The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
-
J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Jun 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe monosodium glutamate symptom complex: assessment in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study.
Considerable debate swirls about the validity of symptoms described by many people after ingestion of monosodium glutamate (MSG), and the question has remained unresolved largely because of a paucity of well-designed challenge studies. ⋯ Oral challenge with MSG reproduced symptoms in alleged sensitive persons. The mechanism of the reaction remains unknown, but symptom characteristics do not support an IgE-mediated mechanism. According to Food and Drug Administration recommendations, the symptoms, originally called the Chinese restaurant syndrome, are better referred to as the MSG symptom complex.