Stomach ulcers can be a nuisance when they first begin. Quickly they can begin to usher in severe pain and change your life. In many cases they can lead to stomach cancer (one more reason to always get your vitamin D3 for its cancer fighting benefits). Read on to find out how glutamine may help you in the fight against stomach ulcers.
The list of benefits from glutamine is long and strong… on the off chance it doesn’t help your ulcer you will receive the plethora of benefits glutamine does offer up to your body from head to toe. Glutamine is the most common amino acid in skeletal muscle, it protects the muscles from damage and breakdown/atrophy. When the AIDS epidemic flared up decades ago glutamine was given patients by the bucket load to help slow the muscle wasting that was so prevalent prior to the sophisticated drugs that are available today. Glutamine is great for your immune system function and a great anti-inflammatory agent, both in a broad sense. Your lungs love it too! The lungs are one of the body’s store rooms for glutamine. Glutamine is a first step if you are suffering from GI Tract sensitivity issues. The benefit list goes on. For our purposes I will stop there and get into the ulcer issues.
Research shows glutamine protects the lining of the stomach from damage caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. Say about 20 years ago, researcher discovered that the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is the main cause of stomach ulcers. It can also cause stomach cancer as mentioned above. Infection with this bug is common, effecting nearly 10% of the world’s population is the number I have seen. If you’ve been diagnosed with H pylori infection, your doctor will usually give you a combination of 3 drugs: 2 antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor (to reduce stomach acid). The problem is, the bacteria is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Also, treatment is often initially effective but the bacteria soon returns. Glutamine is an amino acid (building block of protein). It is found in all protein-rich foods and it can be taken in supplement form. Quality doctors have been recommending it to patients with stomach ulcers or inflamed intestines for many years. It is always nice to see doctors research like this confirming its benefits in a broad spectrum of patients. Non-big pharma products are often over looked by physicians(not their fault, it is the system) for a variety of reasons. Our healthcare system in the US is, to put it mildly, “influenced” by big Pharm. Although it is difficult for me, I will stay out of that rabbit hole and stick to the topic at hand. Regarding H pylori infection, a chief researcher of astudy has said “Gastric damage develops when the bacteria weakens the stomach’s protective mucous coating, damages cells and elicits a robust immune response that is ineffective at ridding the infection”. Eventually, years of infection cause persistent gastritis, cell damage and a stomach lining highly susceptible to cancer development. IF you get to that point you will hope you had been taking your D3. It is important to eradicate the infection, but the use of glutamine is highly effective because it reduces inflammation and tissue damage to the gastric mucosa. Glutamine provides wonderful symptom relief for anyone with an irritated stomach or intestines. It also helps to heal leaky gut, therefore is wonderful for anyone with autoimmune disease.
Now the question of dosage: Since your entire body loves this stuff and always seems to want more it is a large dose that should be taken. Starting at the top end. In my opinion, for the most part you should not exceed 20gms/day, unless specifically instructed for a particular circumstance. Most of the time 20gms is beyond the point of diminishing return, you are wasting your money. You could even push up to 30gms, but that seems pretty high. I would take to a nutritionist if high levels are going to be maintained. Thankfully glutamine is inexpensive so don’t be shy either. On the low end you should start around 5gms/day for a few days just to determine tolerance. Most people settle in around 5gms, 3x daily for a total of 15gms a day. You can find it most anywhere in pill form or pure powder form. I suggest the powder and mix it with water or a shake. Best to be taken between meals, especially between meals high in glutamine (refer to Google to find what foods are high in glutamine that won’t upset your stomach).
It is clear as the waters of Kealakekua Bay that if you have stomach ulcers or other GI tract inflamation you should be trying to Glutamine TODAY!
Stay Healthy & Stay Legit.
Strictly opinion and not medical advice. Consult your doctor, pharmacist and/or nutritionist before starting/stopping any supplement or exercise program
