excitotoxins, glutamine, glutamine and the Blood Brain Barrier

[Guest guest]

Dear Mike, George and alon,

 

I did some research in respect to your concerns, particularly as to the

distinction between glutamine, which as a major fuel source for the brain

and and body(as a matter of fact, is the most abundant Amino Acid in the

body), readily crosses the Blood Brain Barrier, as George mentioned, and

glutamate, which does not easily cross the Blood Brain Barrier. And even

if you want to dispute the glutamine/glutamate cycle, glutamate has

other ways of getting into the brain anyway! There are several areas

that normally do not have a barrier system, called the circumventricular

organs. These include the hypothalamus, the subfornical organ, organium

vasculosum, area postrema, pineal gland, and the subcommisural organ. Of

these, the most important is the hypothalamus, since it is the

controlling center for all neuroendocrine regulation, sleep wake cycles,

emotional control, caloric intake regulation, immune system regulation

and regulation of the autonomic nervous system. Glutamate actually is an

important neurotransmitter in the hypothalamus. But careful regulation of

blood levels of glutamate is critical, since high bloodconcentrations of

glutamate increase hypothalamic levels as well, and exposure to MSG

damages an area of the hypothalamus known as the arcuate nucleus.This

small hypothalamic nucleus controls a multitude of neuroendocrine

functions, as well as being intimately connected to several other

hypothalamic nuclei. Furthermore, high concentrations of blood glutamate

and aspartate ( from foods) can enter the so-called " protected brain " by

seeping through the unprotected areas, such as the hypothalamus or other

circumventricular organs.

 

Another interesting observation is that recent studies have shown that

chronic elevations of blood glutamate can even seep through the normal

blood-brain barrier when these high concentrations are maintained over a

long period of time. This would be the case when individuals consume, on

a daily basis, foods high in the excitotoxins - MSG (seaweed) , aspartame

(Nutrasweet) and L- cysteine(food additives). Though experiments cited

by defenders of MSG safety were conducted to test the efficiency of the

BBB acutely, these did not explore the chronic, long term bombardment of

the BBB by them . In nature, except in the case of metabolic dysfunction

(such as with ALS), glutamate and aspartate levels are not normally

elevated on a continuous basis. Sustained elevations of these

excitotoxins are peculiar to the modern diet, and to the traditional

Oriental diet as well, but certainly not in as high concentrations.(I

would be glad to cite the references if anyone requests)

 

Furthermore, studies have shown that not only can free radicals open the

blood-brain barrier, but excitotoxins can as well. In fact, glutamate

receptors have been demonstrated on the barrier itself. In a carefully

designed experiment, researchers produced opening of the blood-brain

barrier using injected iron as a free radical generator. When a powerful

free radical scavenger (U-74006F) was used in this model, opening of the

barrier was significantly blocked. But, the glutamate blocker MK-801

acted even more effectively to protect the barrier. The authors of this

study concluded that glutamate appears to be an important regulator of

brain capillary transport and stability, and that overstimulation of NMDA

(glutamate) receptors on the blood- brain barrier appears to play an

important role in breakdown of the barrier system. What this also means

is that high levels of dietary glutamate or aspartate may very well

disrupt the normal blood-brain barrier, thus allowing more glutamate to

enter the brain, creating a vicious cycle.

 

 

Yehuda

 

 

On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 17:56:57 +0000 " mike Bowser "

<naturaldoc1 writes:

>

> This edition was published in 2005 and shows a very interesting

> relationship

> between plants/bacteria that produce glutamate and animals that

> consume this

> and change it into glutamine. Their is a cycle here. This reminds

> me of

> glucose or oxygen and that plants produce it and we consume it. I

> guess we

> have a need for them after all.

> Mike W. Bowser, L Ac

>

> >George Mandler <gmandler

> >

> >

> >Re: excitotoxins and glutamine vs glutamine

> >Mon, 21 Feb 2005 08:12:32 -0500

> >

> >

> >

> >On Feb 21, 2005, at 12:37 AM, mike Bowser wrote:

> >

> > >

> > > Something here does not seem right. In my biochem text it is

> > > mentioned

> > > (4th ed of Principles of Biochemistry by Lehninger) that

> pathways are

> > > discussed for glutamine production from glutamate.

