STIMs (self-stimulatory behaviors) such as: Increases production in the brain of alpha waves, slow brain waves that produce a reflective meditative state, Is needed for speech and language production, comprehension, conversation and the pause and space between words, Maintains healthy levels of IgA (antibodies that protect the gut and other mucous linings from harmful foreign toxic matter) which supports a healthy immune system and prevents a , Is needed for action of the pituitary which regulates sleep and HPA axis which regulates stress response, Too much free glutamate coming from dietary sources (believed to be the primary issue), Chronic infections that have crossed the blood-brain barrier, such as seen in. A higher prevalence of the MTHFR 1298C allele was observed in epileptic patients as compared to the controls. Potentially beneficial dietary interventions include identifying and treating blood glucose dysregulation, identifying and avoiding allergenic foods, and avoiding suspected triggering agents such as alcohol, aspartame, and monosodium glutamate. Although there is little evidence that your diet has a direct effect on seizures, a balanced diet provides essential nutrients and keeps our energy levels steady, helping us to stay healthy. pii: E193. My expert guest is Dr. Kathleen Holton . 7. They act and operate exactly like the glutamate receptors in the brain. Huang, Y., et al. In addition to epilepsy, modern research has found multiple health-issues linked to gut damage including: alcoholism, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, Alzheimers, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, lupus, chronic fatigue, diabetes, schizophrenia, major depression and other mental illnesses, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, and many more. The practice of altering the diet to treat epilepsy dates back to c. 400 BC, and the classical ketogenic diet has been utilized since the 1920s. A diet eliminating gut-damaging foods has shown tremendous success for many of our clients. Avoids the flavour enhancers 620-625 and natural glutamates such as strong cheeses (Parmesan, Camembert, Brie and Gruyere), soy sauce, oyster sauce, black bean sauce, tomato sauce, miso, yeast spread, mushrooms, plums and spinach. . Autism and EMF? Diet drinks and foods Avoid diet drinks and diet foods of any kind that contain any artificial sweeteners such as Nutrasweet, also called Equal or aspartame, aspartate or aspartamine. The Glycemic Index of a food refers to how high that food raises your blood glucose after eating, compared to a reference food such as sugar. (Oil Wheat Germ) My research showed many varied responses, with many citing the virtues of glutamine, and even glutamate as being beneficial. These results provide evidence that low-fat dietary strategies more palatable than the ketogenic diet could be useful in epilepsy. Epilepsy may be idiopathic, which means the cause cannot be identified. . Brain Under Attack: A Resource for Parents and Caregivers of Children with PANS, PANDAS and Autoimmune Encephalitis. Health Press, 1996. Adverse effects include constipation, low blood sugar, and gastrointestinal reflux. Eating protein with each meal and not going more than 3-4 hours without eating is important to keep blood sugar level. 92 (2013) 149153. There are also compounds like potassium glutamate, which can be great for some, but not for glutamate sensitive individuals. There are a multitude of factors going on in the brain that contribute to the excessive glutamate and reduced GABA, especially for children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder. One of the reasons that we see the above lists of symptoms occurring is when people (especially children with underdeveloped nervous systems) eat foods and additives that contain the nervous system stimulants glutamate and aspartate, another neuro-stimulant. Increased glutamate concentration in the auditory cortex of persons with autism and first-degreer elatives: A(1)H-MR study. Our research led us to a low glutamate diet showing success for epilepsy. Research suggests that a low-glutamate diet can lower glutamate levels, which may help to alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms. 2013;6(1):110. Epileptic Disord. With strong symptoms in conditions such as ADHD, epilepsy, or fibromyalgia its best to avoid all nuts and seeds until symptoms settle down. Eggs are a great source of protein that are low in glutamate and aspartate. No wonder these are so bad for so many. Supplement with bacopa to reduce excitotoxicity, brain inflammation and improve blood flow to the brain. Herbert, M.R., et al. pecans, walnuts). Excessive glutamate found in the brain convert to GABA automatically through an enzyme called Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD). If you have leaky gut syndrome, aka intestinal