Glutamic Acid

Glutamic acid is one of the 20 amino acids commonly found in proteins. It acts as a precursor of glutamine, proline and arginine. Glutamic acid can also be synthesized from several different amino acids, including glutamine. Glutamic acid acts as amino group donor in synthesis by transamination of alanine from pyruvate and aspartic acid from oxaloacetate. Glutamine is one of the major nutrients for the small-bowel mucosa; it is metabolized into glutamate and subsequently alanine in the human enterocyte.

 

What it is

Glutamic acid, also called glutamate, is an excitatory neurotransmitter that increases the firing of neurons in the central nervous system. It is a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal caord. It is converted into either glutamine or Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), two other amino acids that help pass messages to the brain.

 

What it does

Glutamic Acid is important in the metabolism of sugars and fats. It aids in the transportation of potassium into the spinal fluid. Glutamic Acid acts as fuel for the brain. It has been used to help correct personality disorders, in the treatment of epilepsy, mental retardation, muscular dystrophy, and ulcers. It also helps with the transportation of potassium across theblood-brain barrier, although glutamic acid itself does not pass thisbarrier that easily.

 

Benefits

  • Aging Disorders
  • Alcoholism
  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Angina
  • Antidepressant
  • Antioxidant
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Athletic Performance
  • Autism
  • Brain Functioning
  • Cancer
  • Depression
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Digestive Disorders
  • Epilepsy
  • Eye Health Maintenance
  • Fatigue
  • Folic Acid Deficiency
  • Free Radical Related Diseases
  • General Debility
  • Heart Health Maintenance
  • Immune System
  • Impotence
  • Liver Health Maintenance
  • Low Stomach Acid
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Memory
  • Mental Functioning
  • Mental Retardation
  • Muscle Weakness
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Myocardial Infarction
  • Neurological Disorders
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Physical Performance
  • Protein Catabolism
  • Respiratory Insufficiency
  • Schizophrenia
  • Senility
  • Stomach Acid Deficiency
  • Stress
  • Ulcers

 

Dosage

Based on controlled clinical studies with positive results, the dosage of glutamic acid generally ranges from between 2 to 15 grams daily.