Glutamine has several benefits. For one, it helps lymphocyte proliferation and regulates the microbiome in the gut. Glutamine may also help modulate inflammation. This nutrient can also be helpful in cancer treatment. Learn more about the applications and side effects of glutamine for your body in this article.
Reduce Stomatitis Caused By Chemotherapy
A new study suggests that L-glutamine supplementation can reduce the length and severity of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. According to Wilcoxon’s signed rank test, low-dose glutamine supplementation significantly reduced oral mucositis. This treatment is a simple way to improve patient comfort during chemotherapy.
The researchers found that oral glutamine treatment reduced the duration and severity of stomatitis in both autologous and allogeneous BMT patients. This effect is likely due to the interaction between glutamine and methotrexate, a commonly prescribed chemotherapy drug. While this is promising, the study only tested glutamine as a supplement.
Because glutamine has many beneficial effects, it may be helpful for cancer patients to supplement their diets with it. It is often given to malnourished cancer patients and those who receive bone marrow transplants. Supplemental glutamine may also help reduce diarrhea associated with chemotherapy. However, more clinical research is needed to verify whether this treatment is safe and effective for these patients.
Helps Maintain a Healthy Gut Microbiome
Glutamine has several vital functions in the body. It plays a role in nitrogen metabolism, and its presence is associated with gut microbiota composition. The composition of the gut microbiota is plastic, meaning it varies daily. Proper gut bacteria design can help maintain the body’s overall health and well-being.
Glutamine is a protein-building block that is found naturally in the gut. It is produced by the body and can also be found in various foods. It travels through the bloodstream to different tissues, including the gut. It promotes the regeneration of epithelial cells, which line the intestines. These cells are replaced approximately every five to seven days. Glutamine plays a crucial role in these cells’ fast growth and regeneration.
Healthy gut bacteria can relieve digestive problems and are crucial to the entire body’s functioning. They help digest foods, protect the body from internal diseases, and produce vitamin K, which allows it to clot blood. Keeping the gut microbiome healthy is essential, and supplements can help. But before taking any supplements, always consult your doctor and take his advice.
Help Modulate Inflammation
GLUTAMINE is a critical component of human cell metabolism. Its action modulates inflammatory and phagocytosis processes and its presence can alter gene expression. Inflammation is a significant cause of disease, and glutamine is known to reduce inflammation and promote gastrointestinal health.
Several studies have found that glutamine can reduce the inflammatory response in critically ill patients. Its anti-inflammatory effects are particularly useful in reducing the impact of the inflammatory response, a factor in the development of multi-organ failure. However, the optimal dose of glutamine for patients should be determined through further studies.
Glutamate inhibits inflammation by regulating adhesion molecules, including BMP-2 and CCR9, expressed on Th cells and cytotoxic T cells. Glutamine also inhibits the expression of adhesion molecules in the endothelium and suppresses the infiltration of Th cells into the colon mucosa.
Helpful for Cancer Treatment
Glutamine can be helpful for cancer treatment as it stimulates glutathione synthesis. This antioxidant can repair damaged tissues and tumors. It has been shown to reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines in cancer cells and increase their ability to respond to chemotherapy. It also has anti-tumor activity.
Patients with cancer often lose substantial amounts of body weight, and sarcopenia is associated with worse survival and increased complications. As an amino acid, glutamine is required for the normal function of cells. It significantly contributes to intracellular metabolism, immune cells, and muscle. Furthermore, glutamine is used by lymphocytes and is essential for their barrier function.
Recent studies on mice have indicated that dietary glutamine may be helpful for cancer treatment. It has decreased tumor growth in animals genetically predisposed to squamous cell carcinoma. However, further prospective randomized trials must show its safety and efficacy in humans.