Chinese food

[Embroiderer]

I had a Chinese meal last evening after not eating Chinese food for maybe 20 years, and had really prolonged RLS last night, getting off to sleep finally at 4am, and waking this morning with my legs still ‘fizzing’. I searched on the internet and found scientific reasons for MSG being a problem, but just was interested in people’s experience with Chinese food. I don’t think I’ll be eating it again soon.

[Joolsg]

I never have MSG as it's a massive trigger for my RLS. However, we have a local Chinese that never uses the stuff. Most Chinese restaurants buy their sauces in bulk & all contain MSG. My local Chinese makes all their own sauces. Their USP is that they are MSG free. Most people don't like MSG because it causes headaches & dry mouth. For people with RLS, it triggers all night jumpy legs.

[Embroiderer in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you, Joolsg, I think I’ve learned my lesson!

[Elffindoe]

I suspect MSG too!

The clue is in the name - Monosodium Glutamate.

Since RLS is partially due to excess glutamate in the brain, anything which could potentially increase the amnount of glutamate is likey to worsen RLS.

[ruthgnatt in reply to Elffindoe]

Thank you!

[m1946]

I recall when I was much younger (in my 20's) that when eating chinese food I found strange feelings in my arms and realised later that it was Monosodium Glutomate!!

[RLSofManyYears]

Been there as well! I've had to stop Chinese food due to the MSG issue. We have a really good take-away but I've had to stop eating from there. Interesting that there is at least one place that does not use MSG.

[Embroiderer]

Thank you everyone for your comments and experiences. Will keep off Chinese food I think.

[SueJohnson]

Another thing to avoid which is almost all MSG is collegen powder.

[DicCarlson]

I had canned soup the other day - awake all night!

Lots of additional names for MSG. "Monosodium glutamate, better known as MSG, is a fermented flavor enhancer. Food producers label MSG under several names, including yeast extract, hydrolyzed protein, glutamic acid and sodium or calcium caseinate, according to the Health Psychology Department at Vanderbilt University ."

[restlessinlondon in reply to DicCarlson]

Yeast extract ... are we talking Marmite?

[DicCarlson in reply to restlessinlondon]

Yes - apparently. "Marmite has 1750mg of monosodium glutamate in every 100g: more MSG than any other substance in the average British larder (a well-matured parmesan cheese might come a close second).

[restlessinlondon in reply to DicCarlson]

I had no idea - yet something else to think about cutting back on!

[Elffindoe in reply to DicCarlson]

Do you mean these things contain MSG, not that they are MSG.

MSG, for example isn't a protein, nor is it a yeast.

But they may have MSG in them.

[DicCarlson in reply to Elffindoe]

What a can of worms! There is some indication that MSG is contained in many, many foods with a host of different names. I would say if you are Glutamate sensitive - try and avoid even the obscure additives that contain Hydrolyzed Protein and other forms that may produce a reaction. Interesting read on Wikipedia especially "production"...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monos...

[Embroiderer in reply to DicCarlson]

Thank you, will be more alert in looking for MSG for sure.

[Stdorn]

MSG never made my rls any worse. I used to put it on steak and hamburger every time I made them for seasoning. Accent seasoning is pure MSG and loweries seasoning salt also contains it. However, sometime in my mid to late 30s it started to cause me severe gastrointestinal issues. I now try to avoid it but it's in so many things I accidently ingest it from time to time. Last time was in white cheddar and flavor blasted cheese it's and just this week I found out after it was to late its in Funyuns.

[RKM7]

I have recently recognized the connection between glutamate in foods and it’s impact on my RLS. I decided to try a low glutamate diet and it’s helpful (boring but helpful!). I sure miss Chinese food!

[ruthgnatt in reply to RKM7]

What foods are in (or NOT in) a low glutamate diet?Thanx

[RKM7 in reply to ruthgnatt]

You can find lists of these foods on the internet. Here’s a link: nutritionforseizures.com/lo...

[TajarTales]

I notice a huge increase in my RLS when I have eaten food with MSG. It's been helpful to Google the different names that it is hidden under in food (there aught to be a law against it). One that I find most often is "natural flavor", which can mean other things, but often seems to be MSG. Basically, I've found that soups, sauces, flavored snacks, etc. often have it in them. The more non-processed food that I can eat, the more relaxed my legs are.

[ruthgnatt]

Thank you very much