> >

> >Yeah but that textbook is probably circa 1999?? so our bodies now

> work

> >differently in 2005 and the later textbooks reflect these

> physiological

> >changes. ;-) ;-)

> >

> >No glutamine/glutamate is a cycle. One gets converted to the other

> and

> >vice versa. I don't think you can get glutamate across a membrane,

> so

> >glutamate is used intracellulary and glutamine extracellulary...

> >

> >--george

> >

> > >

> > >> Yehuda L Frischman <

> > >>

> > >>

> > >> excitotoxins and glutamine vs glutamine

> > >> Sun, 20 Feb 2005 15:14:44 -0800

> > >>

> > >>

> > >> Yehuda

> > >> Are you saying that glutamate (i.e. the salt of glutamine) is

> more

> > >> harmful than glutamine? Glutamine in the major source of

> nutrition for

> > >> the gut and is a necessary excitatory amino acid for the brain.

> We

> > >> need

> > >> both excitatory and inhibitory systems and precursors. Very high

> > >> doses on

> > >> glutamine are often recommended in nutritional medicine both

> for the

> > >> gut

> > >> and brain.

> > >>

> > >>

> > >>

> > >>

> > >> Dear Alon,

> > >>

> > >> Rather than answer your question personally, let me defer to Dr.

> > >> Russell

> > >> Blaylock, board certified neurosurgeon, whose major work on

> > >> excitotoxins

> > >> I mentioned in an earlier post and who is quoted on the site:

> > >> http://www.mercola.com:

> > >>

> > >>

> > >>

> > >> Is

> Glutamine

> > >> Supplementation Helpful or Harmful?

> > >>

> > >> Dr. Mercola's Comment:

> > >>

> > >> Glutamine is an amino acid that makes up the majority of our

> skeletal

> > >> muscle. There is some controversy over whether oral glutamine

> > >> supplementation is toxic or helpful to healthy people. In a past

> > >> article,

> > >> Dr. Robert Crayhon expressed the view of many natural medicine

> > >> experts,

> > >> " After reviewing the literature, I am unconvinced that

> high-dose oral

> > >> glutamine supplementation is toxic to neurons in healthy

> persons. "

> > >>

> > >> However, Dr. Russell Blaylock, a board-certified neurosurgeon

> and

> > >> author

> > >> of the highly recommended Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills

> wrote in

> > >> to

> > >> me with another viewpoint and his response is below.

> > >>

> > >>

> > >>

> ----

> > >> ---

> > >> -------

> > >>

> > >> By Russell L. Blaylock, M.D.

> > >> Advanced Nutritional Concepts, LLC.

> > >>

> > >> Dr. Robert Crayhon posted comments on this site indicating that

> I was

> > >> terribly mistaken in my caution concerning the use of glutamine

> and

> > >> that

> > >> he had consulted several " cell biologists " who were also

> concerned

> > >> with

> > >> my statements on glutamine safety. In fact it was stated that I

> > >> apparently did not understand that glutamine was not an

> excitotoxin

> > >> and

> > >> was not converted into an excitotoxin.

> > >>

> > >> Of course, I never stated glutamine was an excitotoxin, but I

> do state

> > >> that it is converted into the excitotoxin glutamate within

> neurons.

> > >> Numerous recent studies as well as Siegel’s Basic Neurochemistry

> > >> textbook

> > >> emphatically state that the major source of glutamate is from

> > >> glutamine

> > >> in the brain. Normally, when the brain finishes using glutamate

> for

> > >> chemical communication between brain cells at the synapse the

> > >> glutamate

> > >> is taken up by surrounding glial cells and changed by the enzyme

> > >> glutamine synthease into glutamine, where it is stored.

> > >>

> > >> The Problem With Excitotoxins

> > >>

> > >>

> > >> The glutamine is then transported to the neuron and by the

> enzyme

> > >> glutaminase, it is converted to glutamate--the potential

> excitotoxin.

> > >> I

> > >> say potential because unless it accumulates outside the brain

> cell it

> > >> is

> > >> harmless.

