L-Glutamine for Increased Intestinal Permeability (Leaky Gut)
D Early Research Only preliminary research exists (lab studies, case reports).Small studies in athletes show glutamine (0.25-0.9 g/kg) may reduce exercise-induced intestinal permeability.
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D
The Bottom Line
Small studies in athletes show glutamine (0.25-0.9 g/kg) may reduce exercise-induced intestinal permeability.
Key Study Findings
Review
Intestinal Barrier Impairment, Preservation, and Repair: An Update.
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: Intestinal barrier preservation and repair
Effect: None
None
Population: IBD and IBS patients (review)
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
In Vitro
Effects of Glutamine, Curcumin and Fish Bioactive Peptides Alone or in Combination on Intestinal Permeability …
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: inflammation markers
Effect: None
None
Population: Mice
Other
Perspective: Prospects for Nutraceutical Support of Intestinal Barrier Function.
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: None
Effect: None
None
Population: None
Systematic Review
Effects of glutamine supplementation on inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review of clinical trials.
Dose: None
vs: Placebo or standard care
Outcome: IBD symptom improvement
Effect: None
None
Population: IBD patients
Controlled Clinical Trial
n=43
4 weeks
Herbal formula improves upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms and gut health in Australian adults with …
Dose: 5 g/d
vs: None
Outcome: None
Effect: None
None
Population: IBS patients
Key Statistics
2
Studies
80
Participants
↑
Positive
D
Grade
Referenced Papers
Nutrients
2024
47 citations
Cannabis and cannabinoid …
2024
10 citations
International journal of …
2023
9 citations
Effects of glutamine supplementation on inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review of clinical trials.
Systematic Review
Clinical nutrition ESPEN
2021
39 citations
Advances in nutrition …
2021
34 citations
Nutrition research (New …
2020
42 citations
Gut
2019
148 citations
Current opinion in …
2017
71 citations
JPEN. Journal of …
2016
44 citations
Glutamine for induction of remission in Crohn's disease.
Systematic Review
The Cochrane database …
2016
37 citations
Gastroenterology
2015
17 citations
Scandinavian journal of …
2014
56 citations
Digestive diseases and …
2012
81 citations
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, …
2011
12 citations
MicroRNA-29a regulates intestinal membrane permeability in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Other
Gut
2010
263 citations
Clinics (Sao Paulo, …
2010
47 citations
Nutrition in clinical …
2008
42 citations
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, …
2005
43 citations
JPEN. Journal of …
2000
18 citations
JPEN. Journal of …
1999
129 citations
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 | -- |
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| 5 g/d | 4 weeks | Positive | 43 |
| 5 g | 8.0 weeks | Positive | -- |
| 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 Increased Intestinal Permeability (Leaky Gut)?
Based on 2 studies with 80 participants, there is preliminary evidence that needs more research that L-Glutamine may support Increased Intestinal Permeability (Leaky Gut) management. Our evidence grade is D (Very Early Research).
How much L-Glutamine should I take for Increased Intestinal Permeability (Leaky Gut)?
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 Increased Intestinal Permeability (Leaky Gut)?
We rate the evidence as Grade D (Very Early Research). This rating is based on 2 peer-reviewed studies with 80 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.
Related Evidence
Other ingredients for Increased Intestinal Permeability (Leaky Gut)
L-Glutamine for other conditions
References
- [1] Ayah Matar et al.. Nutrients. 2024. Intestinal Barrier Impairment, Preservation, and Repair: An Update. doi:10.3390/nu16203494 PubMed
- [2] Mengxue He et al.. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2024. Multi-Omics Reveals the Effects of Cannabidiol on Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Phenotypes. doi:10.1089/can.2022.0331 PubMed
- [3] Ludovic D Langlois et al.. Int J Mol Sci. 2023. Effects of Glutamine, Curcumin and Fish Bioactive Peptides Alone or in Combination on Intestinal Permeability in a Chronic-Restraint Stress Model. doi:10.3390/ijms24087220 PubMed
- [4] Juliana Soares Severo et al.. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2021. Effects of glutamine supplementation on inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review of clinical trials. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.12.023 PubMed
- [5] Mark F McCarty et al.. Adv Nutr. 2021. Perspective: Prospects for Nutraceutical Support of Intestinal Barrier Function. doi:10.1093/advances/nmaa139 PubMed
- [6] Karin Ried et al.. Nutr Res. 2020. Herbal formula improves upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms and gut health in Australian adults with digestive disorders. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2020.02.008 PubMed
- [7] QiQi Zhou et al.. Gut. 2019. Randomised placebo-controlled trial of dietary glutamine supplements for postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2017-315136 PubMed
- [8] Najate Achamrah et al.. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2017. Glutamine and the regulation of intestinal permeability: from bench to bedside. doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000000339 PubMed
- [9] Julien Bertrand et al.. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2016. Glutamine Restores Tight Junction Protein Claudin-1 Expression in Colonic Mucosa of Patients With Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome. doi:10.1177/0148607115587330 PubMed
- [10] Anthony K Akobeng et al.. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016. Glutamine for induction of remission in Crohn's disease. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007348.pub2 PubMed
- [11] Moïse Coëffier et al.. Gastroenterology. 2015. Intestinal permeability in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: is there a place for glutamine supplementation? doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2015.02.057 PubMed
- [12] John K Triantafillidis et al.. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2014. The role of total parenteral nutrition in inflammatory bowel disease: current aspects. doi:10.3109/00365521.2013.860557 PubMed
- [13] Jaya Benjamin et al.. Dig Dis Sci. 2012. Glutamine and whey protein improve intestinal permeability and morphology in patients with Crohn's disease: a randomized controlled trial. doi:10.1007/s10620-011-1947-9 PubMed
- [14] Khaly Mbodji et al.. Clin Nutr. 2011. Alanyl-glutamine restores maternal deprivation-induced TLR4 levels in a rat neonatal model. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2011.04.002 PubMed
- [15] QiQi Zhou et al.. Gut. 2010. MicroRNA-29a regulates intestinal membrane permeability in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. doi:10.1136/gut.2009.181834 PubMed
- [16] Jean Robert Rapin et al.. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2010. Possible links between intestinal permeability and food processing: A potential therapeutic niche for glutamine. doi:10.1590/S1807-59322010000600012 PubMed
- [17] Arnold Wald et al.. Nutr Clin Pract. 2008. Behavioral and complementary approaches for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. doi:10.1177/0884533608318677 PubMed
- [18] Jeong Wook Kim et al.. Clin Nutr. 2005. Combined effects of bovine colostrum and glutamine in diclofenac-induced bacterial translocation in rat. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2005.04.004 PubMed
- [19] A K Akobeng et al.. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2000. Glutamine supplementation and intestinal permeability in Crohn's disease. doi:10.1177/0148607100024003196 PubMed
- [20] E Den Hond et al.. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1999. Effect of long-term oral glutamine supplements on small intestinal permeability in patients with Crohn's disease. doi:10.1177/014860719902300107 PubMed
FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.