Another Reason to Avoid MSG… New Research…
Dec 25th, 2008 by Dr. Brad : )
I read the following article this morning, about scientists uncovering the reason behind a neurological disease called Devic’s disease:
Scientists Uncover Neurotransmitter Defect Behind Autoimmune Disease
A neurotransmitter defect that may trigger Devic’s disease, a potentially blinding neurological disorder that is often confused with multiple sclerosis, has been uncovered by researchers at the Mayo clinic.
In their study report, published in the online edition of the Journal of Experimental Medicine, the researchers say that their finding may result in new treatment options for the devastating disease.
Individuals with Devic’s disease often experience rapid visual loss, paralysis, and loss of leg, bladder, and bowel sensation. Some lose their sight permanently.
This disease can be diagnosed by the presence of a specific self-attacking immune protein-an autoantibody referred to as NMO-IgG-in the blood.
However, it has remained unclear to date as to how that protein damages nerves and contributes to disease symptoms.
Research leader Dr. Vanda Lennon has now found that NMO-IgG sets off a chain of events that leads to a toxic build-up of a neurotransmitter called glutamate.
The researcher says that NMO-IgG binds to a protein that normally sops up excess glutamate from the space between brain cells.
In its presence, adds the researcher, this sponge-like action is blocked, allowing glutamate to accumulate.
And too much glutamate can kill the cells that produce myelin, the protein that coats and protects neurons.
The study suggests that glutamate-induced damage to nerve cells and their insulating myelin coats might account for the neurological symptoms associated with Devic’s disease.
If the groups’ results are confirmed in vivo, drug development could be very straightforward. herapeutic trials for glutamate blockers, created to treat other neurodegenerative diseases like Lou Gehrig’s disease (or ALS), are already underway.
Source-ANI
RAS/SK
In my own family, 3 of the 9 of us are extremely sensitive to MSG; my wife, our oldest son and our oldest daughter. This reflects society, where a similar proportion of people will have symptoms if they take in MSG. For my wife, any MSG taken in will cause headaches. For our daughter, severe headaches and vomiting that will typically last for a day or two, and for our son, similar symptoms.
MSG is touted as a very safe flavor enhancer, but there are many people who suffer pain and sickness because of it. It is disguised in many foods, but in general, when you see the words “Hydrolyzed”, “Autolyzed”, or “Modified”, you should consider it to be MSG.
The interesting thing about this article is their acknowledgment that free Glutamate is a toxin in the body, with potentially devastating consequences. Note that this article is referring to people with a certain defect in their ability to “sop-up” excess Glutamate, a small percentage of the population. But is it possible that there are more people who have this defect than is thought, to a greater or lesser degree? Millions of people suffer from MSG sensitivity and the majority of them live with their pain without ever knowing the cause. Food for thought..
Dr. Brad : )
Very interesting. My family also has a few that are very sensitive to MSG. I get severe headaches at first, and then I notice accelerated heart rate and breathing (perhaps a true allergy?), my son, who has an autism disorder, has a noticable increase in his sensory issues and other “negative” behaviors.
The difficult thing in our family is that we find our son actually craves the very foods that hurt him. He is our litmus test for how much hidden MSG something has — you can actually watch it change his behavior. And the opposite is also true, when we give him his nutritional shake his behaviors mellow out, he becomes calmer, and interestingly enough his speach gets better.
When we were children, (I’m in my 60’s now), my parents warned us abut MSG saying that it causes one’s hair to fall out and damages the liver. I don’t know how true this is, but it did prevent us from using it in our cooking.
What I have noticed is that most restaurants, especially the chinese and vietnamese ones do use MSG. It seems to leave one more thirsty than normal.
My cousin is interested in your DVD Conspiring men do you sell it by itself? I got it from purchasing the body code.
Not at this time – but we are considering it!
Dr. Brad : )