What Is Chinese Restaurant Syndrome?

What Is Chinese Restaurant Syndrome?
Chinese Restaurant Syndrome - An acute hypersensitivity
reaction to monosodium glutamate (MSG) a preservative common in Chinese
food. This is characterized by a sudden onset of headache, heartburn,
palpitations, sweating, swelling, and flushing of the face. Some report
a sense of increased facial pressure or tingling in the face. Symptoms
generally start within 2 hours of eating foods rich in MSG. This
condition is generally self-limited and will resolve. Antihistamines
can be helpful in some cases.

MSG is a sodium salt of the amino acid glutamic acid, extracted from
fermented soya beans or made synthetically by fermenting molasses or
starch it is commonly used as a flavor enhancer in foods. Used in Asian
cooking and many prepared foods, it is said to cause sensitive
individuals to experience adverse physical reactions such as dizziness
and flushing, sometimes called Chinese Restaurant Syndrome. It is not
permitted in foods intended for babies.

An excitotoxin, states Dr. Blaylock, is a substance added to
prepared foods and beverages that stimulates one's neurons literally to
death. This can lead to neurological disease, even brain tumors.

Dr. Blaylock is not so much an alarmist as a realist. As a
practicing neurosurgeon, he regularly sees the damage produced by
excitotoxins he calls them neurological time bombs on the human brain.
This damage includes Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Lou Gehrig's disease,
Huntington's chorea, strokes, headaches, hypoglycemia, and other
conditions.

- Russell L. Blaylock, M.D. Health Press, P.O. Box 1388, Santa Fe, NM 87504