Possible Side Effects of MSG, Including BPH Symptom Flare-Ups
Monosodium glutamate, more commonly known as MSG, is considered by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a GRAS (generally recognized as safe) food. Because of this, you most likely consider foods containing MSG to have no adverse effect on your health. However, the FDA has recognized that MSG may cause problems for certain people, including asthmatics and people with poor MSG tolerance.
In addition to the FDA’s acknowledgment that this additive can affect the people listed above, other people believe that MSG has a more negative effect on a larger percentage of the population.
In fact, some scientific researchers (including Russell Blaylock, author of a book called “Excitotoxins the Taste that Kills”) have noted a greater correlation between the consumption of MSG, especially in amounts of 3 grams or more, and negative effects for health.
Some common health problems linked to increased intake of MSG include:
Worsening of health conditions, including flare-ups of BPH symptoms
- Headaches, including migraines
- Nausea
- dizziness/tinnitus
- heart irregularities
- Increased body heat or excessive sweating
- Acne
- tingling numbness
- Increased or intense thirst
- lethargy or drowsiness
Other serious health concerns linked to the additive by researchers like Blaylock include
- seizures
- brain cell death
- brain damage
- allergies
- Headaches
- strokes
- hypoglycemia
- Brain tumors
- Depression
Robert Rosenthal, who was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, was able to track flare-ups of his benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms. Rosenthal found that foods containing MSG seemed to trigger his painful BPH symptoms. By avoiding those foods, and other triggers, Rosenthal was able to limit flare-ups of his enlarged prostate symptoms.
Unfortunately, even with evidence, such as that from Rosenthal and Blaylock, the FDA still has MSG on its GRAS list. This can give the false impression that MSG is just as safe as other items on that list, such as salt, pepper, and vinegar. If you experience any of the side effects listed above, check what you are eating, contact your doctor and consider removing foods with MSG from your diet.