The effects of monosodium glutamate in adults with asthma who perceive themselves to be monosodium glutamate-intolerant

Abstract

Background: Many previous clinical studies of food-induced asthma suffer from inadequate baseline or control data. A statistically valid, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, monosodium glutamate (MSG)-challenge protocol was developed for identifying early and late asthmatic reactions in an individual. Objective: We sought to determine whether MSG would induce bronchoconstriction in a group of adults with asthma who perceived that they were MSG sensitive. Methods: Twelve subjects (seven women, mean age 35.3 years) with clinically documented asthma and a perception of MSG-induced asthma were recruited. FEV1 and peak expiratory flow data were obtained for 3 whole control days, as well..