Bound Glutamate vs. Free Glutamate
Proteins contain the amino acid glutamate. When glutamate is “bound” to the protein or in the whole form, it is rarely problematic, even for those highly sensitive to glutamate. However, glutamate often becomes problematic when the proteins are degraded and glutamate is “freed” from the protein chain. MSG is the most common form of free glutamate in our food, and the terms free glutamate and MSG are frequently used interchangeably. Historically, MSG and its various names have been added to our food to provide a competitive edge over other manufacturers by making food taste better and more addictive. However, due to the public backlash against MSG in the 1980s, many food manufacturers started to utilize different food processing techniques to increase the amount of free glutamate in processed foods while avoiding adding MSG as an additive to the ingredient list.
Additionally, the FDA only requires ingredients over 99% free glutamate to be listed as MSG. Therefore, anything under 99% free glutamate doesn’t have to be identified as MSG and can be hidden or disguised in over 50 different names. These names can be as innocuous and deceptive as “natural flavors” or “spices,” leaving consumers unaware of their neurotoxic properties.
Commercial processing techniques like acid hydrolysis, fermentation, high heat extraction, lysing, pasteurization, etc., can substantially degrade proteins and ultimately result in free glutamate. This processing makes certain foods problematic for those more sensitive to glutamate and/or those with already high intrinsic glutamate levels (high levels of glutamate produced by the body in response to immune activation, infection, etc.). Because glutamate is also a neurotransmitter, consumption of a large amount of free glutamate alters glutamate-mediated metabolic functions, triggering a cascade of dysfunction- including immune dysfunction.
The Real Problem With Glutamate
The real problem with glutamate comes when it is in excess, mainly when the body produces high intrinsic glutamate levels. However, determining what “excess” means for an individual can be challenging as underlying factors such as inflammation, infection, and age must be considered. Excess glutamate poses a risk to everyone, especially children, as their brains are about 4xs more sensitive to it than adults.
Glutamate Levels in Whole Food
By strictly eating a whole-food diet, glutamate levels would not be in excess. Still, when one already has high glutamate levels and whole foods naturally containing some free glutamate are altered or processed, it will result in excess free glutamate. “For example, the amount of free glutamate naturally found in tomato is reported to be 0.1%, but the tomato isn’t the issue. If you only ate tomatoes, you might accumulate a bit of excess glutamate; however, if you’re eating tomato and cheese on a big thick yeast-risen pizza dough loaded with salami and pepperoni, you now have a pizza laden with MSG.”- Dr. Reid.
Gluten, casein, and to a lesser extent, soy and corn contain roughly 25% glutamic acid as part of their protein structure. In the bound protein, raw and unprocessed form, this glutamate amount should rarely cause an issue. Instead, problems arise when these proteins are degraded (pasteurization, fat removal, fermentation, acid hydrolysis, etc.). The protein degradation breaks down the amino acids, freeing up glutamate, leading to a high amount of free glutamate. Because of this, these foods in processed form should be avoided.
So How Do We Navigate This?
We have personally had to rely heavily on symptoms and behavioral reactions to indicate overall glutamate/inflammation and exposure to dietary sources of glutamate. With a lab, knowing exactly how much free glutamate will be found in a particular product due to different processing and how much of the individual ingredient is added to the packaged food is more accessible. We have found to balance this by consuming a variety of whole natural foods and strictly avoiding gluten, dairy, soy, and to a lesser extent, corn and working to lower overall glutamate and inflammation. The “bucket” concept can be applied to our glutamate levels. We may tolerate small amounts (maybe a surge due to yeast or a surge from a loose tooth, etc.). Still, we will see a behavioral reaction when the “bucket” tips or overflows (maybe from consuming a portion of food with free glutamate, active infection, etc.).
You may enjoy this 60 Minutes video from the early 1990’s on MSG in our our food supply