Question

The neurology consult report includes the following statement: “Client’s diet is notable for moderate amounts of aspartame and no significant glutamate.” What are aspartame and glutamate? Why did the neurologist assess Mrs. Giammo’s intake of aspartame and glutamate?

Answer 1

Aspartame is an artificial non-saccharide sweetner. It is 200 times more sweeter than sucrose. It is mainly used as a sugar substitute in foods and beverages. It is main substitute in low calorie food. It is composed of two amino acids like aspartic acid and phenylalanine.

Glutamate is a common food additive called monosodium glutamate.
But in the body glutamate is considered as the powerful neurotransmitter secreted by brain cells. Normally it plays a vital role in learning and memory. The highest amount of glutamate can be found in synaptic vesicles of nerve terminals.

Increased amount of glutamate in the brain can be harmful. Large quantities of monosodium glutamate may lead to increased level of blood glutamate.

Client diet has no significant glutamate. So this deficiency of glutamate may cause insomnia, difficulty in concentration and mental exhaustion.

Client food contains moderate amount of aspartame, increased level of aspartame may cause serious health problems including headache,migraine,irritability,anxiety,depression. This are the reason neurologist assessed the aspartame and glutamate level.