Real stuck with msg process

[JH90]

Hey guys

 

Im teaching myself about nutrition at the moment and am anchoring more towards what actually happens rather than just taking peoples words for it.

 

Ive been looking into Msg this week and am now totally mythd about its process. From what I can gather it stimulates the glutamate receptor on the tongue (not sure the name of the receptor) which in turn sends neurotransmitters through the nervous systen to the brain which tells the brain how it tastes. The over consumption of glutamate in the transmitters effectively enhances the original flavor of the food.

 

This is as complex as I can find yet is so vague. I really am a beginner trying to do my best. Can anyone please enlighten me as to where Im going wrong and how this process biologically actually takes place...?

 

Cheers

[JH90]

Is there really anyone that can help? Ijust dont get it and need some basic help on what im stuck with...

Edited October 24, 2011 by JH90

[JH90]

Ok well can anyone tell me if Ive got this right?

 

"Glutamate is one of the five basic tastes that the human tongue has receptors for, along with salty, sweet, sour, and bitter. The purpose of these taste buds is to help us distinguish real food from inedible matter. The reason food processors "free" glutamate from its bound form (glutamic acid), is that it acts as a neurotransmitter in its free form. When MSG is consumed free glutamic acid (msg) is detected by the glutamate receptor in the tongue. There are three types of glutamate receptors, called NMDA, quisqualate, and kainate receptors. The glutamate from the msg attaches itself to the receptors and fires neurotransmitters at lightning speeds to the brain. This in turn triggers all types of neurological processes which aid us in digesting and processing food. One such process is catabolism. "