glutamine/glutapak

[Guest guest]

Is anyone using glutapak at there facility? My boss just ordered it, but I'm still not comfortable using it. I've read articles about glutamine, but it seems inconclusive. Some questions:

1. How do you use it with tube feedings? With p.o. diet?2. What are the doses & what are the formulas used for adults?3. At what stage of an ulcer do you use it?4. Do you use Vit C and Zinc first or glutamine or altogether?

Thanks in advance.

Cunha, RD

[Guest guest]

Just sending you my info on glutamine from old posts. . .you'll have to 'wade' through it to find the answers to your specific questions, but hope it helps anyway.

Jan Patenaude, RD

Nutritional Supplements: Supplement Savvy for Cancer: Glutamine

Home > Total Nutrition > Supplements for Health and Healing

Supplement Savvy for Cancer: Glutamine

Reduces Cancer Treatment Symptoms

By Jill Place, MA, RD

What It Is . . .

Glutamine is the most plentiful protein in your blood. Your body normally

makes enough but under stressful conditions like cancer it's necessary to

get extra. And the best way to get all you need under stressful conditions

is with a supplement.

What It Does . . .

Glutamine has many benefits. First, Glutamine keeps your gut working

right. And having a healthy gut also boosts immunity because about 65% of

your immune system is in your gut. Second, Glutamine may actually stop the

growth of tumors by boosting glutathione, a protein that's important for

maintaining cell health and preventing oxidative stress. Third, Glutamine

may slow weight loss and muscle wasting. Fourth, Glutamine might reduce

the symptoms of chemotherapy and radiation, such as diarrhea, aching,

numbness, swallowing difficulties, and mouth sores. Fifth, extra Glutamine

may actually help your treatments work better. Lastly, Glutamine feeds and

protects normal, intestinal, and immune cells but doesn't feed or protect

cancer cells. With all these pluses, Glutamine might be first on your list

when you are considering what supplements to take during treatment.

What To Do . . .

Research studies show that you need to take 30 grams or more of Glutamine

for best results. This large amount is very expensive and difficult to

take if you're buying commercial-grade, low-dose tablets or capsules at

the Health Food Store. Also, commercial Glutamine, which is used mainly

for bodybuilding, is mixed with other ingredients such as creatine. It's

better to take a pure pharmaceutical powdered form of Glutamine.

Glutamine loses potency when it's mixed ahead of time, so the best way to

take it is to mix it with a liquid or moist food and eat or drink it

within 30 minutes of mixing. The powder is odorless and tasteless so it

won't spoil the flavor of foods. Try it with any thing listed below or be

creative with your own food or drink choices:

Juices, such as apple or cranberryNectars, such as apricot or pear

Ginger ale (also for nausea)Mineral water (plain or flavored)

Iced herbal teasCafix, Postum, or other cereal coffee substitutes

Sugar-free Carnation Instant Breakfast (with soy or regular milk)

Custard

TapiocaIndividual pudding cups

Shakes, homemade or cannedLow-fat regular or soy yogurt

Canned supplements (low-sugar like Glucerna and dmChoice)Instant

pudding made with rice, soy, almond, or regular milk

Berries, granola, and yogurtMori-Nu tofu pudding mix

Individual fruit-in-juice cupsApplesauce

Soft-serve frozen yogurtHot cereals, such as oatmeal

Mashed potatoes with gravySauces, such as marinara

Pureed winter squashChili or other soups or stews

Refried beansVegetable juices, such as carrot

Green or black hot or iced teaSoup or potatoes-in-a-cup

How Much To Take . . .

You want to take at least 30 grams of Glutamine in three divided doses a

day as far apart as you can, like at 6am, 2pm, and 10pm, to keep Glutamine

and glutathione levels high all day. That's easy to do if you have a scoop

already in the can, but if you don't you might want to take about a

Tablespoon or whatever the 10-gram equivalent is on the label of the

Glutamine supplement you're taking mixed into any in snack-size Ziploc

bags. of the foods or drinks above three times a day. It might be easier

to pre-measure and store individual servings

Studies have shown that Glutamine works best with specific chemo and

radiotherapies and specific symptoms. But it also can generally reduce

moderate to severe symptoms of any treatment. Have your dietitian or

Supplement Savvy Specialist choose from one of the options on the next

page for you to follow:

If your chemotherapy is TAXOL (paclitaxel) and/or

_____________________________, you may get relief from muscular aches,

pain, and numbness if you take 30 grams of Glutamine per day divided into

three ten-gram doses at ___am, ___pm, and ___pm on the day of your chemo

and 4 days following.

