L-glutamine: an incredible amino acid for good health!

[biogeek]

GLUTAMINE

Glutamine is an important amino acid that works wonders in our bodies. Although it is not an “essential” amino acid, its importance does not diminish! Under normal circumstances, the body can synthesize (produce) enough L-glutamine to meet our body’s demands. However, in times of stress, trauma, cancer, infection, burns, etc, L-glutamine becomes an essential amino acid because the body will use up all your glutamine reserves.

Because of its chemical structure, L-glutamine can help synthesis other amino acids and moves proteins to key areas of our bodies. L-glutamine also helps the body produce glucosamine. glutathione, L-glutamate, and other proteins while repairing and preserving muscle tissue. It is also considered an immunonutrient, and is supplemented into food for those in treatment of cancer, sepsis, burns, and other trauma.

SUGAR CRAVINGS: According to Dr. Atkins’ book, Vita-Nutrient Solution (page 169), he states that when a “sugar urge emerges, take 1-2 grams of L-glutamine, preferably with some heavy cream and just a touch of nonsugar sweetener.” The immediate desire to eat something sweet will pass.”

Leaky-gut syndrome: L-glutamine is one of the most important nutrients for your intestines. It has the ability to repair “leaky-gut” by maintaining the structural integrity of the bowels and can also treat peptic ulcers (92% cured in 4 weeks).

Boost your immune systems: L-glutamine is the primary energy source of your immune system. Taking supplemental L-glutamine will ensure that you have enough of this amino acid in reserves to safeguard against infections.

Exercise recovery: As stated before, L-glutamine will repair and preserve muscle tissue. Since exercise can cause microscopic tears in the muscles, which is needed to improve strength and endurance, your body will increase its demands on L-glutamine. Taking a supplement will help your body build more muscle instead of breaking tissue down for energy.


How much should you take?

5 grams a day (~1 teaspoon) is enough for the average, healthy individual who works out. It is usually split into two servings of 0.5 teaspoons into a glass of water, morning and evening. For sugar cravings, 2-3 grams should be taken as soon as you have the urge for sugar. For immune system stimulation, between 5-20 grams is necessary according to Dr. Atkins (page 170).

Who shouldn’t take it?

Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid supplemental L-glutamine unless prescribed by a physician.

Those with renal or hepatic failure should exercise caution in the use of supplemental L-glutamine.

[jimmie 48]

Re: L-glutamine: an incredible amino acid for good health!

how did i miss this? thanks for posting the information, bio.

am i to understand that it isn't so necessary for me to supplement with glutamine? you stated that our body, under normal circumstances, produces enough for us to use.

[biogeek]

Re: L-glutamine: an incredible amino acid for good health!

As a general rule, that is true. However, most folks don't eat properly and have stressful lives or health issues. If that's the case, glutamine supplement will be a great addition because of its power to make other amino acids as necessary and for overall immune health.

If one is healthy with a great WOE, then glutamine wouldn't be necessary on a daily basis unless that person does extrenous exercise and is trying to build and retain muscles. Some folks take glutamine on a daily basis much like vitamin C, mostly as a help against illness.

If you take glutamine and your body doesn't need it, your body will then convert it to some other amino acid or use it to make protein or other nutrients that are lacking. It's kind of like an insurance policy.

Hope that helps.

[jimmie 48]

Re: L-glutamine: an incredible amino acid for good health!

it does, thank you!

isn't the human body a wonderful machine? knowing what to convert and when, using it what it needs and throwing the rest?

[biogeek]

Re: L-glutamine: an incredible amino acid for good health!

I'm always amazed at what our bodies will do! All the biochemical processes that goes on within is just incredible!

I should add that glutamine in powder form is the most stable form of the amino acid. You dissolve it in water and drink it right away. You can't make a big batch and have it keep for days on end. The amino acid will breakdown.

[jimmie 48]

Re: L-glutamine: an incredible amino acid for good health!

can the powder be added to other drinks such as juice or coffee? never used it so i don't know if there is a taste to it or not

[biogeek]

Re: L-glutamine: an incredible amino acid for good health!

You can add it to any cold beverage without destroying the amino acid. It doesn't have much of a taste to me...it's very slight. I don't know how to describe it, but it is not unpleasant nor is it something that adds a lot of flavor. I drink it with my water all the time. I wouldn't add it to coffee or anything hot though.

[sallyseachange]

Re: L-glutamine: an incredible amino acid for good health!

Thanks for this lesson Bio.... very interesting. So... if you want to build some muscle, it would be good to take some.... as a boost to exercise, right?

[Lulubell]

Re: L-glutamine: an incredible amino acid for good health!

If you take glutamine and your body doesn't need it, your body will then convert it to some other amino acid or use it to make protein or other nutrients that are lacking. It's kind of like an insurance policy.

I would be interested in the jouranl articles that cite clinical evidence to support this. Do you know of one? I have access to a zillion journals here at work - I could look it up.

[biogeek]

Re: L-glutamine: an incredible amino acid for good health!

Sally, it won't make you look like Arnold Swartzenegger by any means, but it should help with repair and recovery.

Lulubell, I don't know what journals you have access to or what books are available, but here's just a few.

For the part where glutamine can be converted to other amino acids and proteins....just about any good physiology textbook will do. I use "Textbook of Medical Physiology" by Authur Guyton. In it, Guyton calls glutamine a "amino radical storehouse" for it's ability at getting transamination and also making vitamin B. Sadly, Guyton does have references at the end of each chapter, but they are not paired to any specific listing.

Here's a few journals that may help you out...

Renal metabolism of amino acids: its role in interorgan amino acid exchange.
Marcel CG van de Poll, Peter B Soeters, Nicolaas EP Deutz, Kenneth CH Fearon and Cornelis HC Dejong. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 79, No. 2, 185-197, February 2004.

An interesting read...

Glutamine in the Fetus and Critically Ill Low Birth Weight Neonate: Metabolism and Mechanism of Action. Josef Neu. (Journal of Nutrition. 2001;131:2585S-2589S.)


The role of glutamine in maintaining a healthy gut and supporting the metabolic response to injury and infection. Souba, Klimberg, et al. J Surg Res. 1990 Apr;48(4):383-91.

There's just tons of articles out there from reputable journals and such. It's just a matter of wading through them all.

Atkin's himself talks about what glutamine can do in his book, Vita-Nutrient Solution, but like the Guyton book, doesn't list the reference. Both are physicians and perhaps it is just common knowledge among physicians that this is what glutamine can do, and hence, no references?? I don't know. If you find some journals of interest, please post them.

[sallyseachange]

Re: L-glutamine: an incredible amino acid for good health!

Sally, it won't make you look like Arnold Swartzenegger by any means, but it should help with repair and recovery.

Awwww, pity! I was thinking of slipping some into hub's coffee!!! (j/k)

[Lulubell]

Re: L-glutamine: an incredible amino acid for good health!

thanks, biogeek. i have requested the articles you recommended and asked the librarian here to do a further journal search on the topic. i will post when i get them.

[biogeek]

Re: L-glutamine: an incredible amino acid for good health!

No problem, lulu. You're gonna get swamped with journals!! Happy reading!

[ValidRouge]

Re: L-glutamine: an incredible amino acid for good health!

So, I picked up some L-Glutamine powder tonight at a new vitamin/supplement store around here. I'm very excited to add this to my diet. I got the powdered version and it says to take 1.5 teaspoons after working out or at bedtime.

[biogeek]

Re: L-glutamine: an incredible amino acid for good health!

Cool that you got some! For the version I bought (GNC), I take 1 teaspoon immediately after a workout and then another teaspoon 2 hours after the workout.