Common Name: L- Glutamine
Synonyms: Glutamine

Overview:

L-glutamine is one of the amino acids found in the double helix of the DNA molecule. It is considered a semi-essential amino acid. Under normal conditions, the body can make enough L-glutamine to meet its needs. In times of great metabolic stress, steroidal hormones such as cortisol are released into the blood stream. This elevation in cortisol levels depletes the body’s store of L-glutamine. The body’s need for glutamine outstrips its ability to produce it. L-glutamine then becomes an essential amino acid and glutamine supplementation is essential to restoring the damage caused by injury, surgery, infections and conditions that produce prolonged periods of physical stress such as athletic training.

L-glutamine is involved in many reactions in the body. It helps maintain the acid-base balance. It also helps protect the body against ammonia toxicity by transporting it from the peripheral tissue to the kidneys by the kidneys or turned into urea in the liver. This semi-essential amino acid is also responsible for nitrogen transport within the body.

Benefits

L-glutamine has been extensively researched and:

1. Studies conducted by Tomas Welbourne at Louisiana State University College of Medicine showed that even small amounts of L-glutamine caused a quadruple increase in the HGH levels when compared to the placebo group. It was also found that this response of HGH to L-glutamine did not diminish with age. The volunteers in this study ranged from 32 to 64 years of age.
2. Shown to significantly strengthen the immune system. It has been shown to be an effective adjunct in reducing infections in multiple trauma patients and critically ill patients. A deficiency of this amino acid can significantly slow the nealing process. Glutamine supplements have been shown to reduce the infection rate following surgery and may aid in the recovery from severe burns
3. Found to be important in the health of the gastro- intestinal mucosa. Because L-glutamine helps to protect the lining of the digestive tract, it has been speculated that a glutamine deficiency may be at the root of developing IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). Preliminary research has suggested that L-glutamine
4. supplementation may improve the health of the intestinal mucosa damaged in this syndrome. It promotes healing of the cells that line the intestines and improves the diarrhea that is associated with this syndrome
5. Supplementation with glutamine along with vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium and N-acetylcysteine has been shown to help prevent the severe loss of muscle mass associated with advanced HIV.
6. Animal studies have shown that L-glutamine may help as an appetite suppressant.
7. That athelets who over stress their muscles are more prone to infections and slow recovery time without adequate L-glutamine intake. This is because most of the body’s glutamine is stored in muscle tissue. In adequate glutamine levels are associated with lower immune status and longer recovery time.
8. Supplementation with L-glutamine has proven to be extrememely beneficial in treating the malnourishment that accompanies chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Recommended Dosage:

L-glutamine should be taken with cold or room temperature food or liquids as heat will destroy this amino acid.

Children who need supplementation with L-glutamine should do so only under the supervision of a qualified health care provider.

Adult dosage ranges from 500-1,000mg per day. Doses has high as 5,000 to 15,000mg may be prescribed by a health care provider.

Precautions

Although L-glutamine is generally regarded as safe:

1. People with kidney disease, liver disease, or Reye's syndrome (a rare, sometimes fatal disease of childhood that is generally associated with use of aspirin in conjunction with chicken pox or an upper respiratory illness) should not take glutamine.
2. Those with decreased kidney function should reduce the amount of glutamine supplements taken.
3. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a health care provider before using any supplements.

Interactions

Glutamine may increase the effectiveness and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy treatments with doxorubicin, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil in people with colon cancer. Similarly, preliminary studies suggest that glutamine supplements may prevent nerve damage associated with a medication called paclitaxel, used for breast and other types of cancers.

Printed Reference Material

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