Is MSG Really Bad for You?

MSG (Monosodium Glutamate), being an incredible flavor enhancer and seasoning used in a variety of foods, has had a lot of controversy since its popularization. Though the FDA has labeled it as safe, people often report that once ingested, they experience abnormal symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue. However, there is no concrete evidence that these symptoms are linked to the consumption of MSG. The fact remains that MSG is naturally found in a lot of foods that we eat on a regular basis.

It may be commonly known that glutamate occurs naturally in a number of common foods, like bread, cheese, and even tomatoes. The real controversy arose when MSG was thought of as a chemical configuration of natural glutamate. However, studies have shown that their chemical makeup is identical and is used exactly the same way by our bodies. 

So what are the symptoms that people have reported when ingesting? Clinical trials were conducted on mice to see how MSG affects humans. Over a period of MSG administration in rats, various consequences such as increased nitrate and glucose intolerance became evident. However, when humans ingest MSG in everyday  foods, the only effect was an increased appetite. Another study showed that patients given a placebo drug unknowingly in a clinical trial showed no symptoms, meaning there is a very  high chance that most of these reported symptoms are indeed a placebo effect*.

Yes, MSG is high in sodium and too much of it can cause kidney failure, as with regular salt. But the misconception of it being a poison that causes mass symptoms may not be true.

*The placebo effect happens when someone thinks they are affected by something because of their preconceptions. For example, a person ingests MSG knowingly and breaks out in hives, but accidentally eats it and is completely fine.

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “Questions and Answers on Monosodium Glutamate (MSG).” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, http://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/questions-and-answers-monosodium-glutamate-msg#:~:text=However%2C%20MSG%20occurs%20naturally%20in,as%20in%20tomatoes%20and%20cheeses.

Zanfirescu, Anca, et al. “A Review of the Alleged Health Hazards of Monosodium Glutamate.” Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2019, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6952072/.

Katherine Zeratsky, R.D. “How Does Your Body React to MSG?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 3 Apr. 2020, http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/monosodium-glutamate/faq-20058196.

The Deadly Effects of DUI’s

Driving under the influence to this day has  an impact on millions of lives everyday. Driving under the influence includes driving while on drugs as well as alcohol. Substances like these impair thinking by causing blurry vision, hallucinations and more. Looking at statistics, how common are accidents due to substance abuse? How often does it happen, and how can we prevent it?

According to recent studies, 28 people die in DUI related accidents every day, which account for 28% of all traffic related deaths. Though this number is lower compared to previous years because of services like Uber, that is still more than 10,000 lives claimed yearly. This is an everyday accident that is claiming thousands of lives, but how can we prevent it from continuing?

For starters, if you feel less than 100% capable of safely driving, refrain from doing so! Uber services are accessible everywhere and more affordable than taxi cabs; please utilize them! Call a family member or trusted friend to pick you up if you are unable to call an Uber. Keep the roads safe for yourself and others!

“Alcohol Facts and Statistics.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics.

Artificial Intelligence in Medicine: Should we use it?

With the rise of Artificial Intelligence, the question of what it can be used for also rises. Recently, testing on Artificial intelligence in medicine has begun. How far can they go, considering medicine has lives at stake? So far, data is being collected on AI diagnosing cancer cells. The accuracy is not at 100% however, which is an issue because false negatives (saying you don’t have cancer when you do) are fatal. But AI can be used in smaller, lower stakes things in medicine. Doctors spend a lot of time organizing paperwork and gathering data on their patients, which can easily be done by a well trained machine. This can allow them to have more time to interact with patients and get the more time-consuming things out of the way. It can also allow the data to be organized quickly in a way that is easily understandable. So many new breakthroughs are being made all the time, and these small steps are just the start of AI doing incredible things. 

Using my limited knowledge as a consumer, I personally would not trust an AI machine to do more than paperwork, organizing stats and basic testing. Though it is my dream to work in the AI field, I can’t trust a machine to diagnose me correctly 100% of the time. The work doctors do on a daily basis is incredible and extremely complicated; I could only trust a human brain that has been to medical school to do what they do. Maybe centuries from now, humans will see a breakthrough for 100% accuracy in anything AI’s do in medicine, and I hope to contribute to that!

Amisha, et al. “Overview of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine.” Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Wolters Kluwer – Medknow, July 2019, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6691444/. 

