Glutamine Side Effects – Benefits & Side Effects of Glutamine

Glutamine is one of the 20 amino acids found in the body and amongst them it is the one found in high concentrations. It is an essential amino acid that are manufactured from muscles and lungs. Under extreme physical activity and stress, glutamine is majorly consumed and its demand goes higher in the body . It is a building block for many essential proteins in the body. The human body relies on glutamine for energy and for building up the immune system. Thus most of the bodybuilders take glutamine supplements to lessen the muscle wear and tear and to improve protein metabolism resulting into efficient building up of the muscles. Glutamine also seems to be essential for normal brain function and digestion. In situations of prolonged stress, or physical injuries or surgery injections glutamine is supplied to the body externally. The intake of glutamine has both benefits as well as side effects.

The benefits of Glutamine are as follows:

1. It heals wounds faster since one of its main function is to improve the immune system. It also considerably reduces the occurrence of infections caused especially during surgeries.
2. It helps in healing severe burns since it has the ability to maintain the cell volume and hydration.
3. Glutamine supplements replenishes the system especially after its deficiency caused in the body post a strenuous workout.
4. Its protein synthesizing properties helps build muscle tissues and reduce muscle wear and tear.
5. It also an important nutrient that helps maintain the structural integrity of the intestines in cases of a ‘leaky gut’. It helps protect mucosa -a protective lining of the gastrointestinal tract thus preventing inflammatory bowl disease (IBD).
6. Victims of Acquired Immune Deficiency (AIDS) caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) undergo an extreme and sudden weight loss due to muscle breakdown and lower immune levels. Studies show that glutamine supplements along with some other important nutrients may help prevent the condition.
7. Other than helping in build up of muscles it is also often used to curb weight gain and avoid obesity.
8. Many cancer victims show abnormal levels of glutamine in their body. Glutamine supplements are used to replenish malnourished cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
9. Other miscellaneous uses of glutamine are its use in the cure of stomach ulcers where it prevents the inflammation of stomach caused by ingestion of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS).

The side effects of Glutamine are as follows:

1. Glutamine has the tendency to bring about unwanted side effects when it comes in contact with other medications.
2. Excess intake of glutamine can result in stomach disorders.
3. It may cause higher secretion of liver enzymes.
4. Its supplementation may cause clinical psychosis in people with bipolar disorders.
5. There are also concerns regarding side effects in brain, on account of excess glutamine intake, due to elevated concentrations of glutamine and ammonia; ammonia being the product caused during breakdown of glutamine into glutamate and ammonia. In theory it has also been found to increase risk of seizures.

It is advised to consult a physician before making use of glutamine supplements.

1. By flevi at 3rd February, 2010

   Good information about L-Glutamine side effects and Glutamine benefits. I have heard that glutamine side effects are negligible as it occurs naturally in our body. so it concludes Glutamine has no adverse side effects and no health risks. is this true?