Let me help you break it all down – Join the Community

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 recent study, it has been proposed that Vitamin B6 can help repair the GABA system. Therefore, [...]

Lowering Glutamate | B62023-05-17T21:50:01-04:00

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 with methylfolate or any type of folate until the levels of glutamate are balanced.” [...]

Lowering Glutamate | B32021-09-16T12:54:32-04:00

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 21;14:141. doi: 10.25259/SNI_250_2023. PMID: 37151454; PMCID: PMC10159298. "There is growing scientific and clinical evidence that that [...]

Lowering Glutamate | B1 (Thiamine)2023-09-01T13:18:48-04:00

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 Why Is This Important? Glutamate is also the most abundant neurotransmitter, responsible for regulating over 50% of the nervous system. It is classified as an excitatory neurotransmitter, which means it excites [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Valerian Root2021-09-16T12:59:58-04:00

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 or have a sensitivity to caffeine or mushrooms (what the supplement is typically derived from) you [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Theanine2021-09-16T11:51:58-04:00

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 GABA and as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, it is important that adequate levels are achieved through diet. [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Taurine2023-06-28T11:39:12-04:00

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 SF, both during the intervention phase and in the ensuing 3 years reported herein. These observations [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Sulforaphane2021-09-16T13:01:14-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Selenium

Selenium- One brazil nut per day should give you the daily recommended amount of selenium needed. “These results suggest that glutamate targets the mitochondria and selenium supplementation within physiological concentration is capable of preventing the detrimental effects of glutamate on the mitochondria” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3378533/42 Why Is This Important? Glutamate is also the most abundant neurotransmitter, responsible for regulating over 50% of the nervous system. It is classified as an excitatory neurotransmitter, which means it excites or stimulates nerve cells located throughout the nervous system. Glutamate also has the ability to regulate other neurotransmitters, [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Selenium2021-09-16T13:02:17-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Resveratrol

Resveratrol– found in red grapes, red wine, blueberries, peanuts and dark chocolate, calms microglial activation. “Resveratrol reduced glutamate-induced damages” “Resveratrol interacts with the complex III of the respiratory chain, is a radical scavenger and also suppressor of radical formation in the mitochondria. It reduces the intracellular calcium levels in pre- and postsynaptic neurons and also may inhibit the pro-apoptotic factors in glutamate overflow that occurs, e.g. in excitotoxicity. In cell cultures, glutamate overflow leads to formation of free radicals and results in apoptosis.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23459926 “Our findings reinforce the protective role of this compound in some brain disorders, [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Resveratrol2021-09-16T13:03:16-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Red Sage (Dan Shen)

Red Sage/Dan Shen– Red sage aka dan shen, inhibits glutamate release. “These results show that tanshinone IIA inhibits glutamate release from cortical synaptosomes in rats through the suppression of presynaptic voltage-dependent Ca(2+) entry and MEK signaling cascade” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23542145 Why Is This Important? Glutamate is also the most abundant neurotransmitter, responsible for regulating over 50% of the nervous system. It is classified as an excitatory neurotransmitter, which means it excites or stimulates nerve cells located throughout the nervous system. Glutamate also has the ability to regulate other neurotransmitters, dopamine, serotonin and GABA are great examples. When [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Red Sage (Dan Shen)2021-09-16T13:04:26-04:00
Subscribe now and be the first to receive the latest recipes, news updates and health tips from Nourished Blessings.

Go to Top