posted February 24, 2016 08:06 AM            

L-Glutamine is the most abundant free amino acid in the body and is involved in more metabolic processes than any other amino acid. Cellular concentrations are roughly four times higher than they are in the plasma. Most tissues are capable of producing glutamine of their own accord. Nonetheless, only the skeletal muscles, lungs, brain and adipose tissue are capable of producing large quantities of glutamine that can subsequently enter the bloodstream. Due to their considerable mass, the skeletal muscles easily account for the majority of glutamine supply.
Around 50% of glutamine in circulation is used as an energy substrate and is oxidized, 10-20% is used for gluconeogenesis, and the rest is used (or reused) for the purposes of protein synthesis. Due to the fact that virtually all cells in the body (especially muscle cells) are capable of producing glutamine, glutamine has long been considered to be irrelevant when it comes to supplements. It is partly because of this that it has not been the subject of much research.

However, it turns out that L-glutamine can be semi-essential, because the body's own production of it can be deficient under certain circumstances. Deficiencies can easily arise during stress, fasting, strenuous exertion (e.g. during sport), cirrhosis of the liver and serious diseases, including severe infections. Glutamine-enriched parenteral nutrition has now proven its value in intensive care units. Research indicates that administering L-glutamine supplements can be regarded as a life-saving intervention in many a serious disease process.

ACTION
Function
L-glutamine is implicated in a very high number of metabolic processes, including acid-base homeostasis; protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism; regulation of cell volume; glutathione production; and regulation of the equilibrium between catabolism and anabolism. It is an important substrate for rapidly dividing cells, such as those of the intestinal mucosa and the immune system. For that reason it could also be an important nutrient in wound healing and formation of muscle tissue.

Virtually all amino acids have one amino group. By contrast, glutamine contains two. Partly as a result of this glutamine occupies a central place in the metabolism of amino acids. By means of glutamic acid, all other amino acids can be produced. In addition, glutamic acid (glutamate) and glutamine can easily be converted to one another.
Furthermore, purines, pyrimidines (nucleic acids, the building blocks of DNA), amino-glucose compounds, hormones and coenzymes can also be synthesized from glutamine.

The most important functions of glutamine are explained point by point below:

Energy provision: in the liver, the carbon skeleton of glutamine is an important building block for glucose molecules. And by means of conversion to alpha-ketoglutaric acid, glutamine can be burned in the citric acid cycle. Glutamine is the most important source of energy for the small intestine. It is also an important source of energy for immune cells.

Immune cells (particularly lymphocytes and macrophages) use significant quantities of glutamine, even at times when there is no major demand on the immune system. Nonetheless, consumption of glutamine increases dramatically during an immune response, when immune cells have to multiply rapidly and all manner of antibodies need to be produced. Where immune stress is short-lived, the body's own production of glutamine, partly from branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in muscle tissue, is usually sufficient to fulfil the need. Where the stress situation persists, endogenous production proves insufficient, resulting in the breakdown of muscle tissue and weak immunity. L-glutamine is particularly essential for the Common Mucosal Immune System (CMIS), the immune function in the body's mucous membranes, as found in the trachea, the sexual organs and the gastrointestinal tract. In the mucosa of these tissues, glutamine aids production of secretory IgA (s-IgA). This type of antibody is specific to the immune system in the body's mucous membranes. A glutamine shortage could therefore result in reduced immunity to pathogens in the intestines and trachea. Researchers have associated diminished s-IgA levels in saliva with an increased incidence of Candida and other infections.

Glutamine supplements are more potent than glucose or other amino acids in terms of stimulating secretion of the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This inhibits glucagon and increases the glucose sensitivity of the beta cells in the pancreas, stimulating secretion of insulin and resulting in a fall in the blood sugar level. GLP-1 also inhibits beta cell apoptosis and encourages the proliferation and differentiation of these insulin-producing cells. GLP-1 also suppresses the appetite. Glutamine is an interesting substance for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, and is now being used in clinical studies.

Acid-base homeostasis: in the event of acidosis, the kidneys' consumption of glutamine increases dramatically. The surplus hydrogen atoms are bound to the NH3 group (ammonia) of glutamine and are excreted as ammonium ions (NH4+). The burning of glutamine also produces bicarbonate ions (HCO3-), which helps to neutralize an excessively low pH.

