{"id":1594,"date":"2025-07-21T14:23:57","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T14:23:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/remote-support.space\/wordpress\/?p=1594"},"modified":"2025-07-21T14:24:05","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T14:24:05","slug":"msg-and-nacl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/remote-support.space\/wordpress\/2025\/07\/21\/msg-and-nacl\/","title":{"rendered":"MSG and NaCl"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0LD\u2085\u2080 (Lethal Dose, 50%)<\/strong>\u00a0values for\u00a0monosodium glutamate (MSG)<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0sodium chloride (NaCl, table salt)<\/strong>\u00a0have been studied in animal models, primarily rodents. Below is a comparison based on research findings:<\/p>\n

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1. LD\u2085\u2080 of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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    Oral LD\u2085\u2080 (rats):<\/strong>\u00a015,000 \u2013 18,000 mg\/kg<\/strong><\/p>\n

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      Studies indicate that extremely high doses are required to cause acute toxicity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Source:<\/strong>\u00a0Walker, R., & Lupien, J. R. (2000). “The Safety Evaluation of Monosodium Glutamate.” Journal of Nutrition, 130(4), 1049S\u20131052S.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n

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      Subcutaneous LD\u2085\u2080 (mice):<\/strong>\u00a06,000 mg\/kg<\/strong><\/p>\n

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        Higher toxicity when injected rather than ingested.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Interpretation:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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          MSG has\u00a0low acute toxicity<\/strong>\u00a0when consumed orally.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          The FDA and WHO classify it as\u00a0safe for human consumption<\/strong>\u00a0at normal dietary levels.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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          2. LD\u2085\u2080 of Sodium Chloride (NaCl, Table Salt)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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            Oral LD\u2085\u2080 (rats):<\/strong>\u00a03,000 mg\/kg<\/strong><\/p>\n

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              Salt is\u00a0more acutely toxic<\/strong>\u00a0than MSG in high doses.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              Source:<\/strong>\u00a0European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (2005). “Opinion on Sodium Chloride.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n

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              Subcutaneous LD\u2085\u2080 (mice):<\/strong>\u00a04,000 mg\/kg<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Interpretation:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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                NaCl is\u00a0more toxic than MSG<\/strong>\u00a0in acute overdose scenarios.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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                Death from salt poisoning usually results from\u00a0hypernatremia<\/strong>\u00a0(excessive sodium in blood).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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                3. Comparison Table<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                Substance<\/th>\nOral LD\u2085\u2080 (Rats)<\/th>\nSubcutaneous LD\u2085\u2080 (Mice)<\/th>\nRelative Toxicity<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                MSG<\/strong><\/td>\n15,000\u201318,000 mg\/kg<\/td>\n6,000 mg\/kg<\/td>\nLess toxic<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                NaCl<\/strong><\/td>\n3,000 mg\/kg<\/td>\n4,000 mg\/kg<\/td>\nMore toxic<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
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                4. Human Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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                  MSG:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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                    A 70 kg adult would need to ingest\u00a0~1 kg of pure MSG<\/strong>\u00a0to reach a potentially lethal dose (unrealistic in normal diets).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n

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                    Salt:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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                      ~200 g of salt<\/strong>\u00a0could be lethal for a 70 kg adult (though vomiting usually prevents fatal intake).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Conclusion:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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                        Salt is significantly more toxic than MSG<\/strong>\u00a0in acute exposure.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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                        Both are safe at normal dietary levels, but excessive salt poses a higher immediate risk.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        The negative perception of\u00a0monosodium glutamate (MSG)<\/strong>\u00a0has persisted for decades, despite scientific consensus that it is safe for most people. The origins of this bad press can be traced to a mix of\u00a0racism, flawed science, media sensationalism, and corporate interests<\/strong>. Here\u2019s a breakdown of who and what fueled the MSG scare:<\/p>\n