If your chemotherapy is CAMPTOSAR (irinotecan)

and/or________________________, you may get relief from diarrhea if you

take 30 grams of Glutamine per day divided into three ten-gram doses at

___am, ___pm, and ___pm on the day of your chemo and 4 days following.

If your chemotherapy is 5-FLUOROURACIL

and/or_____________________________, you may get relief from mouth sores

if you take 30 grams of Glutamine per day divided into three ten-gram

doses at ___am, ___pm, and ___pm with 4 to 6 ounces of water, non-acid

juice such as apple, or any other mild liquid swished in the mouth in

small amounts 10 to 20 times and then swallowed beginning one week prior

to your first treatment and continuing through one week after the last

treatment.

If you are having ABDOMINAL OR HEAD AND NECK RADIATION, you may get relief

from mouth sores, stomach or intestinal problems, and/or damage to your

mucous membranes if you take 30 grams of Glutamine per day divided into

three ten-gram doses at ___am, ___pm, and ___pm beginning one week before

your first treatment and continuing for one week after your last

treatment.

Other treatment:__________________________________________________________

take ___ grams of Glutamine per day divided into three ___-gram doses at

____ am,__pm, and ___pm_____________________________________________.

There are also supplements that combine Glutamine with other substances

that protect the gut, such as aloe and licorice. Ask your Supplement Savvy

Specialist about alternatives and a possible gut maintenance program after

you finish treatment.

What To Watch Out For . . .

If you're pregnant, nursing, or have kidney or liver failure you may not

want to use Glutamine supplements. Also, you may experience constipation

and bloating, but these symptoms are rare.

Glutamine makes human growth hormone, indomethacin, methotrexate,

paclitaxel, and most chemotherapies and radiotherapies work better.

If you're taking supplements with Licorice Root and Aloe here's some extra

considerations. There are many people who shouldn't use licorice,

including those with kidney and liver problems, diabetes, arrhythmias,

high blood pressure, and low potassium levels. edema, high sodium levels,

heart problems, and those who are pregnant. You also shouldn't use

licorice if you're taking furosemide/thiazide diuretics, digitalis

glycosides, or anti-arrhythmic agents such as procainamide and quinidine,

or corticosteroids. Deglycyrrhizinized licorice root extract supposedly

does away with the side effects above. Doses greater than 50 grams a day

are not recommended, and much less is needed if blended synergistically

with other compounds.

Aloe shouldn't be used if you have intestinal obstruction and intestinal

inflammations such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Prolonged

use may cause albumin and blood in the urine, and potassium loss, which

may increase the action of glycosides and antiarrhythmic drugs. There may

also be a potassium deficiency when aloe is used with thiazide diuretics,

loop diuretics, licorice, and corticosteriods. There are other side

effects with aloe use, but these usually occur only with very high doses.

© Copyright 2002 Jill Place, MA, RD

If there is something in this article you have particularly liked,

you can e-mail a note to yourself as a reminder. Learn more about

how to send a note to yourself, or create a note now.

The product we use is Glutasolve. It has 15 gm of Glutamine per package. Recomendations are typically .57 gm/kg IBW.

My dosage info about glutamine came from a conservative professor I had in a post-doctoral class within the past year. 

    Also, the only contraindications were for those sensitive to MSG, those who have hepatic or renal disease, and those on anticonvulsant drugs.

    The motto of my docs is to start low, go slow.

 

Tom

[Ncc] glutamine and candida

I have always thought that glutamine was very helpful and soothing to someone combating candida esp. with dysbiosis and yeast die off symptoms.

A physician with GSDL told my patient's internist that with candida, the patient should not be on glutamine or FOS. Huh?