Building block for proteins: as an amino acid, glutamine can naturally be incorporated into a variety of proteins.

Neurotransmitter synthesis: glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in cerebrospinal fluid, which indicates that it plays an important role in brain metabolism. Glutamic acid (glutamate), which is related to glutamine, is itself an important excitatory neurotransmitter. It is also possible for this glutamic acid to be converted (with the aid of vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and manganese) to GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. To illustrate, tranquillizers such as valium unleash their calming effect by way of the GABA receptors in the brain. The ratio between GABA and glutamate (GABA/glutamate index) is a measure of the equilibrium between excitation and inhibition of the nervous system.

Glutathione production: glutamine can also be used to make glutathione (an important detoxifier and antioxidant). Glutathione is a tripeptide comprising glycine, glutamine and cysteine. Normally the amino acid cysteine is the limiting factor in glutathione synthesis. In cases of glutamine deficiency - e.g. due to stress, fasting, strenuous exertion (e.g. during sport) and serious illnesses - glutamine can become the limiting factor. In such cases, taking supplements for both cysteine (best source: N-acetylcysteine) and L-glutamine can provide marked stimulation of glutathione synthesis.

Production of purines and pyrimidines: these are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. This role of glutamine is extremely important for rapidly dividing cells, such as those of the immune system and the intestinal epithelium.

Nitrogen transport and ammonia removal: around one third of all nitrogen (N) stemming from the breakdown of proteins is transported between the organs in the form of glutamine. When the body is using glutamine, nitrogen is released in the form of ammonia. This then enters the bloodstream. Subsequently in the liver the remaining ammonia (NH3) is removed from the body by means of the urea cycle so as to remedy the nitrogen surplus. This ammonia can also be used to convert glutamic acid back to glutamine. Where the liver is not functioning properly, the muscle tissue helps out with the detoxification of ammonia. If this also proves insufficient, then toxic concentrations of ammonia can occur in the body.

Sport
Due to its sizeable mass, muscle tissue is the most significant producer of glutamine in the body. L-glutamine is also the driving force behind the process of muscle tissue formation. Glutamine is the most abundant, most used amino acid in muscle tissue. If sufficient glutamine is not present, then protein synthesis stagnates. If strenuous exertion is subsequently undertaken, then this will give rise to a paradoxical situation in which glutamine levels will fall dramatically right at the time when the body needs glutamine most.
A period of a few hours is required following strenuous exertion (e.g. during sport) in order to restore levels of glutamine. Under healthy training conditions, a gentle day of training will improve recovery from a hard day of training, because some use of the muscles (as opposed to complete physical inactivity) boosts glutamine synthesis. Reduced availability of glutamine subsequent to training may already be a sign of overtraining. If adequate recovery is not possible, as is the case during periods of heavy training or competition, a cumulative effect can arise. Practitioners of sport who overtrain can have low levels of glutamine in the plasma for months, even years. A glutamine deficiency reduces the quality and function of the intestinal epithelium, increases the risk of infection and allergies, and slows down wound healing. Endurance athletes (e.g. marathon runners) are particularly at risk. In their case, glutamine supplements support the intestinal epithelium and boost the immune system, thereby reducing the chances of infection and allowing the body to use its energy for the benefit of their performance.

Medical relevance
Although healthy people are themselves quite capable of producing sufficient glutamine, in many cases glutamine nevertheless turns out to be an essential nutrient. During stress (e.g. due to infection or injury), the need for L-glutamine is exceedingly high (3-4 times the normal need).
The muscles respond to this need by releasing their stored L-glutamine for use elsewhere in the body. Where the stress is short-lived, glutamine levels in the muscles are quickly restored. In cases of protracted metabolic stress (e.g. chronic infection) the need for L-glutamine is very high. This may lead to the availability of L-glutamine being inadequate, resulting in such things as muscle damage and diminished immunity. In addition, there is a drastic fall in glutamine absorption in the small intestine in cases of stress and malnourishment. If this leads to dysbiosis in or adverse effects on the gut flora, then the glutamine deficiency can become serious. In the event of hospitalization or operations, for instance, it could result in an increased risk of serious complications.

Glutamine can be used for the following indications (for example):

Glutamine is extremely important for proper wound healing. Patients with serious injuries (such as burns or following operations) have a markedly increased need for glutamine, because the healing process entails increased cell division and synthesis of DNA and proteins. Fibroblasts, macrophages and lymphocytes have a high need for glutamine.

