Glutamine Supplement Ingredient

Impact

Highest effect

Typical dose:5–15 g

Glutamine is the primary energy source for enterocytes (cells lining the intestine). It plays a crucial role in maintaining tight junction integrity, preventing intestinal permeability (often called 'leaky gut'), and supporting tissue repair within the GI tract.

Study evidence

37 studies

Glutamine may support the intestinal barrier or reduce digestive complications in some medical settings, but results vary by condition. Evidence does not establish a general digestive benefit in healthy people, and improvements in gut markers do not always translate into fewer symptoms.

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Detoxification

Impact

High effect

Typical dose:1000–5000 mg

Glutamine is the primary fuel for enterocytes, the cells lining the gut. A strong gut barrier prevents bacterial endotoxins like LPS from entering the bloodstream and traveling to the liver, thereby decreasing hepatic inflammation and the overall detoxification burden.

Study evidence

8 studies

Glutamine participates in ammonia metabolism, but the supplied research does not establish a general detoxification benefit from oral supplements. Favorable findings largely concern specialized medical nutrition and liver-related care, and liver enzyme elevations have occurred in some intravenous nutrition settings.

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Immunity

Impact

Moderate effect

Typical dose:2–10 g

During illness or stress, immune cells like lymphocytes and macrophages have a high demand for glutamine as their preferred energy source. Supplementation supports their optimal function and proliferation. It also strengthens the gut lining, preventing pathogens from entering the bloodstream.

Study evidence

36 studies

Glutamine supports immune-cell function, and supplementation may reduce infections in some surgical or severely ill patients receiving specialized nutrition. These clinical findings do not establish that ordinary oral Glutamine improves everyday immunity, and evidence for protecting athletes from exercise-related immune changes is unconvincing.

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