All About L-glutamine: The Supplement That Everyone NEEDS and No One Knows About
If you've been following Juna for a while, you know how passionate we are about not only optimizing digestion but deepening the communication between the gut/brain-axis to boost mood, enhance brain function, support healthy metabolism and promote better sleep. Gut therapy is Juna’s newest product that is clinically formulated to do just that and includes one of the most nourishing and transformative amino acids we know.
Meet, L-glutamine, the supplement that anyone and everyone will benefit from.
This hero amino acid is backed by numerous scientific studies, clinical white papers and endorsed by wellness and health experts like Ben Greenfeild, Dr. Huberman of Huberman Labs Stanford and Dave Asprey to name a few. Dave Asprey even says he takes it to boost energy, help his focus and turn him into a sound-byte generating machine before an interview. Aside from that, it's very well known for its reparative and nourishing effects on the gut, its potential to heal IBS, counter cortisol - our stress hormone and boost mood. It also feeds energy to the hair follicles (I’ll take healthier hair anyday) and even promotes collagen synthesis for great skin. Early studies show that it may also reduce excess belly fat in women. Sign me and everyone I know up. Let's get into it!
What exactly is L-Glutamine?
L-Glutamine is a powerful amino acid known for its role in healing and repairing the gut lining. It provides essential fuel for metabolism, regulates cell proliferation, boosts immune health, and aids in maintaining the integrity of the gut barrier and plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal gut /brain axis.
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the interconnectedness between gut health and overall well-being. The gut has been referred to as the "second brain" due to its influence on mental health, immune function, and various bodily systems. Repairing the gut with L-glutamine aligns with the principles of holistic health, addressing the root cause of health issues and supporting the body's natural healing processes.
How L-glutamine supplementation will change not only your gut, but your life!
Our modern world involves stress, inadequate sleep and a diet high in processed foods, refined sugars, and artificial additives. These factors can disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiome, leading to gut dysbiosis (an imbalance in the gut bacteria), inflammation, and increased susceptibility to gut-related disorders, food intolerances, brain fog, and even depression. L-glutamine supplementation can help repair and nourish the gut lining, and restore optimal gut function, mitigating the negative effects of modern dietary challenges.
Impact of Stress and Lifestyle Factors: Chronic stress, inadequate sleep, and sedentary lifestyles can all contribute to gut health issues. Stress, in particular, can disrupt the gut-brain axis and compromise gut barrier function. L-glutamine has been shown to support gut repair and reduce inflammation, providing relief from stress-induced gut disturbances and promoting overall well-being.
Mood Support: Remember, 95% of all serotonin is created in your gut by amino acids like L- glutamine. Prolonged stress and emotional factors can disrupt gut function through the gut-brain axis. Stress triggers changes in gut motility, alters the gut microbiota, and impairs the intestinal barrier function, contributing to the development or exacerbation of gut-related disorders which then tie back to mental health challenges like stress and anxiety.
Immune System Support: A significant portion of the immune system resides in the gut. A compromised gut barrier can lead to immune dysregulation, increasing the risk of infections, allergies, and autoimmune conditions. By repairing the gut with L-glutamine, we can strengthen the gut lining, enhance immune function, and bolster our body's defense against pathogens and foreign invaders.
Environmental Factors: Environmental toxins, such as pollutants, pesticides, and heavy metals, can enter the body through food, water, and air. These toxins can disrupt gut health, induce inflammation, and contribute to the development of gut-related disorders.
Genetic Predisposition: Some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to developing gut-related disorders. Genetic factors can influence the susceptibility and severity of conditions like IBS and IBD.
Antibiotic Use: The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have been linked to alterations in the gut microbiome. While antibiotics are necessary to combat bacterial infections, they can also disrupt the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, increasing the risk of gut-related disorders.
Gut Repair/Integrity: Glutamine is a critical fuel source for the cells that line the digestive tract. Studies have shown that glutamine supplementation can enhance the integrity of the intestinal barrier, preventing the leakage of harmful substances into the bloodstream. Glutamine has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce gut inflammation and promote healing. It can modulate the immune response in the gut, leading to a decrease in inflammation and improved gut health.
Gut Microbiome Balance: Glutamine supports a balanced gut microbiome by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, while inhibiting the growth of harmful pathogens
The Gut Brain Connection
Glutamine serves as a precursor for the production of key neurotransmitters, including glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). These neurotransmitters play essential roles in cognitive function, mood regulation, and overall brain health. Glutamine also plays a crucial role in brain energy metabolism and can be converted into glutamate, which is used as an energy source in the brain. This energy production supports optimal brain function and mental clarity which is paramount for a healthy brain.
Supplementing with glutamine exhibits neuroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress, promoting antioxidant activity, and enhancing cellular resilience in the brain These properties contribute to improved brain health and protection against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's dementia. Like the world renowned Psychiatrist Dr. Amen says - “healthy brain, healthy life”.
The Collagen Effect
If you’re not sold on glutamine just yet, here's the grand finale - Glutamine can have beneficial effects on skin health and collagen production. While further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved, let's start here:
Collagen is a crucial protein that provides structural support to the skin, promoting elasticity and firmness. Glutamine is an important amino acid involved in collagen synthesis. It serves as a building block for collagen production, contributing to the maintenance and repair of skin tissue. Glutamine also shows antioxidant properties, helping to neutralize harmful free radicals that can damage skin cells and contribute to premature aging. By reducing oxidative stress, glutamine may contribute to maintaining skin health and a youthful appearance. It is involved in tissue regeneration and the formation of new blood vessels, which are crucial for proper wound healing and the restoration of skin integrity. Last but not least, it assists moisture retention in the skin by supporting the barrier function of the skin, promoting optimal moisture retention and preventing excessive water loss. This can contribute to a signature plump glow.
By prioritizing gut health and incorporating L-glutamine into our wellness routines, we can optimize digestion, support immune function, brain health and lay the foundation for long-term health and vitality. It's important to note that while these scientific facts provide supporting evidence for the benefits of glutamine, individual results may vary. It's always recommended to consult with healthcare professionals and consider personal circumstances when incorporating any dietary supplement into a health routine.
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References:
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Smith, R. E., & Tran, K. Q. (2019). Glutamine and its effects on the immune system. In Glutamine in Clinical Nutrition (pp. 193-207). Springer.
Rao, R., & Samak, G. (2013). Role of Glutamine in Protection of Intestinal Epithelial Tight Junctions. Journal of Epithelial Biology and Pharmacology, 6(2), 85–92.
Parry-Billings, M., & Calder, P. C. (1997). Glutamine and immune function. In Nutrition (Vol. 13, No. 7–8, pp. 743–747). Elsevier.
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Yudkoff, M., Daikhin, Y., & Nissim, I. (2008). The ketosis of starvation: Glutamine and alanine metabolism in skeletal muscle. In Handbook of Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology (pp. 495–509). Springer.
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Dhiman, T. R., & Schaefer, E. J. (2012). Glutamine metabolism and cardiovascular function. Advances in Clinical Chemistry, 56, 133–156.