High levels of glutamate in the brain …

Homeopaths are able to offer 4 or more avenues of treatment for imbalanced neurotransmitter and hormone levels, stress, trauma and inflammation. ❤️

High levels of glutamate in the brain can be associated with various neurological conditions, including migraines, anxiety, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

“Research shows that kids with autism tend to have too much glutamate and not enough GABA.” (TacaNow)

Do you need to reduce glutamate levels and balance with gaba? Read and watch below.

Here’s a nice, simple YouTube video overview:

Causes of High Glutamate

1. Genetic Factors: Some individuals may have genetic predispositions that affect glutamate metabolism. (See end of this article for more on this.)

2. Diet: Consumption of foods high in glutamate, such as those containing monosodium glutamate (MSG), can increase levels.

3. Stress: Chronic stress can lead to dysregulation of neurotransmitter systems, including glutamate. (Chronic stress can be emotional or a physical response to high toxic load).

4. Neurodegenerative Diseases: Conditions like Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease are associated with glutamate excitotoxicity.

5. Injury: Brain injuries can lead to the excessive release of glutamate. Mycotoxins and toxic metals may cause brain injury, leading to excessive release of glutamate

6. Chronic Inflammation: Inflammation in the brain can affect glutamate regulation. Investigators from Tufts University School of Medicine identified high numbers of Interleukin-18 (IL-18) ~ an inflammatory protein~ in the brains of autistic children (quoted here. See more on anti-brain autoimmunity in autism, etc.)

7. Mold Toxicity: “When the brain and body are exposed to toxins, specifically mycotoxins, the amount of glutamate increases (1).  In precise quantities, when exposed to mycotoxins (mold toxins), glutamate was measured to increase by 213% (1).” (Source)

Ways to Reduce High Glutamate

1. Dietary Changes:

- Reduce MSG Intake: Avoid foods high in MSG, such as certain processed foods, fast foods, and snacks.

- Consume Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3s, found in fish oil, flaxseed, and walnuts, can help reduce inflammation and balance neurotransmitters.

- Increase Magnesium Intake: Magnesium acts as a natural NMDA receptor antagonist, which can help reduce glutamate activity. Foods rich in magnesium include leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

2. Supplements:

- Magnesium: As mentioned, it can help regulate glutamate activity.

- N-Acetylcysteine (NAC): This antioxidant can help reduce glutamate levels by promoting the production of glutathione.

- Vitamin B6: Plays a role in the conversion of glutamate to GABA, a calming neurotransmitter, so b6 deficiency can contribute to high glutamate vs low gaba levels

- Taurine: An amino acid that can help modulate glutamate activity.

3. Lifestyle Modifications:

- Stress Management: Practices such as meditation, yoga, and deep-breathing exercises can help reduce stress, which in turn can help balance neurotransmitter levels. Gentle parenting methods should be practiced with stress prone and non-neurotypical children, particularly. Pam Leo’s book ‘Connection Parenting’ gives very useful strategies for working well with children generally, but particularly with stressed and anxious or defiant children.

- Adequate Sleep: Ensuring sufficient and quality sleep is crucial for neurotransmitter balance. Homeopathy can often help with sleep disorders and melatonin deficiency.

4. Medical Interventions:

- Medications / homeopathy: Certain medications and homeopathic remedies can help regulate glutamate levels. Consult with a homeopath or functional doctor.

- Therapies: Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can be effective for stress and anxiety management, indirectly helping to balance neurotransmitter levels, but homeopathy offers a therapeutic environment and deeper resolution of underlying mental / emotional disturbances.

5. Avoidance & Reduction of Toxins:

- Limit Alcohol and Caffeine: Both substances can affect glutamate levels and neurotransmitter balance.

- Reduce Exposure to Environmental Toxins: Chemicals and pollutants can affect brain chemistry and should be minimised.

- Use Homeopathy To Reduce Toxic Load See more below …

Consult with a Homeopath

Homeopaths are able to offer 4 or more avenues of treatment for imbalanced neurotransmitter and hormone levels, stress, trauma and inflammation.

1) Homeopathic Organotherapy is a form of homeopathy that targets glands and organs to help them return to regulated, correct function, as well as to help the body remove toxins more efficiently.

