Glutamic acid, or glutamate, is one of 20 amino acids, the fundamental components of the proteins that make up the various organs and tissues in the body. Along with nine other amino acids, it is considered a "non-essential" amino acid, meaning that the body can synthesize it on its own. An extremely versatile amino acid, glutamate is involved in a wide variety of metabolic processes. Although healthy people do not need to take supplemental glutamate, dietary supplementation is invaluable, and sometimes even necessary, in times of extreme physical stress.
Fuel
Glutamic acid takes part in more metabolic reactions than any other amino acid, and is a ready source of glucose, the body's chief source of fuel. In addition to helping maintain normal blood glucose levels and acidity, it serves as a source of fuel for the intestinal epithelium. Glutamine, a precursor or by-product of glutamate, increases the body's secretion of human growth hormone, or HGH, which in turn aids in the metabolism of body fat. It also plays a major role in removing excess ammonia from the bloodstream.
Muscle and Other Cells Component
Glutamine comprises more than three-fifths of human muscle tissue. It is also central to the synthesis of both DNA and RNA, molecules that hold and transmit the genetic code, and are essential to the synthesis of all proteins. By stimulating the release of the anabolic hormone HGH, it plays an indirect role in building skeletal muscle in addition to its direct, structural contribution. Glutamine also protects the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract when ulcers, chemotherapy agents or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are present.
Immune Function
Glutamine is vital to proper immune function. It is required for optimal proliferation of lymphocytes and cytokines, and maximizes the efficiency of macrophages, large immune cells which engulf and degrade foreign substances ranging from microbes to inorganic molecules. In many situations in which immune function is compromised--for example, severe burns, sepsis or when athletes overexert themselves--glutamine depletion is at least partly responsible for the immunosuppresion. In addition, the administration of glutamine to patients receiving bone marrow transplants results in a lower incidence of post-operative infections and a shorter stay in the hospital.
Flavoring Agent
Glutamate is the chief component of the popular food additive monosodium glutamate, or MSG. Most frequently found in Chinese food and certain soups, MSG is often blamed for a variety of physical discomforts, including headaches, chest pain and skin flushing. Researchers, however, have failed to link MSG to any of these symptoms, notes MayoClinic.com.
Member Comments