L-Glutamine

Glutamine is an α-amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins. Its side chain is similar to that of glutamic acid, except the carboxylic acid group is replaced by an amide. It is classified as a charge-neutral, polar amino acid.

What is L glutamine used for?

The mucous membrane blocks bacterial infiltration during digestion. L–glutamine can also boost immune cell activity in the gut, helping prevent infection and inflammation, as well as soothing the intestinal tissue. Because L–glutamine is used for energy production, it can support the reduction of intestinal spasms.

What are the benefits of taking glutamine?

It Is Important for the Immune System. One of the most important functions of glutamine is its role in the immune system. It is a critical fuel source for immune cells, including white blood cells and certain intestinal cells

Does L glutamine help with weight loss?

Glutamine supplementation improves insulin sensitivity in critically ill patients, and prevents obesity in animals fed a high-fat diet. … This pilot study shows that glutamine is safe and effective in favoring weight loss and possibly enhancing glucose metabolism.

Does glutamine build muscle?

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Glutamine is produced in the musclesand is distributed by the blood to the organs that need it. Glutamine might help gut function, the immune system, and other essential processes in the body, especially in times of stress.

Does L glutamine help with sugar cravings?

Supplement with L–glutamine. This amino acid has been found to help reduce, and even eliminate, cravings by helping to steady blood sugar. Add 500 milligrams three times a day with meals and an extra dose when a craving hits.

What foods are high in glutamine?

The dietary sources of glutamine includes especially the protein-rich foods like beef, chicken, fish, dairy products, eggs, vegetables like beans, beets, cabbage, spinach, carrots, parsley, vegetable juices and also in wheat, papaya, Brussels sprouts, celery, kale and fermented foods like miso.

How does L–Glutamine work?

Glutamine is the most abundant free amino acid in the body. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Glutamine is produced in the muscles and is distributed by the blood to the organs that need it. Glutamine might help gut function, the immune system, and other essential processes in the body, especially in times of stress. It is also important for providing “fuel” (nitrogen and carbon) to many different cells in the body. Glutamine is needed to make other chemicals in the body such as other amino acids and glucose (sugar).

After surgery or traumatic injury, nitrogen is necessary to repair the wounds and keep the vital organs functioning. About one third of this nitrogen comes from glutamine.

If the body uses more glutamine than the muscles can make (i.e., during times of stress), muscle wasting can occur. This can occur in people with HIV/AIDS. Taking glutamine supplements might keep the glutamine stores up.

Some types of chemotherapy can reduce the levels of glutamine in the body. Glutamine treatment is thought to help prevent chemotherapy-related damage by maintaining the life of the affected tissues.

What is L–Glutamine Effective for

• Sickle cell disease. Glutamine is an FDA-approved prescription medicine for sickle cell disease. Taking it by mouth twice daily reduces sudden complications of sickle cell disease. Prescription glutamine might also reduce the number of times people are in the hospital and the number of days in the hospital for a crisis.

What is L–Glutamine Possibly Effective for

• Burns. Administering glutamine through a feeding tube seems to reduce the risk of developing severe infections and might reduce the chance of death in people with severe burns. Administering glutamine intravenously (by IV) seems to decrease the risk of some infections in people with severe burns. But it does not seem to decrease the risk of death.
• Critical illness (trauma). While some conflicting results exist, most research shows that glutamine keeps bacteria from moving out of the intestine and infecting other parts of the body after major injuries. Glutamine might also reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections in people who are critically ill. Glutamine seems to prevent hospital-acquired infections better when given intravenously (by IV) rather than by a feeding tube. Overall, glutamine does not seem to reduce the risk of death in critically ill people.
• Involuntary weight loss in people with HIV/AIDS. Taking glutamine by mouth seems to help HIV/AIDS patients absorb food better and gain weight. Doses of 40 grams per day seem to produce the best effect.
• Recovery after surgery. Giving glutamine intravenously (by IV) along with intravenous nutrition seems to reduce the number of days spent in the hospital after surgery, especially major abdominal surgery. It might also help prevent hospital-acquired infections after elective or emergency surgery. Giving glutamine by IV along with intravenous nutrition might also reduce the risk of infection and improve recovery after bone marrow transplants. However, not all people who receive bone marrow transplants seem to benefit. Glutamine does not seem to reduce the risk of death after any type of surgery.