This remarkable amino acid, once regarded as non-essential, is fast becoming recognised as the most important of all amino acids. It is extremely powerful and versatile in its effects. lts major functions, from which many therapeutic effects flow, are as follows:

Brain Fuel

With glucose, it is one of the two main fuels for the brain.

Immune System

It is the primary fuel for all cells of the immune system. In particular, lymphocytes, the cells that activate other immune cells, won't divide without glutamine, and phagocytes, the scavenging cells, won't function without it.

Intestinal Integrity

Glutamine has been found to be the main fuel for the intestines. The cells of the mucosal lining of the small intestine in particular are replaced roughly every 72 hours. Without sufficient glutamine, this process will not be carried out properly and a “leaky gut” will ensue. In addition, we have white blood cells in the mucosal lining whose function is to mop up any foreign materials. Without glutamine, they do not perform properly.

Glutathione Production

Glutamine is the most important nutrient for the production of glutathione peroxidase, probably the most important antioxidant and detoxifying enzyme in the body.

Reduce ammonia buildup

Ammonia is produced as a product of many metabolic processes, especially intense physical or mental activity. If allowed to build up uncontrolled, it can be very toxic. Glutamine helps to clear it from the body (and the brain).

Helps kidney function

Its main effect is to reduce acid buildup.

Increases growth hormone release        

Because of this, it is important for growth and repair of bodily tissues, and also for the activity of the immune system.

So how do all these functions affect the body?

1) After illness

Glutamine has been shown to be the main fuel of the immune system. It is the most widespread amino acid in the body, but is not widely available in the diet. It is mainly obtained from animal sources, but is readily destroyed by heat. Our caveman ancestors (before the discovery of fire), and present day Japanese, with their consumption of raw fish, probably had enough, but we tend to be short of this vital nutrient. If a person has an illness involving the immune system, or the digestive system, or is suffering from exceptional physical or mental stress of some other type, then glutamine is needed in great amounts. Any already present in the tissues and muscles are shifted to where it is needed more urgently, and more is produced from other amino acids in the tissues. This is the reason for the muscle wasting which often takes place during illness or other forms of stress, even when total calorie intake is greater than needed. Obviously, if glutamine is supplemented and is present in the bloodstream, this will be used preferentially, and will prevent the muscle and tissue wasting which would otherwise take place.

Intestinal Condition

Glutamine has been found to have powerful healing effects on both stomach and duodenal ulcers, and is now probably the most popular anti-ulcer treatment in the Far East. (We think that treating H. pylori infection is probably more important.)

Its greatest effects, however, lie a little lower down in the small intestine. Glutamine has been used effectively in the treatment of Crohn's disease, and has been shown to improve gut permeability to a great degree. It has also been shown to be effective in cases of irritable bowel syndrome.

2) Ulcerative Colitis

Its effect on Crohn's disease and colon problems is because of its twofold effect; one in improving mucosal membrane integrity, and two in improving the activity of the immune cells resident in the mucosal barrier.

3) Allergies

The subject of allergies is a big one, and we certainly haven't sufficient space to treat it fully here. We have in other writings outlined the importance of complete digestion, so that there is little possibility of incompletely digested protein particles entering the bloodstream. However, nothing is ever ideal, and the lining of the small and large intestines is designed to stop access to the bloodstream of particles, which have passed through the digestive system without having been completely broken down. If this lining is defective, in other words if we have a leaky gut, then unwanted particles will be allowed into the bloodstream, and allergy and intolerance reactions may result. It has been said that good health is impossible with a leaky gut. Because of its effect on the mucosal membranes and immune cells, glutamine helps prevent allergic reactions.

4) Immune system

 As explained earlier, glutamine is the main fuel for many aspects of the immune system. Animals fed intravenously with feed short of glutamine showed a buildup of bacteria in the lymph nodes. When glutamine was added, the bacterial population was negligible.

5) Physical endurance and muscle strength

Exercise depletes glutamine, and in excess this might become a problem, leading to loss of muscle mass and fatigue. Excess blood and tissue acidity might also result, and also depression of the immune system.

Supplemental glutamine could help these problems.

6) Detoxification

The two main organs of detoxification are the liver and the kidney. The liver is the main one, and the main enzyme active in this organ is glutathione peroxidase. If glutathione peroxidase production is overwhelmed, this can result in liver failure and death. Glutamine is important to glutathione peroxidase production, and can therefore protect the liver against poisons and drug and alcohol abuse. Glutathione is probably the most important detoxifier of oxygen free radicals throughout the body.

The kidneys are the other main organs of detoxification. Glutamine helps here by neutralising acid buildup.

7) Brain

Because glutamine is one of the two main fuels in the brain, and because it detoxifies ammonia, a major brain toxin, it can be helpful in a number of problems affecting the brain.

It can help increase IQ, and can help in cases of depression, cravings, addictions, and against the mental effects of low blood sugar.

Safety

Glutamine has been shown to be safe in doses of up to 40 grams per day. It is likely to cause constipation, but this can be avoided by increasing water and fibre consumption. Aloe vera could help in this respect.

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