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                        1. The “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” Myth (1968)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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                          Origins:<\/strong>\u00a0The anti-MSG movement began with a\u00a01968 letter<\/strong>\u00a0published in\u00a0The New England Journal of Medicine<\/em>\u00a0by Dr. Robert Ho Man Kwok, who claimed he experienced numbness, weakness, and palpitations after eating Chinese food.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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                          Flawed Science:<\/strong>\u00a0Kwok\u2019s anecdotal report lacked controlled studies, but the media ran with the idea of\u00a0“MSG sensitivity.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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                          Racial Undertones:<\/strong>\u00a0The term “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” reinforced xenophobic stereotypes, associating MSG with “foreign” and “unhealthy” food.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          \ud83d\udccc\u00a0Key Study Debunking It:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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                            A 1993 double-blind, placebo-controlled study<\/strong>\u00a0(Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology<\/em>) found\u00a0no link between MSG and the reported symptoms<\/strong>\u00a0in self-proclaimed “MSG-sensitive” individuals.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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                            2. Media Sensationalism & Pop Culture<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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                              60 Minutes & Other Outlets:<\/strong>\u00a0In the 1980s\u201390s, TV shows and newspapers amplified fear without scientific backing.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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                              Hollywood Influence:<\/strong>\u00a0Movies and TV often depicted MSG as a dangerous chemical (e.g.,\u00a0The X-Files<\/em>\u00a0episode “Squeeze” villainized MSG as a toxic additive).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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                              3. Corporate Interests & Competition<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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                                Natural Food Industry:<\/strong>\u00a0Companies selling “organic” or “clean-label” products had a financial incentive to demonize MSG as an “artificial chemical.”<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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                                Competitors to Ajinomoto (MSG Producer):<\/strong>\u00a0Some food companies promoted “No MSG” labels as a marketing tactic, even though their products contained\u00a0hidden glutamate sources<\/strong>\u00a0(e.g., hydrolyzed vegetable protein, yeast extract).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                \ud83d\udccc\u00a0Example:<\/strong>\u00a0Campbell\u2019s Soup removed MSG in the 1990s due to public pressure but replaced it with\u00a0yeast extract<\/strong>\u00a0(which contains natural glutamate).<\/p>\n

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                                4. Misinterpreted Animal Studies<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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                                  “Excitotoxicity” Fear:<\/strong>\u00a0Some rodent studies in the 1960s\u201370s showed brain damage from\u00a0extremely high doses of MSG injected directly into the bloodstream<\/strong>\u2014not relevant to normal dietary intake.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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                                  Ignoring Human Metabolism:<\/strong>\u00a0Humans metabolize glutamate efficiently, and the blood-brain barrier prevents excessive glutamate from entering the brain.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  \ud83d\udccc\u00a0FDA & WHO Stance:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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                                    FDA:<\/strong>\u00a0Classifies MSG as\u00a0GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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                                    WHO\/FAO:<\/strong>\u00a0Sets\u00a0no strict ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake)<\/strong>\u00a0because normal consumption is harmless.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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                                    5. Who Benefits from the MSG Scare?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                                    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                                    Group<\/th>\nMotive<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                                    “Natural” Food Companies<\/strong><\/td>\nProfit from “No MSG” labels.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                                    Media Outlets<\/strong><\/td>\nClicks & views from fear-based stories.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                                    Alternative Health Industry<\/strong><\/td>\nSells detox myths & anti-MSG supplements.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                                    Xenophobic Narratives<\/strong><\/td>\nTargets Asian cuisine as “unhealthy.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
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                                    6. Why Does the Myth Persist?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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                                      Confirmation Bias:<\/strong>\u00a0People who believe MSG harms them may attribute unrelated symptoms (e.g., overeating, alcohol, stress) to it.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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                                      Placebo\/Nocebo Effect:<\/strong>\u00a0If someone expects MSG to cause headaches, they might experience them even if given a placebo.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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                                      Lack of Updated Public Education:<\/strong>\u00a0Many still don\u2019t know that\u00a0tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and mushrooms<\/strong>\u00a0contain natural glutamate.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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                                      Conclusion: Who\u2019s Behind the Bad Press?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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                                        Primary Culprits:<\/strong>\u00a0Media fearmongering, corporate marketing, and racial bias.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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                                        Science Says:<\/strong>\u00a0MSG is\u00a0no worse than salt<\/strong>\u2014and may even help reduce sodium intake by enhancing flavor.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                         <\/p>\n

                                         <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                        The\u00a0LD\u2085\u2080 (Lethal Dose, 50%)\u00a0values for\u00a0monosodium glutamate (MSG)\u00a0and\u00a0sodium chloride (NaCl, table salt)\u00a0have been studied in animal models, primarily rodents. Below is a comparison based on research findings: 1. LD\u2085\u2080 of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Oral LD\u2085\u2080 (rats):\u00a015,000 \u2013 18,000 mg\/kg Studies indicate that extremely high doses are required to cause acute toxicity. Source:\u00a0Walker, R., & Lupien, J. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1594","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/remote-support.space\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1594","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/remote-support.space\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/remote-support.space\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/remote-support.space\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/remote-support.space\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1594"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/remote-support.space\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1594\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1597,"href":"https:\/\/remote-support.space\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1594\/revisions\/1597"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/remote-support.space\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1594"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/remote-support.space\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1594"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/remote-support.space\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1594"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}