> > >>

> > >> This is the major source of glutamate within the brain.

> Excitotoxins

> > >> are

> > >> usually amino acids, such as glutamate and aspartate. These

> special

> > >> amino

> > >> acids cause particular brain cells to become excessively

> excited, to

> > >> the

> > >> point they will quickly die. Excitotoxins can also cause a loss

> of

> > >> brain

> > >> synapses and connecting fibers. Food-borne excitotoxins include

> such

> > >> additives as MSG, aspartame, hydrolyzed protein and soy protein

> > >> extract.

> > >>

> > >> In two recent studies it was found that the amount of glutamine

> in the

> > >> brain could predict the brain damage seen both in pediatric

> brain

> > >> injuries and brain damage secondary to seizures. Adding large

> amounts

> > >> of

> > >> glutamine to the diet increases significantly brain levels of

> > >> glutamine

> > >> and, hence, glutamate. Another study found that by adding

> glutamine to

> > >> the diet of animals exposed to another powerful excitotoxin

> called

> > >> quinolinic acid, brain cell damage was increased significantly.

> > >> Quinolinic acid is known to accumulate in the brain in most

> cases of

> > >> viral brain infection as seen with HIV dementia and viral

> > >> encephalitis.

> > >>

> > >> Glutamine and Liver Toxicity

> > >>

> > >>

> > >> Individuals with liver toxicity tend to accumulate ammonia in

> their

> > >> blood

> > >> and brain. Until recently, it was assumed that it was the

> ammonia that

> > >> caused liver disease-associated brain injury and that glutamine

> was

> > >> protective.

> > >>

> > >> Newer studies indicate that actually it is the glutamine that is

> > >> causing

> > >> the brain’s injury. Increasing glutamine in the diet would

> > >> significantly

> > >> aggravate this damage.

> > >>

> > >> Free Radicals in the Brain

> > >>

> > >>

> > >> Glutamine accumulation has also been found in Alzheimer’s

> disease,

> > >> Huntington’s disease and high levels of brain glutamine have

> been

> > >> associated with a worse prognosis in Lou Gehrig’s disease.

> Likewise,

> > >> recent studies have shown that high brain glutamine levels

> increase

> > >> brain

> > >> levels of free radicals and impair the ability of brain

> mitochondria

> > >> to

> > >> produce energy. When the brain produces low energy,

> excitotoxins,

> > >> such as

> > >> glutamate, become even more toxic. It has been shown that the

> reason

> > >> for

> > >> glutamine toxicity under these conditions is because it is

> converted

> > >> to

> > >> the excitotoxin--glutamate.

> > >>

> > >> Glutamine and Multiple Sclerosis

> > >>

> > >>

> > >> Of particular concern is the finding that people with multiple

> > >> sclerosis

> > >> have increased levels of the enzyme glutaminase (the enzyme that

> > >> converts

> > >> glutamine into glutamate) in areas of nerve fiber damage. High

> levels

> > >> of

> > >> glutamine in the diet would increase glutamate levels near these

> > >> injured

> > >> areas magnifying the damage. It has been shown that

> excitotoxicity

> > >> plays

> > >> a major role in multiple sclerosis by destroying the cells

> > >> (oligodendrocytes) that produce myelin.

> > >>

> > >> Glutamine and Pregnant Women

> > >>

> > >>

> > >> Another area of concern would be pregnant women. Glutamine

> passes

> > >> through

> > >> the placenta and may actually be concentrated in the baby’s

> blood,

> > >> producing very high levels. Glutamate plays a major role in the

> > >> development of the baby’s brain. Excess glutamate has been

> shown to

> > >> cause

> > >> significant impairment of brain development in babies and can

> lead to

> > >> mental retardation.

> > >>

> > >> When to Use Glutamine

> > >>

> > >>

> > >> The major use for high-dose glutamine would be to repair

> > >> gastrointestinal

> > >> injury. In such cases, I would recommend short-term use only.

