Glutamine

Glutamine is the most abundant free amino acid in the body. It is conditionally essential amino acid. Glutamine is synthesized in all tissues of the body. 5 – 10 Gms of glutamine are supplied in the diet daily. Glutamine acts as precursor for protein synthesis.  Plasma contains very small amount of glutamine pool 0.5 to 0.9 mol/l. In ECF, It constitutes 25% and in skeletal muscle, >60% of the tissue free Amino acid pool. Muscle is the prevalent endogenous source of Glutamine and is transported to immune cells, gut and kidneys. In health, glutamine is produced and utilized in a balanced way in the body depending on the prevailing metabolic conditions.

Glutamine and immune defense:  Maintains gut as an effective barrier. Essential for optimal proliferation of lymphocytes. Essential for optimal functions of neutrophils and macrophages.

Glutamine in catabolic state:  Hypermetabolic and hypercatabolic states associated with profound glutamine deprivation. 20 to 50% reduction of muscle free glutamine a typical feature of injury and malnutrition.

Basal requirements of glutamine are about 10g/day.

Increased requirements of glutamine about 20g/day.

High requirements about 30g/day.

Benefits of Glutamine:

• Improves protein synthesis and nitrogen balance.
• Improves immune function.
• Reduces infection
• Reduces water retention.
• Improves mood.
• Used a s a major fuel for rapidly replicating cells immune cells, nucleotides and enterocytes.

Sources of Glutamine:  Eggs, legumes, yeast, dairy products, beet root, beans, grains, fish and meat.