Have you caught the buzz around L-Glutamine? We’re here to explain what it is, who uses it as a supplement, its benefits and possible side effects.  

What is L-Glutamine?

L-Glutamine is an amino acid that’s naturally produced in your body. You may remember from high school science class that amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.

L-Glutamine is a “nonessential” amino acid which means that you don’t typically need to get it through diet because your body produces it naturally. There are cases, however, in which some people do need an L-Glutamine boost in the form of foods containing L-Glutamine or a supplement – either one created chemically in a lab or created through the fermentation of vegetables.

Cortisol, L-Glutamine’s Enemy

Excess cortisol can deplete your glutamine levels. Cortisol can be released when you’re stressed out, if you overdo it on your workout, take certain medications or if you undergo surgery. When your glutamine supply is low, your immune system may weaken.

Who uses L-Glutamine?

L-Glutamine has been part of the body building world for quite some time as this amino acid makes up about 60 percent of your skeletal tissue. It has also been used to treat gastrointestinal issues like leaky gut syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

What's the difference between L-Glutamine and regular old Glutamine?

Amino acids pair up like left and right hands. L-Glutamine is like the left hand and it's the one that has nutritional value. D-Glutamine is like the right hand and it doesn't offer nutritional value. Click here for a more detailed explanation.

What are some side effects of L-Glutamine?

Certain medications may interact negatively with L-Glutamine and your body could have a negative reaction to L-Glutamine supplements. A negative reaction may present itself as nausea, vomiting, or other stomach discomfort, swelling in your extremities, headaches, a mild rash, muscle, joint and back pain, dry mouth and sweating. Fun stuff! If you have more extreme side effects like chest pain, flu symptoms and hearing problems, then it's time to call the doctor.

Contact Dr. Kristi if you have any questions about L-Glutamine and whether it may be a fit for your health needs. The Nest offers the Healthwave online dispensary making it easy for you to order necessary supplements, shipped to your door.