Video Transcript: Hi there. My name's Megan. I'm a registered dietitian nutritionist at Flusso Nutrients where we provide supplement education and professional-quality grade supplements and options for you in an effort to make the world of nutritional supplements a little bit easier to navigate.
So as always, make sure to check in with your nutrition-literate healthcare provider before you begin any supplement regimens we can't personally know your full medical history before we recommend certain supplements to you.
So without further ado, let's dive into today's topic, which is L-Glutamine for leaky Gut.
L-Glutamine For Leaky Gut?
So before we discuss L-Glutamine and how it can help the leaky gut, I actually want to talk first about understanding what leaky gut syndrome is and why it occurs.
So leaky gut syndrome, which is also known as intestinal permeability, is a condition characterized by the damage to the intestinal lining or the intestinal walls.
And so when this happens, things like undigested food particles, bacteria, toxins, things like this can pass through that gut wall and enter the bloodstream. And this breach of the intestinal barrier can trigger things like an immune response.
And this leads to various health issues like autoimmune conditions, food sensitivities, and even things like chronic inflammation. So the primary function of the gut lining is to act as a barrier and to keep us healthy.
It protects the body from harmful substances and allows the essential nutrients to be absorbed from the foods we're eating, right?
I mean, the main thing that our gut is doing is digesting and absorbing those nutrients. And so if we have a compromised barrier, this can inhibit those processes. The cause of leaky gut can be very diverse.
It can range from lots of different factors like poor diet, things like chronic stress, especially, it can be a really large impactor of this. And even certain overuse of medications like antibiotics or drugs like NSAIDs, like ibuprofen.
So now that we understand a little bit more about leaky gut, otherwise known as intestinal permeability, I want to talk about the role that L-Glutamine can play in the health of that intestinal lining.
So L-Glutamine is known as a conditional amino acid. And what that basically means is that under certain circumstances such as stress or illness, the body may require higher amounts of glutamine than it can produce.
So there are certain amino acids that we need to get through the diet, and there are certain amino acids we can produce.
Glutamine is usually one of those. But again, in stress or illness and things like this, we might require more of it. And so that's why getting glutamine through the diet can be especially helpful.
This amino acid plays very several crucial roles in maintaining the gut health, and of course, the lining of the gut, including fueling the cells that line the intestines, promoting growth and repair of the intestinal lining, and of course, strengthening the barrier and the function of our gut lining as well.
In addition to all this, glutamine has also been shown to reduce inflammation and have some anti-inflammatory effects, which is especially important for people who deal with leaky gut.
So of course, as a result, glutamine is becoming increasingly popular as a natural and effective way to support optimal digestion and of course, help repair and heal the gut lining.
So along with repairing the intestinal lining and helping to reduce inflammation, L-Glutamine actually has a couple of other benefits as well.
L-Glutamine Benefits
One of the most important benefits is improving immune function. So our gut and our immune system are inextricably linked. About 70% of our immune system actually lies within our gut. And because of this, the gut barrier is incredibly important for our immune system, right?
So when we have a compromised gut barrier, this can make us more prone to disease and illness. And so because L-Glutamine can help repair that barrier, our immune system is fortified, and it can be stronger against certain pathogens.
The other key thing that L-Glutamine can be especially important for is enhancing nutrient absorption. And that's because, of course, the gut lining is essential for proper absorption of certain nutrients.
And so by supporting the integrity of the gut barrier, L-Glutamine can help ensure that your body is getting the vital nutrients that it needs.
Now, of course, when incorporating any new supplement into your regimen, it's important to know what dose you would need to help reduce the symptoms that you're seeing.
And so, when incorporating L-Glutamine into your daily routine, for things like leaky gut, it's crucial to determine this appropriate dose. And so, the optimal dose is going to vary based on lots of different factors.
Things like age weight, and overall health are going to play a role in determining how much L-Glutamine you need to be taking to see a reduction in symptoms.
With that said, it's generally recommended to start on a lower dose and then gradually increase that dose as needed depending on the tolerance and, of course, response to the supplement.
So a starting dose typically may range from somewhere like five to 10 grams divided into two or three doses in the day.
And, of course, it's essential to consult with your dietitian or your doctor, or other nutrition-literate healthcare provider before beginning any supplement regimen, especially if you have existing health conditions as this can help determine the best place to start out with L-Glutamine.
And, of course, what type of L-Glutamine supplement will be best for you? Now, when it comes to finding a supplement to take, I know this can be overwhelming as there are so many different brands and options available.
So there are a few things to consider when purchasing an L-Glutamine supplement. One of the biggest things to keep in mind, of course, is the quality of the supplement.
And to help determine this, it's important to look for brands that have undergone third-party testing as their products often meet safety and efficacy standards. But it's also important to look for things like the form that the supplement comes in.
So some people would be more likely to choose supplements that are in pill form, and others prefer things powder for certain reasons. And so, with all of that in mind, there are lots of different options available to you.
In fact, if you'd like to give L-Glutamine a try, there are some options on the Flusso both in pill form and powder form that can be available for you. A link will be provided below if you'd like to look for more information on that.
Capsule: Pure L-Glutamine Powder: L-Glutamine Powder
Now, when deciding between capsules and powder, one of the most important things to consider is lifestyle. So are you somebody who can more easily incorporate powder into your routine? For example, do you drink grain juices or smoothies in the morning?
Powder is really easy to throw into that. Or are you somebody with a more on-the-go lifestyle? This is typically where a pill form can come in handy as it's extra portable and easy to take, especially on the go.
Now, with any new supplement added to your regimen, it's important to consider possible side effects.
And while L-Glutamine is generally considered safe for most people, some individuals may experience certain symptoms after taking L-Glutamine. Things like headaches, or dizziness, or gastrointestinal discomfort can be symptoms for, again, some individuals, not all.
So if you do experience any of these symptoms or adverse reactions while taking L-Glutamine, feel free to discontinue. So then, of course, consult with your healthcare provider right away.
Additionally, if you're somebody who experiences things like kidney or liver disease, it's important to exercise caution while taking supplements like L-Glutamine as it may exacerbate these issues.
So if you're somebody who does experience a lot of negative symptoms due to intestinal permeability or leaky gut, L-Glutamine is something that's really important to talk to with your doctor or healthcare provider about to help incorporate this into your regimen if it's appropriate for you.
Especially for somebody who experiences things like chronic stress or has underlying health conditions that contribute more to leaky gut or intestinal permeability here at Flusso, we're here to help you navigate these conversations with your doctor and of course, provide education for you on supplements and what potentially could be right for you and your health condition.
So thank you again, and we'll see you in our next blog. Bye-bye.