Large amount of taste enhancer pose health hazard to everyone

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