Common Name: Glutamic Acid
Synonyms: Glutamate

Overview:

Glutamic acid or glutamate is a non-essential (the body makes its own) amino acid that is synthesized from other amino acids such as ornithine and arginine. Glutamic acid plays a key role in cellular metabolism and energy production. Glutamic acid also plays a role in detoxifying the ammonia that is produced by cellular metabolism. It is closely related to acetylcholine, noradrenalin and gamma-aminobutryric acid (GABA). It is the most common excitatory (a neurotransmitter that increases the firing of neurons) neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It is also involved in the transportation of sodium and potassium across the blood brain barrier . It also seems to play an important role in the proper functioning of the heart.

Benefits

Glutamic acid plays important roles in many processes that are involved in maintaining a vital and healthy lifestyle. It has been found that glutamic acid aids in:

1. The stimulation of the pituitary gland to release HGH (human growth hormone). The levels of HGH decrease as we grow older. Studies have shown that by causing the pituitary to release more HGH, many of the symptoms of aging can be eliminated or even reversed.
2. The correction of personality disorders and the treatment of childhood behavioral disorders.
3. The treatment of many neurological disorders such as, epilepsy, mental retardation, and muscular dystrophy.
4. The strengthening of the immune system to help ward of infections.
5. In conjunction with L-glycine forms glutathione a powerful antioxidant and with its unique set of anti aging benefits.
6. The building of new muscles as well as the damaged caused to the muscles from fitness training.
7. Increasing the speed in the healing of wounds.
8. The treatment of arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.
9. The treatment of impotence.
10. Rebuilding tissue damaged by cancer radiation treatments.

Recommended Dosage:

1. The recommended dosage for glutamic acid ranges from 500-1000mg daily.
2. True deficiency in glutamic acid is rare. Deficiencies can develop, however, in those with low protein intake and can develop during periods of fasting, starvation, strict dieting, cirrhosis and AIDS.

Precautions

1. High doses of glutamic acid may cause headaches, neurological problems and gastrointestinal upset.
2. Those who are allergic to MSG (monosodium glutamate) should not take glutamic acid supplements.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a health care provider before using any supplements. The affects of this supplement has not been tested on children and those suffering from liver or kidney disease. It is recommended that in children and people with liver or kidney disease this supplementation not be used.

Web References

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Printed Reference Material

1. Augustin H, Grosjean Y, Chen K, Sheng Q, Featherstone DE (2007). "Nonvesicular release of glutamate by glial xCT transporters suppresses glutamate receptor clustering in vivo". Journal of Neuroscience 27 (1): 111-123. PMID 17202478.
2. Corrie, J.E., et al. (1993). "Postsynaptic activation at the squid giant synapse by photolytic release of L-glutamate from a 'caged' L-glutamate". Journal of Physiology 465 (Jun): 1-8. PMID 7901400. Free text
3. Delayed increase of Ca2+ influx elicited by glutamate: role in neuronal death. Mol Pharmacol. 1989 Jul;36(1):106-12; PubMed
4. Molecular pharmacology of glutamate transporters, EAATs and VGLUTs. Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 2004 Jul; 45(3):250-65. PubMed
5. Nelson DL and Cox MM. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 4th edition.
6. Okumoto, S., et al. (2005). "Detection of glutamate release from neurons by genetically encoded surface-displayed FRET nanosensors". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences U.S.A 102 (24): 8740-8745. PMID 15939876. Free text
7. Reeds, P.J., et al. (2000). "Intestinal glutamate metabolism". Journal of Nutrition 130 (4s): 978S-982S. PMID 10736365.. Free text
8. Zheng Xi, Baker DA, Shen H, Carson DS, Kalivas PW (2002). "Group II metabotropic glutamate receptors modulate extracellular glutamate in the nucleus accumbens". Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 300 (1): 162-171. PMID 11752112.