permeability, from bacterial overgrowth or food intolerances etc, the inflammation in the gut can also make the blood brain barrier leaky or more permeable to let substances in that should not get in. Using this information, it may be possible to build up a low glutamate sensitive diet for the long term. The ketogenic diet is high in fat with low levels of carbohydrate and protein. PubMed Health. Epilepsy. A glutamate sensitivity can manifest itself with headaches, nausea, gastric upset and asthma attacks; the onset of these symptoms can occur within hours of eating the food. The most damaging, however, is monosodium glutamate, or MSG. Before you commence your diet, see your medical or health care professional for qualified guidance about what foods and supplements are best for your body. Perturbations in the brain's glutamate-glutamine cycle, such as increased extracellular levels of glutamate, loss of astroglial glutamine synthetase, and changes in glutaminase and glutamate dehydrogenase, are frequently encountered in patients with epilepsy. The ketogenic diet, or keto diet, is a medical or therapeutic diet a diet designed to help manage or treat a medical condition. DSouza, C.E., et al. Limit the amount of vitamin D3 because it increases calcium, especially if not taken with vitamin K2. Tree nuts such as pecans and macadamias are the lowest. MSG is often found in cheaper meat products. 130 (1991) 125127. Visit theEpidemic Answers Provider Directory to find a practitioner near you. Food products containing these ingredients have a significant quantity of natural glutamate in them and must be avoided if a low glutamate diet is to be followed. This information is not a substitute for medical advice, treatment, diagnosis, or consultation with a medical professional. Hynd MR, Scott HL, Dodd PR. Dev Med Child Neurol. . Just removing gluten, dairy products, additives, and processed foods can make a huge difference to the levels of glutamate and aspartates in the diet. . GABA System Dysfunction in Autism and Related Disorders: From Synapse to Symptoms. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Diets aren't just for weight loss. It is planned to include 40 participants. The effects of glycemic control on seizures and seizure-induced excitotoxic cell death. Meat is generally a healthful food and should not be avoided. Pall, M.L., The Autism Epidemic Is Caused by EMFs, Acting via Calcium Channels and Chemicals Acting via NMDA-Rs: Downstream Effects Cause Autism (conference presentation). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Medical Hypotheses. As a practitioner, for years I have used glutamine powder or glutamine rich foods to help heal leaky gut and inflammatory conditions (especially of the gut) with great success. 1994 Jan;17(1):49-53. Multiple studies point towards the benefit of increasing vitamin D levels for reducing seizures. 2008 Apr;62(4):451-62. Another name often associated with glutamine and glutamate is glutamic acid, which is essentially the same as glutamate. A ketogenic diet encourages glutamate to become GABA, rather than aspartate. Avoid white rice because free glutamates are involved in the processing of it. EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LOW GLUTAMATE DIET AS AN ADJUNCT TREATMENT FOR PEDIATRIC EPILEPSY By Gabrielle Sarlo Submitted to the Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences . If someone has acid reflux, it makes that a lot worse. Multiplicity of the antibody response to GAD65 in Type I diabetes. In 2007 a prospective observational study was conducted in Italy to evaluate the influence of antiepileptic drugs and MTHFR polymorphism and levels of homocysteine. 5) Tree nuts (e.g. Eliminate foods that increase histamines such as fermented foods (soy sauce, sauerkraut and vinegar, for example). Legislation requires that if monosodium glutamate has been added to a food, the label must declare this in the ingredients listing. Some foods it consists of are meats, cheeses, nuts and seeds, eggs, fatty fish, butter, and cream. All rights reserved. GABA receptors are found in the gastrointestinal tract and are important for bowel contraction to avoid constipation, abdominal pain and impaired transit. Glutamate is perhaps best known as the food additive monosodium . The primary role of MSG is to enhance the savory flavor of the food and make it taste more meaty. The origins of the diet came from child Epilepsy, where . Epilepsy is definitely on the rise in pets and the combination of wheat and soy in pet foods is playing a huge role. Glutamates role in the body is to stimulate our brain cells to deliver messages throughout the body and is particularly important for memory, learning, and general growth and development of the brain, especially for children. If you suspect that you have glutamate sensitivity, eliminate as many artificial