This week's Check-Up looks at Chinese Restaurant Syndrome
Have you ever heard of Chinese Restaurant Syndrome? A friend of mine says she suffers from it but as she a bit of a hypochondriac, I'm beginning to think she made it up.
Hypochondriac or not, your friend is right. There is in fact an allergic condition known as Chinese Restaurant Syndrome which is a type of food intolerance thought to be caused by monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Used as a flavour enhancer, MSG is found in many different foods including Chinese dishes, hence its name.
MSG works by exciting the sensory taste receptors and though glutamate is present in some foods naturally, such as tomatoes and mushrooms and some cheeses, it does not seem to cause problems in these forms.
Although it is commonly used in Chinese cooking, it is also added to other highly seasoned restaurant dishes, processed foods, instant soups and gravies.
How would you know if you were allergic to MSG?
Common symptoms include headache, nausea, sweating, a burning sensation in the back of the throat and chest tightness.
Some people with an allergy to MSG complain of a sensation of pressure in the face or around the eyes while others experience pins and needles or tingling in the face, head or limbs.
Adults usually need to consume between 1.5 and 3.0g of MSG before they experience symptoms. An allergic reaction is more likely to happen if a meal containing MSG is eaten on an empty stomach. A skin reaction, called urticaria can also occur after MSG ingestion.
My friend says you shouldn't eat Chinese food because it can give you asthma. Is she right?
Monosodium glutamate can provoke an attack in those who already suffer from asthma but does not actually cause the condition in people who are not already susceptible to it.
Some asthma sufferers notice a response to MSG one to two hours after eating it but a delayed reaction can also occur 10 to 14 hours after ingestion.
How common is the allergy?
Some studies have estimated that up to 30 per cent of the adult population may be affected, with more women than men experiencing an allergic reaction to the substance.