> Those

> > >> with

> > >> a history of the following conditions should avoid glutamine,

> even for

> > >> short-term use:

> > >>

> > >> Stroke

> > >> Neurodegenerative disease

> > >> Pregnancy

> > >> Malignancy

> > >> Recent vaccinations

> > >> ADHD

> > >> Hypoglycemia

> > >> Autism

> > >> Multiple sclerosis

> > >> Other neurological disorders

> > >>

> > >> Glutamine has recently been shown to produce extreme

> hypoglycemia,

> > >> even

> > >> more so than leucine, which is known to produce fatal

> hypoglycemia in

> > >> infants.

> > >>

> > >> The reason Chinese Restaurant Syndrome is not seen with

> glutamine

> > >> challenge is that the glutamate receptors in the lungs and

> esophagus

> > >> are

> > >> stimulated by glutamate, not glutamine. The glutamine must be

> > >> converted

> > >> first and this occurs primarily in the brain.

> > >>

> > >> The only safe situation for glutamine use is in the vigorous

> athlete.

> > >> Glutamine is used as a muscle fuel, so that vigorous exercise

> will

> > >> consume most of the glutamine before it can accumulate in the

> brain. I

> > >> would still avoid long-term use in high doses. I would caution

> > >> readers to

> > >> avoid excess glutamine, especially in the above named

> conditions and

> > >> situations.

> > >>

> > >>

> > >> Yehuda Frischman

> > >>

> > >>

> > >> " When you see someone doing something wrong, realize that it was

> > >> brought

> > >> before

> > >> you because you did something similar. Therefore, instead of

> judging

> > >> him, judge yourself. "

> > >>

> > >> The Baal Shem Tov Hakodesh

> > >>

> > >>

> > >>

[Guest guest]

In the end it comes down to balance. We need to take a serious look at the

modern diet as we no longer are consuming natural foods. Our commercial ag

system has a lot to do with the changing of nutritional profiles of our

food. We are getting more and more screwed up food. Glutamate as an

additive known as MSG is problematic (different chemical) in food but I

still do not see enough other concern for the amino acid glutamate, which is

important for our well being.

Mike W. Bowser, L Ac

 

>Yehuda L Frischman <

>

>

>Re: excitotoxins, glutamine, glutamine and the Blood Brain

>Barrier

>Tue, 22 Feb 2005 00:57:03 -0800

>

>

>Dear Mike, George and alon,

>

>I did some research in respect to your concerns, particularly as to the

>distinction between glutamine, which as a major fuel source for the brain

>and and body(as a matter of fact, is the most abundant Amino Acid in the

>body), readily crosses the Blood Brain Barrier, as George mentioned, and

>glutamate, which does not easily cross the Blood Brain Barrier. And even

>if you want to dispute the glutamine/glutamate cycle, glutamate has

>other ways of getting into the brain anyway! There are several areas

>that normally do not have a barrier system, called the circumventricular

>organs. These include the hypothalamus, the subfornical organ, organium

>vasculosum, area postrema, pineal gland, and the subcommisural organ. Of

>these, the most important is the hypothalamus, since it is the

>controlling center for all neuroendocrine regulation, sleep wake cycles,

>emotional control, caloric intake regulation, immune system regulation

>and regulation of the autonomic nervous system. Glutamate actually is an

>important neurotransmitter in the hypothalamus. But careful regulation of

>blood levels of glutamate is critical, since high bloodconcentrations of

>glutamate increase hypothalamic levels as well, and exposure to MSG

>damages an area of the hypothalamus known as the arcuate nucleus.This

>small hypothalamic nucleus controls a multitude of neuroendocrine

>functions, as well as being intimately connected to several other

>hypothalamic nuclei. Furthermore, high concentrations of blood glutamate

>and aspartate ( from foods) can enter the so-called " protected brain " by

>seeping through the unprotected areas, such as the hypothalamus or other

>circumventricular organs.

