Glutamate
Amino Acid - non essential in that the body makes what is needed, not required in diet
Glutamate acts as a neurotransmitter in our body, along with GABA, or gamma-Aminobutyric acid, to regulate neuronal excitability.
Important for learning and memory
An excitotoxin.
Glutamate receptors are in all organs and tissues.
Glutamate receptor dysfunction is associated with autism, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS, multiple sclerosis, cancer, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.
Glutamate acts as a neurotransmitter in our body, along with GABA, or gamma-Aminobutyric acid, to regulate neuronal excitability.
Important for learning and memory
An excitotoxin.
Glutamate receptors are in all organs and tissues.
Glutamate receptor dysfunction is associated with autism, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS, multiple sclerosis, cancer, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.
Excitotoxins like glutamate cause problems because they allow high levels of calcium into the cell, essentially exciting the cell to death. This is why it is said that “glutamate is the gun, and calcium is the bullet”.
High Glutamate Foods/Additives
Article and instructions for finding amount in foods. (World's Healthiest food - click on food - go to Nutritional Profile - go to In Depth Profile and look for amino acid profile)
Yasko's list
Yasko's list
Glutamate and Cancer
Technical article
Inflammation is mediated in part through glutamatergic signaling. At elevated levels, glutamate can initiate inflammation through activation of glial cells, a type of nerve cell.[v]The glial cells then participate in cascading this glutamate stress signal throughout the body, particularly the brain, leading to chronic inflammation if glutamate levels remain elevated. Chronic inflammation leads to increased risk of cancer[vi] and a major under appreciated link is the role glutamate plays in these pathways.
It is now well appreciated that many of the signaling pathways that promote oncogenesis also reprogram glutamine metabolism, and in many cells the dependence on glutamine is absolute, a condition termed glutamine addiction.6 -
Technical artcle
Exciting studies are now showing that blocking these glutamate receptors can prevent cancer from spreading and cause tumors to shrink and even become much more sensitive to chemotherapy. Importantly, blocking these receptors has no adverse effects on normal cells.
Read more: The Glutamate and Cancer Link
Inflammation is mediated in part through glutamatergic signaling. At elevated levels, glutamate can initiate inflammation through activation of glial cells, a type of nerve cell.[v]The glial cells then participate in cascading this glutamate stress signal throughout the body, particularly the brain, leading to chronic inflammation if glutamate levels remain elevated. Chronic inflammation leads to increased risk of cancer[vi] and a major under appreciated link is the role glutamate plays in these pathways.
It is now well appreciated that many of the signaling pathways that promote oncogenesis also reprogram glutamine metabolism, and in many cells the dependence on glutamine is absolute, a condition termed glutamine addiction.6 -
Technical artcle
Exciting studies are now showing that blocking these glutamate receptors can prevent cancer from spreading and cause tumors to shrink and even become much more sensitive to chemotherapy. Importantly, blocking these receptors has no adverse effects on normal cells.
Read more: The Glutamate and Cancer Link