L-glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in your body. Since it can be synthesized by your cells, it’s a non-essential amino acid. It plays a role in immunity, proper brain function and digestion. L-glutamine’s protein sparing effects might help people with myotonic muscular dystrophy; however, research has shown conflicting results. Consult your health care provider taking L-glutamine.
Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy
Myotonic muscular dystrophy, also called Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is a genetic disorder in which muscles contract, but have difficulty relaxing. Over time, myotonic muscular dystrophy can produce muscle weakness and lead to muscle wasting. Other symptoms of the disease include daytime sleepiness, gastrointestinal upset and severe cognitive problems. Myotonic muscular dystrophy can strike patients of any age, according to PubMed.
Whole Body Protein Breakdown
L-glutamine’s ability to inhibit muscle wasting and preserve muscle protein might help patients with myotonic muscular dystrophy. Researchers at Nemours Children’s Clinic studied the impact of oral L-glutamine on whole body protein breakdown, an indicator of muscle wasting, in young boys with myotonic muscular dystrophy. Subjects received flavored water with or without L-glutamine on separate days. Whole body protein breakdown was measured before and after treatment. Scientists found that those consuming L-glutamine experienced significantly less muscle protein breakdown compared with those without L-glutamine, according to research reported in the February 1998 issue of “Pediatric Research.”
No Effect
Although L-glutamine provides short-term gain for myotonic muscular dystrophy patients, its long-term effects are not beneficial, according to a study conducted by researchers at INSERM Centre D’Investigation Clinique in France. Scientists assigned young boys with the disease to L-glutamine or a placebo daily for four months. Whole body protein breakdown was measured before and after the study. At the end of the treatment, scientists found that both groups lost a similar amount of muscle mass. Researchers concluded that L-glutamine supplementation provided no additional benefit over a placebo. The findings were reported in the April 2009 issue of “PLos One.”
Side Effects
L-glutamine supplementation may cause unwanted side effects, including gastrointestinal upset, coughing, loss of appetite and back pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. Consult your health-care provider before taking L-glutamine, particularly if you’re taking medication.
References
- PubMed; Myotonic Dystrophy
- Pediatric Research; Oral Glutamine Slows Down Whole Body Protein Breakdown in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; R.G. Hankard et al.
- PLos One; Lack of Functional Benefit with Glutamine versus Placebo in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Randomized Crossover Trial; E. Mok et al.
- Mayo Clinic; Glutamine (Oral Route) Side Effects
