Blurred Vision One common complaint of MSG Symptom
Complex is blurred vision. Laboratory animals fed MSG have been found to develop damage to
the retina of the eye, where there are glutamate receptors. See the following link:
http://retina.umh.es/Webvision/GLU.html
Taurine link It is also well known that the amino
acid taurine is required in the normal healthy development of the retina in both humans
and cats. That is why both baby formula and cat food in the United States both require
taurine to be added. Note: Taurine deficiency can be induced by MSG
ingestion.
A link between MSG use and poor eyesight?
In Asian countries, which are well known for copious use of MSG, not only is stroke
incidence high, but poor eyesight is dramatically increasing. See the following
links:
Rates of Myopia and stroke:
http://www.dpa.org.sg/DPA/news/news_august_2000-3.htm
http://www1.moe.edu.sg/speeches/2001/sp24082001.htm
In China:
50% of teenagers in China today are
nearsighted compared to 15% in the 1970’s:
http://www.chinatoday.com/data/data.htm
Higher rates of myopia in Asians:
http://www.health.gov/healthypeople/Document/HTML/Volume2/28Vision.htm
NOTE: Processed MSG has been used as a
flavor enhancer only since 1908, when Kikunae Ikeda of Japan
discovered its flavor enhancing properties. Contrary to popular belief, the Chinese
have NOT been using it for thousands of years, but just shy of one hundred. Also,
American food was devoid of it until after World War II.
Macular
Degeneration
New information regarding a gene related to
macular degeneration:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=571360
The gene is involved in
inflammation response. It should be noted that MSG increases inflammation by
increasing histamine response. Note in the news article, that
cardiovascular disease is also linked to macular degeneration. MSG
also affects the cardiovascular system because glutamate is a calcium
channel opener and affects vascular constriction.
New Data
Since this page was originally published - new data has
actually linked MSG in food to damage to the retina:
http://www.mercola.com/2002/nov/9/msg.htm