A natural product providing the amino acid L-glutamine, whose benefits affect the muscular system, gastrointestinal tract, metabolism, brain function and immunity. L-glutamine is among the most popular natural means for maintaining muscle tissue and building muscle mass, but it also plays a vital role in intestinal health – it is the main amino acid that stabilizes the intestinal barrier, strengthens the intestinal mucosa and reduces intestinal inflammation.
What is L-glutamine?
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids found in protein foods. It is also the most abundant amino acid in the blood, muscles, gastrointestinal tract, liver, brain, and most tissues. L-glutamine is a building block of proteins, glutathione, and some neurotransmitters.
Although traditionally considered non-essential, in some cases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, physical trauma, etc., tissue healing is significantly accelerated when L-glutamine is taken with food or dietary supplements. For this reason, a more correct definition is “conditionally essential” – i.e., an amino acid that the body synthesizes in certain quantities, but under certain circumstances its needs for it increase.
MAIN EFFECTS OF L-GLUTAMINE
L-glutamine is beneficial for overall health as it supports intestinal function and digestive processes. Supplementation of this amino acid is recommended for the following conditions:
→ irritable bowel syndrome (IBS);
→ inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease;
→ ulcerative colitis;
→ diverticulosis;
→ diverticulitis;
→ leaky gut or some of the problems associated with this condition (joint pain, rosacea, or another type of autoimmune response).
Biochemist Hans Adolf Krebs and discoverer of the Krebs cycle was the first person to recommend L-glutamine for problems affecting the gut. Additional research supports this finding.
For example, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Immunology found that L-glutamine normalized the effects of the TH2 immune response, which stimulates inflammatory cytokines. The results suggest that L-glutamine reduces intestinal inflammation and alleviates symptoms of food sensitivities.
L-glutamine is also known to play an important role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiota and immunity by suppressing bacterial overgrowth of pathogens. Thanks to this effect, the amino acid may limit the risk of widespread problems ranging from constipation to weight gain.
A 2018 scientific article published in Nutrients also claims that L-glutamine provides exceptional benefits for people with suppressed immunity.
Leaky gut syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers
Leaky gut syndrome is a cause of a number of autoimmune diseases. Increased intestinal permeability can lead to thyroid problems such as Hashimoto's disease, as well as arthritis, psoriasis, and more.
The fact that the intestines use about 30% of the total glutamine in the body indicates that the amino acid is a key nutrient for maintaining intestinal health.
Glutamine is the main source of fuel for cells in the small intestine and a major substrate utilized by cells lining the gut. According to studies published in the medical journals Lancet and British Journal of Surgery, L-glutamine supplementation leads to a reduction in intestinal permeability and relief of symptoms in ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Because it balances mucus production, glutamine can also reduce specific symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome – digestive disorders, constipation or diarrhea, stomach bloating and gas, stomach pain, etc.
Glutamine is also a promising natural remedy for protecting against ulcer complications and reducing the damage caused by the pathogenic bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which weakens the protective mucous lining of the stomach, damages cells and triggers an unhealthy immune response. The amino acid L-glutamine protects stomach cells from ammonia produced by H. Pylori by stimulating its detoxification in the stomach and liver.
Supports brain health
L-glutamine is a precursor to the neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain and plays a crucial role in maintaining brain function. Disruption of the glutamine-glutamate cycle can lead to a variety of brain-related problems, including:
→ epilepsy;
→ bipolar disorder;
→ schizophrenia;
→ anxiety;
→ depression;
→ alcohol addiction.
According to a study conducted at the New York University School of Medicine, even mild brain injuries cause brain atrophy, with this damage largely due to disrupted glutamine-glutamate cycling and abnormally elevated glutamate levels.
Beneficial for muscular system, metabolic and heart health
During intense training, the body is exposed to stress, and muscles and tendons need more glutamine than a normal diet provides. The reason is that after intense physical exertion, glutamine levels in cells can drop by 50% and plasma levels by 30%.
Supplementation with L-glutamine stimulates muscle growth, reduces muscle loss, improves physical endurance and speeds up recovery after workouts.
L-glutamine improves the functioning of T-helper cells, which reduce the stress associated with overtraining syndrome.
Glutamine stabilizes blood sugar levels and can help burn fat and build lean muscle mass.
L-glutamine is also beneficial for cardiovascular health. It plays a role as a substrate for the synthesis of DNA, ATP, proteins and lipids, and exhibits powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Its intake supports the prevention and treatment of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and diabetes.
Supplementing with L-glutamine is an excellent solution for boosting the immune system and improving the body's ability to fight infections and other illnesses. This amino acid has been shown to be extremely beneficial for critically ill patients – according to a publication in the medical journal Critical Care, L-glutamine supplementation is associated with significantly shorter hospital stays and reduced in-hospital mortality.
Some of the causes of L-glutamine deficiency are:
→ adhering to a low-protein diet;
→ high levels of emotional and mental stress;
→ intensive training and/or heavy physical labor;
→ presence of infectious diseases;
→ immune disorders;
→ radiotherapy and chemotherapy;
→ gastrointestinal problems.
Method of administration:
1 capsule 1-2 times daily.
