I have been a migraine headache victim for as long as I can remember.  I was not aware of several migraine headache triggers for years. It was not until recently that I discovered that MSG problems and MSG symptoms are serious. This was not thanks to a Medical Doctor or a Neurologist, but to Dr. Teresa Latendress, a Naturopathic Physician in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. 

As I began to discuss different migraine headache triggers with other headaches victims it became clear that some were aware of  MSG symptoms, but many were not.  Those who were aware avoided MSG like "the plague".  Those who were not, suffered from serious MSG problems along with me.

What is MSG?  MSG is a flavor enhancer for foods.  Companies can use lower quality foods and just add MSG because of it's low cost.  This allows the manufacturer to make large profits.  Some go as far as to say that "MSG is added to food for the addictive effect it has on the human body... A Study of elderly people showed that people eat more of the foods that it is added to.  And we wonder why the nation is overweight? (www.rense.com/general52/msg.htm)."

MSG goes by several different aliases, a clever way to disguise MSG Symptoms.  From the book 'Excitotoxins - The Taste That Kills' by Dr. Russell Blaylock, MD, the following is a list of the most common names used in an attempt to disguise MSG.

Food Additives that ALWAYS contain MSG

Food Additives that FREQUENTLY contain MSG

Food Additives that May contain MSG

• Monosodium Glutamate

• Hydrolized Vegetable Protein

• Hydrolyzed Protein

• Hydrolyzed Plant Protein

• Plant Protein Extract

• Sodium Caseinate

• Calcium Caseinate

• Yeast Extract

• Textured Protein (Including TVP)

• Autolyzed Yeast

• Hydrolyzed Oat Flour

• Corn Oil

• Malt Extract

• Malt Flavoring

• Bouillon

• Broth

• Stock

• Flavoring

• Natural Flavors/Flavoring

• Natural Beef or Chicken Flavoring

• Seasoning

• Spices

• Carrageenan

• Enzymes

• Soy Protein Concentrate

• Soy Protein Isolate

• Whey Protein Concentrate

The Bubberbur Herb

1.  Determine that you need to treat the causes of headaches and not just the pain.

2.   Keep a journal of what you eat and the headaches you have.  This can be extremely beneficial in determining if there are certain foods that act as headache triggers and a great way to obtain headache relief.

3.  Realize that there are several food items that can be causes of headaches.  Some of the most common migraine headache triggers are

• Coffee, Caffeine.

• Chocolate, sugar.

• Alcohol, some cannot stand any alcohol.  Red wine is the most common trigger.

• MSG, MSG, MSG in it's many aliases.

4.  Sometimes when the headache triggers are eliminated from your diet, it turns out to be "just what the doctor ordered" and great natural headache relief is felt.  This may have been the entire problem.

5.  Start a good exercise program.  Many times a good workout will remove headache pain.

6.  Have your eyes checked.  I know a person who had his eyes checked twice and was told both times that he had better than 20/20 vision.  He was prescribed reading glasses both times.  He went a third time to an optomistrist and this time was informed that he did have better than 20/20 vision but that his left eye was far stronger than his right eye.  Every time he looked at something his right eye was straining to keep up with the left.  He received trifocles this time and that caused a great deal of headache relief. 

7.  While you are determining what your migraine (or other) headache triggers  are, you may want to consider one of the herbal remedies for migraines on the market today.  Four powerful herbal headache remedies are listed at the top of the page.  They do not cost an arm and a leg and are well worth trying.  If it is determined that headache triggers are not the complete answer, you may definitely want to investigate and try herbal remedies for headaches.