4 ms·

From the study you linked to: > In Protocol A, 50 (38.5%) of 130 subjects reported two or more symptoms (“positive response”) during the MSG challenge and had

From the study you linked to: > In Protocol A, 50 (38.5%) of 130 subjects reported two or more symptoms (“positive response”) during the MSG challenge and had no symptoms or one symptom after placebo. Nineteen subjects (14.6%) reported two or more symptoms to both MSG and placebo, whereas 17 subjects (13.1%) reported two or more symptoms to placebo and no symptoms or one symptom after MSG. Forty-four subjects (33.8%) reported no symptoms or one symptom to both MSG and placebo. Administration of 5 g MSG was associated with a significantly higher frequency of response, i.e., of occurrence of two or more symptoms and with significantly higher frequency of occurrence of four of the 10 symptoms.

tptacek 11y ago
"More importantly, the responses reported were inconsistent and were not reproducible." (These inconsistent results occurred only in subjects who were given doses of MSG 6x greater than what is used in typical recipes, and only without food --- MSG added to food produced no responses at all, inconsistent or otherwise.)
vonmoltke 11y ago
Also from the study (emphasis mine): > The results suggest that large doses of MSG given without food may elicit more symptoms than a placebo in individuals who believe that they react adversely to MSG. However, the frequency of the responses was low and the responses reported were inconsistent and were not reproducible. The responses were not observed when MSG was given with food. So, the study demonstrated that relatively high doses of MSG given straight to people causes a scattering of inconsistent reactions, but that MSG in food does nothing.
- shkkmo 11y ago
  > So, the study demonstrated that relatively high doses of MSG given straight to people causes a scattering of inconsistent reactions, but that MSG in food does nothing. There were 2 subjects in protocol D where food was used. In the steps between A and B 50% of relevant participants were eliminated. IN the steps between B and C 1/3 of the relevant participants were elminated. The study did not demonstrate that MSG in food does nothing, they just failed to observe an effect on two participants. The study did demonstrate that MSG can have an effect but that the effect is not consistent. To me that gives even more reason to view a failure to observe an effect in two participants as inconclusive.

tptacek 11y ago

"More importantly, the responses reported were inconsistent and were not reproducible." (These inconsistent results occurred only in subjects who were given doses of MSG 6x greater than what is used in typical recipes, and only without food --- MSG added to food produced no responses at all, inconsistent or otherwise.)

vonmoltke 11y ago

Also from the study (emphasis mine): > The results suggest that large doses of MSG given without food may elicit more symptoms than a placebo in individuals who believe that they react adversely to MSG. However, the frequency of the responses was low and the responses reported were inconsistent and were not reproducible. The responses were not observed when MSG was given with food. So, the study demonstrated that relatively high doses of MSG given straight to people causes a scattering of inconsistent reactions, but that MSG in food does nothing.

shkkmo 11y ago
> So, the study demonstrated that relatively high doses of MSG given straight to people causes a scattering of inconsistent reactions, but that MSG in food does nothing. There were 2 subjects in protocol D where food was used. In the steps between A and B 50% of relevant participants were eliminated. IN the steps between B and C 1/3 of the relevant participants were elminated. The study did not demonstrate that MSG in food does nothing, they just failed to observe an effect on two participants. The study did demonstrate that MSG can have an effect but that the effect is not consistent. To me that gives even more reason to view a failure to observe an effect in two participants as inconclusive.