>

>Another interesting observation is that recent studies have shown that

>chronic elevations of blood glutamate can even seep through the normal

>blood-brain barrier when these high concentrations are maintained over a

>long period of time. This would be the case when individuals consume, on

>a daily basis, foods high in the excitotoxins - MSG (seaweed) , aspartame

>(Nutrasweet) and L- cysteine(food additives). Though experiments cited

>by defenders of MSG safety were conducted to test the efficiency of the

>BBB acutely, these did not explore the chronic, long term bombardment of

>the BBB by them . In nature, except in the case of metabolic dysfunction

>(such as with ALS), glutamate and aspartate levels are not normally

>elevated on a continuous basis. Sustained elevations of these

>excitotoxins are peculiar to the modern diet, and to the traditional

>Oriental diet as well, but certainly not in as high concentrations.(I

>would be glad to cite the references if anyone requests)

>

>Furthermore, studies have shown that not only can free radicals open the

>blood-brain barrier, but excitotoxins can as well. In fact, glutamate

>receptors have been demonstrated on the barrier itself. In a carefully

>designed experiment, researchers produced opening of the blood-brain

>barrier using injected iron as a free radical generator. When a powerful

>free radical scavenger (U-74006F) was used in this model, opening of the

>barrier was significantly blocked. But, the glutamate blocker MK-801

>acted even more effectively to protect the barrier. The authors of this

>study concluded that glutamate appears to be an important regulator of

>brain capillary transport and stability, and that overstimulation of NMDA

>(glutamate) receptors on the blood- brain barrier appears to play an

>important role in breakdown of the barrier system. What this also means

>is that high levels of dietary glutamate or aspartate may very well

>disrupt the normal blood-brain barrier, thus allowing more glutamate to

>enter the brain, creating a vicious cycle.

>

>

>Yehuda

>

>

>On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 17:56:57 +0000 " mike Bowser "

><naturaldoc1 writes:

> >

> > This edition was published in 2005 and shows a very interesting

> > relationship

> > between plants/bacteria that produce glutamate and animals that

> > consume this

> > and change it into glutamine. Their is a cycle here. This reminds

> > me of

> > glucose or oxygen and that plants produce it and we consume it. I

> > guess we

> > have a need for them after all.

> > Mike W. Bowser, L Ac

> >

> > >George Mandler <gmandler

> > >

> > >

> > >Re: excitotoxins and glutamine vs glutamine

> > >Mon, 21 Feb 2005 08:12:32 -0500

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >On Feb 21, 2005, at 12:37 AM, mike Bowser wrote:

> > >

> > > >

> > > > Something here does not seem right. In my biochem text it is

> > > > mentioned

> > > > (4th ed of Principles of Biochemistry by Lehninger) that

> > pathways are

> > > > discussed for glutamine production from glutamate.

> > >

> > >Yeah but that textbook is probably circa 1999?? so our bodies now

> > work

> > >differently in 2005 and the later textbooks reflect these

> > physiological

> > >changes. ;-) ;-)

> > >

> > >No glutamine/glutamate is a cycle. One gets converted to the other

> > and

> > >vice versa. I don't think you can get glutamate across a membrane,

> > so

> > >glutamate is used intracellulary and glutamine extracellulary...

> > >

> > >--george

> > >

> > > >

> > > >> Yehuda L Frischman <

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >> excitotoxins and glutamine vs glutamine

> > > >> Sun, 20 Feb 2005 15:14:44 -0800

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >> Yehuda

> > > >> Are you saying that glutamate (i.e. the salt of glutamine) is

> > more

> > > >> harmful than glutamine? Glutamine in the major source of

> > nutrition for

> > > >> the gut and is a necessary excitatory amino acid for the brain.

> > We

> > > >> need

> > > >> both excitatory and inhibitory systems and precursors. Very high

> > > >> doses on

> > > >> glutamine are often recommended in nutritional medicine both

> > for the

> > > >> gut

> > > >> and brain.

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >> Dear Alon,

> > > >>

> > > >> Rather than answer your question personally, let me defer to Dr.

> > > >> Russell

> > > >> Blaylock, board certified neurosurgeon, whose major work on

> > > >> excitotoxins

> > > >> I mentioned in an earlier post and who is quoted on the site:

> > > >> http://www.mercola.com:

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >> Is

> > Glutamine

> > > >> Supplementation Helpful or Harmful?

