Sealing the Gut Barrier: How Glutamine Benefits Both Athletes and Leaky Gut

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One natural powerhouse gaining attention in both athletic and digestive health circles is Glutamine. Found in abundance within our bodies, this amino acid plays a vital role in various physiological processes. In this article, we’ll explore the multifaceted benefits of Glutamine, delving into how they can support athletes in achieving their peak performance and provide relief for those dealing with digestive concerns, such as leaky gut.

If Glutamine supplements sound right for you, this article will show you the best place to buy Glutamine online. Whether you’re an active individual or simply interested in bolstering your overall health, the insights ahead shed light on the potential advantages of integrating Glutamine into your wellness regimen.

What Is Glutamine?

Glutamine is a versatile and abundant amino acid found within the human body. It serves as a fundamental building block for proteins, playing a crucial role in various physiological functions. It is particularly important for maintaining the health of our muscles and digestive system.

Muscle Health: Glutamine is often referred to as a “conditionally essential” amino acid. While the body can typically produce enough glutamine for day-to-day functions, during periods of intense physical activity or illness, its demand can exceed the body’s ability to produce it. This is where supplementation becomes valuable, especially for athletes and those engaging in rigorous exercise. Glutamine aids in muscle recovery and repair, potentially reducing muscle soreness after workouts. This can allow athletes to train more consistently and recover more quickly.

Digestive Support: Beyond its role in muscle health, glutamine is a critical component of the digestive system. It is the primary fuel source for the cells lining the small intestine. This is particularly significant for people dealing with digestive issues, such as leaky gut. Glutamine supplementation can help support the integrity of the intestinal lining, potentially reducing gut permeability and alleviating associated symptoms.

In essence, glutamine is a foundational amino acid with far-reaching implications for both physical performance and digestive well-being. As we delve deeper into its benefits, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of how glutamine supplementation can positively impact your health.

What Are the Benefits of Glutamine?

  • Muscle Recovery: Glutamine is crucial for muscle repair and growth. Athletes and active individuals often use Glutamine supplements to reduce post-exercise muscle soreness and enhance recovery.
  • Exercise Performance: Glutamine may support exercise endurance and overall performance, making it a valuable addition to the regimen of athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
  • Immune System Support: Glutamine plays a role in immune system function. It may help bolster the body’s defenses, particularly during intense training periods when the immune system can be compromised.
  • Digestive Health: For those with digestive issues like leaky gut syndrome, Glutamine can promote gut lining integrity, potentially reducing gut permeability and alleviating related symptoms. [PMC5454963]
  • Stress Reduction: Glutamine has been linked to stress reduction and mental well-being. It may help maintain mental focus and clarity during challenging times.
  • Wound Healing: Glutamine’s role in tissue repair extends beyond muscles. It may contribute to faster wound healing and tissue regeneration.
  • Detoxification: Glutamine aids in the detoxification of ammonia, a waste product in the body. This can be especially important for individuals with certain liver or kidney conditions.

These health benefits demonstrate the versatility of Glutamine supplements and why they are embraced by a wide range of individuals seeking to enhance their well-being, from athletes aiming to improve performance to those seeking relief from digestive concerns and more.

Food Sources of Glutamine

Here’s a table listing various food sources of Glutamine along with the approximate amounts present per serving:

Food SourceAmount of Glutamine per Serving (in grams)
Dairy (Greek Yogurt, 7 oz)2.4 grams
Soybeans (1/2 cup)2.2 grams
Tofu (1/2 cup)1.3 grams
Peanuts (1/4 cup)1.4 grams
Lean Beef (3 oz)1.1 grams
Chicken Breast (3 oz)0.6 grams
Fish (Salmon, 3 oz)0.6 grams
Eggs (1 large)0.6 grams
Cheese (Cheddar, 1 oz)0.6 grams
Cabbage (1 cup, cooked)0.3 grams
Spinach (1 cup, cooked)0.6 grams
Corn (1 cup, cooked)0.6 grams
Almonds (1/4 cup)0.5 grams
Oats (1/2 cup, cooked)0.3 grams
Brown Rice (1/2 cup, cooked)0.3 grams
These values are approximate and can vary based on factors such as cooking methods and portion sizes.

