Many sufferers of MSG reactions complain also of having been diagnosed with sulfite
sensitivity. We had no idea why that link was - until
now. It may be related to the fact that excess glutamate
may interfere with
the metabolism of the sulfur-containing amino acids cysteine and consequently, taurine.
It appears that this story also involves a link to
autism. It appears that in some children with autism, there is a genetic
error of metabolism linked with the handling of sulfur-containing compounds.
This may be what puts them at risk of both A-Fib as well as epilepsy and
problems with fat digestion. Their inability to perhaps make taurine
from available cysteine - both of which are sulfur-containing amino
acids.
This was a thing that long stumped MSG sensitive
folks. Many realized they had a sulfite sensitivity in common.
Perhaps autistic children and MSG sensitive folks who are also sulfite
sensitive have this error of metabolism in common. Perhaps that is why
taurine appears to help MSG sensitive people who also are sulfite sensitive.
It certainly is now an interesting hypothesis to start from.