Product Information

Glutamine is classified as a conditionally essential amino acid. Under normal conditions, adequate amounts of glutamine can be produced by the body to provide for metabolic processes. Therefore, healthy people do not require glutamine supplementation. However, under extreme physical or metabolic stress the demand for glutamine exceeds the body's ability to synthesize it. During times of stress, such as injury, surgery, infection, non-healing wounds, HIV infection and chronic inflammatory diseases, glutamine reserves are depleted and need to be replenished through supplementation.
      Most glutamine is synthesized and stored in skeletal muscle followed by the lungs. Over 61% of skeletal muscle tissue is glutamine. L-glutamine accounts for 30-35 percent of the amino acid nitrogen in the plasma. Digestion and normal metabolic function of the intestines are dependent upon adequate amounts of glutamine.
      Glutamine deficiency develops during periods of fasting, starvation, strict dieting, and weight loss associated with AIDS, critical illness and cancer. Deficiencies cause loss of gut integrity, impaired immune function, and poor wound healing and slow recovery from illness. Glutamine deficiency can result in diarrhea, villous atrophy, mucosal ulceration, increased intestinal permeability, and intestinal necrosis.
      Food sources of glutamine include fish, meat, poultry, dairy products, beans, raw spinach, raw parsley and cabbage.

Key glutamine functions during metabolic stress related to illness or trauma.

• Antioxidant: One of the three amino acids (glutamine, cysteine and glycine) involved in glutathione synthesis. Glutathione, an important intracellular antioxidant and hepatic detoxifier, acts to reduce cellular damage from oxidative stress.
• Cellular Fuel: Glutamine is converted to glucose when energy needs are increased, resulting in muscle breakdown during periods of stress. Glutamine is the primary source of fuel for the mucosa lining (cells lining the intestine) and the various cells of the immune system, including T cells and macrophages. Without adequate amounts of glutamine, these cells die, resulting in malabsorption diarrhea and decreased immune function.

Indications: Typically used for, but not limited to

• Surgery, Wounds and Critical Illness: Clinical studies have shown that in critical illness glutamine supplementation decreases the incidence of infections, length of stay, nitrogen loss and mortality rates. During periods of metabolic stress (from injuries, infections, burns, pressure ulcers, trauma, or surgery), cortisol levels increase and can deplete glutamine stores. Several studies show that adding glutamine to enteral nutrition (tube feeding) helps reduce the rate of mortality in trauma, critical illness and burns.
• Mucositis: Glutamine may help reduce mucositis (inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus) and diarrhea associated with chemotherapy. Many cancer patients have low levels of glutamine. Glutamine protects the liver during toxic chemotherapy and is used to protect the lining of the small and large intestines from damage caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Glutamine helps to protect the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and individuals with ulcerative colitis may benefit from supplemental glutamine.
• Exercise: Athletes with a strenuous training schedule may be able to reduce the risk of infections by supplementing with glutamine.
• Prevention of Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Precautions: Must only be used under medical supervision. Not intended for use as the sole source of nutrition. Not for parenteral use. In all cases, the quantity for consumption should be determined by nutritional requirements for each patient.
      Contraindications: People with kidney disease, liver disease, or Reye's syndrome should not take glutamine. Supplemental l-glutamine is contraindicated in those hypersensitive to any component of a glutamine-containing product.
Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Sugar Free