Who Would Benefit From Supplementing Glutamine?

The daily recommended intake of glutamine can vary depending on individual factors, such as age, activity level, and health status. In general, adults typically require around 5 to 10 grams of glutamine per day to meet their basic physiological needs. However, athletes and individuals engaged in intense physical training may require higher amounts, often ranging from 10 to 20 grams per day.

Under certain conditions, the body may be unable to produce enough glutamine to meet its demands. Some of these conditions and circumstances include:

  • Intense Physical Activity: During periods of vigorous exercise, the body’s demand for glutamine can exceed its production capacity. This can lead to a temporary deficiency, potentially affecting recovery and immune function.
  • Illness or Injury: When the body is dealing with illness, injury, or surgery, there is an increased need for glutamine to support tissue repair and immune response. In such cases, the body may struggle to produce an adequate amount.
  • Stress: Physical or emotional stress can deplete glutamine levels in the body. Chronic stress or prolonged periods of high stress can lead to lower glutamine availability.
  • Certain Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions, such as gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease), cancer, or HIV/AIDS, can impact the body’s ability to synthesize glutamine, leading to lower levels.
  • Aging: Glutamine production may decline with age, making older adults more susceptible to glutamine deficiency, especially if they have other risk factors.

In these situations, supplementation with glutamine should be considered to ensure that the body receives an adequate supply of this essential amino acid. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage and whether supplementation is necessary based on individual circumstances.

Is Glutamine Safe?

Glutamine supplements are safe when taken at appropriate doses. Since glutamine is an amino acid naturally present in the body and found in various foods, it is well-tolerated by most individuals. Moreover, numerous clinical studies and extensive use in medical settings have provided substantial evidence of its safety. People with medical problems, especially impaired liver or kidney function should be sure to consult with their medical providers.

Glutamine In Cancer

Cancer cells often change their metabolism of glutamine to fuel their growth. This metabolic reprogramming is critical to the growth of cancer and is being explored as a potential target in cancer treatments. However, it is unlikely that glutamine supplements promote cancer growth because of how glutamine is metabolized in the body.

Glutamine supplements are taken in low dosages. Most of this supplemental glutamine is used by the cells of the gut, where it serves as their primary fuel source. Only a limited amount is left to be absorbed into the bloodstream and potentially reach other tissues or organs. Glutamine supplementation as a source of glutamine to promote the growth of cancer cells is minimal in comparison to the ability of cancer cells to produce their own excess glutamine.

However, in those with colon cancer or liver cancer, it may be wise to avoid glutamine supplements as well as high glutamine foods. This is discussed by researchers in this Youtube Video.

Medication And Supplement Interactions with Glutamine

Glutamine is not known to have significant interactions with medications or supplements. This makes perfect sense when you consider the small dosages taken in a supplement form and the fact that the body is perfectly capable of breaking down excess amino acids except when the liver and kidneys are very compromised.

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L-Glutamine Powder NSF by Thorne

Manufacturer Description: Thorne’s L-Glutamine Powder is NSF Certified for Sport®. Evidence suggests supplemental L-glutamine benefits gastrointestinal health, supports wound healing, maintains immune health, and helps restore plasma glutamine levels depleted after periods of physical stress, such as prolonged exhaustive exercise.* L-glutamine is the most prevalent amino acid in the bloodstream. It is found in high concentration in the gastrointestinal tract, which is its greatest user. Various stress factors – such as trauma, infection, malnutrition, chemotherapy, injury, and high-level athletic training – can adversely affect absorption in the small intestine, leading to food allergies. In numerous animal studies, the addition of L-glutamine improved absorption, as well as the gut’s immune function.*

