Aspartate and glutamate act as neurotransmitters in the brain by
facilitating the transmission of information from neuron to neuron. Too
much aspartate or glutamate in the brain kills certain neurons by
allowing the influx of too much calcium into the cells. This influx
triggers excessive amounts of free radicals, which kill the cells. The
neural cell damage that can be caused by excessive aspartate and
glutamate is why they are referred to as "excitotoxins." They "excite"
or stimulate the neural cells to death.Aspartic acid is an amino acid.
Taken in its free form (unbound to proteins) it significantly raises the
blood plasma level of aspartate and glutamate. The excess aspartate and
glutamate in the blood plasma shortly after ingesting aspartame or
products with free glutamic acid (glutamate precursor) leads to a high
level of those neurotransmitters in certain areas of the brain.
The
blood brain barrier (BBB), which normally protects the brain from
excess glutamate and aspartate as well as toxins, 1) is not fully
developed during childhood, 2) does not fully protect all areas of the
brain, 3) is damaged by numerous chronic and acute conditions, and 4)
allows seepage of excess glutamate and aspartate into the brain even
when intact.
The excess glutamate and aspartate slowly
begin to destroy neurons. The large majority (75 percent or more) of
neural cells in a particular area of the brain are killed before any
clinical symptoms of a chronic illness are noticed
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