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Adverse Reactions In Humans Thought To Be Related To Ingestion Of Elevated Levels Of Free Monosodium Glutamate (Msg) (Chinese Restaurant Syndrome And Other Reactions)

  • Chapter
Excitotoxins

Part of the book series: Wenner-Gren Center International Symposium Series ((WGS))

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Abstract

Monosodium glutamate is widely used as a flavor enhancer. A number of adverse effects in humans have been attributed to ingestion of this substance. The most well known of these is the so-called Chinese Restaurant Syndrome. Various studies have been done to attempt to substantiate that glutamate is indeed the etiologic factor responsible for the reported symptoms. No measurable signs appear to be associated with the syndrome. Symptoms can be quite frightening but appear to be transient and rely on subjective reports of reactors. Other adverse reactions, presumably associated with ingestion of glutamate, are also discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eye Research Institute of Retina Foundation and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Liane Reif-Lehrer Phd

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  1. Liane Reif-Lehrer Phd
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Histology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    Kjell Fuxe

  2. Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton, England

    Peter Roberts

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Robert Schwarcz

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© 1983 The Wenner-Gren Center

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Reif-Lehrer, L. (1983). Adverse Reactions In Humans Thought To Be Related To Ingestion Of Elevated Levels Of Free Monosodium Glutamate (Msg) (Chinese Restaurant Syndrome And Other Reactions). In: Fuxe, K., Roberts, P., Schwarcz, R. (eds) Excitotoxins. Wenner-Gren Center International Symposium Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-06963-7_24

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