2 years, 1 month ago
How is the neurotransmitter glutamate the same as the "glutamate" in monosodium glutamate? Or are they entirely different?
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M$1 Answer
Mono-sodium glutamate, or MSG is a sodium salt of the non-essential amino-acid glutamin. The same amino acid is part of the neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate in the brain, when not taken back up rapidly enough is thought to be a possible cause for ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease).
MSG is considered by the FDA a food additive which is generally well-tolerated. Although there are many anecdotal reports of MSG intolerance, there has not been to date a well-controlled (i.e. double-blind) study proving such issues.
Glutamate appears not to pass the blood-brain barrier, so glutamate from MSG is not likely to affect synaptic concentrations of glutamate (high concentrations over a too-long time can cause neuro-toxicity):
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This explains studies that show that the BBB is impermeable to glutamate, even at high concentrations, except in a few small areas that have fenestrated capillaries (circumventricular organs). Recently, the question of whether the BBB becomes permeable in diabetes has arisen. This issue was tested in rats with diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance or with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Neither condition produced any detectable effect on BBB glutamate transport.
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MSG is considered by the FDA a food additive which is generally well-tolerated. Although there are many anecdotal reports of MSG intolerance, there has not been to date a well-controlled (i.e. double-blind) study proving such issues.
Glutamate appears not to pass the blood-brain barrier, so glutamate from MSG is not likely to affect synaptic concentrations of glutamate (high concentrations over a too-long time can cause neuro-toxicity):
- quote -
This explains studies that show that the BBB is impermeable to glutamate, even at high concentrations, except in a few small areas that have fenestrated capillaries (circumventricular organs). Recently, the question of whether the BBB becomes permeable in diabetes has arisen. This issue was tested in rats with diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance or with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Neither condition produced any detectable effect on BBB glutamate transport.
- end quote -
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
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