What is L-Glutamine?
For the past month or so, I’ve incorporated a new supplement into my regime called L-Glutamine (or simply Glutamine). L-Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in your body, and an important one.
Glutamine serves as a source of energy. It breaks down and provides glucose to your body, a process which takes place mostly in your liver. Glutamine provides energy for immune cells, cells in your GI tract, and pancreas. It is needed for normal gut, liver, immune and muscle functioning.
There are only two fuels that your brain can readily use – glucose (from carbohydrates) or Glutamine. Glutamine is brain fuel.
Most importantly, L-Glutamine protects and heals your gut. It helps maintain intestinal permeability and mucosal cell regeneration and structure. The gut is the central location for your body’s immune system, so healing your gut is essential for healing endometriosis, or any auto immune condition.
Supplementing L-Glutamine can help relieve diarrhea, bloating and other intestinal problems and can help conditions like IBS, Crohn’s and leaky gut.
L-Glutamine also increases growth hormones (which help repair and heal the body), increases energy and stamina, and improves sleep. It normalizes blood pressure, improves immune function and helps maintain a proper PH balance in the body. Sold yet? 🙂
L-Glutamine also helps with depression and other “mood disorders”. It helps improve memory, concentration and mental fatigue. It is said to help with chronic fatigue, hypoglycemia, alcohol cravings and stress tolerance.
Do We Have Enough L-Glutamine to Heal?
When your body is under stress, infection or acute illness (hello endo) — then your cells in your body consume a lot of Glutamine, which can lead to a systemic deficiency of this important amino acid.
Your body uses Glutamine to fuel your brain and other body system’s first. If any is left over, it will then use it to build muscle and maintain a strong immune system. If none is left over then your immune system is left unattended to.
Your liver is responsible for synthesizing extra Glutamine when needed and breaks down glutamine when there is excess. Your liver are already responsible for so much more in your body, and if your liver is sluggish and worn down, this process is affected.
Do you have enough L-Glutamine in your body?
I’m thinking with the circumstances behind endometriosis, that the answer to this is NO. If your intestines are under stress (as evident with leaky gut and food allergies) then more Glutamine is needed.
By the time endometriosis takes over, I think that your intestines are already compromised. By increasing L-Glutamine in your body, I believe we are taking a big step towards healing.
Food sources of Glutamine include raw spinach, parsley and cabbage. It is also present in most protein products — beans, chicken, beef, and fish. Or you can take it in supplement form, as I’ve been doing 🙂
On the Positive Side?
My healing journey has focused on healing my gut and improving my liver. L-glutamine does both 🙂
A big bonus I’ve noticed from taking L-Glutamine is that it helps curb sugar cravings. I think a lot of times I crave sugar when I am really craving energy. L-Glutamine is an energy source for our cells and it helps heal the gut so sugar cravings are less likely.
Also, my skin has been far improved since taking L-Glutamine. I’ve had no breakouts on my face and the eczema on my hands has stayed away.
I did notice that my charts indicating my daily basal body temps (BBT) were pretty normal during my past menstrual cycle and have looked better this month as well, which tells me that things are looking more balanced.
Is L-Glutamine the cause of all this?
This is one of the changes I’ve implemented during this time, so perhaps so. I am feeling positively about all of the benefits thus far.
Have you tried L-Glutamine? Noticed any difference?
I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.
Until next time…
Hi Aubree – I realize it’s been a fair amount of time since you posted this, but I was hoping to hear if l-glutamine was a major factor in healing your gut and skin? I am currently struggling with digestive issues, acne, and irregular menstrual periods and would love to hear if this was a big help to you! And if so – ho long it took to see results and if you had to continue taking the supplement? Thank you so much!
Hi Andrea – I was taking this and stopped. Thanks for the reminder 🙂
I think it did help with the cracking that I get on my hands. I don’t remember how long I took it? It’s worth a shot to see if it helps you.
Hi Aubree, reading your blog about L glutamine makes me feel like i still have hope. Currently i’m having bad eczema on both hands n fingers. I also within the phase of Topical steroid withdrawal. So I just started to take L glutamine few days back. Do you have any suggestions on how much the dosage and frequency that i should follow? Really appreciate it..
Hi Sue. I hope it helps you. I remember the pain of those cracks on my fingers! I’d follow the dosing instructions on the bottle. Sending Love.
Hi Aubree,
I’ve only just seen this, I’ve just ordered l glutimine and after reading this I too think there is hope for me as Sue mentioned.
I’ve had an eczema breakout, my doctor gave me medication for Candida, I’m presuming this is happening due to leaky gut. Further to what Sue asked, I’ve read a lot on dosages, my answer would be 10g building upto 40g, within 4 days, providing high doses doesn’t cause you any problems, then maintaining 40g for 5 days, then 10g onwards from there. I hope this helps anyone in the same boat as us. Best wishes
Hi I just saw this post about l-glutamine. I have just started taking l-glutamane and was wondering do you take it for the rest of your life or is there a point when you no longer take this supplement.
Is there any reason you stopped the medication?