MSG is on the list of foods to avoid for people suffering from diseases of the inner
ear, like Meniere's disease which is characterized by balance problems.
See the link to the The Vestibular Disorders Association which explains these types of
diseases:
http://www.vestibular.org/index.html
The special diet which those with
Meniere's disease follow is located at the following
link:
http://www.vestibular.org/diet.html
Note that MSG and caffeine which affect vasoactivity and fluid balance in the body are
on the list of foods to avoid. Unfortunately, salt is
the reason given to avoid MSG and not the fact that glutamate is the
neurotransmitter which acts on the hair cells of the inner ear.
It should be noted that MSG also affects the formation
of taurine in the body. Taurine is involved in osmoregulation - or
the balance of water in the body. MSG would affect Meniere's disease on
several other levels besides simply being associated with sodium.