> > > >>

> > > >> Dr. Mercola's Comment:

> > > >>

> > > >> Glutamine is an amino acid that makes up the majority of our

> > skeletal

> > > >> muscle. There is some controversy over whether oral glutamine

> > > >> supplementation is toxic or helpful to healthy people. In a past

> > > >> article,

> > > >> Dr. Robert Crayhon expressed the view of many natural medicine

> > > >> experts,

> > > >> " After reviewing the literature, I am unconvinced that

> > high-dose oral

> > > >> glutamine supplementation is toxic to neurons in healthy

> > persons. "

> > > >>

> > > >> However, Dr. Russell Blaylock, a board-certified neurosurgeon

> > and

> > > >> author

> > > >> of the highly recommended Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills

> > wrote in

> > > >> to

> > > >> me with another viewpoint and his response is below.

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > ----

> > > >> ---

> > > >> -------

> > > >>

> > > >> By Russell L. Blaylock, M.D.

> > > >> Advanced Nutritional Concepts, LLC.

> > > >>

> > > >> Dr. Robert Crayhon posted comments on this site indicating that

> > I was

> > > >> terribly mistaken in my caution concerning the use of glutamine

> > and

> > > >> that

> > > >> he had consulted several " cell biologists " who were also

> > concerned

> > > >> with

> > > >> my statements on glutamine safety. In fact it was stated that I

> > > >> apparently did not understand that glutamine was not an

> > excitotoxin

> > > >> and

> > > >> was not converted into an excitotoxin.

> > > >>

> > > >> Of course, I never stated glutamine was an excitotoxin, but I

> > do state

> > > >> that it is converted into the excitotoxin glutamate within

> > neurons.

> > > >> Numerous recent studies as well as Siegel’s Basic Neurochemistry

> > > >> textbook

> > > >> emphatically state that the major source of glutamate is from

> > > >> glutamine

> > > >> in the brain. Normally, when the brain finishes using glutamate

> > for

> > > >> chemical communication between brain cells at the synapse the

> > > >> glutamate

> > > >> is taken up by surrounding glial cells and changed by the enzyme

> > > >> glutamine synthease into glutamine, where it is stored.

> > > >>

> > > >> The Problem With Excitotoxins

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >> The glutamine is then transported to the neuron and by the

> > enzyme

> > > >> glutaminase, it is converted to glutamate--the potential

> > excitotoxin.

> > > >> I

> > > >> say potential because unless it accumulates outside the brain

> > cell it

> > > >> is

> > > >> harmless.

> > > >>

> > > >> This is the major source of glutamate within the brain.

> > Excitotoxins

> > > >> are

> > > >> usually amino acids, such as glutamate and aspartate. These

> > special

> > > >> amino

> > > >> acids cause particular brain cells to become excessively

> > excited, to

> > > >> the

> > > >> point they will quickly die. Excitotoxins can also cause a loss

> > of

> > > >> brain

> > > >> synapses and connecting fibers. Food-borne excitotoxins include

> > such

> > > >> additives as MSG, aspartame, hydrolyzed protein and soy protein

> > > >> extract.

> > > >>

> > > >> In two recent studies it was found that the amount of glutamine

> > in the

> > > >> brain could predict the brain damage seen both in pediatric

> > brain

> > > >> injuries and brain damage secondary to seizures. Adding large

> > amounts

> > > >> of

> > > >> glutamine to the diet increases significantly brain levels of

> > > >> glutamine

> > > >> and, hence, glutamate. Another study found that by adding

> > glutamine to

> > > >> the diet of animals exposed to another powerful excitotoxin

> > called

> > > >> quinolinic acid, brain cell damage was increased significantly.

> > > >> Quinolinic acid is known to accumulate in the brain in most

> > cases of

> > > >> viral brain infection as seen with HIV dementia and viral

> > > >> encephalitis.

> > > >>

> > > >> Glutamine and Liver Toxicity

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >> Individuals with liver toxicity tend to accumulate ammonia in

> > their

> > > >> blood

> > > >> and brain. Until recently, it was assumed that it was the

> > ammonia that

> > > >> caused liver disease-associated brain injury and that glutamine

> > was

> > > >> protective.

