Health Care Costs of MSG in food

"Erik Jaffe said that a survey of NOMSG members revealed that 10% of the respondents had been diagnosed by a physician with Fibromyalgia, 11% with Temporomandibular Dys., 19% with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, 18% with Reflux Esophagitis, Gastrocitis, Hiatal Hernia, 12% with Spastic colon, and 9% for both Chronic Fatigue Syndrom and PMS. Respondents averaged four reactions a month, took an average of 10.6 years to discover their sensitivity after their first reaction, and 77% diagnosed themselves. Forty-five percent react similarly to aspartame and 37% to sulfites. Forty-five percent react to a small quantity of MSG and 42% said any quantity. The average number of times medical help was sought for the more typical symptoms was 14 times." (Anglesey, 65)

An article about a glutamate/MS connection was released and printed in the papers in all major cities in Dec. 1999 and Jan. 2000. In it, experimental drugs being tested as treatment for strokes, were cited by researchers as having the potential to treat multiple sclerosis. The drug is a glutamate blocker. We find it ironic that millions are being spent to develop these glutamate blockers instead of getting glutamate out of our processed food supply. Of course, the average person reading the article would not realize the glutamate being discussed is the same substance they are getting daily in their food, cosmetics, supplements, and medications. (Anglesey, 78)

Richard R. Huntley, M.D., of Muskegon, Michigan sent a letter to the FDA. In it he states that he and his wife travel a lot and never get sick eating food in Turkey, Africa, South America, etc., but the always get sick eating in U.S. restaurants. Consequently, like us, they prepare and eat all their own food. He decided to consider MSG as a cause for some of his patient's illnesses and was amazed to see how may are affected by it and other similar chemicals. He went on to discuss in detail the typical tests doctors will prescribe in order to rule out more threatening conditions. For headaches, there are CAT scans, MRIs, full physicals, and trips to the neurologist. For patients with chest pain, doctors routinely do a cardiogram or a thallium exercise cardiogram, chest x-ray, blood work, and perhaps a visit to a heart specialist. If a patient complains of digestive problems, then gall bladder x-rays, stomach x-rays, a gastroscopy with a physical examination and blood work are often needed. A CAT scan or further consultation may be called for, from a gastroenterologist. His letter went on to say that he and other doctors should be glad about all the money they make because of MSG, not to mention drug companies, but instead, this doctor is trying to make a difference by calling the FDA to task. He challenges the government to ban MSG from our food immediately and calls it a crime that the FDA allows such adulteration to our food and fraud in its labeling. Realizing the clout that the multi-billion dollar food industry has, he ends his letter by hoping the FDA will still do something and have a conscience. Please write the FDA and lend your appeal as this caring doctor has done. (Anglesey, 19)