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Glutamine and Gut Health
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Glutamine is an amino acid and isn’t generally thought about in reference to hypothyroidism; however, it is popular among athletes and bodybuilders. Glutamine is generally considered a non-essential amino acid because the body makes it in muscle tissue, but it can also be conditionally essential depending on circumstances.
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The body uses and produces large amounts of glutamine, but there are times when the body’s needs are greater than its ability to produce it. Hypothyroidism slows down the metabolism, which means the actions of the intestines are slowed, including the ability to repair themselves. People who’ve had radiation treatments, chemotherapy, or who have taken antibiotics often need extra glutamine because those treatments can damage intestinal lining. People with intestinal ailments like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and irritable bowel syndrome can sometimes benefit from glutamine supplements. People who are chronically ill, or who have suffered from short-term serious illness often need extra glutamine.
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Glutamine is involved in numerous processes in the body. It helps build and maintain muscle tissue. It can lower blood sugar and improve insulin resistance. But the action of glutamine that most applies to this website is its effect on intestinal health. The intestines actually use glutamine to repair themselves.
Healthier intestines means better nutrient absorption, which supports healthier thyroid function.
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Allergy to glutamine is unlikely because the body makes it. Any allergic symptoms from glutamine supplements like hives, itching, or swelling of the throat or tongue usually isn’t caused by the glutamine itself, but by additives introduced in the manufacturing process. It’s important to get as pure a powder as possible. Check the label’s ingredients for known allergens like tree nuts or dairy products. Underneath the list of ingredients—typically in very small print—is usually a statement about the manufacturing facility and whether other products that contain allergens are processed in the facility. If unsure, it’s always best to contact the company directly and ask if the product has, or is made in a facility, with allergens. Sometimes there can be cross-contamination between products. Here are a few companies that are known for good quality glutamine: Optimum Nutrition®, Bulk Supplements®, NOWFoods®, Body Fortress®, and MET-Rx®.
Although allergic reactions to glutamine are very uncommon, it does have some side effects; abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea are the most common, but usually only happen with too high a dose. The average person needs only two to five grams of supplemental glutamine per day. Glutamine can be bought in capsule form or in loose powder. To start, it might be best to use capsules because the dosage is smaller, and work up to two to five grams, at which point the bulk powder would be more cost effective.
How to Dose Glutamine
Start with a single 500mg capsule and test for a reaction; there isn’t likely to be any, but everyone is different. If there are no side effects, proceed to one 500mg capsule two to three times a day. From there, move up to one gram (1000mg) once or twice a day. The end result should be a maximum of five grams in a single dose, or in two split doses per day. If five grams isn’t tolerated, then reduce the dose to two or three grams total in a day. Only very sick or very athletic people might need to move up to ten grams and the dose should be split; five grams in the morning and another five grams in the evening.
Mix glutamine powder with cold liquids as it’s damaged by heat. Some experts recommend taking free-form glutamine, or l-glutamine, with food for better digestion, others recommend taking it on an empty stomach. Do what is best for you.
Long-term glutamine supplementation can reduce the amount of B vitamins in the body, especially B12. Consider supplementing with B12 or a B-complex. Glutamine is generally safe, but it is known to interact with a few medications: some types of chemotherapy, anti-convulsants, and medications that reduce ammonia in the body like Laculose. The body eventually changes glutamine into ammonia, which reduces the effectiveness of drugs like Laculose.