“Artificial Intelligence.” National Cancer Institute, http://www.cancer.gov/research/areas/diagnosis/artificial-intelligence. 

COVID Vaccine Controversy

A new hot topic: the COVID vaccine. Why are people choosing to decline it, and why is the government so adamant about being vaccinated? So far we know that the most popular vaccine, Pfizer, is 95% effective in people ages 16 and above. We also know that people who have gotten COVID while being vaccinated have had a quick recovery compared to people who didn’t.

After talking to several people who have chosen not to get the vaccine, I gained a lot of insight into their fears and skepticism. Some worries are completely valid and backed up by research, like the fact that it was released after only 1 year of COVID starting, or being skeptical of the government pushing it on citizens so much. Several other citizens understand these concerns, but mRNA research has been going on for years by now; it wouldn’t have taken long to adjust their years worth of research to fit the COVID pandemic. Alongside this, the concept of the government pushing the vaccine isn’t totally outrageous. Someone should be trying to prevent more outbreaks, and people who are choosing to not receive the vaccine should at least be trying not to mingle as much. However, a lot of worries are myths seen on the internet, like the vaccine having a microchip or causing infertility. All these concerns are valid, and people shouldn’t be shamed for having them. It should be mentioned, though, that officials are suspecting that new variants, such as the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID might be mutating in unvaccinated people, since they do not have the antibodies to prevent the multiplication of the virus within them. More research is still being done on this. 

I, alongside several people, understand to some extent why people are scared to get the vaccine, however some myths are far reaching and can be said about many other things. I encourage you to get the vaccine because while personal choices should never be violated, this affects other people in the community. It’s important to do our part and help our more vulnerable neighbors, like the children under 12 who can’t receive it or the elderly, who’s immune systems aren’t what they used to be. Please do your research and consider getting the vaccine ASAP!!

“Myths and Facts about Covid-19 Vaccines.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html. 

Apilado, Patricia. “The Johns Hopkins Hospital.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, Based in Baltimore, Maryland, 27 July 2021, http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/the_johns_hopkins_hospital/. 

The Necessity of Masks

Masks can be a real pain sometimes. Try talking with a mask on for 8 hours; it’s nasty. It’s hard to hear people, and it’s tiring to walk around in the heat with one on. So why should we continue?

According to the CDC, several people, who have been in close contact with others who had later tested positive for COVID, were fine if they had their mask on. There is no doubt that they work. The concept of masks isn’t even new. Thousands of people in highly polluted areas, like dense cities in China, wear masks to filter their air. In operating rooms, surgeons keep their masks on to make sure no particles from their nose or mouth end up infecting an open body cavity while they are talking. Yes, masks are inconvenient, but they have slowed the spread of COVID so far. 

After being in school for just 2 weeks, I can already say I am sick of masks and I want to go back to breathing normal classroom air. However, I will continue to wear one in discomfort to fight against COVID in whatever way I can. Yes, it’s uncomfortable and unfair at times, but the sooner we all wear masks, the sooner we can all go back to seeing each other’s full faces.

“Science Brief: Community Use of Cloth Masks to Control the Spread of SARS-COV-2.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/masking-science-sars-cov2.html. 

The Rise of Biomedical Engineers

I’m at the stage of high school where I’m talking to my friends about what we want to major in in university. It’s shocking to see how many of my friends want to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering. But why? What makes this field stand out from engineering? What do they even do? Biomedical engineers use their knowledge of biology and engineering to use in designing things for the medical field, meaning they typically don’t directly work with patients, but rather create tools and new technology to contribute to the modern progression of medicine. 

Something that biomedical engineers make that most of us have heard of is prosthetic limbs. New prosthetics include robotic elements to make moving around easier. These come from the hard work of biomed engineers. Their most current work includes studying artificial organs and incorporating computer hard and software elements into medical research. The work they do is truly incredible. 

The need for biomedical engineers is sure to increase in the next decade as medicine and computers work together. If you are interested in either or both, I highly encourage this flexible but rewarding career choice.

“Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers : Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 9 Apr. 2021, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/biomedical-engineers.htm. 

“What Is Biomedical Engineering?: Biomedical Engineering.” Michigan Technological University, http://www.mtu.edu/biomedical/department/what-is/.