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Dr Joel Wallach, DVM ND

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Glutamates, Effects on Child Development

Glutamates, Effects on Child Development

Welcome back to my continuing series on the chemicals we’re exposed to—both in our food and through products we put on our skin. Today’s topic takes a deeper look at glutamates and their impact on early brain development.

Why Glutamates Matter in Childhood Development

Research has shown that glutamates play a major role in how the brain forms during early life. The fetus, infant, and young child are four times more sensitive to MSG toxicity than adults, making early exposure especially concerning.

When someone eats several foods containing MSG—such as corn chips, a frozen dinner, and commercial soup—blood glutamate levels can rise 20‑fold. Add a diet soda to that meal and levels can spike 40‑fold, or 4,000%. And these numbers only reflect glutamate from food. Many personal‑care products also contain glutamates, which are absorbed through the skin, adding even more exposure that isn’t included in these calculations.

Many Americans, including pregnant women, consume diets high in glutamates while also using glutamate‑containing personal‑care products daily.

Impact on Pregnancy and Early Brain Development

Studies show that when a pregnant woman consumes a diet high in MSG, the developing baby’s glutamate levels can rise to twice the level of the mother. This can significantly alter how the baby’s brain develops.

High glutamate intake during pregnancy has been linked to:

  • Abnormal learning patterns
  • Increased addiction risk
  • Behavioral and emotional regulation problems
  • Endocrine system disruption later in life

What Animal Studies Reveal

Animal studies provide additional insight. When young animals were fed MSG early in life, they developed:

  • Short stature
  • Small endocrine organs
  • Higher risk of seizures
  • Impaired learning

Glutamate is the primary neurotransmitter controlling the hypothalamus. When overstimulated, the hypothalamus can malfunction, affecting:

  • Hormone regulation
  • Eating behavior
  • Temperature control
  • Pain response
  • Sleep patterns

Overstimulation also disrupts autonomic functions involving the heart, lungs, GI tract, and bladder.

A Look at Today’s Childhood Health Trends

When we step back and look at the rising health issues in children today, the patterns are hard to ignore:

  • Childhood asthma has increased over 200%
  • Childhood obesity has risen over 400%
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD and autism have surged
  • 60% of children now have at least one cardiovascular risk factor
  • 30% have two or more
  • Chronic illnesses in young people have increased nearly 500% in the last 40 years

Children with chronic illnesses are three times more likely to develop acute conditions requiring hospitalization—and many do not survive.

What You Can Do

While we can’t avoid glutamates completely, we can reduce exposure and support the body’s natural defenses.

1. Avoid Glutamates When Possible

Check ingredient labels and revisit my post “Glutamates, HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT” to learn the many names glutamates hide under.

2. Increase Glutamate Receptor Blockers

Certain nutrients help protect the brain from glutamate toxicity:

  • Magnesium — naturally blocks glutamate receptors
  • Flavonoids — found in high‑antioxidant fruits such as:
    • Acai
    • Raspberry
    • Pomegranate
    • Blackberry
    • Blueberry
    • Cranberry
    • Mangosteen
    • Noni
    • Goji
    • Papaya

These foods help reduce excitotoxicity and support healthier neurological function.

I hope you found this information helpful. Stay tuned for the next post in this series as we continue exploring the hidden chemicals affecting our health.

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