Glutamine (Plasma)

Research on urinary high glutamine levels is scarce; however, high circulating levels of glutamine are associated with bipolar depression.

– High levels may be a sign of inhibitory/excitatory imbalances in the neurotransmitter system.

– High glutamine levels are thought to be a signal for imbalances within the nervous system.

– High glutamate can be marker of vitamin B6 deficiency.

– Ammonia accumulation suspected if low or low normal glutamic acid. Extra á-KG needed to combine with ammonia and to make up for energy deficit caused by over-utilization of á-KG to deal with toxic ammonia levels.

Glutamine deficiency symptoms are not described because of endogenous synthesis and high dietary intakes. However, certain conditions are under investigation where exogenous supply of glutamine may become essential:

- intestinal disorders,

- major trauma (burns, surgery),

- immune functions,

- gastric ulcers.

Glutamine may be useful in alcoholism and fatigue.

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- Plasma glutamine, cysteine, and asparagine were significantly downregulated in psoriasis patients.

- Glycine and glutamine were inversely associated with risk of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes (n=8,000).

- PRIMED data found lower baseline levels of glutamine to be significantly associated with increased stroke risk (n=980).

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No RDA exists for glutamine, which occurs in large amounts in foods containing protein. Large doses of glutamine, as the free-form amino acid (up to 10 grams daily) appear to be well tolerated. Larger doses may cause osmotic diarrhea in some persons and are contraindicated in hyperammonemia.

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the blood and is an important source of energy for many tissues in the body. It is derived from the amino acids histidine and glutamic acid.