L-Glutamine
Primary fuel for intestinal and immune cells — becomes conditionally essential during stress, illness, or intense training.
L-Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid that becomes crucial during stress, illness, or intense training. It's the primary fuel source for intestinal cells and immune cells. Supplementation is most beneficial during periods of high physical stress, gut issues, or immune challenges. Healthy individuals on adequate protein may not need it.
Primary energy source for gut cells
Fuels rapidly dividing immune cells
Carries nitrogen between tissues
How L-Glutamine works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
5-10g
Can be taken without food
| Form | Type |
|---|---|
| 🧪L-Glutamine powder | Recommended |
| 💊Capsules (but need many for effective dose) | Alternative |
Powder is most practical due to large doses needed. Tasteless and mixes easily.
Minimum: 2 weeks
Optimal: 4 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: Can be taken with or without food. For gut health, some prefer taking on empty stomach. Split doses may be easier on digestion.
Supports intestinal lining integrity
May reduce infection risk during heavy training
May reduce soreness after intense exercise
Likely safe at moderate doses; consult doctor
Consult oncologist; glutamine feeding of tumors is debated
May reduce lactulose effectiveness
May affect seizure control in some
Tip: Start with lower dose
Tip: Split doses throughout day
Glutamine supports gut lining while probiotics improve microbiome
Comprehensive gut health support
Both support gut barrier function
Enhanced intestinal integrity
Both support gut lining
Enhanced gut healing
Both support gut barrier integrity
Enhanced gut healing
Both support gut lining integrity
Enhanced gut healing
Slippery elm coats; glutamine feeds gut cells
Comprehensive gut repair
Both support gut barrier integrity
Enhanced gut healing and barrier repair
Top studies from 40+ peer-reviewed papers
Liang S et al. • Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS (2022)
“The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.”
Hou XW et al. • Investigative ophthalmology & visual science (2021)
“This review summarizes potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways, providing insights into new pathogenic pathways for this microvascular complication of diabetes.”
Stehle P et al. • Critical Care Medicine (2020)
“Parenteral glutamine supplementation reduced infectious complications and hospital length of stay in ICU patients.”
Thom H et al. • BMJ open (2020)
“This NMA provides preliminary evidence comparing the efficacy of crizanlizumab with other treatments for VOC prevention.”
Niihara Y et al. • The New England journal of medicine (2018)
“Among children and adults with sickle cell anemia, the median number of pain crises over 48 weeks was lower among those who received oral therapy with l-glutamine, administered alone or with hydroxyurea, than among those who received placebo, with or without hydroxyurea. (Funded by Emmaus Medical; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01179217 .).”
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