Saturday Nov 16, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study now suggests that a newly found coenzyme factor called pyrroloquinoline quinine simply PQQ can prevent acute glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in rats.   Glutamate is a salt of glutamic acid, and in many cases it refers to monosodium glutamate or MSG.  The study was conduced by Q Zhang and colleagues from Nantong University in Jiangsu, China and released in Genetics and Molecular Research.

For the study, adult Sprague-Dawley rats received glutamate injection into their cortex or glutamate and PQQ.  The researchers found co-treatment with PQQ was able to prevent neurons in the rat cortex from glutamate induced apoptosis - programmed cell deaths, which can be otherwise caused by oxidative stress. The test confirmed the antioxidant properties of PQQ and its neuroprotective effect.

Vitamin C protects against live injury caused by MSG

Not everyone would tell everyone about this:  MSG, which is the best food flavor enhancer that can be used to make a tasteless food taste so yummy.   But MSG can be toxic if too much of it is ingested.

One harm caused by this wonder tastant is liver injury.  Earlier at least one study revealed that this MSG induced liver injury can be reduced by taking some vitamin C supplement, which can help protect many bad things such as damage induced by harmful radiation. (David Liu,  PHD)

MSG can cause the following reactions or conditions according to a review

Cardiac

Arrhythmias 

Extreme rise or drop in blood pressure 

Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), Angina 

Circulatory

Swelling Muscular 

Flu-like achiness, Joint pain, Stiffness 

Neurological

Depression

Dizziness, Light-headedness, Loss of balance 

Disorientation, Mental confusion 

Anxiety, Panic attacks 

Hyperactivity, Behavioral problems in children 

Lethargy, Sleepiness, Insomnia 

Migraine headache. Numbness or paralysis 

Seizures, Slurred speech 

Gastrointestinal

Diarrhea 

Nausea/vomiting 

Stomach cramps 

Irritable bowel, Bloating 

Respiratory

Asthma, Shortness of breath 

Chest pain, Tightness 

Runny nose, Sneezing 

Skin

Hives or rash. Mouth lesions 

Temporary tightness or partial paralysis 

(numbness or tingling) of the skin Flushing 

Urological

Swelling of prostate Nocturia 

Visual

Blurred vision, Difficulty focusing

How to avoid MSG?

MSG renders a unique taste called umami (the fifth taste).   MSG may not show up in the ingredient list, but still can be found in the food you eat.  As long as the food you eat tastes savory (yammy), it more likely than not contains MSG.  So if you want to avoid ingesting too much MSG, avoid foods that taste too yummy.  And now you know taking PQQ or cheaper dietary supplements like vitamin C can reduce the potential neurotoxicity.