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ToggleWhat is glutamine?
Glutamine (L-glutamine) is a non-essential amino acid, mainly synthesized by the body and is considered the most abundant amino acid in the bloodstream with many functions within the body.
What is glutamine for?
- Glutamine is an energy source widely used by man and by intensive medicine. Due to the energy demands of the human being on the one hand and on the other to the deficient diet in some sectors of the population, it is currently also obtained through the consumption of food supplements, which serve to make up for deficiencies in certain situations.
- It is used to treat:
- The catabolism of muscle mass in athletes, since it is involved in the formation of proteins .
- Sarcopenia as an adjuvant with other food supplements to synthesize protein.
- Deficiency in the functioning of lymphocytes (as an adjuvant).
- Sickle cell disease.
- Endogenous insufficiency during critical illness.
- In gastrointestinal discomfort such as irritable bowel syndrome, as an adjuvant.
Dosage and routes of administration of glutamine
The presentation of glutamine can be in capsules or powder to mix . The administration is by oral, enteral or parenteral route and the dosage as a reference can be the following:
- Glutamine powder or capsules: The body requires a dose between 5 and 10 grams daily, to supplement with food mixed with water or any other drink. In the case of special regimens such as in the case of athletes, the dose can reach up to 20 gr distributed during the day in 4 doses.
- Glutamine for enteral or parenteral nutrition regimens: The dosage for clinical cases is left to the judgment of the treating physician, who will monitor blood glutamine levels.
What products contain glutamine?
Some of the medicines that contain glutamine are:
- Fleet openers®
- Enterex®
- Glutapak-10®
- Gasteel inmunity balance®
Fleet Avant®
- The fleet avant® is a food supplement that contains glutamine among its main components.
- It is used for enteral nutrition of patients with essential amino acid metabolism disorder.
Enterex®
- Enterex® is a hyperproteic, hypercaloric specialized polymeric enteral feeding formula that contains glutamine in its formula.
- It is used to treat patients with kidney disease, who require enteral nutritional support and increase protein and caloric intake.
Glutapak-10®
- Glutapak-10® is a specialized enteral feeding formula designed as a powdered glutamine module.
- It is used in those cases where glutamine supplementation is required as an essential amino acid.
Gasteel Inmunity Balance®
- Gasteel immunity balance® is a symbiotic with glutamine and vitamins , which contributes to the balance of the intestinal microbiota.
- It is indicated in the treatment of immune reinforcement during the period of tiredness and fatigue.
Glutamine Side Effects
Clinical results indicate that the use of glutamine as a supplement can lead a certain population of patients to suffer from some of the following adverse effects:
- Possible occurrence of allergic reactions.
- Hives, swelling of the face or hands.
- Swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, difficulty breathing.
- Fever , chills, cough , sore throat , body aches.
- Swollen ankles or feet.
- Constipation , nausea, vomiting , and gas.
- Problems with bowel movements, stomach pain, headache.
- Pain in the joints, back or chest.
Important: If any of these symptoms appear during the consumption of this dietary supplement, please discontinue use and notify your doctor .
Contraindications and warnings of glutamine
The consumption of glutamine as a dietary supplement is contraindicated in the following cases:
- Hypersensitivity to any component that accompanies the formulation with glutamine.
- In patients with kidney disease.
- In people with impaired liver function.
- In people who, due to their lifestyle, do not require additional glutamine supplementation.
- During pregnancy or breastfeeding without medical approval.
To highlight: Provide your doctor with all the information regarding your health history, before starting treatment with glutamine.
Avoid it if you have:
- Hypersensitivity to any component that accompanies the formulation with glutamine or glutamic acid.
Warnings:
- Although this food supplement does not require a prescription for sale, it is important that its administration is under medical supervision.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions when starting treatment with glutamine.
- You must observe through laboratory tests, the concentrations of glutamine in the blood during treatment.
- Keep all glutamine medicines out of the reach of children.
- Keep this dietary supplement stored in a cool, dry place.

University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.