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l-Glutamine: Your Tummy’s Support System

by Jaime Keiller

Tummy Support 101:
In 2019 I made the unfortunate mistake of accidentally eating some undercooked meat. I’ll spare you the details of what followed four to eight hours later. After years of taking probiotics, adhering to the Low FODMAP diet and increasing my soluble fiber intake, I realized I wasn’t nourishing the mucosal lining and integrity of my G.I. tract. I also learned; I wasn’t the only one alone in this. I discovered key nutrients like l-glutamine and other essentials that have unique functions to help support the G.I. tract and promote its integrity.‡

When tummy troubles hit, it’s always important to consult your health care provider, but I completely understand how tummy troubles can impact your daily life. From avoiding your favorite foods, to occasional gas and bloating, to swapping out a pair of skinny jeans, for stretchy leggings, you never notice how much influence your G.I. tract has on your daily life.

Moving Beyond Probiotics:
Okay, don’t get me wrong. Probiotics are important microorganisms working synergistically with our gastrointestinal system to help digest our food, provide immune support, ­an­­­­d maintain other physiological functions beyond the gut. What I’m saying is, there may come a time when, no matter the probiotic you’re taking, or whatever tummy support protocol you’re trialing, like the elimination diet, gluten-free, or maybe even low FODMAP (sound familiar?), you’re likely to notice that the health benefit you were once experiencing may not be the same. That’s when we need to start to consider other nutrients, like l-glutamine found in our L-Glutamine Powder, to help support our G.I. integrity. ‡

  • L-Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body. In times of metabolic stress, l-glutamine is utilized by the body for tissue repair and gastrointestinal tract support.1,2‡
  • L-Glutamine plays a large role in maintaining healthy intestinal integrity by enhancing the intestine’s protective mucosal lining.3‡
  • In addition, l-glutamine is important in the preservation of muscle mass.4

It’s important to give our mucosal lining in our G.I. tract a little extra love because it acts as a gatekeeper deciding what nutrients get absorbed and which of those nutrients get rejected. A healthy gut lining also helps prevent entry of harmful substances from the digestive environment.

The Mucosal Lining:
With that said, it’s important that we support the mucosal lining of our G.I. tract. Another way to help support the mucosal lining and facilitate optimal G.I. integrity, is by supporting cellular renewal. Key nutrients like l-glutamine, arabinogalactan and prebiotics may help with cellular regeneration and immune balance in the G.I. tract. ‡

  • The combination of l-glutamine, prebiotic fiber and herbal extracts found in our EpiIntegrity Powder help promote healthy modulation of mucosal immune response to support gastrointestinal (G.I.) integrity and function.‡
  • L-glutamine is an essential fuel for enterocytes (the cells that line the small intestine and colon), supporting cellular renewal, glutathione production and healthy, everyday tissue repair, while promoting healthy villous function.5‡
  • Arabinogalactan is a prebiotic fiber found in high concentrations in North American larch trees. It has been shown to increase the concentration of beneficial bacteria, such as Bacteroidetes and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.6‡
  • Beneficial microflora are crucial for proper gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) function and development. Research suggests higher levels are associated with healthy cytokine balance and G.I. function.7‡

If you know, you know. Like, staring at the open refrigerator door unsure of what to eat. Nutrients to help support G.I. cytokine balance and abdominal comfort may possibly be the next thing to consider!‡

Uniquely Supportive:
I wish I had known about butyric acid in the past to help support my tummy. This nutrient has beneficial properties that may be a real game changer for those looking to promote intestinal health, abdominal comfort, gut barrier integrity and cytokine balance in the G.I. tract.‡

  • Butyrate is one of the three most abundant short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by anaerobic bacterial fermentation of polysaccharides/fiber in the colon, where it serves as an energy source for epithelial cells.8‡
  • Butyrate plays a major role in intestinal physiology, supporting both physical and biochemical protective barrier function, bowel motility, nutrient absorption and immune activity of intestinal cells.9‡
  • It also promotes the proliferation, differentiation and renewal process of the colonocytes. Research suggests that SCFAs produced by intestinal bacteria activate key players in the regulation of energy metabolism in the gut as well as regulate healthy gene expression for mucin production, supporting tight-junction assembly, healthy mucous production and a healthy intestinal barrier.10‡

Our SunButyrate-TG Liquid is a unique, butyrate-rich triglyceride oil that promotes intestinal health, gut barrier integrity, cytokine balance in the G.I. tract, bowel motility and abdominal comfort.‡

Let’s Talk Carnosine…and No, This isn’t a New Diet:
If I haven’t convinced you yet that your G.I. integrity is pretty important, let me try again with zinc-l-carnosine.

  • Zinc-l-carnosine has a slow disassociation rate, or the splitting of a larger molecule into a smaller molecule, and adheres to the stomach lining, allowing for prolonged protection.11‡
  • Zinc and carnosine provide synergistic antioxidant protection, support the stomach’s mucosal defenses, buffer gastric acid and maintain healthy cytokine release.12‡
  • Studies suggest that this combination is more effective in maintaining the integrity of the gastric lining than either ingredient alone.13‡

Our Peptic Care (Zinc-l-Carnosine) provides a patented support for gastric health and comfort for supporting the stomach’s mucosal defenses. ‡  

Dear Enzymes, I Didn’t Forget You:
We see you over there, Digestive Enzymes Ultra, and we wanted to say hello! The inner Registered Dietitian in me can’t help but share with you other ways to support your G.I. tract by helping aid the breakdown of our macronutrients into smaller, absorbable forms. If you haven’t already checked out our blog highlighting our unique Digestive Enzymes, first – finish this blog, then go read that one because there’s such a wealth of information there!

  • Digestion GB contains digestive enzymes, bile salts, taurine and herbal extracts to promote healthy gallbladder function and fat digestion.‡
  • The metabolism of fats involves emulsification and digestion in a complex process that requires healthy liver, gallbladder and pancreatic function.14
  • Milk Thistle, curcumin and taurine promote liver and gallbladder health and stimulate production and secretion of bile acids.15,16,17‡
  • Bile acids, provided in the form of ox bile salts, support the emulsification of fats necessary for digestion.18‡
  • The digestive enzymes included in this formula are active in a broad pH range to support fat, carbohydrate and protein digestion to complement pancreatic enzyme activity. This formula has enhanced lipase for extra fat digestion support.19‡

Plus, the nice thing is whether you’re eating at home or you’re out to dinner, you can take your enzymes capsules with you on-the-go!

There’s a Light at the End of the Tunnel:
As a Registered Dietitian, it’s so important to eat a variety of foods including fruits and vegetables and it’s just as important to eat with the confidence knowing you are helping nourish yourself with nutrients promoting G.I. integrity and comfort. ‡ If you’re struggling for something to promote your G.I. integrity, help support that cytokine balance and promote abdominal comfort, check out our Gastrointestinal products for yourself!

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    2. Song QH, et al. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2015 May;53(5):372-6.
    3. Lima AA, et al. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2014;69(4):225-33.
    4. Rennie MJ, et al. Metabolism. 1989. 38(8); 47- 51.
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    14. Czakó L, et al. Can J Gastroenterol. 2003 Oct;17(10):597-603.
    15. Crocenzi FA, et al. Biochem Pharmacol. 2000 Apr 15;59(8):1015-22.
    16. Marciani L, et al. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2013 Nov;67(11):1182-7.
    17. Wang WY, et al. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1991 May-Jun;15(3):294-7.
    18. Little KH, et al. Dig Dis Sci. 1992 Jun;37(6):929- 33.
    19. Meng X, et al. Poultry Science. 2004. 83; 1718- 27
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