Fuel for Thought

MSG - 19

Monosodium Glutamate. Commonly known as MSG. MSG can be found in nearly all foods naturally, but it is also used to enhance the flavors in many foods, not just Chinese foods. 

MSG is derived from the amino acid glutamate, or glutamic acid, which is one of the most abundant amino acids in nature. Glutamic acid is a non-essential amino acid, meaning that your body can produce it. 

I can remember years ago that it seemed everyone was in an uproar over MSG. It was a “dangerous” food additive that so many people were having adverse reactions to in the foods they were eating. Still today, you can see food packaging claiming “No MSG”, yet it seems the allergic people of years ago have either forgotten about it or developed an immunity to it, since it is actually a naturally occurring amino acid present in most foods and they were consuming it before the MSG crisis. I wonder what happened to all those who couldn’t stomach foods with MSG?  It was made out to be the crisis of the day back then. But I digress. The bottom line is that MSG enhances flavors. It makes foods “taste” better, it elevates the underlying flavors in the foods.

You know, it seems that coronavirus could also be an enhancer, of sorts. There seems to be a correlation between those who tested positive for COVID (and actually had severe symptoms) and underlying causes. It brought out or enhanced a condition already present in the person. How many times have you heard of COVID patients who, because of covid treatment or posthumously, it was found that they were diabetic, had breathing disorders, blood disorders, heart issues, lung issues, etc.? It would seem that the virus attacked individuals with known or unknown underlying conditions, more intensely. Enhancing their reactions, bringing out the full flavor of the underlying condition. Just like MSG enhancing flavors, COVID has enhanced our interactions with other people, how we react to one another, with each other and even whether we interact with other people at all.

Do some people still have allergic reactions to MSG? Probably. Most likely. Definitely. Real or imagined, maybe a mix of both. Several studies have been conducted to find the effects of MSG in people. In one study, people with self-reported MSG sensitivity consumed either 5 grams of MSG or a placebo. The result, 36.1% reported reactions with MSG compared to 24.6% with a placebo. 

Do COVID patients have real symptoms? Sure they do. Does everyone have the same reaction to it? Of course not. Perhaps, COVID will one day be like a common cold, or MSG. Both can be found everywhere. Most everyone has had it and reacted differently to it. The majority can get it and be inconvenienced briefly or not at all. Some will still have severe reactions to it, while most will not even know they have had it. 

As a point of reference, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration - the same one who approved the vaccine) classifies MSG as GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe). However, according to the MSG critics (yes, they are still out there, just not as vocal as before), MSG Symptom Complex (you just knew there was going to be a name for this, didn’t you?) can have people experiencing symptoms including headache, muscle tightness, numbness, tingling, weakness and flushing. There are also those who claim MSG can cause asthma attacks and even brain damage. Brain damage? Brain damage is GRAS ?(see above for definition, I’m not typing it again)

I suppose the vaccine approved by the same FDA is GRAS? Except for the reports of myocarditis and pericarditis, in certain people of a short term study, of course.

If your food tastes good, then MSG will have nothing to enhance. If you are healthy, perhaps COVID has nothing to enhance either. Do your best to lead a healthy life. This could be your best protection from infections.

See you down the road,

Greg