> > > >>

> > > >> Newer studies indicate that actually it is the glutamine that is

> > > >> causing

> > > >> the brain’s injury. Increasing glutamine in the diet would

> > > >> significantly

> > > >> aggravate this damage.

> > > >>

> > > >> Free Radicals in the Brain

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >> Glutamine accumulation has also been found in Alzheimer’s

> > disease,

> > > >> Huntington’s disease and high levels of brain glutamine have

> > been

> > > >> associated with a worse prognosis in Lou Gehrig’s disease.

> > Likewise,

> > > >> recent studies have shown that high brain glutamine levels

> > increase

> > > >> brain

> > > >> levels of free radicals and impair the ability of brain

> > mitochondria

> > > >> to

> > > >> produce energy. When the brain produces low energy,

> > excitotoxins,

> > > >> such as

> > > >> glutamate, become even more toxic. It has been shown that the

> > reason

> > > >> for

> > > >> glutamine toxicity under these conditions is because it is

> > converted

> > > >> to

> > > >> the excitotoxin--glutamate.

> > > >>

> > > >> Glutamine and Multiple Sclerosis

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >> Of particular concern is the finding that people with multiple

> > > >> sclerosis

> > > >> have increased levels of the enzyme glutaminase (the enzyme that

> > > >> converts

> > > >> glutamine into glutamate) in areas of nerve fiber damage. High

> > levels

> > > >> of

> > > >> glutamine in the diet would increase glutamate levels near these

> > > >> injured

> > > >> areas magnifying the damage. It has been shown that

> > excitotoxicity

> > > >> plays

> > > >> a major role in multiple sclerosis by destroying the cells

> > > >> (oligodendrocytes) that produce myelin.

> > > >>

> > > >> Glutamine and Pregnant Women

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >> Another area of concern would be pregnant women. Glutamine

> > passes

> > > >> through

> > > >> the placenta and may actually be concentrated in the baby’s

> > blood,

> > > >> producing very high levels. Glutamate plays a major role in the

> > > >> development of the baby’s brain. Excess glutamate has been

> > shown to

> > > >> cause

> > > >> significant impairment of brain development in babies and can

> > lead to

> > > >> mental retardation.

> > > >>

> > > >> When to Use Glutamine

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >> The major use for high-dose glutamine would be to repair

> > > >> gastrointestinal

> > > >> injury. In such cases, I would recommend short-term use only.

> > Those

> > > >> with

> > > >> a history of the following conditions should avoid glutamine,

> > even for

> > > >> short-term use:

> > > >>

> > > >> Stroke

> > > >> Neurodegenerative disease

> > > >> Pregnancy

> > > >> Malignancy

> > > >> Recent vaccinations

> > > >> ADHD

> > > >> Hypoglycemia

> > > >> Autism

> > > >> Multiple sclerosis

> > > >> Other neurological disorders

> > > >>

> > > >> Glutamine has recently been shown to produce extreme

> > hypoglycemia,

> > > >> even

> > > >> more so than leucine, which is known to produce fatal

> > hypoglycemia in

> > > >> infants.

> > > >>

> > > >> The reason Chinese Restaurant Syndrome is not seen with

> > glutamine

> > > >> challenge is that the glutamate receptors in the lungs and

> > esophagus

> > > >> are

> > > >> stimulated by glutamate, not glutamine. The glutamine must be

> > > >> converted

> > > >> first and this occurs primarily in the brain.

> > > >>

> > > >> The only safe situation for glutamine use is in the vigorous

> > athlete.

> > > >> Glutamine is used as a muscle fuel, so that vigorous exercise

> > will

> > > >> consume most of the glutamine before it can accumulate in the

> > brain. I

> > > >> would still avoid long-term use in high doses. I would caution

> > > >> readers to

> > > >> avoid excess glutamine, especially in the above named

> > conditions and

> > > >> situations.

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >> Yehuda Frischman

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >> " When you see someone doing something wrong, realize that it was

> > > >> brought

> > > >> before

> > > >> you because you did something similar. Therefore, instead of

> > judging

> > > >> him, judge yourself. "

> > > >>

> > > >> The Baal Shem Tov Hakodesh

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >>