Amino acids are the building blocks that make up body and dietary proteins. There are 22 different recognised amino acids which are grouped into two categories: essential and non-essential amino acids.
Non-essential amino acids are called so because they do not need to be ingested directly, as they are made by the liver. Conversely, essential amino acids must come from diet or supplements.
Not everyone needs to supplement with L-glutamine as it is considered non-essential. However, it is one of the most popular amino acids sold nowadays as it has many great benefits. It is most frequently supplemented by body builders as it supports muscle tissue maintenance, stress control and immune support.
Glutamine crosses the blood/brain barrier readily and is converted into glutamic acid in the brain. As a key neurotransmitter it helps increase mental function, alertness, and is mildly anti-depressant.
Perhaps the most immediately effect of supplementing with L-glutamine is its use as an intestinal healing agent. The gastrointestinal tract is by far the greatest user of glutamine in the body, as cells in the intestinal epithelium use glutamine as their principal metabolic fuel. Glutamine is, therefore, necessary to promote cellular repair and regeneration in the gut.
Studies show that glutamine helps improve gut barrier function, as well as immune activity in the gut, thereby preventing the passage of unwanted foreign substances through the gut wall. Cabbage juice is considered helpful for patients with gastric ulcers and gastritis as it has a high glutamine content.
Glutamine has been shown to speed the rate of healing on digestive ulcers, and has been shown in studies to completely heal ulcers within four weeks. Food sources of glutamine include cabbage, cottage cheese, spirulina, cheddar cheese, soya protein and turkey.
Glutamine is available in capsules and powder and should be taken on an empty stomach 30 to 45 minutes before meals. Nature’s Plus GI Total Digestive Wellness powder contains 4000mg glutamine per serving, a two billion serving of probiotics, 7,000 units of live enzymes, and also wholefoods, calcium, selenium, zinc, turmeric and ginger.
For further information contact Susan in Au Naturel, Irishtown, Athlone on (090 ) 6487993.
