, you may find that reducing your consumption of MSG
reduces or eliminates many physical symptoms. When your
symptoms are reduced, it becomes easier to focus on changing
anxious thought patterns and behaviors -- which are key to
overcoming an anxiety disorder.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deanne Repich is the Founder of the National Institute of Anxiety and Stress, Inc., an anxiety educator, teacher, and former anxiety sufferer. Deanne created the Conquer Your Anxiety Success Program, a simple, action-oriented "how-to" course that has helped thousands across the globe conquer their anxiety. She also conducts seminars, writes articles, and publishes the free "Anxiety Tips" newsletter.

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