L-Glutamine Conversion to Glutamate & Auditory Cortex

[I Want Silence]

Hello, I'm new here, but not new to tinnitus.

I've always had ringing in my ears. I was told over 20 years ago that my eardrums both had evidence of damage, and so I've always had audible ringing. However, beginning in early December this past year, the "ear issues" and ringing reached an intolerable level and have continued ever since.

I have been investigating what, precisely, did I do differently in that time, and leading up to the increase, and the only thing I've been able to find -- aside from added stress of life -- was that I began supplementing with L-Glutamine. Now, for those that don't know, Glutamine is converted over to either aspartate, ammonia, and most prominently, glutamate.

The thing is, glutamate and aspartate are neurotransmitters for the auditory nerve. Now, I have always been one 'overly sensitive' to dietary monosodium glutamate. My face reddens, I get twitches and overall, just agitated.

Within one week of supplementing with 5-10g of L-Glutamine, my ears began feeling "full" and ringing so loud even the fan I always have on because of the prior minor ringing - could barely be heard.

So, what I theorize here is: Could L-Glutamine supplementation in certain individuals cause an excess of Glutamate in the auditory cortex - and thus, cause or exacerbate tinnitus?

 

[Harley]

Hello, I'm new here, but not new to tinnitus.

I've always had ringing in my ears. I was told over 20 years ago that my eardrums both had evidence of damage, and so I've always had audible ringing. However, beginning in early December this past year, the "ear issues" and ringing reached an intolerable level and have continued ever since.

I have been investigating what, precisely, did I do differently in that time, and leading up to the increase, and the only thing I've been able to find -- aside from added stress of life -- was that I began supplementing with L-Glutamine. Now, for those that don't know, Glutamine is converted over to either aspartate, ammonia, and most prominently, glutamate.

The thing is, glutamate and aspartate are neurotransmitters for the auditory nerve. Now, I have always been one 'overly sensitive' to dietary monosodium glutamate. My face reddens, I get twitches and overall, just agitated.

Within one week of supplementing with 5-10g of L-Glutamine, my ears began feeling "full" and ringing so loud even the fan I always have on because of the prior minor ringing - could barely be heard.

So, what I theorize here is: Could L-Glutamine supplementation in certain individuals cause an excess of Glutamate in the auditory cortex - and thus, cause or exacerbate tinnitus?

I don't have any answers, but since it seems like you have done some research into this, I do have a question for you in regards to the glutamate.

I have heard many times before that excess glutamate could be responsible for tinnitus.
Would there be some kind of a a way to either deprive the brain of this glutamate, or to restrict its availability?

 

[FGG]

I don't have any answers, but since it seems like you have done some research into this, I do have a question for you in regards to the glutamate.

I have heard many times before that excess glutamate could be responsible for tinnitus.
Would there be some kind of a a way to either deprive the brain of this glutamate, or to restrict its availability?

For most people, glutamate excess in the cochlea is probably more of the problem than the brain. Your brain is just responding to it. This goes over glutamate in the cochlea a bit more:

https://researchfeatures.com/2018/05/01/unravelling-cochlea-understand-hearing-loss/

The basis of OTO-313 was trying to reduce glutamate binding in the cochlea but this can be difficult because of the method they used (blocking the receptor, not the free fraction of glutamate). This is definitely the subject of much current research in any case.

 

[Chinmoku]

Some suggest NAC helps by transforming glutamate into glutathione

 

[Lane]

Would there be some kind of a a way to either deprive the brain of this glutamate, or to restrict its availability?

@Harley -- I've heard lithium reduces glutamate, so I supplement regularly with it. It kind of makes sense, since lithium is given to people with various mental and psychotic disorders, which are apparently calmed down by taking lithium (sometimes dramatically). I've read they've done studies on the amount of lithium in local water sources, and compared it to prevailing crime rates. Higher levels of lithium consistently showed a direct correlation to lower crime statistics.

