Glutamine: The Versatile, "Essential" Nonessential Amino Acid

Glutamine... my favorite amino acid! I used to be the "Glutamine Girl", educating colleagues and consumers about the benefits of glutamine... what it is, what it can do for you. It is such an important amino acid (i.e. building block for protein), everyone should know a little bit about it! Let me state right away that anyone with decreased liver or kidney function should avoid supplemental glutamine. The reason for this is that the liver and kidneys both work to clear nitrogen from amino acids and just can't handle extra if they are compromised. Also, I would not recommend it in pregnancy unless ordered by a health care practitioner.

Glutamine is considered "conditionally essential" because the body can produce it but cannot produce enough under certain circumstances. Such circumstances include gastrointestinal (GI) damage and disease; infection; burns; inflammation; wound healing and catabolic states. Glutamine has also been shown to increase circulating growth hormone and gained favor in the mid 1990's with body builders.

It is the most abundant amino acid in the body, making up 60% of the body's free amino acid pool. It serves a special purpose as a "nitrogen shuttle", carrying essential nitrogen to visceral organs for protein synthesis. Glutamine is a primary fuel source for GI cells, macrophages and lymphocytes (immune cells) and fibroblasts (wound healing cells). It can serve as an alternative energy source for the brain as well. It is an important contributor to our production of glutathione, the "master antioxidant" made in our bodies.

Glutamine is very important to acid/base balance because of its ability to break down into ammonia. I know you think ammonia is bad but it actually plays an important role in our metabolism! Of course too much is bad and too much will be generated if your liver is unable to pick it up and convert it to urea. The urea then goes to the kidneys for excretion in the urine. Again, adequate liver and kidney function is crucial for processing extra glutamine (or any extra protein for that matter).

Glutamine is used therapeutically for GI disorders, including diarrhea (oops, the "D" word!); wound healing; infection and is found to block cortisol-induced protein catabolism (break down). I would recommend it routinely for trauma patients and patients with prolonged intensive care stays. Again, your body can produce it but cannot produce enough under certain circumstances. If glutamine is needed but not available, the body may break down its own muscle to release glutamine. That's how important it is!

Routine dosing is 0.28 - 0.57 grams per kilogram as long as liver or kidney compromise is not present. I usually take 1 to 2 teaspoons of glutamine powder at a time (this is equal to 5-10 grams of glutamine). Glutamine is only found in significant amounts in dry powdered form as it breaks down quickly in liquid state. The powder form is best and easiest to use. It mixes well in smoothies or powdered vitamin C beverages such as Emergen-C. I prefer" Emergen-C" because it tastes so good!

So, if you think you are a candidate for glutamine supplementation, consult with a qualified clinical nutritionist to determine your dose and tolerance. Good Health!