Glutamic Acid or Not Glutamic Glutamic Acid, That is the Question
I’m just in on the heels of a great conference on genetics and how they can play an important role in our health. The reason I use the word, “play” is because it is important to know that we can have something to say about our genes and how they take care of us.
In this message, I am talking about the very important amino acid, glutamic acid, also known as glutamate. We all have it, we all need it, and we all certainly use it to create good health and function. We have 20 amino acids that are very important building blocks for protein. You know we need protein.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The Good:
Glutamate is important, it is used in cellular functioning and for ridding the cells of waste from their metabolism. It is also an important component in neurotransmission. You can see how crucial it is for this system to be functioning properly.
As a Matter of Fact/ Autism/Smarts:
Glutamate in our brain makes us smart, very smart. And it has been shown over again that children with Autism have very high levels of glutamate, and often their parents do, too. It helps with our grey matter and myelin sheathing production. Just keep in mind that how much and too much matters.
The Bad
The problem with glutamate is how much is good to the point of bad. Too much is not a good thing, as a matter of fact, too much glutamate in the body can create havoc on the nervous system, digestive tract, and muscle strength and function. Children with autism either make too much or have too much or a mix of both. I believe that people who have suffered any kind of head injury are making too much glutamate in the brain, too, leading to further problems with focus, attention, gut issues and more. Too much glutamate is also related to seizures, imagine that! I teach a program called, “The Gut-Brain Connection,” which absolutely talks about seizure activity and gut function. But, that is for another article.
The Ugly
What can cause Glutmate levels to climb?
1. MSG, food source
2. Stress
3. Toxins, bacterial overload, parasites
4. Some gut issues
5. Low Taurine, another important amino acid
6. Inflammation
7. Some think even low Dopamine levels
What does too much Glutamine do?
When levels of Glutamine are too high it becomes an excitotoxin and that is not healthy for us in any way. It is pro-inflammatory, it can be a strong source of heartache with seizures, and it make us very nervous and jittery. Those are just a few things that no one wants. When levels of glutamine are too high it is very hard on the kidneys to get it out, they are working overtime, and what sits on top of the kidneys? The adrenal glands, boowah, adrenal fatigue! Adrenal glands, stress, nervous, tired, overdone. No wonder why it can be hard to find out what is at the base of some of your problems.
Let’s Talk the Two F’s
Foods good for you:
I can’t help but believe that while certain foods can be your enemy when made by the food manufacturers for shelf life and to get your tastebuds to want more of their foods, that real, wholesome homemade, fresh foods can be our medicine and friend, too.
Here are some examples of real foods that are high in glutamine and are very healthy for you because they do make you smart and help your nerves and transmitters to do their job efficiently.
1. Atlantic Cod, 15g per 60z serving
2. Eggs, 10-11g per 100g, which are about 2-3 eggs
3. Aged cheese like parmesan, 8g per 100g
4. Chicken, free range and naturally raised
5. Soy, 17g per 100g serving. I do not recommend soy to anyone or any animal because of estrogen receptors, and so many other scientific reasons, I could write a whole other post just on that. But, just in case you wanted to know its range is here.
I think if you remove the glutamate manmade offenders, do some genetic testing if you want to see what you have, and eat good, real food you can greatly and easily lower your levels of the very inflammatory excitotoxin and start a road of better health.
Wait, there’s more!
Feldenkrais Method®:
If good food can help get rid of the excess inflammation, then the very good feeling all over your body, inside and out Feldenkrais® Movement Classes can help get the rest in order. Why? Because we teach you how to use yourself easily, elegantly and efficiently. No stress. Rather, your good coping skills to environmental stressors go up and your internal stressors go down. Just ask anyone who has ever had a Feldenkrais lesson. Your cares melt away, your brain feels more organized, just ask me! And best part, aches and pains just seem to move away while you move better like the wonderful human being you were designed to be. You were given the greatest gift of being alive on this earth, why not make the best of it, eat well, know your genetics, clean yourself up and go to your Feldenkrais class. It’s certainly less expensive than the alternative.
Here’s to better fitting genes!
Elinor Silverstein,
Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner®
Movement Intelligence Teacher, Trainer
www.onstickytopics.com
Elinor@ElinorSilverstein.com
