Glutamate is an amino acid that acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter, transmitting
messages from one neuron to another. Glutamate moves to the surface of its receptors
in most brain cells, allowing them to release their neurotransmitter and therefore
perform its designated function. For example, when glutamate triggers a motor neuron,
this causes a muscle to contract. (7) It is the result of glutamate that our neurons can
communicate with each other and perform their roles.
Our body needs glutamate for both long and short term memory, sleep quality, and
cognition. Glutamate is made by nerve cells called glial cells, and it is stored in synaptic
vesicles located at the axon terminal (end of nerve cells). Glutamate is needed to form
another very important neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma butyric acid). If glutamate
is an excitatory neurotransmitter, then GABA is its balancing inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Increasing GABA levels is important for improving mood, relaxation, and lowering
anxiety levels. (10)
However, our bodies are precise and need an exact balance between these two
neurotransmitters. Too much glutamate, leading to an over-excitation of brain cells, can
lead to diseases such as:
Seizures
Alzheimer’s
Parkinson’s disease
Stroke
Huntington’s disease
Fibromyalgia
Multiple sclerosis
Lou Gehrig’s disease
Excess glutamate can also lead to cell death (5)
In contrast, mental problems can result from not making enough glutamate, such as: (2)
Depression
Anxiety
Sleep deprivation
Low energy
Autism
Difficulty focusing
ADHD symptoms and restlessness (10)
Some foods containing glutamate are mono sulfate glutamate (MSG -commonly found
in Chinese and Asian food), nuts, processed meat, starchy vegetables, cheese, and
mushrooms among others. However, glutamate from food does not seem to pass
through the blood-brain barrier and therefore cannot impact glutamate levels in our
body. More research needs to be done to confirm the validity of such a claim.
It is common for people who are sensitive to glutamate to experience headaches after
ingesting large amounts. In animal studies, ingesting MSG caused an increase in blood
pressure, increase in insulin resistance, and obesity. (6) Additionally, there is a strong
link between MSG mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, anxiety, stress, and
depression. (6)
You may be wondering, how can we increase our glutamate level, if food is not passing
through the brain-blood barrier? Especially when there is a delicate balance between
too much and too little glutamate.
Firstly, get bloodwork done to find out where your levels of glutamate are before adding
anything to adjust. The normal level of glutamate in plasma is 50-100 micromol/L, but
only 0.5-2 micromol/L in extracellular fluids (ECFs). (8)
There are no supplements to directly increase glutamate. However, increasing GABA
levels can help to increase glutamate. So, taking supplements that are precursors to
GABA, such as 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) (warning: 5-HTP can cause serotonin
syndrome) and theanine, could impact levels of glutamate. (10) Exercise, a more
natural approach, has been shown to help the body make more glutamate.
Make sure to check with your doctor, before adding anything to change glutamate level.
Thanks for visiting www.curenaturally.org combining ancient wisdom with modern
science.
Dr. Ashraf Girgis N.D.
Sources
1.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8586693/#:~:text=Glutamate%20i
s%20an%20excitatory%20neurotransmitter,%2C%20cognition%2C%20and%20
mood%20regulation
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22839-glutamate
3.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8586693/#:~:text=Physical%20ex
ercise%20leads%20to%20increase,while%20also%20experiencing%20psycholo
gical%20calm
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8586693/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4133642/
6. https://www.webmd.com/diet/high-glutamate-foods
7. https://mhanational.org/what-glutamate
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19571220/
9. https://www.verywellhealth.com/treating-gaba-and-glutamate-dysregulation-
716040
10. https://www.rupahealth.com/post/11-medical-conditions-associated-with-
glutamate-
imbalance#:~:text=Exercise%20has%20been%20shown%20to,therapies%20(11
%2C%2012)
Dr. Ashraf Girgis N.D.
100 Harborview Dr suite # 204 Baltimore MD 212130
T: 616-777-0608