Glutamate in our bodies

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.

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.