Anyone use L-Glutamine to help with their leaky gut? thx, j
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
Yeah, my ND had me take many grams of L-Glutamine tablets per day for leaky gut. That was years ago, and within a year my problems were fixed.
I think tablets are fine. Of course you could use powders if you don't like swallowing that many tablets.
I'm not sure about this, but I think 5-10 grams a day would be a good amount. Hopefully someone else will give a second opinion.
Posted by jer69 (Member # 34046) on :
James, Thank you the advice is really appreciated. I heard somewhere that with L-Glutamine there is a upper limit to how much one can take. thanks, j
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
Oh yes, I'm vaguely remembering something about the possibility of causing headaches in certain individuals, and also that (maybe) we're not supposed to take it too close to sleeping time. I'm not positive about those, though.
The sad thing is that I wouldn't know where to look it up on the internet, because there's so much biased junk out there against supplements.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- L-Glutamine can be very helpful for the gut lining.
However, for anyone with myoclonus (sudden jerking, whether or not from sudden sensory stimuli to startle) . . . or for anyone with any kind of seizure activity . . . or anxiety (expecially related to toxicity):
It's vital to know that Glutamine converts to neuro-excitatory glutamic acid in the brain and can lower the seizure threshold tremendously.
The level in some foods is fine but some LLMDs suggest avoiding foods high in glutamine (nuts, etc.).
Some multivitamin formulas contain some glutamine and that is often balanced with magnesium which helps prevent the lowering of the seizure threshold.
Actually, anyone with any kind of neurological problem needs to be very, VERY careful with adding glutamine. Now, it may be okay for some and not for others. So, start a VERY tiny dose and have magnesium on hand if you feel any kind of revving.
All my notes on this are in my defunct iMac and I can't really access that very well. But I remembered enough to find a couple key articles.
As glutamine / glutamic acid can increase the excitatory NMDA neuro receptors, MAGNESIUM can help increase the calming GABA receptors to balance or counteract adverse reactions.
Food reactions can trigger epileptic seizures. The main culprits are the following foods that are rich in glutamate and aspartate, two very excitatory amino acids: [see list at link]
AMINO ACID SUPPLEMENTS I: GLUTAMINE (with Reference to the Related Compound Glutamate)
- by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D
half-way down:
Glutamate in Neurological Diseases
The other concern about glutamate is related to its essential role as a neurotransmitter. The levels of glutamate in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) are highly regulated, since the neurons have sensitive receptors for the compound.
In some neurological diseases, it is found that glutamate levels in the central nervous system become unusually high at sites of pathology. This can occur, for example, if the rate of degradation of glutamate is slowed by an impairment of the enzymes that are involved.
Also, glutamate is excreted by immune cells that take part in inflammatory processes;
the result is high local concentrations at the neurons in progressive neurological diseases such as MS and ALS.
Glutamate levels in the central nervous system can also increase when the blood brain barrier is substantially weakened, as occurs after neurological surgery.
The excess glutamate at the neuron acts as a poison; at high enough levels, the nerves exposed to glutamate can be completely and permanently damaged, so that they are no longer capable of transmitting signals.
Thus, while glutamate is a major component of the body, and an essential part of the nervous system, high levels localized in the nerve cells can be quite toxic, and this is readily demonstrated in animal models. . . . -
Posted by jer69 (Member # 34046) on :
Keebler, DO you think that getting glutamate in something like rice protein would be ok?
I still don't understand exactly how these powdered proteins branch-chain amino-acids work in the body vs the amino's we buy singly in capsules? thx, j
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
THANKS Keebler!!! Awesome information.
Posted by FYRECRACKER (Member # 28568) on :
I always go with the powder.
I take 10 grams per day.
When i was body building (before i knew i had lyme) I was taking 20 grams a day (5 grams in morning, night and before/after a work out)
It noticeably reduced my sugar cravings as well. (And I'm a sugar-holic)
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- jeremy,
In my experience, the combination of items added to rice protein powders did not really do what I think you are wanting for your stomach lining.
But, you may have a different experience with different products. Just be sure to compare dosage.
If you have capsules or powder of L-Glutamine, I would not take more than just a whisper of it in 1/2 of water on an empty stomach.
I used a gram spoon (about 1/4 tsp) and used even less of that. But even that triggered seizures for me, on repeated tries, apart in time.
But, I've heard of others who did okay.
First, I assume you avoid ALL artificial sweeteners such as aspartame (google for all its names, splenda . . . or soy sauce and MSG (google for all the names of MSG). This is really important if you are going to add glutamine.
As long as you do not experience seizures, jerking, severe startle reactions, or anxiety, you might start with just a trace of glutamine to see how you do with this. It can be soothing nearly immediately to the stomach lining.
Just remember that if you feel jittery at all, to back off or be sure you have magnesium, 3 x a day. Magnesium must be spread out during the day.
OR -
you may first want to try DGL &/or SLIPPERY ELM BARK powder - or marshmallow root (not the puffy confections).
DGL is a safer kind of medicinal licorice for those who are too "excited" by regular licorice root (not to be confused with the candy from the stores as that rarely contains licorice but, when so, also sugar). You might want to start here ----------
A GLUTEN-FREE DIET is often a huge help to the stomach lining for many lyme patients who have leaky gut. Gluten can also cause inflammation, swelling, pain, neurological problems such as brain fog, depression, vertigo, etc.
----------
And, of course: PROBIOTICS -
Posted by jer69 (Member # 34046) on :
Keebler thats some good info. thank you. One last question if I might, do you indeed know the difference in how the branch chain amino's react in the body vs the single amino's in capsules? Always wondered how they might differ? thanks, j
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
If you have high blood levels of ammonia steer clear of Glutamine.
Posted by jackie51 (Member # 14233) on :
My daughter has been instructed to take 3 gms. of l-glutamine powder in water before every meal, i.e. 3x per day.
She has lyme, mycoplasma and strep. Is on maintenance meds, will come off soon, as she is symptomless. Though still highly reactive to gluten.