In a message dated 10/16/03 4:01:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Frances Ross <
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>>It took me 20 years to discover the cause - MSG. The elimination of MSG as
an
additive led me half way to my paleo eating choice. I started to eat only
fresh whole foods. But from time to time I still got symptoms . . .I
therefore cannot eat food that has been cooked or fermented for long period of time.


I, too, have severe reactions to MSG, even when it is not listed as such on
labels. But in addition, what you are describing is a Tyramine reaction to a
"T". Tyramine is produced in foods cooked, fermented, or preserved for long
periods of time. It is a common trigger of migraine headaches.

Chicken livers are also high in Tyramine, as is aged cheese. Perhaps liver
would be a safe and healthy food if caught and eaten fresh, but I don't have the
opportunity for that, so I avoid it. Still, I don't think it means all
cooking is bad, just certain types of cooking, such as deep frying, long stewing,
etc. and these are not Paleo cooking methods anyway.

Maddy Mason
Hudson Valley, NY