posted
My practitioner recommended that I take many grams of l-glutamine every day for leaky gut. Ever since I started taking it I've had EXTREME amounts of energy!
My energy has been pretty good even before I started the glutamine, but now it seems over the top. It's almost like I have too much energy. Nothing seems to wear me out. Also I've been sleeping less and going to bed later than usual. For example, right now I should be fast asleep, but I feel like moving around and doing some work.
Here are my questions: 1) Is it common for LLMDs to recommend glutamine? An interesting thing is that some sites claim that glutamine boosts the immune system. One place said that even just 2 grams of glutamine on an empty stomach boosts growth hormone by 400%! (I don't know if that's a good thing).
2) Has anyone here personally had experience with glutamine giving extra energy and stamina? Also, if it is true that it is so great at giving energy, then why wouldn't all Lyme patients take it? Would most Lyme patients want extra energy (plus the other benefits, like healing the gut)?
3) Besides the higher risk for seizures, does anyone else having any complaints or precautions to give about the product?
nonna05
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33557
posted
Wow!!! Energy, what's that? Is your doc an LLMD? I don't know a thing about it...but if it helps Lyme patients we should by stock now,
It will be flying off the shelf. But really am glad you're doing better.
Had you been sick long??? Co-infection's???
When you say sites, do you mean Lyme sites suggest it?
Sorry ,I didn't answer your question and left you with a few for me and others.. Nonna
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Too much stimulation can be a very dangerous thing for lyme patients, for various reasons, mostly though the nerve cells can be damaged and the adrenal system can crash.
With your reaction, it seems that your dose is way too high.
Is your practitioner ILADS-educated and lyme literate?
L-Glutamine can be very helpful for the gut lining but can be very stimulating and is not appropriate at all in large doses for lyme patients, or anyone with diseases that affect the nervous system.
It's best to start with a low dose - but, even then, ONLY if the patient has strong adrenals, & strong nerve function (and most do not). Anxiety issues can make L-Glutamine a dangerous addition.
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 (especially 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.
But some supplements may contain very high doses so do check. [Also check for high doses of phenylalanine as high doses of that are also way too stimulating for those with lyme.]
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. . . .
- full article at link above. -
[ 11-14-2011, 11:36 AM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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posted
- Trial doses of a very small amount of L-Glutamine might be tried if one has no over stimulation from it and DGL or other methods are not effective.
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 -
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MichaelTampa
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Member # 24868
posted
I have used Xymogen's GlutAloeMine, which contains L-Glutamine and DGL and aloe and arabainogalactin for gut healing many times, and it works great for me. But, I have never noticed getting more energy from it.
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nonna05
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Member # 33557
posted
So do energy supplements hurt your progress on healing.
I saw energy and thought lets go for it...
Just don't think well enough to put the complications with /or against the benefit of some of these treatments.
what about NT Factor for energy, Dhea, hormones etc.
Posts: 2563 | From Denver,CO | Registered: Aug 2011
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nonna05
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33557
posted
So do energy supplements hurt your progress on healing.
I saw energy and thought lets go for it...
Just don't think well enough to put the complications with /or against the benefit of some of these treatments.
what about NT Factor for energy, Dhea, hormones etc.
Posts: 2563 | From Denver,CO | Registered: Aug 2011
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- [Disclaimer of sorts: I'm so passionate about this topic as I made some horrible mistakes trying to "boost" my energy years ago.
B3, as a capsule of straight niacin really did rocket me out of a car on the freeway. I had to pull over and pour water over my face and head from the intense flushing and itching. Who knew? Not me! I did not use the best form of that in the proper combination.
I still cringe thinking about some of the results I got just from thinking that expresso would make me smarter - or way back - from NoDoz in college so I could wake up my brain to study. Huge mistake. I never took illegal drugs but even the "tame" stuff I took nearly derailed me. It made me so much sicker.]
NONNA,
SOME "energy" supplements can cause serious damage for those who have adrenal dysfunction &/or flat out adrenal exhaustion (as is common with lyme). Some "energy" supplements and drinks can be dangerous for ANYONE.
Rule of thumb: avoid anything that promises to boost anything except a rocket to the sky.
Of course, you may need to clarify their definition of "boost" or just how their product delivers "energy" and then get professional advice for YOUR body at THIS point in time.
And, starting with LOW DOSE is always key for any supplement as individuals can have different effects from the same thing.
If it seems to be okay for the first low dose, do not increase with a "boosting" force. Start low and go slowly.
Support (or correction) is what we need, not "boosting" as that can shock our bodies and even cause damage that could be permanent.
Could also create a neuro-excitability anxiety and that's pretty horrible and hard to tame once it gets out of the gate.
It's best to discuss all aspects of your treatment plan with your ILADS-educated doctor. They need to know all that you do as everything else you take affect the treatment plan.
Now, you may need an adjunct doctor who has more training in complementary medicine to work WITH your LLMD's plan (and keeping both doctors in the loop).
Adjunct care is best done by an ILADS-educated LL ND (naturopathic doctor) or one with a similar degree and education about lyme.
To answer your other questions, there are other threads discussing NT Factor, DHEA, Hormones . . . but you might also want to study
Archives - search past topics, use subject heading
Then, it's good to also search further to get the full picture but find ILADS-educated professionals' work first as they have considered the unique conditions faced by lyme patients. -
[ 11-14-2011, 02:55 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
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Keebler
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