2) Classical or ‘constitutional’ homeopathy gives a holistic remedy to the patient to bring the body back into correct balance as a whole.

3) Homeopathic Detox Therapy is highly efficient at stimulating the body to correctly eliminate toxins and lowers toxic load of many substances (metals, fungi & their mycotoxins, etc), as well as addressing medication side effects.

4) Direct bowel and gut healing can be done with homeopathic bowel nosodes. This work has been well tested and carried out for more than 100 years, for disease originating in the gut. Neurotransmitters are greatly affected by the state of a person’s gut. Many are produced in the gut itself and gut health is important for neurotransmitter balance overall

How to proceed

If you’d like to proceed with homeopathic treatment to resolve glutamate balance on a deep level, request referral here.

Homeopathy can be used very effectively alongside supplementation regimes as the two work hand in hand to resolve underlying causes.

See more about my team here.

~ Wren

Xxx

Some of the key genetic mutations and related conditions include:

1. Glutamate Transporter Mutations (EAATs):

- Mutations in the excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs), such as EAAT1 (SLC1A3) and EAAT2 (SLC1A2), can impair glutamate reuptake from the synaptic cleft, leading to increased extracellular glutamate levels. These mutations are linked to disorders like episodic ataxia, migraines, and epilepsy.

2. Glutamate Receptor Mutations:

- Mutations in genes encoding glutamate receptors (e.g., GRIN1, GRIN2A, GRIN2B) can affect receptor function, leading to altered glutamate signaling. These mutations are associated with various neurodevelopmental disorders, including intellectual disabilities, epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorders.

3. GLUD1 Gene Mutations:

- The GLUD1 gene encodes the enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase, which converts glutamate to alpha-ketoglutarate. Mutations in this gene can result in hyperinsulinism-hyperammonemia syndrome (HI/HA), characterized by elevated levels of glutamate and ammonia in the blood.

4. mGluR Mutations (Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors):

- Mutations in genes coding for metabotropic glutamate receptors (e.g., GRM1, GRM5) can lead to altered glutamate signaling pathways. These mutations have been implicated in various psychiatric and neurological disorders, such as schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression.

5. ALS2 Gene Mutations:

- Mutations in the ALS2 gene, associated with juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), can affect glutamate metabolism and lead to excitotoxicity, contributing to motor neuron degeneration.

Here is the list of citations for this section:

1. Nakanishi, N., et al. (1995). "Cloning and expression of the glutamate transporter EAAT1 from human brain." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 92(13), 5744-5748. [Link](https://www.pnas.org/content/92/13/5744)

2. Tanaka, K., et al. (1997). "Epilepsy and exacerbation of brain injury in mice lacking the glutamate transporter GLT-1." Science, 276(5319), 1699-1702. [Link](https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.276.5319.1699)

3. Parsons, C. G., et al. (2007). "Mechanisms of glutamate receptor dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases: therapeutic implications." European Journal of Pharmacology, 539(1-2), 54-66. [Link](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0014299906014545)

4. Traynelis, S. F., et al. (2010). "Glutamate receptor ion channels: structure, regulation, and function." Pharmacological Reviews, 62(3), 405-496. [Link](https://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/content/62/3/405)

5. Stanley, C. A., et al. (1998). "Hyperinsulinism/hyperammonemia syndrome: inborn errors of ammonia metabolism or insulin regulation?" Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, 64(2), 137-149. [Link](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1096719298902093)

6. Niswender, C. M., et al. (2010). "Metabotropic glutamate receptors: physiology, pharmacology, and disease." Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 50, 295-322. [Link](https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.pharmtox.011008.145533)

7. Nicoletti, F., et al. (2011). "Metabotropic glutamate receptors: beyond the regulation of synaptic transmission." Psychopharmacology, 213(3), 421-436. [Link](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-010-2094-2)

8. Hadano, S., et al. (2001). "A gene encoding a putative GTPase regulator is mutated in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 2." Nature Genetics, 29(2), 166-173. [Link](https://www.nature.com/articles/ng1001-166)

These citations provide the references for the discussed genetic mutations and their associations with high levels of glutamate.