Glutamine

An Amino Acid

Description:

Glutamine is a nonessential amino acid that is formed from glutamic acid and ammonia. Glutamine easily passes through the blood brain barrier and readily converts to glutamic acid. It is the most abundant amino acid found in blood.

Plants/Foods:

• Avocado
• Cheese
• Chicken
• Chocolate
• Cottage cheese
• Duck
• Egg
• Granola
• Oat flakes
• Pork
• Ricotta
• Turkey
• Wheat germ
• Whole milk
• Wild game
• Yogurt

Physiologic Functions:

• Can provide adequate energy for the brain in the absence of glucose
• Cofactor in the metabolism of benzoates
• Decreases voluntary consumption of alcohol in rats
• Detoxifier of ammonia from the brain
• Essential for the synthesis of niacin
• Essential in maintaining the body's nitrogen balance
• Essential in the metabolism of arginine
• Essential in the metabolism of uric acid
• Increases growth of mucosal epithelial cells
• Primary mediator and energy source for GABA and glutamic acid activity

Clinical Indications:

• Depression
• Memory loss
• Obesity
• Peptic ulcer
• Ulcerative colitis
• Aging
• Alcoholism
• Schizophrenia, some cases
• Senility

Signs and Symptoms of Deficiency:

• Cantankerous behavior
• Convulsions

Causes of Deficiencies:

• Inhibitors of glutamine metabolism

Contraindications:

• Lymphocytic cancers

Toxicity and Side Effects:

• Greater than 2 gms. daily may lead to manic behavior

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).