L-Glutamine 500 mg 100 Caps

The amino acid glutamine plays a key role in themetabolism, structure, and function of the entire gastrointestinal(GI) tract and its extensive immune system.Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found inblood, and is a vehicle for nitrogen transport. Inmuscle, lung and other tissues, glutamine is formedfrom glutamic acid and ammonia through amino acidbreakdown. The GI tract, liver, and immune system useglutamine for the synthesis of nucleotides, proteins, andamino sugars. Glutamine also carries potentially toxicammonia to the kidneys for excretion, which helpsmaintain normal acid-base balance.Many clinical studies support the fact that dietary andendogenous glutamine is crucial in maintaining normalfunction of the entire gastrointestinal tract, including theliver and pancreas. Glutamine helps maintain normalintestinal permeability, mucosal cell regeneration andstructure, especially during periods of physiological stress.The human intestinal tract removes as much as 12-13% ofcirculating blood glutamine in addition to the glutamineabsorbed from dietary origin. Intestinal mucosal cells needglutamine as a nitrogen donor for the biosynthesis of anumber of important compounds, including nucleotidesneeded for cell division, amino sugars for building theglycosaminoglycans of intestinal mucous, and many aminoacids that are crucial for protein synthesis.During physiological stress, such as starvation, physicaltrauma, surgery, or inflammatory bowel disease, theintestinal tract uses very large amounts of glutamine. Thisoften results in a fall of blood glutamine, and skeletalmuscle is broken down to supply more glutamine.The immune cells of mucosa, mesentery and the liverdepend on glutamine as a key nitrogen donor and energysource. During infections of intestinal origin, immune cellsneed more glutamine and the liver’s glutamineconsumption can rise about ten-fold. Just as in trauma orsurgery, a strong immune response can result in lowerblood glutamine levels and muscle wasting.In summary, many clinical studies support the fact thatdietary glutamine is crucial in maintaining normal functionof the entire gastrointestinal tract, including the liver andpancreas. Glutamine helps maintain normal intestinalpermeability, mucosal cell regeneration, and structure. Atthe same time, glutamine supports normal immunefunction of the gastrointestinal tract and the liver.