In patients with immunodeficiencies, glutamine is required for optimum immune cell function (monocytes, lymphocytes and neutrophils). Furthermore, glutamine improves the barrier function of the intestines, reducing the risk of secondary infections from the gut. In the case of patients in intensive care units, the addition of glutamine to parenteral nutrition virtually always turns out to have a beneficial effect on a variety of clinical parameters. Glutamine supplements prove to be a beneficial intervention to prevent or treat sepsis and multiple organ failure. Glutamine decreases the duration of hospitalization and lowers the chances of death due to postoperative infectious complications. In neonatology, glutamine-enriched parenteral nutrition administered to babies with a very low birth rate proves to radically reduce the chances of gastrointestinal infections and atopic dermatitis. Research covering the first six years of life suggests a lasting benefit, which in turn goes to show just how important a good start in life is.

Increased intestinal permeability and inflammatory intestinal diseases. The gut needs to be able to absorb nutrients yet also defend against a great many harmful substances and microbes. Glutamine plays an important role in this regard as it reinforces the intestinal lining. Glutamine is important for continuous regeneration of the rapidly dividing cells of the intestinal epithelium, particularly in the small intestine. These cells are completely regenerated every 3-4 days. The importance of glutamine for the intestinal epithelium is appositely illustrated by the fact that not less than forty percent of overall glutamine consumption occurs in the gut.

In cases of glutamine deficiency, the intestinal epithelial cells can atrophy, which results not only in decreased absorption of nutrients but also in the possibility of increased permeability of the intestinal epithelium. The intestinal epithelial cells use glutamine as a source of energy for a very specific reason. After all, the breakdown of glutamine as a source of energy releases nitrogen and carbon. Nitrogen and carbon are used in cell division to form exact copies of the DNA. It is precisely the rapidly dividing cells that are susceptible to incorrect copying of DNA. As such, it should be evident that intake of extra glutamine has an important preventive function in the development of diseases such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. Fairly recent research on laboratory animals with colitis shows that glutamine supplements completely avert the formation of scar tissue. Scar tissue is an irreversible effect of the intestinal inflammation and can result in stenosis (narrowing) of, and loss of function in, the intestinal tract.
In patients receiving enteral or parenteral nutrition, glutamine speeds up the healing process, which is almost certainly attributable to its nourishing effect on the intestinal mucosa, its reduction of the permeability of the intestinal epithelium and/or its countering s-IgA depletion.

Safety
In general it holds that use of L-glutamine is safe. One-off doses ranging from 20 to 30 grams have been tolerated without side effects by healthy adults, and research shows that athletes who took a daily dose of 28 grams of glutamine over a period of 14 days experienced no negative effects whatsoever. Daily doses of up to 0.65 g/kg of body weight have been well tolerated by patients and did not result in abnormal ammonia levels. In view of the effect of glutamine supplements on insulin secretion, caution is advised in the case of people using diabetes medication.

Experience has shown that some people are apparently oversensitive to monosodium glutamate (MSG, E621), the sodium salt of glutamic acid that is used as a flavour enhancer in many ready-made soups and sauces and ready meals. Scientific research has not provided any clarity on this presumed sensitivity. MSG is used unsparingly in some restaurants under the name Ve-tsin. Consequently, those who are oversensitive to this flavour enhancer are prone to developing so-called ‘Chinese restaurant syndrome’, also known as ‘monosodium glutamate symptom complex’. Headache, nausea, dizziness, palpitations, cold sweat, stomach pain, erythema and other symptoms may occur. It is possible that people with MSG sensitivity could respond to L-glutamine supplements as well.
INDICATIONS
chronic infections
intensive practice of sport
glutathione synthesis
immunodeficiency (amongst others, AIDS)
withdrawal symptoms of alcoholism and addictions in general
gastritis
ulcers in the stomach and duodenum (including ulcerative colitis)
motor and sensory overstimulation
complementary therapy during chemotherapy and radiotherapy
leaky gut syndrome
metabolic reprogramming
CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Contraindications: none known at the indicated dose of L-glutamine.
SIDE EFFECTS
As far as is known, L-glutamine causes no adverse effects at the indicated dose.
INTERACTIONS
Interactions with mainstream or natural remedies are possible. Consult an expert about this.
DOSAGE
A commonly used daily dose of L-glutamine is 5-10 grams. Intake of the amount should preferably be divided into several small portions spread throughout the day.