I am embarrassed and fear that I have giving out the wrong advise. Please set me straight!

I truly value the knowledge and experience out there. Heartfelt thanks.

Bonnie

The Ultimate Nutrient : Glutamine/the Essential Nonessential Amino Acid

by Judy Shabert, Ehrlich (Contributor)

Average Customer Review:

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http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0895295881/qid%3D970467667/candidafaq/002-1704586-6229625

Glutamine is highly recommended as a treatment for ulcers, Crohn's disease, IBS and diarrhea. "L" in name stands for natural amino acids, "D" stands for synthetic and. "LD" stands for a mix. There are some things to have in mind when using L-Glutamine: When L-glutamine is converted into glutamate in the intestines, ammonia is formed. Candida and parasites also form ammonia, therefore your system can be overloaded with toxins. Your body might not be able to tolerate the extra ammonia at this time. Also, as glutamine induces excess water to be removed from the bowels. That property of L-Glutamine can be used to threat diarrhea, but can also cause constipation. Daily need for L-Glutamine is 0.2 g/kg of body weight. The person weighting 70 kg needs 14g L-Glutamine daily. L-Glutamine is found abundantly in food and average person inputs 8 grams by eating. It is recommended to take L-Glutamine on empty stomach (between meals). As it requires no digestion, intake of L-Glutamine with food will slow the absorbtion.

From CAndida Website: http://www.infosky.net/~alexmi/candida.htm

Supplement Glutamine

Description Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body – comprising approximately half of the free amino acids in the blood and muscle. As a non-essential amino acid, glutamine can be produced in the body by conversion from another amino acid - glutamic acid (primarily by the skeletal muscle and liver. Glutamine’s main functions in the body include serving as a precursor in the synthesis of other amino acids and glucose for energy. Cells of the immune system, the small intestine and the kidney are the major consumers of glutamine.

Claims Boosts immune system function

Maintains muscle mass

Prevents muscle catabolism (breakdown)

Enhances glycogen storage

Aids recovery from exercise

Theory Intense exercise training results in a well-described drop in plasma glutamine levels. Chronically low glutamine levels have been implicated as a possible contributing factor in athletic overtraining syndrome as well as the transient immunosuppression and increased risk of infections that typically affects competitive athletes during intense training and competition. Under conditions of metabolic stress, the body’s need for glutamine may exceed its ability to produce adequate levels – meaning that a dietary source is required to prevent catabolism of skeletal muscle – the primary source of stored glutamine in the body.

Scientific Support A significant body of scientific literature exists to support the beneficial effects of glutamine supplementation in maintaining muscle mass and immune system function in critically ill patients and in those recovering from extensive burns and major surgery. When plasma glutamine levels fall, skeletal muscles may enter a state of catabolism in which muscle protein is degraded to provide free glutamine for the rest of the body. Since skeletal muscle is the major source of glutamine (other than the diet), prolonged deficits in plasma glutamine can lead to a significant loss of skeletal muscle protein and muscle mass. Very little specific work has been done, however, to address the primary target population for the majority of commercially produced glutamine supplements on the market today – competitive athletes

In recent years, at least a half-dozen studies have been conducted on glutamine supplementation in athletes and a strong basis exists for the efficacy of glutamine supplements in athletic populations. For example, glutamine’s role in immune system support has been shown to prevent infections following intense bouts of physical activity – which tend to reduce plasma glutamine levels. Glutamine supplements have also been shown to play a role in counteracting the catabolic (muscle-wasting) effects of stress hormones such as cortisol, which are typically elevated by strenuous exercise. The function of glutamine in stimulating glycogen synthase, the enzyme which controls the synthesis and storage of glycogen fuel storage in muscles and liver, may provide a mechanism by which glutamine supplements promote enhanced fuel stores. Glutamine supplements cause a rapid rise in cellular glutamine levels and glutamine stores in muscle. Glutamine is also thought to increase cell volume, where it may stimulate the activity of enzymes in the liver and muscles involved in glycogen storage as well as those involved in anabolic activities such as protein synthesis. Glutamine supplements have also been hypothesized to increase levels of growth hormone, which may be expected to help stimulate protein synthesis and encourage gains in muscle mass and strength, but reliable evidence for this effect of glutamine supplements has not been demonstrated by clinical studies.

