New Research Shows Glutamine Helps Keep Your Gut Healthy and Strong.
Glutamine is an essential amino acid that has been found to have a range of health benefits, particularly for gut health. It is an important part of how the digestive system works. It helps keep the structure of the cells that line the gut in good shape and helps the body absorb nutrients. It also helps to reduce inflammation, balance gut bacteria, and can even reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Glutamine is especially effective for those with leaky gut syndrome, as it helps to repair and strengthen the gut lining, resulting in improved digestion and absorption of nutrients. With regular supplementation, glutamine can help restore balance to the gut and support overall health and wellbeing.
What is Glutamine?
Glutamine is an amino acid that is found naturally in the body. It is the most common amino acid in the blood, and the body makes it in the intestines and liver. It is a precursor to the formation of the neurotransmitter GABA, which promotes feelings of calmness, and is also one of the building blocks of protein, helping to repair and maintain the intestinal lining, and support muscle growth.
People with digestive problems like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis often have lower amounts of glutamine in their bodies. Because of this, it is suggested that these people take glutamine supplements to help stabilize their symptoms and help their guts stay healthy and heal.
Benefits of Glutamine for Gut Health
As we’ve already talked about, glutamine is an important part of how the GI tract works. It can help maintain the structural integrity of the cells that line the gut and assist in the absorption of nutrients. Glutamine can also reduce inflammation, balance gut bacteria, and even reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Glutamine for Gut Health: When the gut lining is healthy and intact, nutrients can be absorbed into the bloodstream and travel to cells throughout the body.
In addition, waste products can’t leave the body as they should. When the gut lining becomes damaged, it results in leaky gut syndrome, which can have a range of adverse effects. It can cause nutrient deficiencies, food allergies or sensitivities, insulin resistance, heart disease, and even autoimmune disorders.
How Glutamine Works in the Gut
Glutamine is the most common amino acid in the blood, and it is found in the gut and the liver. It is also one of the building blocks of protein, helping to repair and maintain the intestinal lining, and support muscle growth.
Researchers believe that glutamine promotes gastrointestinal healing and strength through the action of stem cells. It is these stem cells that are responsible for repairing and regenerating the intestinal lining. When the body has enough glutamine, these cells become active and work to keep the gut healthy.
Glutamine and Leaky Gut Syndrome
As discussed above, a healthy gut lining helps nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream and waste products leave the body. When the gut lining becomes damaged, it results in leaky gut syndrome. When this happens, the intestines become more porous, making it easier for food particles, bacteria, and toxins to get into the bloodstream. This can have several bad effects.
Too promote healing and reduce the risk of leaky gut syndrome, it is recommended that individuals who suffer from gastrointestinal issues such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, supplement with glutamine.
Signs and Symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome
- Insufficient Healing of the Gut – In order for the gastrointestinal cells to repair and regenerate the intestinal lining, they need sufficient nutrients, including glutamine. If the body is lacking in glutamine, the cells are unable to heal the gut and therefore, leaky gut syndrome will occur. Symptoms associated with insufficient healing of the gut can include chronic fatigue, increased susceptibility to infections, headaches, poor sleep, and digestive issues such as bloating, cramping, diarrhea, and constipation.
- Increased Risk of Allergies and Food Sensitivities – When the gut is leaky, particles of food are able to enter the bloodstream. The body then treats these particles as foreign invaders and triggers a response from the immune system. This can result in inflammation and symptoms such as hives, itching, swelling, and eczema. In addition, because the immune system is more active, it is more likely to react to other foreign particles such as dust, pollen, and pet dander. This can result in allergies and food sensitivities such as a sensitivity to gluten or dairy.
How to Supplement with Glutamine
People should take glutamine supplements when their bodies don’t have enough of it. Studies have shown that taking glutamine supplements by mouth can increase the amount in the gut and bring it back to a healthy state.
To see the benefits of glutamine, it is advised to take between 2 and 5 grams per day. The glutamine should be taken in small amounts throughout the day instead of all at once. It is recommended that individuals take glutamine with meals, as it can cross the intestinal barrier more easily when insulin is present.
Safety and Side Effects of Glutamine
It’s important to know that taking glutamine supplements has very few side effects. It is a naturally occurring amino acid found in the body and is considered safe to take over the long term. There are no known contraindications for people with certain health conditions. It is important to check with a doctor before taking supplements, particularly if you are on medication or have a health condition.
Other Supplements for Gut Health
In addition to glutamine, several other supplements can be beneficial for gut health. These include probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes, and fish oil. The importance of probiotics for gut health cannot be overstated. Probiotics are live microorganisms that can promote digestive health and immunity, while also reducing the risk of allergies.
Prebiotics are carbohydrates that can’t be broken down by digestive enzymes. They help good gut bacteria grow, and digestive enzymes help break down and absorb nutrients. Fish oil is a great place to get omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation and strengthen the lining of the gut.
Summary
When the gut lining is healthy and whole, nutrients can be absorbed into the bloodstream and sent to cells all over the body. In addition, waste products can leave the body as they should. When the gut lining becomes damaged, it results in leaky gut syndrome, which can have a range of adverse effects. It can cause nutrient deficiencies, food allergies or sensitivities, insulin resistance, heart disease, and even autoimmune disorders.
It is important to note that there are very few side effects associated with glutamine supplementation. It is a naturally occurring amino acid that is considered safe to take over the long term. There are no known contraindications for people with certain health conditions. It is important to check with a doctor before taking supplements, particularly if you are on medication or have a health condition.
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