Some suggest NAC helps by transforming glutamate into glutathione

My understanding is that glutathione is a tri-peptide, made up of three amino acids: 1) Cysteine; 2) Glycine; and 3) Glutamic Acid. I just did a quick online search to see if Gluatamic Acid and Glutamate are the same, and it says they aren't. So I have my doubts NAC would reduce glutamate levels in the process of making glutathione.

 

[DebInAustralia]

Hello, I'm new here, but not new to tinnitus.

I've always had ringing in my ears. I was told over 20 years ago that my eardrums both had evidence of damage, and so I've always had audible ringing. However, beginning in early December this past year, the "ear issues" and ringing reached an intolerable level and have continued ever since.

I have been investigating what, precisely, did I do differently in that time, and leading up to the increase, and the only thing I've been able to find -- aside from added stress of life -- was that I began supplementing with L-Glutamine. Now, for those that don't know, Glutamine is converted over to either aspartate, ammonia, and most prominently, glutamate.

The thing is, glutamate and aspartate are neurotransmitters for the auditory nerve. Now, I have always been one 'overly sensitive' to dietary monosodium glutamate. My face reddens, I get twitches and overall, just agitated.

Within one week of supplementing with 5-10g of L-Glutamine, my ears began feeling "full" and ringing so loud even the fan I always have on because of the prior minor ringing - could barely be heard.

So, what I theorize here is: Could L-Glutamine supplementation in certain individuals cause an excess of Glutamate in the auditory cortex - and thus, cause or exacerbate tinnitus?

Yes.

L-Glutamine/ Glutathione can be metabolized into either GABA or Glutamate.

I can't take either for that reason.

 

[I Want Silence]

My theory is that our neurotransmitter situation is a delicate balance, especially for overly-sensitive types (e.g. those who react badly to MSG), and that any 'addition' to this balance, can cause issues. Anything which increases the prevalence of glutamate in brain cells, in particular.

I think a good study on this subject might start by testing weightlifters and others who take high doses of BCAA / L-Glutamine for the prevalence of tinnitus.

 

[Chinmoku]

I found this article on the balance Gaba - Glutamate. It mentions lithium. It suggests other possibilities but with some caveats.

 

[I Want Silence]

@Chinmoku I've seen that. I actually had two other copies of it previously downloaded on my hard drive. An excellent source for people to learn how to protect their brain.

 

[Chinmoku]

@Chinmoku I've seen that. I actually had two other copies of it previously downloaded on my hard drive. An excellent source for people to learn how to protect their brain.

I was actually planning to consult the author, she is available for advice online for a fee.

 

[Lane]

I have always been one 'overly sensitive' to dietary monosodium glutamate. My face reddens, I get twitches and overall, just agitated.

How MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) is Hidden in Your Foods and its Antidote, Taurine

If monosodium glutamate (MSG) is as safe as its food industry proponents claim, then why do they consistently labor to hide it from us with deceptive labeling?

Many readers will be thrilled to discover that there is an effective, all-natural antidote for MSG poisoning called taurine. It is an amino acid that is naturally produced by the human body. Also known as L-taurine, it is found in proteins, and it is added to many energy drinks, due to its stimulating effect. Taurine supplement capsules can be found in health food stores, and they should be kept ready for MSG or heart emergencies. It effectively neutralizes MSG and it helps to regulate the pulse. The earlier that it is taken during a time of exposure to MSG, the better that it works to neutralize the MSG. If at all possible, it is best to take taurine just before MSG consumption, but please note that we would never recommend the consumption of MSG, even when there is taurine available to neutralize it. Conversely, MSG neutralizes the taurine already present in the body, which is largely its method of causing heart attacks.

Monosodium glutamate is in a special class of chemicals known as excitotoxins. These chemicals cross the blood brain barrier to over stimulate the neurons of the brain. It has the effect of destroying some neurons permanently, causing a variety of mental issues, including a permanent loss of intelligence. MSG poisoning will lower a person's intelligence faster than lead exposure, in addition to causing its better known mental and physical effects. This toxin is especially dangerous when combined with magnesium deficiencies, which are common in the West. MSG and magnesium deficiency is a deadly combination that can lead to sudden heart failure, and this combination is the primary reason why so many high-school athletes in the United States have mysterious heart failures.

