Protein - Glutamine

Question 1

Abundance

Answer 1

• Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body, containing 60% of the total pool of free amino acids.

Question 2

Fuel for rapidly dividing cells

Answer 2

It is the preferred fuel for rapidly dividing cells such as;
* Enterocytes (gut support) (entero-= intestine, -cytes= cells)
* Lymphocytes and Macrophages (immunity).

Question 3

Conditionally Essential and Stress

Answer 3

• The body’s glutamine synthesis becomes unable to meet higher requirements during acute stress, hence considered conditionally essential.
• Stress states include injury (for wound healing) and infections (for supporting the immune response).

Question 4

Buffer

Answer 4

• It behaves as a buffer, receiving excess ammonia (i.e. nitrogen), before releasing it when needed to form other A.A. (e.g. arginine) & nucleic acids.

Question 5

Glutamine and the Intestinal Barrier:

Answer 5

• 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.
  LPS= lipopolysaccharides (released from bacterial cell walls when they die)

Question 6

Intestinal Permeability

Answer 6

To address increased intestinal permeability, remove the cause and supply nutrients that support enterocyte junctions:
* 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 – for oxidative stress (e.g. vitamin C, E and beta-carotene).
* Herbs:
o Turmeric; anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, supports phase 2 liver detox (increased intestinal permeability = toxic compounds in circulation)
o Marshmallow and Slippery Elm; demulcent – mucilaginous soothing effect on mucus membranes in GIT, reduces inflammation and protective coat
o Goldenseal; heals mucous membranes, useful in bacterial / pathogens – anti-microbials
o Myrrh; anti-microbial
* Bone broth (rich in collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, glycine).

Question 7

Immunity

Answer 7

Functions:
* Supports lymphocyte and macrophage proliferation, and the production of cytokines by both lymphocytes and macrophages.
Therapeutic Uses:
* Recurrent infections / compromised immunity

Question 8

Hypoglycaemia

Answer 8

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
Gluco- = glucose, neo- = new, -genesis = formation

Question 9

Muscle Recovery

Answer 9

Functions:
* It is abundant in muscles and promotes faster exercise recovery. It reduces muscle breakdown
Therapeutic Uses:
* Exercise recovery / sports nutrition

Question 10

Neurotransmitter

Answer 10

Glutamine is converted to glutamate (excitatory) before being converted to GABA (Inhibitory). The conversion of glutamate to GABA requires vitamin B6, taurine and Zinc. If this conversion is operating well, glutamine supplementation can have an anxiety – relieving, asleep supporting effect. And organic acids test can assist this understanding.

Question 11

Other therapeutic uses include HIV support

Answer 11

Other therapeutic uses include ‘HIV support’.
* 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.

Question 12

Supplementation: Dosage

Answer 12

• 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.

Question 13

Supplementation: Drug Interactions

Answer 13

• Drug Interactions: Anti-seizure medications e.g. phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, primidone and valproic acid.

Question 14

Supplementation: Toxicity

Answer 14

• Toxicity: No adverse effects reported during short-term dosing up to 50-60g/day.

Question 15

Supplementation: Caution

Answer 15

• 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.