we found the antidote!!

I apparently spoke too soon about our Halloween success.  Hidden in the trick or treating candy were a few packages of Smarties, which I eyed with great suspicion but forgot to warn Micah about.  I had let the older kids pick out a few of the safer treats and then thought all the candy had exited our house.  Then Micah woke up sick yesterday morning.  "Uh, Mom?  Do you think Smarties have gelatin?"

After researching MSG remedies, I had picked up a bottle of taurine to try in case of accidental ingestion.  This was the perfect opportunity to give it a try.  By noon, Micah was beginning to feel better, and today he is fine.  That is a great improvement over the 2 day recovery he usually needs.

We're grateful to have found this!  The last time Micah had an accidental ingestion of gelatin, he had a more severe reaction.  I'm not sure if his blood pressure or blood sugar fell, but the instant and extreme fatigue was somewhat alarming.

More about taurine from msgtruth.org:

Taurine

Some MSG sensitive individuals report relief from some MSG symptoms by taking taurine. The rationale behind this approach is that glutamate competes with the amino acid cysteine for uptake in the body. An excess of glutamate will interfere with the body's ability to convert cysteine into taurine, the other free form amino acid which acts as the body's heartbeat regulator. Taurine is the body's water soluble anti-oxidant, and inhibitory neurotransmitter. The body also uses taurine to make bile, which aids in the digestion of fats.

The idea of taking taurine for accidental MSG ingestion is that since MSG may inhibit taurine formation, and those with irregular heartbeat, digestive problems, epilepsy, vision disturbance, and panic attacks from MSG may benefit from ingesting taurine instead of waiting for the body to make it.

Unfortunately, most food scientists are not taught about taurine because adults are assumed to be able to make it and shouldn't need to eat it. It isn't even listed in most tables of the amino acids. However, taurine is so important in the body, that since 1986 it has been added to baby formula because it is essential for proper growth and development in humans. Also, studies of people with epilepsy have shown that taurine levels in the brain after a seizure are unusually low. Taurine is now being considered as treatment for diabetes as well as epilepsy.

Foods high in taurine include fresh fish and meat. It is not found in significant amounts in foods of non-meat origin. Heat for long periods of time destroys it. It is interesting that the Japanese use much MSG, but also eat diets high in fish, and raw fish at that. A Japanese meal of sushi contains much taurine, as well as MSG. Chinese food, which often is cooked at high heat and also contains mushrooms, another source of free glutamate, and often mostly vegetables, would contain less protective taurine.