Do you know how the information transmission process works at the level of the nervous system? Did you know that glutamate plays an important role in the process?
Perhaps at this point you are thinking about the famous “umami”, or fifth gastronomic flavor, and in part it bears some relation to the subject (but we will define this later), however, the glutamate that we are talking about in essence, is an amino acid synthesized at the level of neuronal structures.
The nervous system coordinates through multiple specialized structures the response functions of the body to disturbances or stimuli, this means that, before a stimulus detected by our receptor organs, our team of nerve cells is put into operation, so that this information arrives to the central nervous system, where a response is produced that is emitted by the same medium (reflex arc).
However What role does glutamate play in all of this? Well, it happens that throughout this information-stimulus exchange process, an information network is created, in which neurons are a fundamental element in this change. Synapse! Thus, the process in which two structures come into contact to carry out the exchange has become popular, and it is at this point where the substances of the nature of this component, that is, neurotransmitters, occupy an important place, since thanks to they guarantee that connection between neurons.
Neural exchange and glutamates
Putting us in context, do you remember that time you inadvertently stepped on your finger, or touched a hot surface? Your reaction was immediate, you removed your hand, or the area of your body affected, to preserve your integrity. Surely, you assured "I did it without thinking", however, this is not entirely true. As Behind your answer was a complex neural process, which allowed your brain to design a response.
The central axis of the nervous system is the brain, there are elaborated all the thoughts, perceptions and responses are designed, however, it is not in the capacity of the brain structure, that of capturing signals; That is why there are cellular structures associated with this system, called neurons, which are responsible for transmitting that information, from the source where it is collected, to the structures of the central nervous system, which are responsible for designing responses according to the received stimulus. .
Neurons have a characteristic structure, formed by a nucleus, contained in a structure called "sum", They also present a kind of elongated cylinder called" neuron body ", which connects the nerve endings with the nucleus. Glutamate synthesis takes place inside this cell. The cell generates this amino acid, since it requires it to be able to establish contact with other neurons (synapses), and it is this, the component that makes possible, through its stimulator and neurotransmitter functions, the development of the well-known reflex arc , which is nothing more than the stimulus-response circuit.
Component nature
It is a non-essential amino acid, which is synthesized in the "presynaptic" nerve cell metabolism, everything starts with glutamine, which is an abundant amine in the body, especially in the muscles. In this reaction, an intermediate product is observed, known as glutaminase, and finally the neuron produces glutamate, the amino acid required in the diffusion processes of stimuli and responses. This component is captured by the postsynaptic neuron, through specific receptors, and related to it.
Process in the glial cell: As the end point of a cycle that sees its beginning in the process described above, a second reaction occurs that closes the cycle, which is carried out, thanks to the diffusion of this neurotransmitter amino acid to the glial cell, which is the central channel. of the spinal cord, and in this structure the reverse reaction occurs and glutamine is obtained, which is taken up again by presynaptic neurons, to start a new process.
The described is a continuous process, which happens in thousandths of a second, since the development of the reflex arc is a constant process, and of vital importance in the conservation of well-being in the human being.
Functions in the body
Glutamate is known for its participation in neuronal processes at the level of the nervous system, however, it also determines the synthesis of other components:
- Protein formation: Through its participation in various metabolic pathways, it acts as a precursor in the formation of compounds, especially those of a protein nature.
- Neurotransmitter: This constitutes its most relevant role, since it has a primary participation in communicative processes between neurons, where it induces and excites structures that promote the transmission of stimuli and impulses.
Neurons release the synthesized glutamate through their metabolism, and this acts as a chemical messenger, being captured by specific structures called protein receptors.
- Related protein receptors: N-methyl-D-aspartate, AMPA, Kainate, others that are receptive to glutamate are the so-called metabotropics. Although it is possible that the information exchange process between neurons occurs through the connection of the axon of one, with the dendrites of another (structures of this cell), it usually requires the action of substances of a stimulating nature.
Monosodium glutamate
In the concept used by most people, when we speak of "glutamate", it refers to the salt that results from the reaction of the amino acid molecule with the inorganic compound sodium.
This component se has been extended with the name of umami or ajinomoto, and achieves multiple applications in the food industry:
Asian food: The incorporation of umami, as the fifth flavor in the world, allows the preparation of multiple recipes, and is naturally present in basic components of this gastronomic culture such as algae (from 230 to 3380 mg) and soy sauce (450 to 700 mg).
The umami, fIt was described as a "very tasty" flavor, which produces sensations of pleasure on the palate. And it was the scientist Kikunae Ikeda, who worked at the University of Tokyo, who associated that the sensation produced by the kombu seaweed broth was produced by monosodium salt. The use of ajinomoto in food generates a sensation that cannot be described in words, and that in many cases becomes addictive, which leads us to incur excesses.
Unprocessed foods: Monosodium salt is found in foods naturally, without this meaning that it constitutes a primary element in its preparation, below are some of them with their respective content of monosodium salt:
- Tomato (140-250 mg)
- Potatoes (30-180 mg)
- Ham (340 mg)
- Green tea (200- 650 mg)
- Cheeses: parmesan (1150 mg), chedar (180 mg), roquefort (1200 mg).
Pills: For a time, a 500 mg tablet presentation with this component was popular on the free market. They were defined as a "brain food", and in the sales dialogue, a product capable of activating and stimulating brain processes was offered. While this is not entirely false, it is important to note that glutamate intake should be done with caution. It is dangerous to alter the balance of the nervous system, which results in a syndrome, popularly known as "From the Chinese restaurant".
Chinese restaurant syndrome: Some scientists affirm that the worst invention developed at the gastronomic level was this monosodium salt, whose intake destabilizes the processes at the level of the nervous system, where the amino acid is synthesized naturally at the neuronal level; For this reason, the intake of food with this compound generates an increase in the levels of the neurotransmitter, which in itself has characteristics that excite synapse processes. An overstimulation is an aggravating factor, since it induces a state of exhaustion in the person who experiences it, which, in chronic cases, can even lead to the death of neurons. The consequences of consuming ajinomoto can be listed in the following most common symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Nausea.
- Chest pain.
- Asthma.
- Seizures (in case of sensitive patients, or with neurological predisposition).