MSG is sprayed directly upon crops, because it is a highly-effective insecticide. Nevertheless, the F.D.A. has blessed its usage inside U.S. foods for decades.

"Cardiovascular signs [of MSG consumption] include hypotension, shock, and sometimes cardiac arrhythmias, which, if untreated, may precipitate circulatory collapse."

-- Handbook of Diseases, 2003

U.S. food regulators and chemical companies are intentionally making it difficult to avoid MSG, by using other names to hide its presence in ingredients lists.

Common Names Used to Hide MSG

• Glutamic acid
• Calcium caseinate
• Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
• Textured Protein
• Monopotassium glutamate
• Hydrolyzed plant protein
• Yeast extract
• Sodium glutamate
• Vegetable protein extract
• Autolyzed plant protein
• Yeast food

• Yeast
• Nutrient
• Gelatin
• Sodium caseinate
• Autolyzed yeast
• Glutamate
• Soy protein
• Hydrolyzed corn gluten
• Natural flavor *
• Artificial flavor
• Spice *

* Since the F.D.A. has intentionally left "natural flavor" and "spice" without meaningful definitions, U.S. companies freely use these names to hide ingredients in our foods. This lack of regulation in enforcing honest labeling is by design.

 

[LAM]

I am dealing with that exact same issue. I started taking L-glutamine for a few reasons: gut health, brain health, and I'm vegan. I went from little to no intake to taking it pretty regularly. In June I woke up one morning with a low multi-tonal hum in one ear and my "regular" tinnitus (from stage volume) was cranked to a new level. I've been searching for a cause and solution.

 

[DebInAustralia]

Hello, I'm new here, but not new to tinnitus.

I've always had ringing in my ears. I was told over 20 years ago that my eardrums both had evidence of damage, and so I've always had audible ringing. However, beginning in early December this past year, the "ear issues" and ringing reached an intolerable level and have continued ever since.

I have been investigating what, precisely, did I do differently in that time, and leading up to the increase, and the only thing I've been able to find -- aside from added stress of life -- was that I began supplementing with L-Glutamine. Now, for those that don't know, Glutamine is converted over to either aspartate, ammonia, and most prominently, glutamate.

The thing is, glutamate and aspartate are neurotransmitters for the auditory nerve. Now, I have always been one 'overly sensitive' to dietary monosodium glutamate. My face reddens, I get twitches and overall, just agitated.

Within one week of supplementing with 5-10g of L-Glutamine, my ears began feeling "full" and ringing so loud even the fan I always have on because of the prior minor ringing - could barely be heard.

So, what I theorize here is: Could L-Glutamine supplementation in certain individuals cause an excess of Glutamate in the auditory cortex - and thus, cause or exacerbate tinnitus?

According to my naturopath, whether Glutamine will be converted to Glutamate or GABA is dependent on the presence of vitamin B6. I wonder if methylation issues play a role in this?

 

[BuzzyBee]

Any chance a protein supplement with glutamic acid could be causing spikes? I know that it is different from L-glutamine and that it is a naturally occurring substance the body produces, but could something with 2,239 mg per serving cause issues? I'm having a massive spike and it kind of correlates with starting protein collagen supplement, but I'm not sure if it's really a cause and effect or just coincidence. The product is vital protein collagen peptides. Trying to sort this out. https://www.aminoacid-studies.com/amino-acids/glutamine-and-glutamic-acid.html

 

[JYD]

I've been taking L-Glutamine 3g 4-5 days a week for about a year. My tinnitus came on out of nowhere almost 4 weeks ago. I was looking at the interaction between all of the supplements I take and came across this.

Does anyone have an update as to the impact? I'm going to stop L-Glutamine for now.