Oxo/Boullion Cubes or Powder

Hiya.,

Please before you read this I am not scare mongering it is not something to be worried about at all, and it is something I react to.

As I was having my normal nose and noticed a couple of threads about seasoning.

The main thing I would watch for is whether it has MSG (Monosodium glutamate) E621.

It is used in chinese cooking and most savoury snacks or pre-prepared foods.

Whilst most people don't notice its effects, there are some people out there who do and not realise.

It can make your get up and go leave for about a week as that is how long it can stay in your system. It can make you tired, emotional and give you flu like symptoms (aching joints headaches etc.,).

I noticed its effects first when I was pregnant, I used to crave Cheese & Onion crisps but I couldn't understand why I always felt so tired so I put it down to being pregnant.

Then I noticed I used to feel crap for about a week after I had a chinese takeaway, that is when I found out what caused it, when I changed to eating plain crisps and no takeaways it stopped and I felt 100% better. The following is info from the net.

• A 1995 FDA-commissioned report acknowledged that "An unknown percentage of the population may react to MSG and develop MSG symptom complex, a condition characterized by one or more of the following symptoms:
  • burning sensation in the back of the neck, forearms and chest
  • numbness in the back of the neck, radiating to the arms and back
  • tingling, warmth and weakness in the face, temples, upper back, neck and arms
  • facial pressure or tightness
  • chest pain
  • headache
  • nausea
  • rapid heartbeat
  • bronchospasm (difficulty breathing) in MSG-intolerant people with asthma
  • drowsiness
  • weakness."[4]

Issues surrounding these health implications of MSG consumption are the subject of much debate. A considerable body of anecdotal evidence exists suggesting negative health effects, but this has not yet been supported by recognised research.

Hi Carolyn,
I often react to MSG when I have a chinese takeaway and get very wheezy. I also get wheezy with red wine (sulphites) but I am asthmatic so obv am very aware of the effect of certain things. Thanks for the list of symptoms above - very interesting reading.
Nat

That's really interesting, i alway's wondered why i felt so tired after having crisps but i couldn't just stop at one packet it would be tree or four at a time! i thought it was the carbs that were making me tired and weak.