Showing posts with label MSG. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MSG. Show all posts

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Is There L-Glutamine in Pea Protein?

Reputable sources only list glutamic acid, a nonessential amino acid, in pea protein, which the body readily synthesizes and that readily converts into l-glutamine inside our bodies. Glutamine and glutamic acid typically comprise between 5% and 15% of dietary proteins, but we require so much of these two amino acids that most of our fairly large body stores are actually synthesized endogenously (internally). 

Glutamine is used to make glucosamine and is required by the immune system, for wound healing, for acid-base balance, for brain function, and for gluconeogenesis. Both amino acids are conditionally essential during pregnancy, lactation, and growth phases. 

Commercially produced MSG is related to, but not identical to, glutamine because it is a salt of glutamine; a glutamate, rather than an amino acid found in common proteins. Glutamate has been classified as an excitotoxin that can overexcite our nervous systems; but that is dependent on the brain lacking proper controls, such as can be provided by the essential nutrients magnesium and antioxidants. 

This study indicates that pea protein contains glutamic acid, not l-glutamine:  

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6245118/

Protein content and amino acid composition of commercially available plant-based protein isolates (nih.gov)

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Glutamine, MSG & excitotoxins, and protective nutrients

Clinicians giving several grams a day of pure L-Glutamine do not report excitotoxic reactions. The main one is for the synthetic chemical MSG. Sometimes people react to fermented foods, which indicates a problem in containment and nutritional status. Vitamin C removes glutamate from the neurons, which are additionally protected by antioxidants (tocotrienols, tocopherols, et al) and by magnesium. Branched-chain amino acids help to compartmentalize glutamates. Glutamine is fine with other aminos; the main competition is between the arginine pathway aminos (arginine, ornithine, and lysine); with another noted competition to get through the Blood Brain Barrier between the Large Neutral Amino Acids: aromatic aminos (tyrosine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan) and the BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine, and valine).

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Gluten issues, allergies vs sensitivities vs digestive issues

All grains contain gluten; some forms are just more allergenic or more difficult to process than others, which can vary from individual to individual. Wheat is the most common gluten reaction; which is also possible for rye, oats, barley and buckwheat. Some people are sensitive to certain proteins because of leaky gut, a condition where digestion is impaired because of GI tract disorders. Non-allergenic "delayed sensitivity reactions" to proteins may be caused by leaky gut and the specific immune cells reacting to these specific proteins can be reprogrammed to be non-reactive to them by completely avoiding these specific foods for at least 6 weeks. Not so for true food allergies, which can be permanent and trigger ever-increasing reactions with every occasional exposure. People's abilities to digest proteins vary with genetics, immune system capacity and probiotics present in the gut. There is even current research on specific bacteria that prevent the damage caused by wheat in susceptible people's guts. Only about 1% of the population tests as truly allergic to wheat protein, between 1-2% for dairy protein. Obviously, many more are (temporarily) sensitive to these proteins based on gut dysbiosis and leaky gut tissues failing to completely digest these foods. The issue of lactose intolerance is another possible cause of gas or bloating after consuming non-fermented dairy products (except for low-lactose products like whey protein isolate). The use of antacids is a major factor reducing digestion of proteins and minerals in the stomach, as well as reducing the essential acidic barrier against pathogenic organisms that may be present in our food and water; even from dirty hands that we use to eat. Stress and improper chewing may also contribute to the presence of extra undigested proteins in the gut, composed of undigested food and undesirable microbes. Who's left to clean up the mess and try to get some badly needed nutrients into the bloodstream? The immune system, though imperfectly. A major part of immune cell counts and activity is in the GI tract for exactly this reason, consuming a lot of energy. If digestion fails and the GI tract contains an unhealthy mixture of organisms and large protein masses, the result is a significant immune challenge by every measure, leading to inflammation and fatigue. Glutamine is an amino acid present in most protein-containing foods that is essential to brain and nerve function. Magnesium, other amino acids (ie taurine) and antioxidant co-factors render it far less overexciting to neurons. MSG and aspartame are additional proteins that can cause nerve overstimulus in some circumstances. There are ways to reduce these reactions, as described thoroughly by Dr. Russell Blailock in his books, lectures and articles. The bottom line: No need for most people to avoid soy, milk or grains if they can maintain the intregrity of their digestive and GI tracts properly. Most of those whose systems aren't in such good health can utilize fairly effective means of correcting these issues and eventually resuming the use of these foods in their diets, unless they are the relatively few with true allergies.

Saturday, January 03, 2009

What's in Your Vaccine?

This link takes you to the website of the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/additives.htm "Common substances found in vaccines include: Aluminum gels or salts of aluminum which are added as adjuvants to help the vaccine stimulate a better response to the vaccine. Adjuvants help promote an earlier, more potent response, and more persistent immune response to the vaccine. Antibiotics which are added to some vaccines to prevent the growth of germs (bacteria) during production and storage of the vaccine. Egg protein is found in influenza and yellow fever vaccines, which are prepared using chicken eggs. Ordinarily, persons who are able to eat eggs or egg products safely can receive these vaccines. Formaldehyde is used to inactivate bacterial products for toxoid vaccines, (these are vaccines that use an inactive bacterial toxin to produce immunity.) It is also used to kill unwanted viruses and bacteria that might contaminate the vaccine during production. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) and 2-phenoxy-ethanol which are used as stabilizers in a few vaccines to help the vaccine remain unchanged when the vaccine is exposed to heat, light, acidity, or humidity. Thimerosal is a mercury-containing preservative that is added to vials of vaccine that contain more than one dose to prevent contamination and growth of potentially harmful bacteria."