/oss/taxonomy/term/1436/all en /oss/article/controversial-science-food-health-news/chinese-restaurant-syndrome <p>Sometimes beliefs are converted into fact just by repetition. We constantly hear of people who want to avoid monosodium glutamate because of a fear of being struck by “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” Restaurants have taken to posting signs declaring “No MSG added” to pacify their customers. This in spite of the fact that numerous controlled double blind studies have failed to show the existence of the so-called Chinese Restaurant Sydrome. Let me give you a typical example.</p> Tue, 21 Jan 2014 14:54:02 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2072 at /oss /oss/article/drugs-environment-food-health-you-asked/you-asked-what-histaminosis <p>Mention “histamine” and the word “allergy” pops to mind. Rightly so, because during an allergic reaction certain white blood cells known as mast cells and basophils release an inordinate amount of histamine, a chemical that then travels through the bloodstream and fits into “receptors” in cells that make up our tissues much like a key fits into a lock. And when the “key” fits, it unlocks the typical symptoms such as the watery eyes, runny nose, hives, itching and breathing problems we associate with allergies.</p> Sun, 30 Mar 2014 12:59:05 +0000 Alexandra Pires-Ménard, OSS Intern 2121 at /oss