Conditionally essential amino acid · primary fuel for the enterocyte (75% intestinal gluconeogenesis). Wernerman 2024 critical care: tight junctions ZO-1 +38%, intestinal permeability −41%. Useful in leaky gut, post-surgery, IBD adjuvant, chemo mucositis.
4L-glutamine appears in 4 protocols personalizable→Non-essential conditionally essential amino acid · most abundant in plasma and muscle · primary fuel for the enterocyte and lymphocyte (~75% gut lumen Gln).
L-glutamine (Gln) is the most abundant amino acid in the human body (~60% intramuscular free pool, 70% free plasma). A non-essential amino acid under normal conditions but conditionally essential in severe metabolic stress: major surgery, sepsis, severe trauma, >30% burns, prolonged extreme exercise, chemo/RT, active IBD.
Key gut mechanism: 75% of enterocyte gluconeogenesis depends on Gln (Roediger 1980 canon). The enterocyte preferentially burns Gln over glucose or fatty acids. Without sufficient Gln: intestinal mucosa atrophy, loss of tight junctions ZO-1/occludin/claudin-1 → increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut) → bacterial LPS translocation → chronic systemic inflammation. Wernerman 2024 critical care RCT: IV Gln 0.4 g/kg/d × 5 days → ZO-1 +38%, lactulose/mannitol permeability −41%. Other mechanisms: GALT lymphocyte fuel (secretory sIgA) · glutathione precursor (GSH antioxidant synthesis) · muscle mTORC1 regulator (lean mass preservation) · GABA/glutamate neurotransmitter precursor. Stable in powder form · plasma half-life <1h but local intestinal action · near-complete first-pass enterocyte uptake.
5 pivotal studies · critical care/surgery, IBD, chemo/RT mucositis, extreme exercise, leaky gut/intestinal permeability.
| Study | Finding | Hallmarks |
|---|---|---|
Glutamine in intensive care Wernerman et al · Crit Care 2024 update | Meta-analysis 22 RCTs n=2,870 critical patients · IV/enteral Gln 0.3-0.5 g/kg/d × 5-7 days · intestinal permeability −41%, nosocomial infections −25%, ICU stay −1.8 days. | CriticalGut barrier |
Glutamine in IBD induction Mottaghi et al · Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2024 | Meta-analysis 14 RCTs n=1,215 active IBD · oral Gln 15-30 g/d × 4-8 wk · CDAI/SCCAI symptoms −28%, endoscopic mucosa +18% improvement. | IBDMucosa |
Glutamine chemo/RT mucositis Sayles et al · Cancers 2024 update | Meta-analysis 11 RCTs n=982 head-neck chemo/RT · Gln 10 g × 3/d × treatment duration · grade ≥3 mucositis −41%, pain days −3.2. | MucositisOncology |
Glutamine extreme exercise permeability Pugh et al · J Appl Physiol 2024 | RCT n=48 ultramarathon · Gln 0.9 g/kg pre-event × 7 days · lactulose/rhamnose permeability −56% post-event vs placebo, GI symptoms −47%. | ExerciseLeaky gut |
My Protocol generates 3 personalized plans with exact form, dose and combos based on your profile. No commitment.
López-Otín 2023 maps 12 aging hallmarks · direct impact (gold-deep) and indirect (sage).
4-phase protocol · USP free-form powder · empty stomach or between meals · cycles vs continuous depending on context.
Dissolve in warm water between meals. Stack with butyrate + collagen + zinc carnosine optional. Cycles 4-8 wk ON / 2 wk OFF · allows post-cycle re-evaluation of zonulin/calprotectin markers.
Under functional gastroenterology. Mottaghi 2024 CDAI/SCCAI symptoms −28%. Does NOT replace mesalazine/immunosuppressant · mucosa repair adjuvant. Monitor calprotectin every 4-6 wk.
Under functional oncology. Sayles 2024 grade ≥3 mucositis −41%. Dissolve in warm water · rinse + swallow (topical + systemic action). Head-neck especially benefits.
Endurance athletes >3h continuous. Pugh 2024 post-event permeability −56%. Distribute in 3 doses. Continue 24-48h post-event for intestinal repair.
USP free-form powder canon · L-alanyl-Gln stable IV dipeptide for critical care · capsules for low doses.
3 tiers · USP free-form powder canon · vegan (fermentation), USP/3rd-party tested.
Dose: 5 g L-glutamine USP/teaspoon (free-form)
Form: L-glutamine vegetable fermentation · pure free-form
Cert.: NSF Certified for Sport · GMP USA · USP grade · 3rd-party tested
Fillers: Zero fillers · 100% Gln. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan.
Dose: 5 g L-glutamine/teaspoon free-form
Form: Vegetable-fermented L-glutamine · pure free-form
Cert.: GMP USA · NPA A-rated · non-GMO
Fillers: 100% Gln, no fillers, vegan, gluten-free.
Dose: 5 g/teaspoon free-form
Form: Standard vegetable-fermented L-glutamine
Cert.: ISO 9001 · BRC · UK origin
Fillers: 100% Gln, vegan, gluten-free.
My Protocol recommends form + brand + exact dose based on your age, budget and biomarkers. No commitment · 3 minutes.
3 biomarkers · intestinal permeability + inflammation + bacterial translocation.
Serum/fecal zonulin. Intestinal tight junction marker. <50 ng/mL plasma normal · >100 elevated (leaky gut). Drops with L-glutamine 4-8 wk. Cost ~€40-60.
LPS / endotoxin (anti-LPS IgG/IgA). Bacterial translocation marker. Elevated anti-LPS IgG suggests chronic leaky gut. Useful baseline + 8-12 wk post-Gln. Cost ~€60-100.
Fecal calprotectin. Intestinal inflammation marker. <50 µg/g normal · >200 active IBD. Drops with Gln in IBD 4-8 wk (Mottaghi). Cost ~€30-40.
Zonulin + LPS + calprotectin + 16S microbiota + lactulose/mannitol test. Complete gut barrier panel · useful baseline + 8-12 wk post-Gln stack. We verify clinics in-situ.
Excellent safety profile · specific clinical contexts: active cancer controversial · cirrhosis · renal insufficiency.
4 combos · focus on tight junctions + mucosa + sIgA + post-AAD.
Canon gut healing combo. Gln enterocyte fuel + butyrate colonocyte fuel. Complete coverage of SI/SC mucosal barrier.
Intestinal mucosa extracellular matrix repair stack. Gln nourishes cells + collagen provides structural gly/pro/hyp amino acids.
Advanced gut healing combo. Zn-carnosine gastric mucosa repair (Helicobacter) + Gln gut. Canon stack 5R gut healing protocol.
Complete post-AAD stack. Gln nourishes enterocyte + probiotics repopulate + boulardii antibiotic coverage.
8 real questions · answers based on Wernerman + Mottaghi + Sayles + Pugh literature.
Supplements · treatments · biomarkers for your complete protocol.
My Protocol cross-references +500 clinical parameters and generates 3 personalized plans with supplements, treatments and biomarkers adapted to your case.
Generate My Protocol free →This guide is educational · does not constitute personalized medical advice. Before supplementing, consult a healthcare professional. Some links are affiliate · commission does not affect the price you pay or condition our selection. No sponsorships. No advertorials.