Patient's question:
NoDoctor's answer:
Lactating women often consume a diet rich in high protein, and if excessive monosodium glutamate (MSG) is ingested at the same time, large amounts of MSG will be produced in the body. MSG enters the newborn's body through breast milk and specifically binds with zinc, a trace element in the newborn's blood, forming zinc glutamate. This substance cannot be absorbed or utilized by the body, leading to zinc deficiency in the newborn. When zinc deficiency occurs in the body, it can affect the metabolism of taste bud cells, resulting in dulled taste perception, decreased appetite, symptoms such as anorexia and abnormal taste, and in severe cases, it may cause adverse consequences such as intellectual disability. Therefore, lactating women should avoid consuming MSG.