MSG is a known trigger for migraines, and has been my only known trigger for years. I thought it would be informative to educate on what MSG is and more importantly, where it is hidden in your food.
What exactly is MSG?
Most everyone has heard about MSG and how you should not eat it but what is it exactly?
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer frequently added to Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups and processed meats. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has characterized MSG as a food ingredient that’s “generally recognized as safe,” but its use is extremely controversial. When MSG is added to food, the FDA requires that it be listed on the label.
MSG has been used as a food additive for decades. Over the years, the FDA has received many reports of reactions to foods containing MSG. These reactions — known as MSG symptoms— include:
Headache- Flushing
- Sweating
- Facial pressure or tightness
- Numbness, tingling or burning in the face, neck and other areas
- Rapid, fluttering heartbeats (heart palpitations)
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Weakness
Everyone knows that some people react to the food ingredient monosodium glutamate. What many don’t know, is that more than 40 different ingredients contain the chemical in monosodium glutamate (processed free glutamic acid) that causes these reactions. MSG reactions have been reported from soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners, and cosmetics, where MSG is hidden in ingredients with names that include the words “hydrolyzed,” “amino acids,” and/or “protein.” Most sun block creams and insect repellents also contain MSG. Aspartame (which contains MSG and will also make you crave carbohydrates) will be found in some medications, including children’s medications. For questions about the ingredients in pharmaceuticals, check with your pharmacist and/or read the product inserts for the names of “other” or “inert” ingredients.
Low fat and no fat milk products often contain milk solids that contain MSG and many dairy products contain carrageenan, guar gum, and/or locust bean gum. Low fat and no fat ice cream and cheese may not be as obvious as yogurt, milk, cream, cream cheese, cottage cheese, etc., but they are not exceptions.
FDA requirement is to include the protein source when listing hydrolyzed protein products on labels of processed foods. Examples are hydrolyzed soy protein, hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed pea protein, hydrolyzed whey protein, hydrolyzed, corn protein. If a tomato, for example, were whole, it would be identified as a tomato. Calling an ingredient tomato protein indicates that the tomato has been hydrolyzed, at least in part, and that processed free glutamic acid (MSG) is present.
Names of ingredients that always contain processed free glutamic acid:
- Glutamic acid (E 620)2
- Glutamate (E 620)
- Monosodium glutamate (E 621)
- Monopotassium glutamate (E 622)
- Calcium glutamate (E 623)
- Monoammonium glutamate (E 624)
- Magnesium glutamate (E 625)
- Natrium glutamate
- Anything “hydrolyzed”
- Any “hydrolyzed protein”
- Calcium caseinate, Sodium caseinate
- Yeast extract, Torula yeast
- Yeast food, Yeast nutrient
- Autolyzed yeast
- Gelatin
- Textured protein
- Whey protein
- Whey protein concentrate
- Whey protein isolate
- Soy protein
- Soy protein concentrate
- Soy protein isolate
- Anything “protein”
- Anything “protein fortified”
- Soy sauce
- Soy sauce extract
- Anything “enzyme modified”
- Anything containing “enzymes”
- Anything “fermented”
- Anything contraining “protease”
- Vetsin
- Ajinomoto
- Umam
Names of ingredients that often contain or produce processed free glutamic acid during processing:
- Carrageenan (E 407)
- Bouilon and broth
- Stock
- Any “flavors” or flavoring
- Natural flavor
- Maltodextrin
- Oligodextrin
- Citric acid, Citrate (E 330)
- Anything “ultra pasteurized”
- Barley malt
- Malted barley
- Brewer’s yeast
- Pectin (E 440)
- Malt extract
- Seasonings
If you or someone you know has migraines triggered by MSG, I highly advise avoiding the above mentioned ingredients. If you have questions about a specific food, or wish to consult a doctor about your migraines, call our Longmont chiropractic office at 303-651-7003.