Is MSG Actually Bad for You?

What is MSG?

MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is a sodium salt of glutamic acid (an α-amino acid). It was first isolated in 1908 by Japanese biochemist Kikunae Ikeda, who was trying to discover exactly what gave dashi—the Japanese broth flavored with sea kelp—its strong, savory character. Ikeda found that kombu is packed with glutamic acid, and he titled this taste of glutamic acid as umami. Recently there has been a ton of controversy surrounding the health effects of MSG. As some claim that it causes asthma and headaches, others claim that this food additive is safe. This article will dive into the research-based truth behind whether or not MSG should be eaten.

Chinese Restaurant Syndrome

The term "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" started in 1968 when Dr. Robert Ho Man Kwok published a letter in the New England Journal of Medicine. Without any actual evidence presented, he linked the palpitations he experienced after eating in Chinese restaurants with eh use of MSG in Chinese food. This letter went viral, and soon MSG-phobia was born. MSG continues to be blamed for everything from migraines to heart problems. Is this all true? Well, the science might surprise you.

What It Does To Our Brain

 MSG is like a slow poison, not every feels its effects immediately but it does to harm to the nervous system.  

MSG crosses the blood-brain barrier into our hypothalamus part of the brain. This sector regulates out appetite, sleep cycles, and growth. In the hypothalamus, MSG destroys neurons inside of the brain. 

Excessive quantities of glutamate will kill the neurons with the receptors for it, and will also kill any neuron that happens to be connected to it, even if it uses another type of transmitter.

Within 15-30 minutes after exposure to high doses of the taste-altering substance, neurons suspended in tissue culture have been observed to "swell" like a balloon. And in less than 3 hours, those neurons are not only dead, but the body's defense mechanism begins to get rid of the "debris".Even in low doses, MSG can damage these neurons without really killing them.

Also, MSG stimulates our pancreas to produce insulin. The sudden flood of insulin causes a rapid blood sugar drop, which means you'll be hungry an hour later and come back for more.

So, Is it Really that Bad?

Yes, this taste-altering substance should not be consumed every day, and can even lead to serious effects on your body.

For instance, our heart also contains glutamate receptors in its electrical conduction system and in the heart muscle. Athletes generally have low magnesium stores, which makes their glutamate receptors extra sensitive, meaning even tiny amounts of MSG may over-stimulate them and produce cardiac arrhythmias. This could explain many sudden deaths sometimes seen among young athletes.

Regular consumption of MSG foods can have dreadful effects such as eye damage, obesity, fatigue, headaches, and even depression. 

cites:

yang, w. h., m. a. drouin, m. herbert, y. mao, and j. karsh. “the monosodium glutamate symptom complex: assessment in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study.” the journal of allergy and clinical immunology part 1 99.6 (1997):

blaylock, russell l. excitotoxins: the taste that kills. santa fe, nm: health, 1998.

lorden, j. f., and a. claude. “behavioral and endocrinological effects of single injections of monosodium glutamate in the mouse.” neurobehavioral toxicology and teratology 8.5 (1986):

blaylock, russell. “food additives: what you eat can kill you.” the blaylock wellness report 4 (oct. 2007):