and natural glutamates and aspartates as possible from your diet until symptoms subside. A typical keto diet consists of 70% . Napolini, V., et al. 2015. I would always avoid soy, however. If you suffer from glutamate sensititivy, eliminate as much natural and artificial glutamate as possible from your diet and any symptoms should subside. Neurohospitalist. Palmieri, L., et al. Basic Health Publications Inc, 2007. Epilepsia. (Oil Rice Bran) 0mg in 1 tablespoon. Eur J Clin Nutr. Soy may be labelled as vegetable protein, textured vegetable protein, or soy isolate. Examples of these medications are: See a MAPS physician to have your childs GAD levels checked. The glutamate story. Studies dating back to the 1920s have shown that diet can improve seizure control in people who have epilepsy. Neurosci Lett. Cocito, L., et al. Diet Chart. In fact, EMFs not only cause this flooding of calcium channels, but they can also cause a blood-brain-barrier breech and thus allow infections to invade the brain, leading to PANS/PANDAS. Biomed Res Int. Mackenzie Cervenka, a neurologist and director of the Adult Epilepsy Diet Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital, explains what the ketogenic diet is and how it can benefit people with epilepsy. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. In the case of children with autism, the immune system is overactive and if the child has a diet of excessive glutamates, then an inflammatory condition in the brain called excitotoxicity is triggered. High levels of natural glutamate are found in foods that have been matured, cured or preserved for some time, allowing the proteins to break down to release the glutamate amino acid. The low glutamate diet was previously shown to reduce symptoms in fibromyalgia, and thus, was a candidate for this funding. Glutamate is also found in significant quantities in other foods that are not matured in any way. Carefully note any symptoms that may emerge, and you can then use this information to build a low glutamate diet that suits you best for the long term. So, when youre consuming MSG, the level of glutamate in the blood can rise as high as 20-fold. Gilliam, L.K., et al. Seizures (fits, convulsions) are episodes of disturbed brain function that cause changes in attention or behavior. Changes in human brain glutamate concentration during hypoglycemia: insights into cerebral adaptations in hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure in type 1 diabetes. 2006 Jan; 147(Suppl 1): S100S108. Fronto-Striatal Glutamate in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Eimerl, S., et al. However, if you are unsure about a symptom at any time, check immediately with your medical or health care professional. However, it can also be in an unbound or free form, where it is no longer bound to an amino acid, so it is then digested and absorbed faster by the body, creating a spike of glutamate in the blood which can create damage to our nervous system and beyond. The authors noted that a low glutamate diet was previously shown to reduce symptoms in fibromyalgia, . This study investigated the low glutamate diet as a candidate. Blaylock, R.L., et al. Since 1956, we have been serving the province . Supplement with lithium orotate to reduce the amount of glutamate in the brain and promote GABA. Sauces and Condiments Sauces and condiments are high risk (especially soy based or tomato based) so it is best to season foods with fresh herbs, spices and salt (avoid chilli/paprika). It regulates the receptors of other important neurotransmitters such as: Dopamine and norepinephrine are part of a group of neurotransmitters called catecholamines which are hormones released into the bloodstream by the adrenals in response to physical or emotional stress. Your email address will not be published. The longer and slower you cook meat, the more free glutamate is present e.g. PMID 15234100. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15234100. about people improving bipolar symptoms with ketogenic or low carb diets . How to Increase GABA and Balance Glutamate, Katie Reids pantry list of recommended foods, Unblind My Mind: What Are We Eating? Mol Psychiatry. This conversion through GAD can be impaired due to the following interfering factors: Although at first it may seem as if its a lot of work to implement a low glutamate diet, the payoff is that you as a parent will know very quickly, within a matter of weeks, if not days or hours, if your childs symptoms are improving by avoiding foods that are high in glutamate. The ketogenic diet (KD) is defined as a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet with appropriate amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Breitenkamp, A.F., et al. Be sure to keep a daily food diary and be sure to look for improvements or decline in your childs physical, emotional, behavioral and academic symptoms. Khalifa, D., et al. The keto diet is suggested for children with epilepsy that continues despite medication. Truth Publishing, Inc., 2010. GABA and phosphatidylserine in human photosensitivity: a pilot study. Speak with your childs doctor if they are on medications that target GABA receptors because they can deplete the neurotransmitter GABA and affect the ability to maintain and balance GABA. Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | © 2020 True Vitality, Your comments are welcome, however if you wish to contact Sue please. Glutamate is one of the most destructive compounds in the brain, but only when it is found in excess outside of brain cells. Fermented foods Fermented foods of any kind contain glutamates and glutamines. Role of metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 in autism spectrum disorders: A pilot study. The interesting part is that all of these different health-issues respond to the same foods being eliminated; it makes one wonder if glutinous grains and cow dairy should be in our diet at all. Hassel, B., et al. 2018 Jun 1;20(3):204-208. Although these studies are based on a strict diet called the ketogenic diet, recent evidence has shown that less restrictive diets may also be helpful. BMC Neurosci. If you are not sure, contact the manufacturer directly. Additionally, the low glutamate diet is balanced, nutritious and palatable, with no side effects. You will see this particularly in Asian style foods, but its not exclusive to them. New Harbinger Publications, 2011. The vast majority of glutamate is as a result of conversion from glutamine as neurons cannot make glutamate from glucose inside the brain; indeed there are pools of glutamine and glutamate in the brain. What, how much, and even when we eat all affect the way our brains work. Once the villi are damaged, they can no longer absorb minerals and vitamins, fats and amino acids, nor can they protect the brain from the thousands of toxins in our world today. Poor diet Many seizures take place when blood sugar is low. During the early stages of a new diet, you may experience symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, or body aches, which may occur because your body is detoxifying. Copyright 2013-2023 Epidemic Answers. (October 2004). This 50-year male suffered from OCD from age 11, fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Supplement with phenylethylamine (PEA) and honokiol to reduce excitotoxicity. Autism and EMF? Plausibility of a pathophysiological linkPart I. Autism and EMF? (Source) Wheat Germ Oil. (Mawer 2020). 08 July, 2011. Clinical diagnosis and treatment of pediatric anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis: A single center retrospective study. Int J Mol Sci. Epilepsy Res. Inhibitory neurotransmitters decrease the likelihood that a nerve impulse will fire. The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, adequate-protein diet that has been used for almost a century in the treatment of epilepsy. This is the first study to examine the low glutamate diet in patients with epilepsy. This diet aims to improve glutamatergic neurotransmission in the brain by restricting access to dietary free glutamate, while also increasing intake of protective micronutrients and antioxidants, which could serve as a more nutritionally complete dietary option . PLoS One. Rowley, N.M., et al. However, if you initially want foods that are very low in glutamates, then lamb and eggs have the lowest amount of these natural food chemicals. In this episode, we are discussing how a low glutamate diet effectively improves pain and fatigue, and veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Illness. The pediatric epilepsy team at Johns Hopkins has used the high fat, low carbohydrate ketogenic diet to address seizures since the diet's therapeutic origins in the 1920s. The ketogenic diet is a medical treatment carried out under the supervision of a dietitian and an epilepsy specialist. Some dont even label all their contents, even though its illegal not to. On the flip side, foods that are high in carbohydrates such as any sugary food, bread, and other grain/wheat-based products, most fruits, and beans shouldn't be eaten on the keto diet. The ketogenic diet includes a lot of saturated fats, which in excess can contribute to other health problems like high cholesterol and heart disease. - an elimination diet for the treatment of most conditions afflicting man and his four-legged companions. The study is investigating if following the low glutamate diet for 1 month can improve seizure frequency, severity, and duration; cognitive functioning; and/or quality of life, in children with epilepsy. 16 Apr. Cebulia, Brant. Minimal beef is also fine. This elimination diet was created by John B. Symes, a veterinarian who calls himself Dogtor J. Glutamate neuroexcitotoxicity leads to excessive oxidative stress in the brain, causing hyperactivity, seizures and neuronal damage, particularly in the hippocampusthe seat of learning and memory. The G.A.R.D. Brain infection with Staphylococcus aureus leads to high extracellular levels of glutamate, aspartate, -aminobutyric acid, and zinc. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Disclaimer | Website by fuseStarter, We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Autism Associated With Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis: Glutamate-Related Therapy. A low glutamate diet may be required by those who have a particular sensitivity to the substance. For people with epilepsy, diet can reduce the likelihood of seizures. pecans, walnuts, macadamias in small quantities). Brain Res Bull. Robert Sapolsky (2005). It is a diet that should not be started unsupervised. 2012 Aug 6;13:94. Glutamate is essential for life, but there are many people who are sensitive to it. The low glutamate diet was previously shown to reduce symptoms in fibromyalgia, and thus, was a candidate for this funding. Supplement Your Prescription. Sai, Y., et al. GABA and glutamate balance each other, so if GABA is low, then glutamate is high. Glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration in Alzheimers disease.. High free glutamates are found in conditions such as: GABA (Gamma-AminoButyric Acid) is an amino acid that regulates the autonomic nervous system which maintains balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous systems. The role of glutamate and its receptors in autism and the use of glutamate receptor antagonists in treatment. Following are food and substances to avoid, Meats While most meats are naturally rich in glutamate and aspartate, in most cases the effect is offset by other amino acids in the meat. Walls, A.B., et al. They are caused by abnormally excited electrical signals in the brain. Plausibility of a pathophysiological linkPart I. Pathophysiology 20.3 (2013): 191-209. One example would be evidence which shows that when people with epilepsy switch to a low-carb diet they often experience reduced depression along with a reduction in seizures. As epilepsy symptoms occur as a result of excess glutamate, scientists believe that the state of ketosis prompts the more efficient disposal of excess . Psychosocial deficits across autism and schizotypal spectra are interactively modulated by excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission. The objective of this pilot study was to examine the effects of the low glutamate diet on anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression in veterans with Gulf War Illness (GWI). Supplement with PharmaGABA because it gets GABA into the brain without converting into glutamine or glutamate. Some have even seen those diagnosed with autism change for the better on a low glutamate and aspartate diet. To find out if a food contains MSG, look at the food label first. Acta Paediatr. Gluten-free grains and seeds such as quinoa, amaranth, sesame seeds and flaxmeal. High concentrations of glutamate have also been linked to epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, ALS, cognitive dysfunction (including Alzheimer's), and psychiatric issues such as depression, anxiety and PTSD, the article . Aim. PLoS One. If the brain is damaged or exposed to toxins, these activated microglia cells can become destructive to the brains cells and connections. It is essential for life, which means it is not only found circulating in the human body but also in a natural form in many foods commonly eaten. Brain Under Attack: A Resource for Parents and Caregivers of Children with PANS, PANDAS and Autoimmune Encephalitis. Be wary of spice mixes as many of them contain hidden glutamate. 1495 (2013) 5260. 4) Lamb and eggs are relatively low. Increase serotonin by supplementing with 5-HTP or SAMe and by. originally stood for the "glutamate-aspartate restricted diet" after its limitation of these two non-essential, neurostimulating amino acids that are also the parent compounds of MSG and aspartame (Nutrisweet) respectively. Life Sci. 2015 Mar 19;1601:92-101. Tang, J., et al. A diet avoiding glutamates and aspartates is used to help reduce epileptic seizures and many of the symptoms listed above. The ketogenic diet for epilepsy was initially formulated to produce biochemical changes that occur during fasting . Epilepsy Res. Electromagnetic fields act via activation of voltagegated calcium channels to produce beneficial or adverse effects. Glutamate is a naturally occurring amino acid found in many different types of food. Some say to avoid corn but small amounts of very fresh corn are ok. Nightshade family of fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, capsicum (peppers), eggplant (aubergine) and chillies/paprika are