Skip to main content

Is There a Link Between MSG and Tinnitus?


Whole foods including nuts and vegetables; link between MSG and tinnitus concept

First of all, what is MSG? 

According to Mayo Clinic, "monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer often added to restaurant foods, canned vegetables, soups, deli meats and other foods."

Many people say consuming MSG causes or worsens tinnitus. Here are the results from a quick search:


  • European manufacturer of medical devices, Kiversal, says "Flavour enhancers: substances such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) are excitatory neurotransmitters that can trigger tinnitus.
  • Anderson Audiology writes: "Consuming MSG basically increases levels of electrical activity in the brain, including where loud tinnitus noises are perceived."
  • Dietary supplements provider, Arches, has a good explanation of how MSG causes tinnitus: 
    "MSG breaks down into glutamate in the body. Glutamate...is an excitatory neuro-transmitter; it triggers the firing of neurons. When there is too much glutamate in the synapse between neurons, it activates the neurons into a continual firing mode until they exhaust their energy reserves and die.
    "Glutamate is the primary villain in cochlear-synaptic tinnitus. This type of tinnitus develops when hair cells in the cochlea are damaged. This is caused primarily by exposure to loud noise or ototoxic drugs which damage the hair cells. When the hair cells are damaged, they release large amounts of glutamate which become toxic to the neuroreceptors in the auditory pathway. These receptors die off from the excess glutamate and tinnitus is the result."
  • The CEO of The Center for Hearing Loss Help, Neil Bauman, writes that both the artificial sweetener Aspartame and the flavor-enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) are neurotoxins that cause or exacerbate tinnitus. By avoiding aspartame and "foods that contain any forms of glutamate," like MSG, you can avoid getting tinnitus from what you eat.
  • The family-owned hearing aid center Beltone in Texas puts it this way: "Flavor enhancers like monosodium glutamate, or MSG, break down to glutamate in our bodies. Glutamate is the number one cause of tinnitus in the food category. Similar to aspartame, it is also an excitatory neurotransmitter. If neuro-receptors in the auditory pathways are flooded with glutamates, the neurons become excited and fire continuously to the point of depleting and dying eventually."
The problem is that MSG is nearly impossible to avoid, according to Hungry for Change. They say that's because:

1. There are over 40 different ingredients that manufacturers use, that all have MSG.

2. It is not just a flavor enhancing additive – it is a natural by-product of processing proteins. These MSG by-products are found in many of your favorite organic health foods.

Eating whole, unprocessed foods can help you avoid MSG and hopefully reduce your tinnitus (or keep it from starting in the first place).



Try Eargasm Earplus


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

3 Highly Effective Stress Management Methods Every Tinnitus Sufferer Can Master

The constant noise of tinnitus can make it difficult to concentrate, sleep, or relax, which in turn, amplifies stress and anxiety. Stress management, then, plays a key role in mitigating the impact of tinnitus.  Here are three highly effective methods that every tinnitus sufferer can master to manage stress and improve overall well-being. Mindfulness Meditation Mindfulness meditation is a simple yet powerful tool for reducing stress and anxiety, especially for those with tinnitus. The goal is to train your mind to stay in the present moment rather than fixating on the internal noise or the stress it causes. Research has shown that regular mindfulness practice can lower stress levels, increase focus, and reduce the perceived intensity of tinnitus sounds. How to Get Started   Begin by setting aside 10-15 minutes each day to sit in a quiet space. Close your eyes and focus on your breath, paying attention to the sensation of air entering and leaving your body. If your mind dr...

Can Allergies Cause Tinnitus?

The short answer is: Yes, allergies can cause tinnitus. Hearing loss, too.  Allergy-related tinnitus is typically due to the congestion that allergies cause. Anything from allergic rhinitis (hay fever) to sinus infections increases the risk of developing tinnitus.  Basically anything that affects the nasal and sinus passages can lead to tinnitus. That's because when allergies affect the nasal passages and sinuses, they can cause inflammation and swelling, leading to congestion and pressure changes in the ear. This pressure change can lead to tinnitus. Allergy meds can be a problem too Tinnitus can also be a side effect of certain medications used to treat allergies, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin. These medications can potentially cause tinnitus as a side effect, especially when taken in high doses. Other causes of tinnitus In addition to allergies, there are several other causes of tinnitus. In some cases, tinnitus can be a symptom of an u...

Try Saline When Your Hearing Is Muffled After Loud Noise Exposure

If you've got temporary hearing loss or tinnitus after being at a loud concert or sports event, you may be able to fix it -- if you act fast. A 2021 Keck Medicine of USC study published in Science Daily  has found that the nerve damage to the inner ear caused by loud noises is basically a build up of fluids. Treating that "fluid buildup with a readily available saline solution lessened nerve damage in the inner ear." A previous study by the same otolaryngologist showed that inner ear fluid level is not affected until noises reach 100 decibels, which is how loud a motorcycle is.  "When researchers applied hypertonic saline, a salt-based solution used to treat nasal congestions in humans, into affected ears one hour after the noise exposure, both the immediate fluid buildup and the long-term nerve damage lessened, implying that the hearing loss could be at least partially prevented." The benefits of this knowledge are twofold: 1. If fluid buildup can be measured, ...