In order to combat competition with other amino acids, it would be advisable to take glutamine at least half an hour before a meal. The dosage can be adjusted according to one's needs or the clinical picture. For example, it is estimated that an AIDS patient will already require 10 grams of glutamine per day from as early as the initial stages of the disease. In cases of severe immunodeficiency or in patients undergoing a bone marrow transplant, doses of up to 40 grams per day are occasionally used. Glutamine is heat-sensitive; for that reason it should not be mixed with hot drinks.

Source: http://www.naturafoundation.co.uk/monografie/L-Glutamine.html

posted February 26, 2016 11:33 AM            

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Originally posted by Valentine:
Thanks for this information. It's possible to get this in our diets isn't it? rather than having to take supplements?

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Yes we can get it from diet its found naturally in high protein foods like meat poultry, fish, seafood and vegetable sources like beans.

It is "conditionally essential" or "semi-essential" amino acid, that's mean the body's own production of it can be deficient under certain circumstances like the ones found under the INDICATIONS title here.

posted March 04, 2016 03:17 PM            

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Originally posted by Randall:
I need it for stress.

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Glutamine is a precursor to GABA which is very important to manage stress and anxiety.

quote:

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Nicknamed
“The Anti-Anxiety Amino Acid,” this is an
inhibitory neurotransmitter that the brain uses to
stop the endless cycle of stress, which is so
common in today's world. While there is no such
thing as a tranquilizer deficiency, most people
who have abused refined carbohydrates
(especially alcohol and sugar) as well as those
who have been chronically emotionally or
mentally fatigued are greatly lacking in this
nutrient. GABA can be of great help in those who
can't get to sleep because of an overly stimulated
mind. Many allopathic anti-depressants have the
effect on the human body of substituting
depression for irritability, which is why some
people are given prescriptions for tranquilizers
along with anti-depressants. This nutrient may
greatly help. Remember that GABA requires B Complex Vitamins for its proper assimilation. http://www.blueirissanctuary.com/id614.htm

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posted March 04, 2016 03:20 PM            

Glutamine, the most abundant protein constituent in the body, may also be the most important. The secret to its significance is that it provides nitrogen more readily than any other amino acid. From treating intestinal maladies to calming addictive urges, few other substances offer as much to nutritional medicine.

To recover successfully from any of a variety of illnesses and injuries, the body needs certain proteins. No matter which are needed, all can be made with the help of L-glutamine. It possesses an extra nitrogen atom, which it readily offers for the synthesis of other amino acids. In this way it works as a kind of molecular Robin Hood that directs the distribution of our amino acid riches. In this "nitrogen shuttle," as it's called, glutamine
takes proteins from where it can be spared and delivers them to where they are most needed. In addition, it
helps the body create other important nutrients, such as glutathione, glucosamine, and vitamin B3.
Intestinalfortitude : Glutamine maintains the structural integrity of the intestines to such an extent that it has
been dubbed "intestinal permeability factor." No other nutrient is as important for gastrointestinal health.

Patient with a severe intestinal or inflammatory bowel condition gets a healthy daily dose of glutamine. Even though its primary benefit is directed to the small intestine, it rapidly facilitates healing and restores the health of mucous membranes inside the colon (large intestine). I first learned about its gastrointestinal impact from Judy Shabert, M.D., R.D., and her husband, Douglas Wilmore, M.D., a Harvard researcher investigating the value of the amino acid before and after surgery. The nutrient's usefulness was recognized some forty years ago, when it was used in a dosage of just 1.6 grams per day, to treat peptic ulcers. Much more recently, research proved that supplementation lessens stomach inflammation caused by chemotherapy and can be useful in treating diarrhea.

Surgical Recovery. Following an operation or any other physically stressful event, the body can't synthesize enough glutamine to heal wounds, preserve lean tissue, and nourish the immune system, among other needs. After draining its reserves, the body must then draw from muscles and the branched-chain amino acids. Providing supplemental glutamine avoids all of these complications, normalizes the amino acid levels, speeds the healing of wounds and burns, and improves overall surgical recovery. People whose intravenous feedings included glutamine also developed fewer complications, were discharged sooner, and paid about $21,000 less in hospital bills.

