Glutamine is the most abundantly available amino acid within the human body and is integral for maintaining healthy metabolic functions. First isolated by German chemist, Ernst Schulze, in 1883 from beetroot juice, the discovery lay relatively dormant until scientists began to explore its role within the human body in the 1930s.Glutamine can be produced within the body from other amino acids, arginine, ornithine and proline. However, it is considered to be “conditionally essential”, which means that during times of increased demand, the body may not be able to create enough, and some must be obtained directly from the diet.
Glutamine is the primary fuel source for several cells, including immune cells and intestinal cells (enterocytes). It aids in healthy mucus production within the intestines and supports the cellular turnover. In natural medicine, the gut is considered the seat of good health. As such, glutamine sufficiency remains a prominent consideration to maintaining vitality and good gut integrity.
Glutamine also acts as a precursor for the neurotransmitter GABA, and glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant.
