L-Glutamine: one of my favourite amino acid, and here's why!
Now this diagram looks beyond boring, I get it. But there are so many reason why I love L-Glutamine and use it so often with my clients. I truely wish that there was a more asthetically pleasing visual to share, but unfortunately this is it.
So what is it?
L-Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid (the building blocks of protein). Meaning that in a perfect world we should be able to get enough through our diets, but when life gets in the way our bodies need a little bit more than what our foods can provide. L-Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in our bodies and is stored in skeletal muscle. When the body is placed under metabolic stress L-Glutamine is then released to be used by the body.
While we can get it from foods, sometimes the bodies needs are increased so much, that we need to supplement with L-Glutamine.
What can it be used for?
Digestive conditions
L-Glutamine and the digestive system go hand in hand. L-Glutamine provides the cells of the digestive system with fuel, allowing them to function optimally, as well as repair and restore. For this reason L-Glutamine is fantastic for healing the gut, especially for condition such as leaky gut.
L-Glutamine is fantastic for assisting with the healing of digestive tracts in conditions such as coeliac disease, Crohns disease and IBS.
Mental Health
L-Glutamine is the precursor to our neurotransmitter GABA. When GABA levels are low then we experience symptoms such as poor sleep maintenance, anxiety and panic attacks. By providing the precursors to GABA through supplementation with L-Glutamine then we are less likely to experience these symptoms, especially if nutritional status is optimal.
Antioxidant
L-Glutamine is also the precursor to glutathione, one of the bodies most powerful antioxidants. Animal studies have shown us that it can protect the body from fatty acid oxidation, resulting in reduced body weight and greater control over blood sugar levels.
Immune support
L-Glutamine works on the immune system from a few different levels. First of all, it helps to support SIgA in our digestive tracts, SIgA is our digestive immune defence. Glutamine helps to nourish the immune cells that are in our digestive tract as well, allowing them to function as optimally as possible. Overall, our immune cells such as lymphocytes use glutamine as their preferred fuel source, allowing increased functioning.
Common conditions in which to use L-Glutamine:
Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, roasea and acne
Allergies such as hayfever and sinusitis
IBS and other digestive symptoms
Thyroid conditions such as hashimotos and Graves disease
Hormonal imbalance such as PCOS
Anxiety and associated nervous system condtions
What foods can I get L-Glutamine from?
Plant and animal proteins, cabbage juice, yogurt, eggs, soybeans and fermented foods such as miso.
So in summary, L-Glutamine is fantastic for gut healing and immune system support, especially if you feel that your gut may be contributing to a poor immune system. If you don't think you eat enough protein then consider making it a priority, in order to restore your L-Glutamine levels.
Think you need L-Glutamine? Dosage is very important to receive therapeutic benefit so it is recommended that you use L-Glutamine under the guidance of a practitioner. If you have any questions please get in touch with me.