Immune System Assaults. The immune system's primary source of energy is glutamine. While always high, the need for fuel skyrockets whenever we're subjected to stress, trauma, or injury. Many forms of cancer, for instance, deplete the body of glutamine, one reason that people with the disease lose lean tissue and muscle mass. Polyps in the colon, a major precancerous lesion, have a significantly lower glutamine content than the healthy tissue around them. Supplementation shields the liver from chemotherapy's toxic side effects, animal studies show, and might strengthen the cancer-killing ability of certain chemotherapeutic drugs. Viral infections also deprive the immune system of glutamine. When our reserve is low, a standard measurement of immune activity, the number of T cells declines, while our toxic particle-attacking white blood cells, called macrophages, lose strength. But when L-glutamine is given in dosages of 20-40 grams daily, the immune system responds, as demonstrated by the extra infection safeguard it provided in studies of patients with bone marrow transplants. For all these reasons, glutamine is an essential treatment for AIDS or viral chronic fatigue syndrome.

Liver Diseases. Glutamine can inhibit fatty buildups inside the liver and aid treatment of cirrhosis. However, in the very late stages of liver failure, the advantage is lost, because the organ no longer can handle glutamine effectively.

Addictions. Long before we knew about its involvement in tissue repair, I was using glutamine to help control cravings. I got the idea from Roger Williams, Ph.D., the nutritionist who inspired so many of us to pursue nutritional medicine. He used glutamine to curb the desire to drink alcohol,which it does quite well. A daily dose of 12 grams (about 3 teaspoons) did the job for 75 percent of the people studied in one experiment.

Adapting the treatment to my practice, I decided to try the amino acid with my many patients who crave sweets. It worked, and it will probably work for you, too.

When a sugar urge emerges, take 1-2 grams of L-glutamine, preferably with some heavy cream and just a touch of nonsugar sweetener. The immediate desire to eat something sweet will pass. It was quite gratifying to read not long ago that a research director at the National TypeInstitute of Mental Health also acknowledged glutamine's influence on sugar cravings.
Obesity. It is possible that glutamine may help weight loss through other mechanisms. In addition to preserving lean tissue, which contributes to burning off fat, the amino acid helps cleanse the body and liver of waste products that are created by fat metabolism. It's also a readily available,carbohydrate-free energy source if you drastically cut your calorie consumption.

Mental Instability. Glutamine is the great natural balancer of excitement and lethargy. It's a major source of energy for the brain and an important building block for several neurotransmitters. Though some critics correctly note that the body may convert glutamine into glutamic acid, a so-called excitotoxin that overly stimulates and agitates brain cells, they fail to recognize that glutamine can also be converted to GABA, a natural brain tranquilizer that calms hyperactive cells. Nature wisely allows the body to manufacture either GABA or glutamic acid on an as-needed basis.

Exercise Recovery. The repair and preservation of muscle tissue makes glutamine a popular supplement among weight lifters and other dedicated athletes. Prolonged exercise causes microscopic injuries to the muscles and, for as long as two weeks after a workout, lowers the body's glutamine stores.16 Taking supplements feeds the need for and replenishes the supply of glutamine, but that's not all. The extra nitrogen allows the body to build more lean tissue and helps fill stockpiles of glycogen, the form of carbohydrate stored in muscles and the liver for use during physical activity. With enough glycogen on hand, less muscle tissue is broken down for energy. The amino acid also promotes the release of growth hormone, which can spur muscle growth.

Don't expect to look like Mr. Universe, if that's your goal, simply by using supplements. And if you're taking glutamine for some other medical reason, don't worry about sprouting bulky bulges of muscle. The average person just maintains a healthy pace against the constant turnover of muscle tissue that occurs through normal metabolism. Gains are modest and hard earned,noticeable only with strenuous resistance training. .
supplement suggestions

Powdered L-glutamine is the easiest and most economical way to take the amino acid. A daily teaspoon, about the equivalent of 5 grams, is useful for maximizing gains from a weight-lifting program. Treating disease demands far greater amounts, and the more severe the illness, the higher the dosage you should take.

posted March 07, 2016 06:31 PM            

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Originally posted by Randall:
It probably works best taken with other amino acids.

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You mean Glutamine Peptides [bonded with other aminos]? I've read that the peptides form get absorbed better than the free form.

I have tried ON l-glutamine & Dymatize micronized l-glutamine (both are powder) with great results.

there are more economical bulk powders one can find at amazon.