Leaky gut syndrome is a condition thought to arise from permeability, or leakiness, of your intestinal lining. Increased intestinal permeability has been implicated in any number of medical disorders, including celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, autoimmune conditions and even heart disease. Research suggests that inflammation triggered by modern diets and other factors could play a role in leaky gut syndrome, and this inflammation appears to be alleviated by adding L-glutamine to your diet. Discuss the use of L-glutamine with your doctor.
Dual Barrier
According to scientists at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, the lining of your intestine represents the largest physical and immunologic barrier between you and your environment, and violations of either component of this barrier can lead to disease. Immune cells and antibodies in your intestine prevent the free movement of microorganisms and other threatening agents into your bloodstream, and enterocytes – cells arranged in a single layer along the interior of your intestine – act as a filter for fluids, electrolytes and nutrients. L-glutamine helps to support the seals between your enterocytes.
Tight Junctions
Each enterocyte in your intestinal lining is sealed to its neighbors by specialized proteins that act like hook-and-loop closures to hold the cells together. These “tight junctions” can be disrupted by a variety of noxious agents, including chemicals in your food, medications, infectious organisms and irritating dietary proteins. To maintain their tight junctions and prevent the unrestricted passage of undesirable substances, your enterocytes must expend a great deal of metabolic energy. A study published in the September 2004 issue of “American Journal of Physiology” demonstrated that L-glutamine heals damaged tight junctions.
L-Glutamine
L-glutamine is one of 22 amino acids used by your body to manufacture structural proteins, enzymes, neurotransmitters and other essential molecules. It is also a valuable source of energy for rapidly dividing cells. L-glutamine’s small size and chemical structure allow it to be transported freely through your bloodstream, and it is readily absorbed from your intestine by enterocytes. The authors of a March 2010 review in “Inflammatory Bowel Diseases” reported that enterocytes avidly absorb L-glutamine, as it is their preferred fuel source. In fact, L-glutamine appears to be vital for maintaining tight junctions and preventing leaky gut syndrome.
Considerations
Many conventional medical practitioners have not yet recognized leaky gut syndrome as a valid clinical entity. However, an increasing body of evidence is linking intestinal permeability to an array of serious diseases. The optimal dose of L-glutamine needed to improve intestinal integrity is still unclear, and the dosages needed for different conditions may vary. Clinical studies using 8 to 20 grams daily have elicited variable results. Ask your doctor if L-glutamine supplementation is appropriate for you.
References
- “Clinics”; Possible Links Between Intestinal Permeability and Food Processing: A Potential Therapeutic Niche for Glutamine; J.R. Rapin, et al.; June 2010
- “Gastroenterology and Hepatology”; Intestinal Barrier: An Interface Between Health and Disease; A. Farhadi, et al.; May 2003
- “American Journal of Physiology – Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology”; Glutamine Regulates Caco-2 Cell Tight Junction Proteins; N. Li, et al.; September 2004
- “Inflammatory Bowel Diseases”; Potential for Amino Acids Supplementation During Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; M. Coëffier, et al.; March 2010 (PDF)
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