Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid (protein building block) in the body and is involved in more metabolic processes than any other amino acid. Glutamine is converted to glucose when more glucose is required by the body as an energy source, it is easily converted to glutamic acid and vice versa. It serves as a source of fuel for cells lining the intestines, without it these cells waste away. It is also used by white blood cells and is important for immune function.
It is found in many foods high in protein, such as crab, cod, turkey, cottage cheese, tuna, haddock, cheddar cheese, soya protein, cabbage, spirulina and beans. Stress or excessive exercise can create a need for more glutamine than the body can provide.
What it does
- Mental Stimulant: readily passes the blood-brain barrier where it is converted to glutamic acid, which the brain needs to function properly. Glutamic acid is thought to play a role in mental alertness and memory enhancement. It also increases the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is needed to sustain proper brain function and mental activity.
- Intestinal Healer:is necessary for cellular repair in the gut where it may help to improve gut barrier function, as well as immune activity.
- Immune Support/Healing: nourishes important immune cells which assist healing of surgical wounds, trauma injuries and burns. Their proper functioning is dependent on glutamine as a metabolic fuel for growth and proliferation.
- Athletic Performance: has been shown to improve nitrogen balance, increase protein synthesis, and decrease 3-methylhistidine excretion. It may also raise human growth hormone secretion. Theoretically this means faster recovery for both the endurance and strength athlete, along with faster muscle growth. Glutamine may also stimulate the accumulation of muscle glycogen, which could provide an added advantage for the endurance athlete, who relies heavily on glycogen stores for energy.
- Cravings: can convert to sugar for energy production and may therefore be helpful in stabilising blood sugar. This, in combination with the effect of glutamine supplementation on brain chemistry, has been shown to significantly reduce craving for alcohol in clinical research.
- Anti-Ulcer Agent: As a major metabolic fuel for the endothelial cells of the intestinal tract, glutamine has been shown to speed the rate of healing of digestive ulcers.
Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Excitatory neurotransmitters bind to receptors on neurons and cause them to fire more frequently. This is essential for learning, memory, and other cognitive functions.
Glutamate also plays a role in regulating mood, sleep, and pain. It is also involved in the development and repair of nerve cells.
What is glutamate in the brain
Glutamate is released from neurons when they are activated. It then travels across the synapse (the space between two neurons) and binds to receptors on the dendrites (the receiving ends) of other neurons.
When glutamate binds to a receptor, it opens a channel in the neuron’s membrane, allowing ions to flow in. This influx of ions causes the neuron to fire.
What does glutamate do
Glutamate plays a role in many important brain functions, including:
- Learning and memory: is essential for the formation of new memories and the retrieval of existing memories.
- Cognition: is involved in all aspects of cognition, including attention, focus, and problem-solving.
- Mood: levels can affect mood. Low levels of glutamate have been linked to depression and anxiety.
- Sleep: plays a role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.
- Pain: is involved in the processing of pain signals.
Potential Uses
| Mental alertness | Athletic performance | Sugar addiction |
| Memory enhancement | Alcoholism | Stomach and duodenal ulcers |
| Leaky gut | Ulcerative colitis | Crohn’s Disease |
| Diarrhoea |
Glutamine supplement
It is a non-essential amino acid that is found in many foods, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes, and nuts. Glutamine is also available as a supplement.
These supplements are often taken by athletes to improve muscle growth and recovery. They are also sometimes taken by people with digestive disorders, such as leaky gut syndrome, to help repair the intestinal lining.
Glutamine side effects
Glutamine supplements are generally safe for most people to take. However, there are some potential side effects, including:
- Stomach upset
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Fatigue
What happens if you have too little glutamate
Low levels of glutamate in the brain can lead to a variety of problems, including:
- Brain fog
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory loss
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Anxiety
Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, playing a crucial role in various physiological processes, including learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity. As a neurotransmitter, glutamate acts as a chemical messenger that transmits signals between nerve cells, or neurons, in the central nervous system.
Function of Glutamate:
Glutamate acts on several types of receptors, including ionotropic receptors (such as AMPA, NMDA, and kainate receptors) and metabotropic receptors, to exert its effects on neuronal activity. These receptors mediate processes such as synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and synaptic plasticity, which are essential for cognitive function and brain development.
Effects of Glutamate on the Brain:
Glutamate has diverse effects on the brain, influencing various aspects of neuronal function and behavior. Below is a table outlining the effects of glutamate on the brain:
| Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Excitatory Neurotransmission | Glutamate serves as the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, promoting neuronal activation and synaptic transmission. |
| Learning and Memory | Glutamate plays a crucial role in synaptic plasticity, the ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time in response to activity. This process underlies learning and memory. |
| Neurotoxicity | Excessive glutamate release or impaired glutamate clearance can lead to excitotoxicity, a process in which overactivation of glutamate receptors causes neuronal damage and cell death. |
| Neurological Disorders | Dysregulation of glutamate signaling has been implicated in various neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and stroke. |
| Mood and Behavior | Glutamate signaling is involved in regulating mood and behavior, with alterations in glutamatergic transmission implicated in psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety. |
Conclusion:
In summary, glutamate serves as a key neurotransmitter in the brain, mediating essential processes such as synaptic transmission, learning, and memory. While glutamate plays a crucial role in normal brain function, dysregulation of glutamate signaling can have detrimental effects and contribute to the pathophysiology of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Further research into the mechanisms of glutamate neurotransmission may provide insights into novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of these conditions.
Cautions
High dosages of glutamine may affect anticonvulsant medication so is best avoided.
Avoid if sensitive to monosodium glutamate or suffering kidney or liver problems.
May be beneficial alongside human growth hormone, indomethacin, methotrexate and paclitaxel.
Generally, there are no side effects or contra-indications from using glutamine.
