Many people affected by MSG complain of Rosacea and other
skin disorders, including a red, peeling rash with blisters. Rosacea, according to
medical sources is based on vasoactivity, and inflammation. These two causes, are
directly affected by MSG.
Glutamate is a nervous system stimulant. That is
why it is used - it stimulates nerve cells in the mouth. However, there are
glutamate receptors all over the body (the pancreas, the retina, the hypothalamus, even the hair
cells of the ear)
. Based on the latest research from Johns Hopkins in May 2001, nervous system
stimulation can cause the immune system to over-react. Hypersensitivity of the
nervous system triggers the immune system to release its arsenal of inflammation weapons.
Allergy and immune response are big triggers for rosacea
according to the following links:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/05/AR2007080500705.html
http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic377.htm
http://www.dermnet.org.nz/index.html
In the first, recent
article - August 5, 2007, cathelicidin is
mentioned. The immune cells called neutrophils make cathelicidin.
Glutamate affects immune function and also vascular function as well:
http://www.jbc.org/cgi/content/abstract/M110557200v1
If MSG causes the body to unleash its inflammation response
because of it's effect on the nervous system, and it also changes the dilation of the
blood vessels because of its action on the calcium channels, it is not surprising that
some people sensitive to MSG, would complain of rosacea symptoms.