MSG, also known as \u201cChinese salt,\u201d is a vilified form of glutamate. Does that mean all glutamate is bad? Not at all. Glutamate is an amino acid that plays important roles in the body. It is one of the most important neurotransmitters we have and it also affects the gut and immune system. Read this post to learn more and find out why glutamate may have negative health effects in excess.<\/p>\n
Glutamate, also called glutamic acid, is one of the most abundant amino acids in the human body. The highest concentrations are present in the brain and muscles (R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\n It also plays an important role in cell energy production and protein synthesis (R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\n On the other hand, some researchers have hypothesized that excessive brain levels contribute to neurological and mental diseases (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Glutamate is interchangeable with glutamic acid, but it is chemically distinct from glutamine. The distinction is that, in one place, glutamate has a hydroxyl (-OH) group, whereas glutamine has an ammonia (-NH3) group. Read this post<\/a> to learn more about glutamine.<\/p>\n Glutamate is an important neurotransmitter for normal brain function (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Nearly all excitatory neurons in the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) are glutamatergic (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n As the main excitatory neurotransmitter, it sends signals to the brain and throughout the body. It helps cognitive function, memory, learning, and other brain functions (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Glutamate is a non-essential amino acid that does not cross the blood-brain barrier and must be generated inside the brain cells locally from glutamine and other precursors (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n However, glutamate in the blood may enter the brain if the blood-brain barrier is \u201cleaky\u201d (increased permeability due to blood-brain barrier injury or dysfunction) (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Glutamate plays an important role in brain development (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n The brain appears to need glutamate to form memories (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Limited research has linked low brain levels of glutamate with neurological and psychiatric disorders. For example, glutamate levels were lower in schizophrenic adults than healthy adults in one study (R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Low amounts of metabotropic glutamate receptor type 5 (mGluR5) indicated poor brain development in epilepsy patients (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n In mice, low glutamate release has been used to model autism spectrum disorders (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n In rats, leucine increases glutamate entry into the brain, which helped restore brain function after brain injury (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n The body uses glutamate to produce neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), an inhibitory neurotransmitter that plays an important role in learning and muscle contraction. In addition, GABA<\/a> is known as a calming neurotransmitter that may help reduce anxiety and sleep (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n The enzyme Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) converts glutamate to GABA. Autoimmunity against GAD (also associated with type 1 diabetes) may result in too little GABA and too much glutamate (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Glutamate receptors are present on immune cells (T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells), which suggests that glutamate plays a role in both the innate and adaptive immune system (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Scientists are researching the effects of glutamate on regulatory T cells<\/a> (Treg), B-cells, and inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases (R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\nGlutamate Vs. Glutamic Acid<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Roles of Glutamate in the Body<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
1) Supports Brain Function<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
2) A Precursor for GABA<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
3) Plays a Role in Immunity<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n