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Glutamate Toxicity in Neuro Disorders by Mary Anne Matta, MS MA LAC

What is glutamate?

Glutamate is an amino acid your body produces naturally. It acts as a neuroexcitatory neurotransmitter in the glial cells of your brain by releasing calcium. It also regulates other neurotransmitters such as:

* Serotonin – made in the gut and regulates mood, digestion, sleep, cognition

* Dopamine – made in the adrenals and helps with a sense of calm and focus

* Norepinephrine – made in the adrenals. Also known as adrenaline which is induced in stress

* Acetylcholine – responsible for things like muscle contraction, memory and focus

How glutamate toxicity works:

Glial cells in the central nervous system, if over-activated, can release proinflammatory mediators such as cytokines, chemokines, interferons, and neuroexcitatory chemicals at toxic levels including glutamate, aspartate, calcium and quinolinic acid.

What activates glial cells?

Over-activation of glutamate receptors in glial cells is implicated in neurological degeneration (neuron death) via acute and chronically injury, drugs, and glutamate consumption.

1. Pharmaceuticals that activate glutamate receptors:

Clozaril (clozapine)
Seromycin (cycloserine)

2. Certain natural substances are implicated in the activation of glutamate receptors and glutamate production:

Aspartate
Aspartame
Aspartic acid
Glutamic acid/glutamate
Citric Acid
Glutamine
Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Cysteine (but not NAC)
Homocysteine

3. Injury to the brain can also result in increased glutamate levels include:

Traumatic brain injury by impact trauma
Chronic infection that crosses the blood brain barrier (like Lyme and Mold)
Chronic toxicity from prolonged exposure to neurotoxic heavy metals
Chronic toxicity from prolonged exposure pesticides/herbicides such as Glyphosate
Autoimmune disorders
Brain aging
Certain medications and drugs such as clozapine
EMFs (electromagnetic frequencies)
Neurotoxins such MPTP and 6-OHDA

Examples of Neurological disorders exacerbated by high glutamate levels

Post-Concussive Syndrome
PANS/PANDAS
Chronic Lyme
Mold toxicity
Anxiety
Fibromyalgia
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Candidiasis

What blocks glutamate receptors?

1. Pharmaceutical Glutamate Antagonists (NMDA Antagonists)

Topiramate
Ketamine
Memantine (Namenda)
Dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant in Mucinex, Robitussin, NyQuil and many other over-the-counter drugs)

2. Supplemental immune regulators that act as antagonists to microglial activation

Curcumin, green tea catechins, balcalein, and luteolin
Flavanoids such as quercetin
Agmatine
Huperzine A
Zinc
Magnesium Threonate
Kynurenic Acid (breakdown product of L-tryptophan)

Understanding the relationship between glutamate and GABA

Glutamate stimulates the brain, while GABA calms it down. But the Catch 22 is that your body uses glutamate to produce GABA!

1. Let’s understand the natural amino acid precursors:

Tryptophan – converts to serotonin, and serotonin enhances GABA activity (which in turn combats glutamate.) 5-HTP is the supplemental form of tryptophan, an amino acid found in turkey.
Glutamine – converts to glutamate. Caution with supplements that contain glutamine or l-glutamine
Taurine: This amino acid can alter brain levels of both GABA and glutamate.
Theanine – a precursor of glutamate, however it also blocks glutamate receptors while also boosting GABA levels.

Some pharmaceuticals deplete GABA so caution with overuse of these medications:

Ativan
Xanax
Klonapin
Valium
Gabapentin

Nutrition

Understanding MSG

Savory processed foods are typically high in glutamate. The FDA requires that a food be labeled MSG (Monosodium glutamate) if it contains 99% glutamate. However, if the food contains less than that, glutamates will not be labeled.

Beware of the following ingredients as these still contain 15-70% MSG:

Anything labeled glutamate
Anything called hydrolyzed or Autolyzed
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- hydrolyzed protein
- hydrolyzed plant protein
- hydrolyzed oat flour
Gluten and malts
- malt extract
- malt flavoring
Citric Acid/Citrate
Ambiguous additives such as;
- natural flavoring
- seasoning
- enzymes
- spices
Ambiguous protein labels such as:
- whey protein concentrate
- textured protein
- plant protein extract
- All protein powders and shakes, even plant-based ones
Binders and Gums such as:
- carrageenan
- Xantham gum
- Guar gum
- Corn starch
Animal product such as:
- natural beef or chicken flavoring
- Gelatin
- Bouillon
- Broth or Stock
- Collagen
Soy
- soy protein concentrate
- soy protein isolate
- Soy sauce
- soy substitutes including tamari, gluten-free soy sauce, Coconut amino, Bragg’s aminos
Yeast
- Yeast extract
- Nutritional yeast
- Brewer’s yeast
- autolyzed yeast
All Dairy
- Whey
- Casein
- Sodium caseinate
- calcium caseinate
- Lactose free dairy
- Low fat or fat free dairy
Maltodextrin
Vinegars

However, even some natural foods can contain high levels of glutamate:

Seaweed
Tomatoes
Mushrooms
Broccoli
Peas
Corn
Grapes
Parmesan and other aged cheeses
Potatoes
Walnuts
White Rice (but not black)

Always check your labels and be extra careful with the following!

Check spice mixes for any of these
Cold cuts/processed meats like hot dogs and sausages
Slow cooked meat and broth preparation increases glutamate (bone broth is okay if cooked quickly)
Power drinks, protein powders and shakes
All GMO and non-organic foods will have glutamate as they are sprayed with herbicides and pesticides that contain it

Increase Serotonin to Combat Glutamate Levels

Healing the gut is paramount and a foundational approach in the healing of neurological disorders or those with mystery illnesses marked by hyperactivity and hypersensitivity of the CNS.

Important things to keep in mind in these types of conditions:

Supplement ingredients that normally work in gut healing can be neuroexcitatory such as glutathione, collagen, gelatin and glutamine.
Foods that typically benefit gut healing such as slow cooked bone broth increase glutamate. Only use quick made broth,
Focus instead on diet and mucolinic herbs that coat the lining of the gut such as marshmallow root and aloe.

Supplementation

Avoid supplements with the following:

gelatin
glutamine
rice
glutathione (but not NAC)
casein
High levels of Vitamin D (raises calcium levels which is neuroexcitatory)
Calcium

Supplements and herbs that combat glutamate activity or increase GABA in the brain:

Lithium Orotate
magnesium, especially threonate
omega-3 fatty acids
Valerian root
Lemon Balm
Chamomile
Gotu Kola
Bacopa

Supplements that generally reduce brain inflammation:

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Zinc Picolinate
NAC (but not glutathione)
Green tea (ECGC)
Bioflavonoids and polyphenols such as quercetin
B vitamins, especially B2 and B6

Peptides that reduce brain inflammation:

Melanotan 2 (MSH stimulating peptide)
Dihexa

Lifestyle

Limbic System Retraining

While diet and supplementation are foundational in healing the nervous system, lifestyle changes must align to start the healing cascade. One of the best ways we do this is through limbic system retraining. There are several programs we recommend including: