What is the Relationship of Glutamate and Fibromyalgia?
The primary symptom of fibromyalgia is severe pain in the
muscles, tendons and the lower back. These areas of pain are referred to as tender points, located in particular
spots in the neck, spine, shoulders and hips, which hurt when pressed. Recently, glutamate and fibromyalgia have been
related and there are several reasons why.
The extreme pain is due to the imbalance of glutamate in the pain pathway of the nervous system in the
brain. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter. It is basically involved in learning and memory. When glutamate is released from one
neuron, it binds to the receptors on the next neuron, which causes the newly attached neuron to become excited (or more
active.) Therefore it acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter stimulating some parts of the brain and other parts of the nervous
system.
When there is an excess amount of glutamate or when there is a problem in the process of sending pain signals to
the brain, it results in severe pain all over the body. The insula region of the brain has been found to be highly
active in those with fibromyalgia syndrome. Therefore, reducing the glutamate level in this area of the brain
can reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
Recent studies have shown that monosodium glutamate (MSG) or MSG plus aspartame increases fibromyalgia
symptoms. When eliminated from the diet, the symptoms go away; they return when MSG is ingested again. Eliminating
these from your diet can be very difficult as they can be listed under another name.
Fibromyalgia patients should learn to carefully read the labels when purchasing health and diet products,
eliminating those with MSG and aspartame. Although this does not cure everyone with fibromyalgia, it was a common
occurrence in those with allergies and fibromyalgia. Doctors and researchers are not sure why this helps to relieve the
pain, but it’s generally believed to be that these substances can affect brain chemicals which control the pain a patient
feels
Although there is no complete cure for fibromyalgia, sufferers can learn to manage fibromyalgia syndrome by
trying different treatments, avoiding MSG and aspartame, reducing stress and stretching the muscles.
Fact Hereditary - Fibromyalgia does run in families, but the exact
genetic nature of this hereditary linkage is not yet known. Many research studies are under way to look at the genetic
abnormalities that might be linked to various neurotransmitters involved in both pain and sleep regulation. ~ Fibromyalgia Network
