Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Glutamine is an amino acid that serves as a key fuel source for cells lining the small intestine. Scientific studies demonstrate that glutamine supplementation can help maintain the integrity of the intestinal mucosa, especially under conditions of stress, injury, or illness. Clinical research has shown benefits in patients with critical illness, trauma, or those undergoing chemotherapy, with glutamine supporting reduced intestinal permeability and improved gut barrier function. The mechanism is well characterized: glutamine is the preferred substrate for enterocytes (intestinal epithelial cells), promoting cell proliferation and repair.

Randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have found that glutamine supplementation can help decrease the incidence of infections and shorten hospital stays in certain high-risk patient populations, likely due to its effects on gut health. However, in otherwise healthy individuals, evidence is less robust, and the benefits of supplementation are less clear.

While "glutamine precursor (unspecified)" is a vague term, if it refers to compounds that increase glutamine levels, the scientific rationale holds. It is important to note that most of the research is with glutamine itself, not unspecified precursors. In summary, there is strong scientific evidence for glutamine's role in supporting small intestine health, particularly in clinical settings, but less so for general supplementation or for unspecified precursors.

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