Posted by Larry Hoover on June 8, 2003, at 8:23:57
In reply to Re: MSG and aspartame etc, posted by Viridis on June 8, 2003, at 4:52:31
> I wonder about MSG. I recall seeing the results of a fairly large study not too long ago in which people who reported MSG sensitivity were tested for their reaction to MSG. Unfortunately, I can't recall where, or all the details (and haven't bothered to track it down yet), but the gist of it was that some of the "MSG sensitives" were given food that they were told contained MSG but didn't, some were given MSG-containing food and told so, some were given food without MSG and told so, and some were given food without MSG but told that MSG was present.
I read that study, too. There are related additives used as flavour enhancers which may affect some people when combined with MSG, where the MSG alone would induce no reaction.
I understand the questions raised, about suggestibility, and so on, but my personal experience is that restaurant/institutional food often triggers something unpleasant in me. Headache, queasiness, flushing, general malaise.
> I realize that some food additives, supplements, etc. can have very real effects, but these two just don't appear to be high on the risk list for the average person with moderate consumption.It is an axiom in toxicology (my specialty), "The dose makes the poison." What I think is often not realized is that the dose-responsiveness in the population at large can vary substantially; 100-fold differences are not too uncommon.
It comes down to individual responsibility, IMHO. It's not that MSG and aspartame et al are toxins which should be banned from the food supply....It's that individuals should be aware of what they're putting in their mouths. If restaurant food (or particular sources thereof) gives you an unpleasant reaction, don't eat there. If you worry about diet soda being safe (even without overt adverse reaction to it), don't drink it.
Climbing down off my soap box,
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:232138
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030604/msgs/232343.html