L-Glutamine

The Importance and Benefits of L-Glutamine in the Healing process

When a major discovery was made more than 200 years ago, lemons and limes were given to sailors to eat on long voyages to prevent them getting scurvy.  

Now in the 21st century scientists have discovered the value of the amino acid glutamine.  It is believed to be as vital to people recovering from illness as lemons and limes were to sailors trying to avoid scurvy.  

Healthy people need specific nutrients from their food to remain healthy. People who are ill or stressed have different nutrient requirements.  Therefore taking recommended daily allowances (RDA’s) of vitamins and minerals for these people is not enough to enable the body to repair itself.  

L-Glutamine :
Ø    is the major energy source of the intestines and therefore plays a crucial role in intestinal function; particularly in controlling fluid loss which can lead to constipation.  It is also believed to be the second most important fuel for the cells lining the colon.  
    
Ø  helps the body to make more muscle.  Muscle discharges glutamine into the blood stream at times of stress to help maintain normal blood glutamine levels but then muscle glutamine levels become depleted. Inadequate supplies of glutamine are responsible for muscle wastage and weakness that accompanies fever and other stressful illnesses.  The mucosal lining of the entire digestive system from mouth to anus is aided by a muscle action – peristalsis.  If this muscle atrophy’s, because of dehydration, lack of glutamine, the function of the entire digestive system will be compromised.  
    
Ø  also has a function in clearing waste through the body and in particular, the kidneys and liver
    
Ø  deficiency can result in the whole body becoming malnourished and toxic because the main purpose of the digestive system is to process (absorb) nutrients from food and eliminate waste
    
Ø  is the most important function in relation to the immune system.  Glutamine is involved in the multiplication of white cells which strengthen the defence system and in killing bacteria and healing wounds
    
Ø  also supports pancreatic growth
    
Ø  is thought it may help prevent the replication of the virus that causes AIDS

When we eat, we absorb nutrients from food which ensure good health and maintains all functions throughout the body.  Foods are made up protein, carbohydrate and fat.  

Proteins
Proteins are made up of amino acids whose function is the building blocks of muscle and other structural components.  Additionally, amino acids make up all the body’s enzymes and hormones. Proteins also provide energy and repair damaged tissue.  

When we eat protein, the body has to break it down into the amino acid components and then reassemble them into new proteins.  There are 22 amino acids used to make up proteins.  From this 20, nine are considered to be essential and eleven are considered non essential.  

Essential means that the body can not create this amino acid.  It can only be produced by food that we eat.  

Non essential means that the body can manufacture it in sufficient quantities for normal functioning.

Glutamine was considered a non essential amino acid for many years but recent research has changed that view.  It is now believed that in normal circumstances the body can synthesise adequate quantities; however, in times of stress such as fever, illness, dieting or after chemotherapy or radiotherapy, the body CAN NOT make as much as it requires to heal and repair.  Therefore, it is recommended that Glutamine is supplemented to prevent a deficiency.

Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates foods include sugars and starches and at their best, are very rich in fibre.  Primarily, carbohydrates generate the energy for muscle and brain power.  The energy carbohydrates provide is used up very rapidly by the body. Excess energy ingested from both protein and carbohydrate is stored in the body as fat so when carbohydrate energy runs out, the body will utilise fat to fuel the body.

So many cells on the body depend on glutamine as a source of energy.  It is the most abundant amino acid in the body and can be found in the brain, skeletal, muscle and blood.  It is thought to play a unique and significant role of shuttling waste from one site to another throughout the body; whilst at the same time drops off nitrogen atoms which make up DNA.  DNA builds muscle and is the genetic building material of life.  Active cell growth doesn’t happen without glutamine.

During illness, the body requires large quantities of glutamine and will leech it from wherever it can in an attempt to heal the body.  This includes breaking down muscle.  It is then carried through the blood stream to where it is needed most ie, the kidneys, liver, intestines and immune cells – all at the expense of breaking down muscle.  This is the reason that when people are ill they become weakened and lose muscle mass.

In scientific studies at Harvard University in the 80’s, it was discovered that patients who undergo major surgery or suffer severe injury or burns display a rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle and release of amino acids. The studies revealed that glutamine was a major component.  When glutamine was added to the intravenous solutions whilst undergoing surgery, the muscle breakdown rates were greatly diminished.  

Chemotherapy, Radiation and Glutamine
When people are unable to eat normally, this can cause the mucosal lining of the digestive system to atrophy.  In studies were glutamine was added to solutions the mucosal linings of animals showed that the degree of atrophy was reduced by half.    Another study involved chemotherapy.  

Chemotherapy attacks and destroys not only cancerous cells but also cells of the intestinal tract.  The cells of the intestinal tract are the fastest growing cells in the body.  This accounts for the nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea suffered by many people when being treated for cancer.  Studies again involved animals.  At autopsies, the animals who had received glutamine had a significantly healthier intestinal lining which was evidenced by taller villi.  The glutamine also protected the animals from the toxic side effects of their medication.  Chemotherapy is very toxic to the intestinal tract, as is radiation. 

Studies have not been done on humans in relation to chemotherapy and the intestinal tract but there are studies which have used glutamine on patients with bone marrow cancer patients (who are highly susceptible to infection and have to remain in intensive care for long periods).  The results of the studies showed very positive outcomes in that those given glutamine experienced significantly reduced incidences of infection and were able to leave intensive care sooner than anticipated.

When glutamine levels are low people are at a far greater risk from  conditions as sepsis, hyper metabolism, MRSA, ulcers and intestinal diseases.  Glutamine can enhance water absorption during diarrhoea, heal mucosal lining and reduce infection, especially those at risk of immunological stress.

It would be great if we could go to the GP and ask for glutamine levels to be checked.  Unfortunately, that’s not possible.  Meantime, those who are unwell or recovering from major illness might want to consider the benefits of supplementing their diet with the amino acid L-Glutamine.

It is advisable to first seek the advice of a medical professional prior to commencing any self help treatment or contemplating using the services of a complementary and alternative health practitioner.

Sunday, 6 April 2008

© 2008 Bromley Health Management