L-Glutamine

WHY L-GLUTAMINE IS SO IMPORTANT:

• Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body.
• Glutamine controls the supply of nitrogen in the body. Nitrogen is necessary for balance in the body, but too much nitrogen is exceedingly toxic.
• Glutamine also buffers poisonous wastes, such as ammonia and helps remove them from the body.
• Construction of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is dependent upon adequate amounts of glutamine.
• During stress associated with illness, the body breaks down its own muscle to produce large quantities of glutamine - hence serious illness is associated with loss of muscle mass due to glutamine deprivation.
• One-third of the amino acids released at times of stress are in the form of glutamine.
• Without glutathione (major antioxidant), the body will die in only three days. For the body to make glutathione, it needs glutamine.
• Glutamine is destroyed by cooking and acids. People who cook too much of their food may easily be glutamine deficient.

Hospital Use

• Using glutamine before and/or after major surgery, burns, illnesses, severe injury, and chemotherapy eliminates muscle breakdown.
• Patients receiving glutamine had a significantly decreased incidence of infection and were released from the hospital earlier than patients who received no glutamine supplements.
• Hospital bills of patients who received glutamine were reduced by an average of $21,000.
• Glutamine is the most important amino acid for the healing of wounds.
• Glutamine has been shown to enhance the ability of medications to kill cancerous growths.
• Glutamine protects the liver during toxic chemotherapy, during acetaminophen toxicity, and following a severe inflammatory injury to the liver.

Digestive Aid

• In Japan and Asia, glutamine is used as an effective anti-ulcer drug for the stomach.
• Intestinal mucosa is completely dependent upon glutamine.
• Digestion and normal metabolic function of the intestines are dependent upon adequate amounts of glutamine.
• Leaky bowel syndrome and damaged mucosa are usually associated with glutamine deficiency.
• Through the action of glutamine on the kidneys, the body controls pH balance and eliminates acids.
• Glutamine is important in preventing the loss of electrolytes.
• Glutamine is easily destroyed by high temperatures. Cooked food has no usable glutamine in it.

Immune Function

• The immune system is completely dependent upon glutamine.
• Many studies have proven that glutamine supplements can greatly improve immune activity.
• The IgA is an important antigen that is produced by B cells in the intestinal epithelium. This immune activity is capable of eliminating every known pathogen, but it is completely dependent upon glutamine.
• Glutamine is known to enhance the replication of cancer cells, yet at the same time strengthens the immune system and metabolic functions that help fight cancer.

Animals and Glutamine

• When animals are stressed, there is a threefold increase in the release of glutamine from muscles.
• Cows taking glutamine have doubled their milk production.
• Glutamine helped laboratory animals reduce their pain levels.

Brain & Nervous System Uses

• Glutamine is the most important amino acid for the brain, for glutamine is the precursor of two important neurotransmitters.
• Glutamine has helped to increase the IQ of mentally-impaired children.
• Large amounts of glutamine are stored in the nervous system.

Vitality

• Patients who received glutamine were statistically more “vigorous” than those who did not.
• Glutamine helps stop alcohol and sugar cravings.

How to Use Glutamine

• Glutamine should be kept refrigerated.
• Acids also destroy glutamine. Glutamine should be taken after meals when HCL is most diluted or between meals.
• Vitamin C is needed to activate glutamine, but should be taken separately.
• One teaspoon of glutamine powder equals 4,000 milligrams (mg.), which is 4 grams.
• People with kidney disease or severe liver failure should not take glutamine. Glutamate (Glu) and glutamic acid are not glutamine. Only glutamine is glutamine. ­

The above information came from “The Ultimate Nutrient Glutamine, The Essential Nonessential Amino Acid” By Judy Shabert, MD, RD and Nancy Ehrlich.