MONOSODIUM glutamate (MSG) is used widely to enhance the flavour of food. It is commonly used in restaurants and homes. It is now so ubiquitous in our food, specially canned food, salad dressing, junk food and snacks.

MSG has no nutritional value. Although the Food and Drug Administration has classified that MSG is safe, the question is still raised: if MSG is safe, why are there so many proven side-effects?

MSG is an exotoxin that has degenerative effects on the brain and the nervous system. It causes innumerable health problems such as skin rash, asthma, ADD, depression, sleep disorder, seizure and heart irregularities. When used without water or empty stomach, MSG is more dangerous.

We cannot see the word MSG written on food labels commonly, it is most likely contained in the food in disguised form such as hydrolysed vegetable protein, autolysed vegetable protein, hydrolysed yeast extract, sodium caseinates, calcium caseinates and textured soy protein.

Prevention is always better than cure. The best way to prevent it is to stay away from canned food or packaged food. It is always better to eat healthy homemade food. One should always read the label before buying. More research should be done to get more clinical findings on MSG.

DR(Mrs) NAZIR ALI     Karachi