L-Glutamine & Gut Health: What Experts & Research Says About The Connection 

We know gut health is complicated—and that everyone's unique needs will be varied based on their lifestyle, dietary preferences, and inherent body differences. We also know that the gut requires a robust diverse array of foods and nutrients to keep it healthy, so to support your digestive health you can look to multiple routes, from probiotics, prebiotics, fibers, antioxidants, fatty acids, and amino acids. 

Glutamine, as we've noted, is an amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Proteins are an essential nutrient and what helps our cells, muscles, connective tissues, and even our gut carry out basic daily functions.* Glutamine, in particular, helps build up collagen (you know that famous peptide that gives skin that youthful, firm, supple appearance?) as well as for the cells in our gut. L-glutamine is simply the form of the amino acid that we find in foods and supplements.* Got all those basics? Good.

"According to a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Science, glutamine is one of the most common amino acids in the blood and cells, and it's a preferred source of energy for intestinal cells1," says integrative gastroenterologist Marvin Singh, M.D., about glutamine. "The authors also explain that glutamine supplementation can support the lining of the bowel and help it keep a strong intestinal barrier, in addition to enhancing immune cell function and the immune system while reducing the inflammatory response2."*