best avoided initially. A ketogenic diet increases the GAD enzyme and neurons can use ketones produced from fat burning as a precursor to GABA. Foods and Substances to avoid on a Low Glutamate Diet. Advocating a GF/DF/AF (additive free) diet to my clients over the last 28+ years is a big reason why I have had so many great results and many happy parents of previous difficult children. Carefully note any patterns of symptoms that emerge. Always check with your health care practitioner when taking medications and supplements together. Aspartate can enter the same receptor site (parking space) as glutamate to affect the neurones and create excess firing of the nervous system and result in damage to the neurones. The highest concentrations are found in long, matured cheeses, such as Parmesan and Roquefort. Supplement with magnesium L-threonate, a form of magnesium that can cross the blood-brain barrier. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. There are different features of foods that affect glycemic index. An elimination diet allows the villi to heal, lower inflammation and allow the body to begin absorbing critical nutrients again. . Excitotoxicity occurs when receptors for the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate are over-activated. High concentrations of glutamate have also been linked to epilepsy . They have a complex, homeostatic relationship that brings balance to the level of brain activity. Glutamate is the gun while calcium is the bullet! Glutamate also allows nerve cells to build associated information, which is a foundation of memory. doi:10.1016/j.neuint.2004.03.007. In addition, EMFs such as that from cell phones, wireless phones, WiFi routers, baby monitors, etc., cause these calcium channels to flood via N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, which are essentially glutamate receptors. Phenytoin depletes biotin, calcium, folic acid, B1, B12 and vitamins D and K. Primidone depletes biotin and folic acid; valproic acid depletes carnitine. This can be a deadly cocktail of chemicals and sugar (not to mention the alcohol itself). Be cautious in supplementing with GABA, as it may convert back to glutamine and then glutamate. National Library of Medicines list Although more famous for its weight-loss effects, the ketogenic diet was originally proposed as a treatment for epilepsy. While on the diet do not stop any medications or supplements previously prescribed unless advised otherwise by your medical or health care professional. 1) Gluten-free grain substitutes (millet, flax, sorghum, tapioca, amaranth, quinoa) 2) Nuts and seeds (with tree nuts being ideal) 3) Legumes/beans (if necessary and if desired. GABA normally inhibits brain activity, enabling you to relax. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Epidemic Answers has not verified and does not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided in this document. natural vanilla flavor). It can be found in a 'bound' form, where it is part of an unmodified protein, and is generally digested slowly, to be used by the brain and gut for healing, repair and stimulating our nervous . The most widely employed metabolic therapy is the ketogenic diet, which has been in clinical use for a century (Wheless, 2008). Cass, Hyla MD. The Glutamate Aspartate Restricted Diet is used to treat certain medical conditions such as celiac disease and epilepsy. The role of glutamate receptors in traumatic brain injury: implications for postsynaptic density in pathophysiology. Therefore, the combination of low-grade digestive system inflammation and glutamate sensitivity may combine to create any of the above-mentioned symptoms. Lambert, Beth, et al. 2004;138(2):337341. A 2012 study out of Hungarymeasured baseline levels of vitamin D in 13 subjects. Almond butter spread, or a few almonds, are usually okay if eaten occasionally. Low Serum Pyridoxine Levels Worsen Seizure Control in Adult Epilepsy Patients Some processed foods contain the artificial additive MSG and these tend to be savory foods, such as stocks, sauces, savory snacks and instant meals. These seizures usually begin between ages 5 and 20, but they can happen at any age. Web. GAD65 is essential for synthesis of GABA destined for tonic inhibition regulating epileptiform activity. Characteristics. Penguin Life, 2003. The best way to avoid high free glutamates is to cook whole foods yourself from scratch at home, but even then, there are pitfalls to avoid. Excitoxins: The Taste That Kills. After correcting the defiency and bringing the median up to 38 ng/ml, 10 of the 13 subjects exhibited a decrease in the number of seizures, with five of the patients experiencing a seizure reduction of 50%. Introduction to a Low Glutamate diet. Glutamate is actually an amino acid that forms part of the building blocks of protein found in all living things.