Remedies - MSG Relief - MSG , High Blood Pressure

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Remedies - MSG Relief -

MSG & High Blood Pressure

 

 

Remedies

Plan A - AVOID MSG

 

http://www.msgtruth.org/remedies.htm

 

Many of those afflicted with MSG sensitivity seriously attempt to avoid

MSG. However, because labeling laws in the United States allow foods

high in free glutamate to go unlabeled as such, those with MSG symptom

complex often are often unwitting victims of glutamate toxicity.

 

At this time, there is little clinical data to provide information on

remedies for MSG symptom complex, because most of the research done on

MSG was paid for by the Glutamate industry.

 

However, here we discuss possible scientific explanations for why a

particular food or mineral would provide some relief, based on available

scientific research, and reports of benefit from MSG sensitive

individuals.

 

It should be noted that many of MSG sensitive individuals try to avoid

most dietary supplements as they often contain items like gelatin or

other substances that contain MSG. These individuals do not take any

supplement lightly, as most cause them fear of a reaction.

 

Plan B - POSSIBLE REMEDIES

 

Taurine -

Some MSG sensitive individuals report relief from some MSG symptoms by

taking taurine in powder form free of additives or fillers. The

rationale behind this approach is that glutamate competes with the amino

acid cysteine for uptake in the body.

 

An excess of glutamate will interfere with the body's ability to convert

cysteine into taurine, the other free form amino acid which acts as the

body's heartbeat regulator.

 

Taurine is the body's water soluble anti-oxidant, and inhibitory

neurotransmitter. The body also uses taurine to make bile, which aids in

the digestion of fats.

 

The idea of taking taurine for accidental MSG ingestion is that since

MSG may inhibit taurine formation, those with irregular heartbeat,

digestive problems, epilepsy, vision disturbance, and panic attacks from

MSG, may benefit from ingesting taurine instead of waiting for the body

to make it.

 

Unfortunately, most food scientists are not taught about taurine because

adults are assumed to be able to make it and shouldn't need to eat it.

It isn't even listed in most tables of the amino acids.

 

However, taurine is so important in the body, that since 1986 it has

been added to baby formula because it is essential for proper growth and

development in humans.

 

Also, studies of people with epilepsy have shown that taurine levels in

the brain after a seizure are unusually low. Taurine is now being

considered as treatment for diabetes as well as epilepsy.

 

Foods high in taurine include fresh fish and meat. It is not found in

significant amounts in foods of non-meat origin. Heat for long periods

of time destroys it. It is interesting that the Japanese use much MSG,

but also eat diets high in fish, and raw fish at that.

 

A Japanese meal of sushi contains much taurine, as well as MSG. Chinese

food, which often is cooked at high heat and also contains mushrooms,

another source of free glutamate, and often mostly vegetables, would

contain less protective taurine.

 

Magnesium -

In a recent report on CNN, magnesium was reported as one remedy for

migraine sufferers. MSG is a migraine trigger. It should noted that some

MSG sensitive individuals report relief from some symptoms by increasing

intake of magnesium to avoid deficiency.

 

The reasoning behind this approach is that glutamate is a calcium

channel opener - it causes nerve cells to fire. Overstimulated nerve

cells can die if too much stimulatory glutamate is present. Magnesium is

the mineral the nervous system uses to switch overtaxed nerve cells to

"off".

 

Vitamin B6 -

In the FASEB research report quoted on our home page, Vitamin B6 is

mentioned because it is the vitamin used by the body for many functions,

including helping to convert amino acids into other amino acids. It has

been shown that those with Vitamin B6 deficiency show increased

sensitivity to MSG. It should be noted that it is possible to take too

much vitamin B6 and that for those with MSG sensitivity that are not

Vitamin B6 deficient, more Vitamin B6 may not be of any benefit.

 

MSG is a calcium channel opener.

 

This means it can act as a blood pressure RAISER.

 

It is well accepted that high blood pressure raises the risk of stroke.

 

 

In cultures that use copious amounts of MSG, such as Singapore, stroke

is on the rise, even in young adults.

 

Many of the newer cardiovascular drugs are calcium channel blockers. It

is interesting to note that, Vitamin B6 is now being touted for

cardiovascular health by physicians.

 

It should also be noted that individuals who ingest too much alcohol put

themselves at risk of damaging their liver and inducing Vitamin B6

deficiency. Because of this, alcohol use is not encouraged for those who

are borderline Vitamin B6 deficient, or MSG sensitive.

 

For those patients who must restrict Vitamin B6 due to medical

conditions (Vitamin B6 can interfere with Parkinson's medications),

avoiding MSG is critical, as there may be less ability to deal with an

excess of glutamate.

 

Vitamin B6 is also used by the body to create another very important

substance now listed in the formularies of hospitals for treating heart

disease, a substance widely used in Japan for heart health, and which

also seems to give some relief to MSG sensitive individuals - the next

item in this list: CoQ10

 

CoQ10

CoQ10, is a universal substance used all over the body in what is called

the glucose to energy pathway. CoQ10 helps the body take fuel in the

form of glucose, or blood sugar, and turn it into energy in the cells of

the body. CoQ10 has been of some benefit in reducing the symptoms of MSG

Symptom Complex.

 

The rationale is that since glutamate in excess can overstimulate nerve

cells until they die, energy is crucial. If there is enough energy

converted to help an overstimulated nerve cell withstand an excess of

glutamate, than the nerve cell will recover. If however, there is a

CoQ10 deficiency, the cell will run out of energy and die. This is a

simplistic analogy, but, it does not appear to be coincidence, that the

country with the largest consumption of MSG in the world, is also a

large consumer of CoQ10.

 

It should also be noted that some MSG sensitive individuals complain of

reactions to food items containing corn. Corn contains substances which

interfere in the glucose to energy pathway. It was found early in the

20th century that diets consisting mainly of corn result in the desease

pellagra. Pellagra is a deficiency of niacin. Niacin is the vitamin that

aids in the glucose to energy pathway. Niacin deficiency results in "The

Four D's" Dermatitis, Dementia, Diarrhea, and Death, because work all

over the body grinds to a halt, and cells die from lack of energy. Those

with liver damage or vitamin B6 deficiency and whose MSG sensitivity

manifests itself as skin rash, digestive disorders, lack of

concentration, and corn sensitivity, may be helped by taking CoQ10.

 

Unfortunately, CoQ10 is extremely expensive. However, it appears to help

some individuals so much that they will spend the money to purchase it.

It should be noted that the body uses many other vitamins to make CoQ10.

Therefore, a well rounded diet can help the body make CoQ10 on its own.

 

An interesting side note:

 

CoQ10 deficiency can be induced by too vigorous excercise - it depletes

CoQ10.

MSG can induce asthma attacks.

There is also excercise induced asthma.

 

This begs the question - Are athletes who have asthma and eat athlete

supplements high in free glutamate at risk by depleting CoQ10 by both

excercise and overtaxing the nervous system?