Tuesday, February 15, 2011

About Allergies: Are You Allergic to MSG?

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From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies
I frequently encounter patients in my clinic who wonder if they are allergic to MSG. Most of these people describe a situation in which they were eating at an Asian restaurant, after which they experienced a sensation of feeling flushed along with mild shortness of breath and chest tightness. Usually, the symptoms are mild and resolve within a short period of time and without treatment. And yet, these reactions are so distressing as to cause the person to avoid Asian restaurants for fear of MSG allergy.

MSG Allergy
MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is a flavor enhancer added to various foods, but can also be present in foods naturally. Reactions to MSG have been previous called the "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome," although are now referred to as the "MSG Symptom Complex". Symptoms are often mild and can include numbness and tingling on the arms and neck, palpitations and drowsiness. Other symptoms may include headaches, nausea, chest pain and worsening asthma symptoms... Read more

Reactions to Food Additives and Preservatives
There are thousands of substances added to various foods for the purposes of coloring, flavoring and preserving. Additives are usually only a very small component of foods, but have been suspected of causing various reactions. Food additives include the following groups... Read more
See More About:  food allergies  skin testing  allergist

Could I Have a Red Dye Allergy?
While it is possible for a person to have a red dye allergy or other food coloring allergy, this is rare. I often see patients in my clinic who report allergic reactions after consuming food coloring... Read more



 


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This newsletter is written by:
Daniel More, MD
Allergies Guide
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