Glutamate is an important neurotransmitter for keeping a good mental balance. However, flavour enhancers have a devastating effect on this balance, they are making your brain sick. Through poor nutrition (especially food with flavour enhancers) and a leaky gut, you can get too much of this important neurotransmitter in your brain. This then causes an imbalance in your brain chemistry. The good functions of glutamate then change into negative symptoms. Communication between the neurons in the brain becomes increasingly worse, as does information processing in the brain.

Memory and concentration levels decrease dramatically, and you also become easily overstressed in your brains due to this imbalance. Too much glutamate also causes restlessness, fears, a high degree of stress and sleeping problems. Various other physical complaints arise as a result of too much glutamate, for example ADHD/ADD, but also chronic fatigue, blurred visions and many psychological complaints (including bipolar disorder or fibromyalgia). The list of physical issues caused by too much glutamate is pretty long.

Researchers at Ghent University Hospital have found a new explanation for chronic pain syndrome and fibromyalgia in their scientific research. They found significant evidence that a chemical imbalance in the brain insula with an excess of glutamate and a reduced GABA can be the cause of fibromyalgia. They also found a connection with bladder and bowel problems, sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, heart problems, increased blood pressure, hypersensitivity to light, sound and smells. With the right intervention, the treatment of fibromyalgia could be accelerated. 

GABA and glutamate work very closely together

GABA and glutamate work very closely together. Increased glutamate therefore always has a direct effect on the amount of GABA. When GABA decreases, over time all the above symptoms can occur. Glutamate normally works as an activating neurotransmitter for the cognitive ability of our brain, such as our memory. GABA, on the other hand, is the calming neurotransmitter. Glutamate is a very important neurotransmitter for our brain, as it is indispensable for our information processing. It also regulates our ability to think and learn. Our neurons communicate with each other via neurotransmitters. This ensures that our brains can function in perfect balance. 

GABA, on the other hand, is just as important, especially for creating peace in our brains and getting a good night’s sleep. GABA also reduces overstimulation, stress, and has many other functions.

Neurotransmitters are produced from 20 different kinds of proteins (amino acids). Glutamate can be synthesized by the body, so it is not an essential amino acid. It is also an important energy supplier for our brains, and it keeps our brain healthy, but too much of it is harmful.

Glutamate is added to foods as a flavour enhancer

Glutamate, is naturally present in meat, fish, cheese, cereals and potatoes, among other things. In addition, this neurotransmitter is added to foods as a flavour enhancer, also known as E621, in other words monosodium glutamate. This is the monosodium salt of glutamic acid: one of the most naturally occurring non-essential amino acids that make up proteins. MSG can be found in tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, potatoes, mushrooms and other fruits and vegetables. Other names for MSG are Ve-tsin, sodium L-glutamate, MSG and ajinomoto. Many restaurants, especially oriental ones but also Greek ones, prepare their food with monosodium glutamate.

It is always wise to ask whether the restaurant you are eating at uses this flavour enhancer. In fact, when you eat there all the time and the food is excessively tasty, you know that flavour enhancers are being used. It provides an intense and savoury taste, but it also gives you a happy feeling while eating. However, it is not the real happiness that you feel, but the stimulation of your brain, which endures for a short time. You therefore want more and more of this type of food. It disturbs your sense of satiation because there is no longer a signal from your brain that you have eaten enough. Glutamate is therefore downright addictive. The development of obesity also stems from this biochemical imbalance in your brain. It also disrupts your blood sugar levels and hormones in this way.

Flavour enhancers are also used in industrial food, such as crisps, soup and soup enrichment products including soup enhancers and bouillon cubes. In addition, in nuts (especially those with a coating), many meat products and ready-made meals. Even in foods specifically for children, although it is banned for children under 12 weeks. As if children after 12 weeks can’t suffer enormous damage to the biochemistry of their brains! Take a good look at the ingredients. We have already mentioned the names of E-621. Actually, all E-numbers from E-620 to E-627 are a form of glutamate.

The role of our intestinal microbiome

Our gut microbiome is incredibly important for the correct balance of neurotransmitters. Read our article: https://xcodexfoundation.com/articles/psychological-disorders-and-your-gut-clara-ruizendaal/ Indeed, the gut microbiome makes 90 per cent of all the neurotransmitters for our brain. If the gut microbiome is not optimal, neurotransmitters can be made more difficult and not in the right amount. Problems with the balance of glutamate and GABA can therefore also arise from an intestinal microbiome that does not function properly. Simple persistent intestinal problems can already lead to a neurotransmitter deficiency.

Pyridoxal 5 phosphate is the active form of B6 and is very important for a good balance between glutamate and GABA. When there is too little of this active B6 in the body, glutamate rises too much. It is therefore always advisable to take this active form, in addition to a comprehensive multi with all the B vitamins, in a high dose. Vitamin C and omega 3 fatty acids are also essential for the production and balance of glutamate. Minerals such as zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium, but also iron are also very important in this process.

How do you restore the balance between glutamate and GABA?

This often requires a change in lifestyle:

• Reduce stress as much as possible because it has a big effect on the balance between these two neurotransmitters;
• Keep the intestinal microbiome healthy by taking pre- and probiotics. In addition, in the case of a leaky gut, it is wise to take collagen type I and III. In case of infections, take nano silver and zinc methionine; Nano Silver
• Sufficient sleep is very much needed. If you sleep badly, take GABA for the night, including 5-HTP. You should only take this  if you are not taking antidepressants. Good sleep reduces stress and helps to increase immunity and to bring the neurotransmitters back into balance, see https://xcodexfoundation.com/articles/why-sleep-is-so-important-for-your-immunity/
• Healthy food is extremely important. Choose unprocessed and pure food. Prepare your own food as much as possible. Anything your grandmother would not recognize as food, do not eat. Stop eating junk food and comfort food. Remember that when food that tastes intensely powerful and makes you want to eat more of it often contains a flavour enhancer. Avoid using the additive E-620 to E-627 as much as possible. Crisps with glutamate, for example, cannot be put aside before the bag is finished;
• Resting and reducing stress especially increases GABA levels in the brain. Think of yoga, meditation and breathing exercises. Controlled breathing increases oxygen levels in the brain, which in turn calms and increases GABA.
• Sit out in the sun or go for a walk in the sun, you kill two birds with one stone because regular exercise and sunlight ensure properly functioning neurotransmitters, a healthy brain and a healthy nervous system.

Be much more conscious of what you do and especially what you eat

Physical issues such as restlessness, focus, concentration problems, depression, anxiety and/or ADHD are much more often food-related and are caused by imbalances in the neurotransmitters. And often with as a first cause an improperly functioning gut microbiome. The editors of X-Codex hope to inform you about how you can stay healthy and through this blog to have given you more insight. 

Be conscious, choose wisely, JUST THINK!