Glutamic acid (glutamate)

Why glutamic acid is good for you

Glutamic acid (glutamate) is a non-essential amino acid and is synthesised from a number of amino acids including ornithine and arginine. Glutamic acid is important in the metabolism of sugars and fats. It also helps with the transportation of potassium across the blood-brain barrier, although glutamic acid itself does not pass this barrier that easily.

Glutamic acid is actually part of the folate (folic acid) molecule, so that is why it is deemed a non-essential amino acid, as the body can usually get enough of it through adequate folate in the diet.

Important glutamic acid facts

• Glutamic acid can attach itself to nitrogen atoms in the process of forming glutamine, and this action also detoxifies the body of ammonia. This action is the only way in which the brain can be detoxified from ammonia
• The brain can use glutamic acid as fuel
• There are high concentrations of glutamic acid (glutamate) in various parts of the brain
• Glutamic acid (or glutamate) is an excitory amino acid neurotransmitter and actually stimulates over 70% of the synapes in the brain
• Glutamic acid (or glutamate) is converted into GABA if all of its co-factor nutrients are available

Glutamic acid works best with

• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
• Vitamin H (Folic Acid)
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Potassium
• Zinc
• Arginine
• Aspartic Acid
• Glycine
• Proline
• Taurine

Glutamic acid and health

• Brain and mental health – glutamic acid helps to correct personality disorders and is useful in treating childhood behavioral disorders. It is used in the treatment of neurological conditions, epilepsy, mental retardation, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease
• Hypoglycaemic coma – glutamic acid is considered a remedy for hypoglycaemic coma (a complication of insulin treatment for diabetes)
• Heart disorders – glutamic acid may have protective effects on the heart muscle in people with heart disease. Intravenous injections of glutamic acid (as monosodium glutamate) have been shown to increase exercise tolerance and heart function in people with stable angina pectoris
• Benign prostate hyperplasia – the fluid produced by the prostate gland contains significant amounts of glutamic acid, and this amino acid may play a role in normal function of the prostate. Studies have shown a reduction in symptoms with supplementation of glutamic acid (together with alanine and glycine)

Talk to a medical professional about glutamic acid supplements before taking them

Groups at risk of glutamic acid deficiency

None known.

Symptoms of glutamic acid deficiency

None known.

Glutamic acid in food

Glutamic acid recommended daily intake (RDI)

Overdosage, toxicity and cautions for glutamic acid

No major side effects or toxicity have been reported in generally healthy adults, but high doses have presented symptoms such as:

• headaches
• neurological problems

Precautions

Anyone suffering from kidney or liver disease should not take this supplement without first discussing it with their medical health practitioner.

Interactions

References

• Osiecki H, Meeke F, Smith J, The Encyclopaedia of Clinical Nutrition – Volume 1: The Nervous System, BioConceps Publishing QLD 2004

Last reviewed and updated: 8 May 2024