Large amount of taste enhancer pose health hazard to everyone

Dear Dr. Donya

I am a regular reader of your articles in The Jakarta Post. I have a daughter aged 19 months. I would appreciate your kind advice on her eating habits.

My daughter loves to eat instant noodles, but I am quite concerned as the packets mention MSG (monosodium glutamate) in their list of ingredients.

Is it safe to give food containing MSG to kids? What effect does it have?

Second, my daughter is due for her MMR vaccine but I am not sure if I should give her this vaccine now, when the SARS epidemic is commonplace.

I thank you in advance for your help. Best regards --Pallavi S.

Dear Pallavi,

MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. It is commonly added to food as a "taste enhancer." Unlike salt or other seasonings, MSG does not alter the actual taste of food; instead, it "tricks" your brain into thinking the food you are eating tastes good. It has a drug-like effect upon the flavor perception of the person who has ingested food or drink that contains MSG.

MSG has no nutritional value, nor is it a preservative, as many people frequently claim.

The use of MSG is so widespread that it is almost impossible to find a food on the shelves that doesn't contain it in some form or another. It is found not only in noodles as you worry, but in virtually every processed food available on the market today.

Reported reactions to MSG include: headache, migraine, stomach upset, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma attacks, shortness of breath, anxiety or panic attacks, heart palpitations, partial paralysis, "heart-attack like symptoms," balance difficulties, mental confusion, mood swings, behavioral disorders (especially in children and teens), allergy- type symptoms, skin rashes, runny nose, bags under the eyes, flushing, mouth lesions, depression, and more.

In addition, medical research has demonstrated glutamate relationships in Alzheimer's Disease, diabetes, Parkinson's Disease and others.

MSG works like a drug, altering taste bud sensitivity. While most people do not seem to react to the current amounts found in our food supply, about 30 percent of the population does respond adversely.

As higher and higher doses of MSG are added to foods, more and more people are experiencing reactions. Also, it is important to remember that a high enough dose is toxic to everyone! MSG intolerance is not usually an allergic reaction, but a true drug reaction.

For MMR vaccine is not too late.

Best Regards, --Dr. Donya