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Glutamate and the human body
Glutamate is produced in the human body and
plays an essential role in metabolism. Almost two kilograms (about four pounds)
of naturally occurring glutamate are found in muscles, in the brain, in kidneys,
in the liver and in other organs and tissues. In addition, glutamate is found in
abundance in mothers’ milk, at levels about ten times that found in cows’
milk.
| Free Glutamate in Mothers' Milk |
Mg/100 Grams |
| Humans |
21.6 |
| Chimpanzees |
38.9 |
| Rhesus monkeys |
4.6 |
| Cows |
1.9 |
| Sheep |
1.4 |
| Mice |
2.2 |
The average person consumes between 10 and 20
grams of bound glutamate and one gram of free glutamate from the food which we
eat every day. In addition, the human body creates about 50 grams of free
glutamate daily.
Most dietary glutamate is rapidly metabolized
and is used as an energy source. From a nutritional perspective, glutamate
is a non-essential amino acid, which means that our bodies can make their
own glutamate from other protein sources if necessary. The body produces
its own glutamate for a variety of
essential functions.
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