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Glutamine is an amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein that are linked together by peptide bonds in specific chemical arrangements to form proteins. It is found in both plant and animal proteins and is available in a variety of supplemental forms.
Glutamine helps the body maintain the correct acidalkaline balance and is a necessary part of the synthesis of RNA and DNA. Glutamine also helps promote a healthy digestive tract.
Unlike other amino acids that have a single nitrogen atom, glutamine contains two nitrogen atoms that enable it to transfer nitrogen and remove ammonia from body tissues. Glutamine readily passes the bloodbrain barrier and, within the brain, is converted to glutamic acid, which the brain needs to function properly. It also increases the amount of GABA, which is needed to sustain proper brain function and mental activity.
It assists in maintaining the proper acid/alkaline balance in the body, and is the basis of the building blocks for the synthesis of RNA and DNA. It promotes mental ability and maintenance of a healthy digestive tract.
No other nutrient is as important for gastrointestinal health. Glutamine rapidly facilitates healing and restores the health of mucous membranes inside the colon (large intestine). Just 1.6 grams per day, is used to treat peptic ulcers. Research proved that supplementation lessens stomach inflammation caused by chemotherapy and can be useful in treating diarrhea.
The body cannot synthesize enough glutamine to heal wounds, preserve lean tissue and nourish the immune system following surgery or physical stress. Providing supplemental glutamine avoids all of these complications, normalizes the amino acid levels, speeds healing, and improves overall surgical recovery.
The primary source of energy for the immune system is glutamine. One of the reasons that cancer lose lean tissue and muscle mass is because of a depletion of glutamine. Polyps in the colon, have a significantly lower glutamine content than healthy tissue.
Chemotherapy's toxic side effects can be shielded from the liver, animal studies show, and might strengthen the cancer-killing ability of certain chemotherapeutic drugs with glutamine supplementation.
When our T cell reserve is low, a standard measurement of immune activity, the cells, called macrophages, lose strength. But when L-glutamine is given in dosages of 20-40 grams daily the immune system responds, as demonstrated by the extra infection safeguard it provided in studies of patients with bone marrow transplants.
Glutamine is an essential treatment for AIDS or viral chronic fatigue syndrome.
Glutamine can inhibit fatty buildups inside the liver and aid treatment of cirrhosis.
Glutamine has been used to curb the desire to drink alcohol. A daily dose of 12 grams (about 3 teaspoons) helped 75 percent of the people studied in one experiment. Curbing cravings for sugar can be alleviated by taking 1-2 grams of L-glutamine, preferably with some heavy cream and just a touch of nonsugar sweetener. The National Institute of Mental Health also acknowledged glutamine's influence on sugar cravings.
By preserving lean tissue, which contributes to burning off fat, the amino acid helps cleanse the body and liver of waste products that are created by fat metabolism. In this way, glutamine may help obese persons with weight loss.
Weight lifters can benefit from glutamine supplementation because it assists in the repair and preservation of muscle tissue. Prolonged exercise causes microscopic injuries to the muscles and, for a long as two weeks after a workout, lowers body's glutamine stores.
Deficiency: Conditions that have been treated with L-glutamine supplements include fibrosis, autoimmune diseases, arthritis, intestinal ailments, peptic ulcers, diseases of the connective tissues, tissue damage caused by radiation treatment, developmental disabilities, epilepsy, schizophrenia, fatigue, and impotence.
Sources: Many plant and animal substances contain glutamine, but cooking easily destroys it. If eaten raw, spinach and parsley are good sources. Soy proteins, milk, meats and cabbage are additional sources. Supplemental glutamine should be kept absolutely dry or the powder will degrade into ammonia and pyroglutamic acid.
Precautions: Glutamine should not be taken by persons with cirrhosis of the liver, kidney problems, Reye's syndrome, or any type of disorder that can result in an accumulation of ammonia in the blood. For such individuals, taking supplemental glutamine may only cause further damage to the body. Be aware that although the names sound similar, glutamine, glutamic acid (also sometimes called glutamate) glutathione, gluten, and monosodium glutamate are all different substances.
Dosage Ranges and Duration of Administration: L-forms of amino acid supplements such as L-glutamine are believed to be more compatible with human biochemistry than D-forms because the chemical structure spirals to the left.
Glutamine supplements, like all amino acid supplements, should be taken on an
empty stomach, preferably in the morning or between meals.
For peptic
ulcers, 500 mg daily, taken on an empty stomach, is recommended.
Because
L-glutamine possibly reduces sugar and alcohol cravings, it could be considered
for treating recovering alcoholics. Suggested dose: 1,000 mg tid with 50 mg of
vitamin B6, on an empty stomach.
To treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),
eliminate foods that trigger symptoms and take glutamine (500 mg tid) and
peppermint oil (1 capsule three to six times daily).
For stasis ulcers
(open sores on the leg that are caused by poor blood flow), take each day:
glutamine (500 mg) with a basic nutritional supplement program and vitamin C
(2,000 mg in divided doses with meals and at bedtime), vitamin A (10,000 IU),
zinc (22.5 to 50 mg), and vitamin E (400 IU orally and additional vitamin E oil
squeezed from capsules onto the wound to aid healing and prevent recurrence).
To aid wound healing, take glutamine (500 mg) with a basic vitamin-mineral
formula and vitamin C (2,000 mg divided at meals and bedtime), vitamin A (10,000
IU), zinc (22.5 to 50 mg), vitamin E (400 IU), and vitamin B3 (100 mg) daily.
