Irritable bowel syndrome is an affliction many persons sensitive to MSG complain of.
It is important to note that the amino acid which seems to be interfered with the most
from an excess of MSG in the diet, is the amino acid taurine. The body makes taurine
from the sulfur containing amino acid cysteine. Taurine is a free form amino acid,
which means that it is used mostly by itself, not in a string of amino acids in a protein.
Taurine is sometimes an essential amino acid for humans, but always for
babies. If you look on a can of cat food lately, or a can of infant formula,
you will see it listed on the label. Taurine is so important that food
manufacturers must add it to baby formula, and cat food.
Taurine deficiency symptoms share many similarities to "MSG Symptom Complex".
Taurine is a very important neurotransmitter. It regulates heart beat,
is a water soluble anti-oxidant and is the body's natural calcium channel blocker.
It has the opposite effects of glutamate.
What does this have to do with IBS? Taurine, although versatile enough, is
used to make bile. Bile is what breaks apart large fat globules so that they
can be more easily digested. Bile is made by the liver and stored in the gall
bladder. Many MSG sufferers who have had to have their gall bladders taken out,
often complain of gall bladder attack symptoms after eating meals containing MSG.
Taurine is only found in large quantities in animal products, and overprocessing of
food tends to destroy it. Overprocessed foods containing meat also tend to have a
disproportionate amount of MSG in them as well. A recipe for some digestive
distress. If bile formation is hindered, then fat digestion will not take place