L-Glutamine for Crohn's Disease
C Some Evidence Limited evidence from small studies, but some positive signals exist.Small RCTs show glutamine (0.5 g/kg/day) improves intestinal permeability and morphology in Crohn's patients. Evidence limited by small sample sizes.
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C
The Bottom Line
Small RCTs show glutamine (0.5 g/kg/day) improves intestinal permeability and morphology in Crohn's patients. Evidence limited by small sample sizes.
Key Study Findings
Other
Multiomics reveals microbial metabolites as key actors in intestinal fibrosis in Crohn's disease.
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: Gut microbiota composition
Effect: None
None
Population: Crohn's disease patients
Other
Multi-Omics Reveals the Effects of Cannabidiol on Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Phenotypes.
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: Cholesterol levels
Effect: None
None
Population: Mouse model
Controlled Clinical Trial
Washed microbiota transplantation for Crohn's disease: A metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, and metabolomic-based study.
Dose: Washed microbiota transplantation (WMT)
vs: Pre-treatment baseline
Outcome: Clinical remission and multi-omics changes
Effect: None
None
Population: Patients with Crohn's disease
In Vitro
Constitutively active autophagy in macrophages dampens inflammation through metabolic and post-transcriptional regulation of cytokine production.
Dose: Beclin1 constitutive activation (genetic)
vs: Wild-type mice
Outcome: Cytokine production in macrophage activation
Effect: None
None
Population: Beclin1 variant mice + AIEC infection
Observational Study
n=262
Gut Microbiome-Generated Phenylacetylglutamine from Dietary Protein is Associated with Crohn's Disease and Exacerbates Colitis in …
Dose: Phenylacetylglutamine (PAGln, measured)
vs: Healthy controls (n=126)
Outcome: PAGln association with CD and colitis
Effect: None
None
Population: New-onset treatment-naive CD (n=136) + controls
Observational Study
COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE USE IN BRAZILIAN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE.
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: CAM use patterns in IBD patients
Effect: None
None
Population: Brazilian IBD patients
Key Statistics
3
Studies
200
Participants
↑
Positive
C
Grade
Referenced Papers
Multiomics reveals microbial metabolites as key actors in intestinal fibrosis in Crohn's disease.
Other
EMBO molecular medicine
2024
13 citations
Cannabis and cannabinoid …
2024
10 citations
World journal of …
2024
Cell reports
2023
27 citations
Journal of Crohn's …
2023
24 citations
JCI insight
2022
24 citations
Sheng wu gong …
2022
4 citations
COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE USE IN BRAZILIAN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE.
Other
Arquivos de gastroenterologia
2022
4 citations
Effects of glutamine supplementation on inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review of clinical trials.
Systematic Review
Clinical nutrition ESPEN
2021
39 citations
Gastroenterology
2019
118 citations
Journal of cellular …
2019
23 citations
The Cochrane database …
2018
425 citations
Gastroenterology clinics of …
2018
67 citations
Clinical medicine insights. …
2018
15 citations
Nutrition in clinical …
2018
10 citations
Current opinion in …
2017
37 citations
JPEN. Journal of …
2017
24 citations
World journal of …
2017
21 citations
The AAPS journal
2017
Glutamine for induction of remission in Crohn's disease.
Systematic Review
The Cochrane database …
2016
37 citations
Scandinavian journal of …
2014
56 citations
Digestive diseases and …
2012
81 citations
Frontline gastroenterology
2012
20 citations
Plasma citrulline concentration as a marker for disease activity in patients with Crohn's disease.
Other
Journal of clinical …
2012
13 citations
Pediatrics in review
2012
International journal of …
2011
12 citations
Inflammatory bowel diseases
2010
89 citations
Nutricion hospitalaria
2010
Nutrition in clinical …
2009
36 citations
The Journal of …
2008
89 citations
Molecular nutrition & …
2008
26 citations
The Cochrane database …
2007
192 citations
Digestive diseases and …
2006
73 citations
Immunonutrition.
Review
Current opinion in …
2005
22 citations
JPEN. Journal of …
2005
19 citations
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, …
2004
18 citations
Medycyna wieku rozwojowego
2004
1 citations
Annali italiani di …
2004
Alimentary pharmacology & …
2003
179 citations
Nutricion hospitalaria
2003
Revista do Hospital …
2002
39 citations
Scandinavian journal of …
2002
28 citations
Enteral feeding.
Other
Current opinion in …
2002
1 citations
Enteral feeding.
Review
Current opinion in …
2002
Enteral nutritional therapy for inducing remission of Crohn's disease.
Systematic Review
The Cochrane database …
2001
149 citations
Journal of pediatric …
2000
187 citations
Current opinion in …
2000
21 citations
JPEN. Journal of …
2000
18 citations
JPEN. Journal of …
1999
129 citations
Diseases of the …
1998
26 citations
Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie
1998
18 citations
FASEB journal : …
1997
170 citations
Schweizerische medizinische Wochenschrift. …
1996
Dosage & Usage
mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units
Commonly Used Dosages
- general:
- 5-15 g/day
- ibsdsupport:
- 5 g three times daily (15 g/day total)
- postexercisegut:
- 0.25-0.9 g/kg before intense exercise
- gutbarriersupport:
- 0.5 g/kg/day (approximately 30-40 g/day for adults)
Upper limit: Generally well-tolerated up to 0.5 g/kg/day; caution above 40 g/day
Dosages Studied in Research
| Dosage | Duration | Effect | N |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| Washed microbiota transplantation (WMT) | -- | Positive | -- |
| Beclin1 constitutive activation (genetic) | -- | Positive | -- |
| Phenylacetylglutamine (PAGln, measured) | -- | Negative | 262 |
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
| None | -- | Negative | -- |
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
Best taken: Between meals or before exercise; divide doses throughout the day
Safety & Side Effects
Reported Side Effects
- ⚠ Mild gastrointestinal discomfort at high doses
- ⚠ Headache
- ⚠ Dizziness at very high doses
- ⚠ Potential glutamate excitotoxicity concerns in neurological conditions (theoretical)
Known Interactions
- ● Lactulose (glutamine may reduce the efficacy of lactulose for hepatic encephalopathy)
- ● Anti-seizure medications (glutamine converts to glutamate; theoretical concern)
- ● Chemotherapy agents (glutamine may protect cancer cells; discuss with oncologist)
Tolerable upper intake: Generally well-tolerated up to 0.5 g/kg/day; caution above 40 g/day
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does L-Glutamine help with Crohn's Disease?
Based on 3 studies with 200 participants, there is limited but promising evidence that L-Glutamine may support Crohn's Disease management. Our evidence grade is C (Some Evidence).
How much L-Glutamine should I take for Crohn's Disease?
Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 5-15 g/day. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.
Are there side effects of L-Glutamine?
Reported side effects may include Mild gastrointestinal discomfort at high doses, Headache, Dizziness at very high doses, Potential glutamate excitotoxicity concerns in neurological conditions (theoretical). Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.
How strong is the evidence for L-Glutamine and Crohn's Disease?
We rate the evidence as Grade C (Some Evidence). This rating is based on 3 peer-reviewed studies with 200 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.
Related Evidence
Other ingredients for Crohn's Disease
L-Glutamine for other conditions
References
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