Glutamate Fact: Sudden Cardiac Death
For years, researchers have known that glutamate receptors are found throughout the brain. What’s now understood is even more alarming: glutamate receptors exist throughout the entire body—in virtually every organ and tissue.
These receptors are found in:
- The entire GI tract, from the esophagus to the colon
- The heart’s electrical conduction system
- The lungs
- The ovaries and reproductive system (including sperm)
- The adrenal glands
- The bones
- The pancreas
All of these areas respond to glutamate stimulation.
What Happens When You Consume MSG
When you eat foods containing MSG (see my post “Glutamates: What Are They?” for the full list of hidden glutamates), blood glutamate levels can rise 20‑fold. This surge overstimulates glutamate receptors throughout the body.
This helps explain why:
- Some people experience explosive diarrhea or dyspepsia
- Others develop irritable bowel symptoms
- Some notice increased reflux
These reactions occur because glutamate receptors in the esophagus and small intestine are being overstimulated.
But the most concerning effect may be what happens in the heart.
Glutamates and Sudden Cardiac Death
The heart’s electrical conduction system is lined with glutamate receptors. When blood glutamate levels spike, these receptors can become overstimulated—potentially contributing to the rise in sudden cardiac death.
There’s another factor at play: magnesium levels.
Low magnesium makes glutamate receptors hyper‑sensitive. Athletes, in particular, are at risk because they lose electrolytes—including magnesium—through constant sweating. When magnesium is low and a high‑glutamate meal is consumed (often paired with a diet drink), the combination can create extreme cardiac irritability.
This can trigger:
- Dangerous arrhythmias
- Coronary artery spasms
- Sudden cardiac death
It’s a perfect storm: low magnesium + high glutamate exposure + physical exertion.