Lowering Glutamate | B6
Vitamin B6, aka Pyridoxine Vitamin B6 is mainly provided by diet and bacterial synthesis in the gut. All B-Vitamins help to convert food into fuel and are important in energy production. B6 is essential for normal brain development, nervous system regulation, amino acid metabolism, and keeping our immune system functioning well. Vitamin B6 is essential in converting excitatory glutamate into calming GABA. Deficiencies in Vitamin B6 alone can contribute to a build-up of excess glutamate, resulting in symptoms. In a [...]
REID | Tampa, FL
Where to Eat Intelligent Gourmet is located in the back of the local health food store, Palma Ceia Village Health Market. They have a wide variety of REID, gluten-free, vegan, paleo and keto meals and baked goods. Very casual and easy to grab meals on the run. BarTaco- located in Hyde Park Village, this restaurant has many gluten-free, REID friendly items, and even clean cocktails, all in a great ambiance. Our son will typically have roasted chicken, cucumber, fruit, and broccoli. [...]
Gluten Free Boone & Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock, NC/ Boone, NC, is our home away from home. It is where we spent the majority of our weekends while living in Charlotte, where we spend most of our summer and where our heart is. We have a home in these beautiful mountains and have enjoyed learning how to forage the land and find ways to make local restaurants gluten-free and even a few REID-friendly options. Blowing Rock Where to Eat Gluten Free Our go-to local restaurant is Bistro [...]
REID | Charlotte, NC
Charlotte, North Carolina will always hold a special place in our hearts. It is where we spent close to 15 years of our lives and where our son was born and raised until the age of seven. Here is our list of favorite local resources, restaurants and available practitioners. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): Our AMAZING local farm where we buy into their seasonal crop for an incredible source of weekly produce. This is quite a drive for us but we rotate weeks [...]
Lowering Glutamate | B3
Vitamin B3 (Niacin, Nicotinic Acid)- Found high in liver, anchovies, tuna, chicken breast I would not encourage the use of this supplement unless you are well aware of your methylation status. “Nicotinic acid requires SAMe to be metabolized. SAMe is a major methyl donor. Thus, when one consumes niacin, SAMe gets used up and methyl donors drop. Thereby excessive methylation goes away. Nicotinic acid also supports the elimination of glutamate. Many with elevated levels of glutamate do not do well [...]
Lowering Glutamate | B1 (Thiamine)
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)- found in sunflower seeds, macadamia nuts, beans & lentils helps to convert glutamine to GABA “Extracellular glutamate is increased in thalamus during thiamine deficiency-induced lesions and is blocked by MK-801.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8245970 The following is information from a paper written by the INCREDIBLE Dr. Russell Blaylock on the role of Thiamine, Neurodegenerative Diseases, and Excitotoxicity. Blaylock RL. The biochemical basis of neurodegenerative disease: The role of immunoexcitoxicity and ways to possibly attenuate it. Surg Neurol Int. 2023 Apr [...]
Lowering Glutamate | Valerian Root
Valerian Root – Increases GABA. “ In addition, pretreatment with valerian extract or valerenic acid decreased the brainstem inhibitory effects produced by muscimol (both P < 0.05), suggesting that these compounds play an important role in the regulation of GABAergic activity. Data from this study suggest that the pharmacological effects of valerian extract and valerenic acid are mediated through modulation of GABA(A) receptor function” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14742369
Lowering Glutamate | Theanine
Theanine, L-Theanine L-Theanine use has been growing as it is more commonly used to help balance glutamate and GABA, by increasing GABA and blocking glutamate receptors. However L-theanine is also a glutamate analog, and what may work for some, may not work for all. If you have trouble converting glutamate to GABA, this may actually contribute to the imbalance between these two neurotransmitters, by increasing glutamate. If you are unaware of how well you're able to convert glutamate to GABA [...]
Lowering Glutamate | Taurine
Taurine–Is an inhibitory amino acid. Beef, lamb, dark chicken meat, and eggs are food sources of taurine. Why is taurine from whole food important? Commercial taurine supplements can increase sulfur which may already be high due to certain gene mutations (CBS & SUOX), and supplementing any free amino acid can pose some amount of glutamate risk. Additionally, the toxins associated with yeast/candida (which is very common) can deplete taurine. Since taurine is so important in the conversion of glutamate to [...]
Lowering Glutamate | Sulforaphane
Sulforaphane- Found highest in broccoli sprouts/microgreens (can often be found at your local health food store by the lettuce), followed by broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts, cabbage, bok choy and collard greens. Remember that good old study, linking improvements in autism symptoms to broccoli sprout extract/sulforaphane? One of the major mechanisms in this process, is that sulforaphane is neuroprotective against excess glutamate/excitotoxicity. Time to start adding the sprouts/microgreens to your meals! “Many parents and caregivers articulated the positive effects of [...]