L-Glutamine

Food source: Tofu, white rice, red cabbage, nuts and seeds, kidney beans, green leafy vegetables, seaweed and corn. 

Benefits of L-Glutamine

• Gut health
• Supports digestion
• Strengthens immune system

What is L-Glutamine? 

L-Glutamine is an amino acid (building blocks of protein) produced in the muscles. While it is the most abundant amino acid in the blood, there are times when our body’s need for L-Glutamine outpaces our ability to produce it, usually due to an injury, illness or acute stress. 

L-Glutamine plays a particularly important role in the maintenance of intestinal health. It is the main energy source and nutrient for the cells that line the walls of our intestinal tract. This means it maintains the barrier between our intestines and the rest of our body, preventing the development of a leaky gut, where harmful toxins from the intestines can enter the rest of the body. By maintaining the ‘mucosal integrity’ of the gut, our intestines are made more resilient to irritants such as alcohol. You may be interested in learning the difference between IBD and IBS. Discover the ‘Common & unusual symptoms of IBS’ and the ‘Best probiotics for IBS’.

This role in gut health has effects on our immune system as well. Many of our body’s immune cells are found in the gastrointestinal tract and L-Glutamine is the main source of energy for these cells. This is why it becomes such an important amino acid in times of illness or injury.