Glutamine Flashcards
Glutamine
• Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body, containing 60% of the total pool of free amino acids.
• It is the preferred fuel for rapidly dividing cells such as enterocytes (gut support), lymphocytes and macrophages (immunity)
• The body’s glutamine synthesis becomes unable to meet higher requirements during acute stress , and hence it is considered conditionally essential . Stress states include injury (for wound healing) and infections (for supporting the immune response).
• It behaves as a buffer, receiving excess ammonia (i.e. nitrogen), before releasing it when needed to form other amino acids (e.g. arginine) and nucleic acids.
Glutamine and the Intestinal Barrier
• Glutamine is the primary amino acid source for intestinal cells and helps to regulate tight junction integrity and enterocyte proliferation. Depletion results in decreased expression of tight junction proteins and increased intestinal permeability.
• Increased intestinal permeability causes include coeliac disease, IBD, candidiasis, alcohol, SIBO, food allergies / intolerances, chronic stress , nutrient deficiencies (e.g. glutamine, zinc), NSAIDs , chemotherapy .
• Intestinal permeability leads to the leakage of LPS into the blood, which can lead to various chronic diseases, e.g. autoimmunity.
Support for Leaky Gut
• Glutamine supplementation (10g per day)
• Glutamine rich foods e.g. cabbage juice (1L fresh juice taken over the day for 10 days), spirulina, asparagus, broccoli, cod, salmon.
• N-acetyl glucosamine (support mucosal integrity) in shellfish.
• Quercetin (apples, red onion, tomatoes, red peppers)
• Zinc (for rapid cell division and tight junction support)
• Antioxidants (e.g. vitamin C, E and beta carotene).
• Herbs: Turmeric, Marshmallow, Slippery Elm, Goldenseal, Myrrh.
• Bone broth (rich in collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, glycine).
Glutamine Functions
Immunity
Hypoglycaemia
Muscle Recovery
Neurotransmitter
Glutamine: Immunity
Functions:
• Supports lymphocyte and macrophage proliferation , and the production of cytokines by both lymphocytes and macrophages.
Therapeutic Uses:
• Recurrent infections / compromised immunity
Glutamine: Hypoglycaemia
Functions:
• Glutamine is a substrate for gluconeogenesis .
Therapeutic Uses:
• Use 2 tsp in water between meals in place of snacks while adapting to healthier eating.
Glutamine: Muscle Recovery
Functions:
• It is abundant in muscles and promotes faster exercise recovery. It reduces muscle breakdown.
Therapeutic Uses:
• Exercise recovery / sports nutrition
Glutamine: Neurotransmitter
• Glutamine is converted to glutamate (excitatory), before being converted to GABA (inhibitory). The conversion from glutamate to GABA requires vitamin B6, taurine and zinc . If this conversion is operating well, glutamine supplementation can have an anxiety relieving, sleep supporting effect. An organic acids test can assist this understanding.
Glutamine: Other therapeutic uses
Other therapeutic uses include
‘HIV
• Glutamine (up to 30g/day) can also be used for HIV patients due to its intestinal, muscle , and immune supporting functions.
• A combination of probiotics, soluble fibre and glutamine has been found to reduce diarrhoea in HIV positive males with GI disturbance.
Glutamine: Supplementation Dosage
Dosage: Best to start low and gradually increase. 1-30g / day (ideally in mornings). Glutamine breaks down rapidly in solution powders should be consumed as soon as possible after being mixed.
Glutamine: Supplementation Drug Interactions
Anti-seizure medications e.g. phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, primidone and valproic acid.
Glutamine: Supplementation Toxicity
No adverse effects reported during short-term dosing up to 50-60g/day.
Glutamine: Supplementation Caution
Cancer cells can use glutamine to fuel their growth and metabolism so use alternative gut repair remedies in cancer care. Avoid in cases of epilepsy. Also caution in liver or kidney disease.