Skeletal muscles contain the greatest intracellular concentration of L-glutamine. But that concentration can be adversely affected by various insults, including injury, infection, chronic stress, malnutrition, and glucocorticoid use. Intense exercise lowers blood levels of glutamine, which can remain low if intense training is repeated without adequate recovery. Research indicates L-glutamine supplementation can offset these conditions.*

Because an athlete needs to know that his or her supplements are trustworthy and compliant, every batch of an NSF Certified for Sport® product is tested for compliance with label claims and to ensure the absence of more than 200 substances banned by many major athletic organizations, including stimulants, narcotics, steroids, diuretics, beta-2 agonists, and masking agents.

Mix 1 scoop with at least 8 ounces of water, juice, or preferred beverage daily or as recommended by your health professional.

Amount Per 1 Scoop Serving
L-Glutamine
 … 5g


G.I. Fortify* — Pure Encapsulations

Manufacturer Description: G.I. Fortify is a blend of high-impact fiber, herbs and nutrients to support overall gastrointestinal function and health. G.I. Fortify specifically supports the function, microflora balance, cellular health and detoxification of the G.I. tract.*

  • Supports gastrointestinal health*
  • Promotes healthy bowel movement frequency*
  • Made with hypoallergenic, vegan ingredients
  • Convenient powder formula for easy dispensing

Amount Per 1 Scoop (9g) Serving
Dietary Fiber … 4g
Psyllium Powder … 4g (plantago ovata)(husk)
Flax Powder … 2.25g (linum usitatissimum)(seed)
L-Glutamine … 1g (free-form)
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Extract … 600mg (glycyrrhiza glabra)(root)
Marshmallow Extract … 400mg (althaea officinalis)(root)
Aloe Vera Extract … 100mg (aloe barbadensis)(inner fillet) (standardized to 10% polysaccharides)
Slippery Elm Extract … 200mg (ulmus fulva)(bark)
Triphala … 90mg (a proprietary blend of chebula myrobalan (terminalia chebula), belleric myrobalan (terminalia bellerica), and amla (emblica officinalis) extracts (fruit))


Food First!

Although this article discusses supplements in detail, don’t forget that we are absolutely committed to the “Food First” approach to nutrition. When it comes to your health, the totality of your eating habits far surpasses the impact of individual nutrients or any single supplement you consume. Even though this article doesn’t delve into the broader picture of your overall diet, it’s crucial to keep this element at the forefront of our minds. Your food needs to provide all the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals to nourish your body systems down to the cellular level.

Food choices, rather than supplements, are the most critical factors for a healthy gut microbiome. These trillions of tiny inhabitants in your gut affect your brain waves; they orchestrate your immune system. They possess the power to create molecules that can switch genes on or off and are even capable of synthesizing neurotransmitters. Opting for organic foods and steering clear of plastic packaging (including those labeled BPA-free) is a smart move to limit toxin exposure. The sum of all these parts leads to a powerful conclusion: the ultimate key to your health lies in the quality and balance of the food you consume. Supplements are secondary.

What To Eat

To Sum It Up

The wide-ranging health applications of glutamine supplements include muscle recovery, exercise performance, immune support, digestive health, stress management, wound healing, nitrogen balance, and detoxification. These benefits demonstrate the potential for glutamine supplements to contribute significantly to overall health for many people.


This Article is Not a Substitute for Medical Advice

Dietary supplements are not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The Supplement Sciences website seeks to provide comprehensive access to the most relevant supplement information along with convenient online ordering. We do not provide medical advice and cannot guarantee that every product suggested is completely without risk. Since each person is unique in their health history and medication use, it is important to discuss supplements with your personal physician. Specifically, pregnant women and individuals being treated for cancer or liver or kidney problems must consult their physician about every nutritional supplement they plan to take. People taking medications for the treatment of HIV or with a history of organ transplant must not take supplements without consulting with their physician.


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