Do you know glutamic acid benefits? | Detailed Explanation

In this essay, we will introduce to you glutamic acid and discuss the question “What are glutamic acid benefits”. Then we talk about the harm of excess glutamic acid. 

What is glutamic acid?

Before talking about glutamic acid benefits, we want to give a simple introduction to glutamic acid. Glutamic acid is a non-essential amino acid, but it is the most abundant amino acid in the body. It is the most common form of glutamate in our bodies and is considered a non-essential amino acid because our bodies can synthesize it from other amino acids.

It is widely found in the brain and muscles, and it is the precursor of glutamine, proline and arginine. It is found in a variety of foods, including those of plant and animal origin, such as bone broth, meat, mushrooms and soy products. This means that we do not need this amino acid from food sources, which is different from essential amino acids.

Glutamic acid benefits

1. It benefits to normal brain function

Nearly all excitatory neurons in the brain and spinal cord are glutaminergic neurons. Glutamic acid as the main excitatory neurotransmitter can send signals to the brain and the entire body. It is also helpful to the cognitive function, learning and other functions of the brain. Meanwhile, it can help nerve cells communicate with each other acting as a neurotransmitter. 

2. It benefits to immunity

The presence of glutamic acid receptors on immune cells indicates that glutamic acid plays an important role in both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Glutamic acid is also involved in lung, kidney, liver, heart and immune system tissue function. Scientists are studying the effects of glutamic acid on regulatory T cells, B cells, and inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases.

One study shows that glutamic acid has an effective effect on common diseases as well as cancer and autoimmune diseases. This means it may be able to boost beneficial T cell function in the fight against cancer and infection. According to at least one study in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, these receptors also have the potential to inhibit autoimmune development and protect the central nervous system from inflammation.

3. It benefits to the gut

Glutamic acid, which we get from food, provides energy to cells in the gut and helps activate the digestive system. Multifarious transporters mediating glutamate absorption have been found in the apical membrane of gastrointestinal epithelial cells, primarily in the small intestine but also in the stomach, while amino acid transport from the lumen to the portal has little or no blood presence in the colon. It is the main source of energy for nutrient absorption and metabolism. Glutamic acid is one of the main nutrients of intestinal cells.

Glutamic acid can also protect the intestinal wall by helping to produce the antioxidant glutathione. One animal study found that supplementation with L-glutamate helped improve the intestinal integrity of piglets, which facilitates the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Glutamic acid may also prevent gastrointestinal damage caused by Helicobacter pylori and long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin.

What is the harm of excess glutamic acid?

Eating too much processed food is one common factor causing glutamic acid excess. MSG that contains glutamic acid is often added to many foods to add flavor and texture. If we eat too much of this food, the levels of glutamic acid will be high. But glutamic acid excess is not only because of glutamic acid in the foods, but because of other defects or dysfunction in the body. Excess glutamic acid can be caused by stress or an autoimmune response to glutamic acid decarboxylase. 

Although glutamic acid benefits the human body, If there is an excess of glutamic acid in the brain, glutamic acid can become harmful. This process is called glutamic acid excitotoxicity, short for GE. It will result in negative effects, such as impaired cellular calcium homeostasis and free radical production. It also has been related to anxiety, stroke, chronic pain and brain tumors.

Conclusion: 

In the end, we want to conclude our essay on the topic of "glutamic acid benefits". Glutamic acid is a non-essential amino acid for the human body, but its existence has many benefits to the normal functioning of the brain, the immune system and the gut. But if excess glutamic acid is in our human body, it will lead to different diseases, such as depression, brain tumors and so on. So in ordinary life, we should notice that we shouldn’t eat too many processed foods that contain glutamic acid and keep healthy.