Safety Glutamine supplements are well tolerated at levels up to at least 20 grams per day and intakes of as much as 40 grams per day should induce no significant adverse effects outside of mild gastrointestinal discomfort. As with any isolated amino acid supplement, consumption in divided 2-4 divided doses throughout the day should increase total body stores without posing significant absorption issues.

Value Glutamine supplements are relatively inexpensive compared to other amino acid supplements. For anybody exposed to heightened levels of stress, such as those recovering from injury, surgery, or intense exercise, glutamine supplements represent an economical way to promote tissue repair, reduce muscle catabolism and help prevent infections.

Dosage For the immune system support and anti-catabolic actions that are of interest to most athletes, recommended doses range from 1-10 grams.

References 1. Alvestrand A, Bergstrom J, Furst P, Germanis G, Widstam U. Effect of essential amino acid supplementation on muscle and plasma free amino acids in chronic uremia. Kidney Int. 1978 Oct;14(4):323-9.

2. Aoki TT, Brennan MF, Fitzpatrick GF, Knight DC. Leucine meal increases glutamine and total nitrogen release from forearm muscle. J Clin Invest. 1981 Dec;68(6):1522-8.

3. Aoki TT. Metabolic adaptations to starvation, semistarvation, and carbohydrate restriction. Prog Clin Biol Res. 1981;67:161-77.

4. Bonau RA, Jeevanandam M, Moldawer L, Blackburn GL, Daly JM. Muscle amino acid flux in patients receiving branched-chain amino acid solutions after surgery. Surgery. 1987 Apr;101(4):400-7.

5. Calder PC, Yaqoob P. Glutamine and the immune system. Amino Acids. 1999;17(3):227-41.

6. Carli F, Webster J, Ramachandra V, Pearson M, Read M, Ford GC, McArthur S, Preedy VR, Halliday D. Aspects of protein metabolism after elective surgery in patients receiving constant nutritional support. Clin Sci (Colch). 1990 Jun;78(6):621-8.

7. Castell LM, Newsholme EA. The effects of oral glutamine supplementation on athletes after prolonged, exhaustive exercise. Nutrition. 1997 Jul-Aug;13(7-8):738-42.

8. Elia M, Folmer P, Schlatmann A, Goren A, Austin S. Amino acid metabolism in muscle and in the whole body of man before and after ingestion of a single mixed meal. Am J Clin Nutr. 1989 Jun;49(6):1203-10.

9. Giesecke K, Magnusson I, Ahlberg M, Hagenfeldt L, Wahren J. Protein and amino acid metabolism during early starvation as reflected by excretion of urea and methylhistidines. Metabolism. 1989 Dec;38(12):1196-200.

10. Gleeson M, Bishop NC. Elite athlete immunology: importance of nutrition. Int J Sports Med. 2000 May;21 Suppl 1:S44-50.

11. Greenhaff PL, Gleeson M, Maughan RJ. The effects of diet on muscle pH and metabolism during high intensity exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1988;57(5):531-9.

12. Haymond MW, Strobel KE, DeVivo DC. Muscle wasting and carbohydrate homeostasis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Neurology. 1978 Dec;28(12):1224-31.

13. Lundeberg S, Belfrage M, Wernerman J, von der Decken A, Thunell S, Vinnars E. Growth hormone improves muscle protein metabolism and whole body nitrogen economy in man during a hyponitrogenous diet. Metabolism. 1991 Mar;40(3):315-22.

14. McKenzie DC. Markers of excessive exercise. Can J Appl Physiol. 1999 Feb;24(1):66-73.

15. Newsholme EA, Calder PC. The proposed role of glutamine in some cells of the immune system and speculative consequences for the whole animal. Nutrition. 1997 Jul-Aug;13(7-8):728-30.

16. Nieman DC. Exercise immunology: future directions for research related to athletes, nutrition, and the elderly. Int J Sports Med. 2000 May;21 Suppl 1:S61-8.

17. Ruderman NB, Berger M. The formation of glutamine and alanine in skeletal muscle. J Biol Chem. 1974 Sep 10;249(17):5500-6.

18. Ruderman NB. Muscle amino acid metabolism and gluconeogenesis. Annu Rev Med. 1975;26:245-58.

19. DM, PM, Leiter LA, Sima AA, Tanner WK, Mickle DA, Whitwell J, Marliss EB, Jeejeebhoy KN. Metabolic and structural changes in skeletal muscle during hypocaloric dieting. Am J Clin Nutr. 1984 Apr;39(4):503-13.

20. Schedl HP, Maughan RJ, Gisolfi CV. Intestinal absorption during rest and exercise: implications for formulating an oral rehydration solution (ORS). Proceedings of a roundtable discussion. April 21-22, 1993. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1994 Mar;26(3):267-80.

21. Shephard RJ, Shek PN. Heavy exercise, nutrition and immune function: is there a connection? Int J Sports Med. 1995 Nov;16(8):491-7.

22. Shephard RJ, Shek PN. Immunological hazards from nutritional imbalance in athletes. Exerc Immunol Rev. 1998;4:22-48.

23. DJ, Norris SR. Changes in glutamine and glutamate concentrations for tracking training tolerance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000 Mar;32(3):684-9.

24. Walsh NP, Blannin AK, Robson PJ, Gleeson M. Glutamine, exercise and immune function. Links and possible mechanisms. Sports Med. 1998 Sep;26(3):177-91.

25. Young LS, Bye R, Scheltinga M, Ziegler TR, s DO, Wilmore DW. Patients receiving glutamine-supplemented intravenous feedings report an improvement in mood. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1993 Sep-Oct;17(5):422-7.

26. Zanker CL, Swaine IL, Castell LM, Newsholme EA. Responses of plasma glutamine, free tryptophan and branched-chain amino acids to prolonged exercise after a regime designed to reduce muscle glycogen. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1997;75(6):543-8.

Related Supplements

Is Glutamine Supplementation Helpful or Harmful?

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Glutamine is an amino acid that makes up the majority of our skeletal muscle. There is some controversy over whether oral glutamine supplementation is toxic or helpful to healthy people. In a past article, Dr. Crayhon expressed the view of many natural medicine experts, "After reviewing the literature, I am unconvinced that high-dose oral glutamine supplementation is toxic to neurons in healthy persons."

However, Dr. Blaylock, a board-certified neurosurgeon and author of the highly recommended Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills wrote in to me with another viewpoint and his response is below.

By L. Blaylock, M.D.

Advanced Nutritional Concepts, LLC.

Dr. Crayhon posted comments on this site indicating that I was terribly mistaken in my caution concerning the use of glutamine and that he had consulted several “cell biologists†who were also concerned with my statements on glutamine safety. In fact it was stated that I apparently did not understand that glutamine was not an excitotoxin and was not converted into an excitotoxin.

Of course, I never stated glutamine was an excitotoxin, but I do state that it is converted into the excitotoxin glutamate within neurons. Numerous recent studies as well as Siegel’s Basic Neurochemistry textbook emphatically state that the major source of glutamate is from glutamine in the brain. Normally, when the brain finishes using glutamate for chemical communication between brain cells at the synapse the glutamate is taken up by surrounding glial cells and changed by the enzyme glutamine synthease into glutamine, where it is stored.

The Problem With Excitotoxins

The glutamine is then transported to the neuron and by the enzyme glutaminase, it is converted to glutamate--the potential excitotoxin. I say potential because unless it accumulates outside the brain cell it is harmless.

This is the major source of glutamate within the brain. Excitotoxins are usually amino acids, such as glutamate and aspartate. These special amino acids cause particular brain cells to become excessively excited, to the point they will quickly die. Excitotoxins can also cause a loss of brain synapses and connecting fibers. Food-borne excitotoxins include such additives as MSG, aspartame, hydrolyzed protein and soy protein extract.

In two recent studies it was found that the amount of glutamine in the bra could predict the brain damage seen both in pediatric brain injuries and brain damage secondary to seizures. Adding large amounts of glutamine to the diet increases significantly