Glutamine supplementation in endurance athletes has been shown to reduce the incidence of infections in this
population, who are known to have their immune system suppressed by excess training of this nature. A double-
blind, placebo-controlled study showed that Glutamine supplementation at a dose of 5 gm, taken after the end of
exercise, in 151 endurance athletes resulted in a significantly lower incidence of infections (19%) compared to the
placebo group (51%), during the study period.24 It has been suggested that the immune system suppression
associated with endurance exercise, may be in part, due to reduction in Glutamine that results from intensive
training.25 Another study, using the same protocol, demonstrated that 81% of athletes taking Glutamine had no
subsequent infection during the study period compared to 49% in the placebo group.24
Dosage Ranges
N.B. As oral Glutamine supplementation can potentially produce undesirable levels of ammonia in the body, it is
unclear as to what levels of intake are safe (as a supplement). As an alternative oral ornithine alpha-ketogluturate has
been used to elevate Glutamine status without ammonia build up when taken orally.
1. HIV-infection: 7 gm, twice daily with 7 gm of L-Arginine twice daily.22
2. Recovering from illness (elderly), surgery, burn or wound healing: 10-30 gms per day of ornithine alpha-
ketogluturate, in divided doses.15,16
3. Muscle anti-catabolic-anabolic ef ect with exercise training: 2-4 gms, three times daily with meals (ornithine alpha-
ketogluturate) or 2,000 mg per day of L-Glutamine.17
4. Prevention of Infections in Athletes: 5,000 mg per day of L-Glutamine post exercise session.24,25
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Meschino Health Comprehensive Guide to Accessory Nutrients and Essential Oils
Accessory Nutrients and Essential Oils
Side Effects and Toxicity
L-Glutamine supplementation may increase the ammonia load on the body. Thus, medical supervision should
accompany high dose supplementation of L-Glutamine (above 2,000-5,000 mg per day).8
Ornithine alpha-ketogluturate supplementation is not associated with any side ef ects to date.18,19
Glutamine may trigger epileptic seizures in epileptic patients, two case reports exist to support this side effect.26
Mania symptoms may develop at doses above 2,000 mg per day. These symptoms may develop in the absence of
prior bipolar disease.26
Drug-Nutrient Interactions
L-Glutamine:
Supplementation with L-Glutamine has been shown to reduce side ef ects associated with the use of methotrexate,
paclitaxel and chemotherapy drugs. It may also improve the ef icacy of some chemotherapy drugs.
Use of Glutamine in these applications should be implemented in collaboration with the attending medical
physician.20,21
Ornithine Alpha-ketogluturate:
There are no well-known drug interactions with ornithine alpha-ketogluturate.22
References
1. Miller AL. Therapeutic considerations of L-glutamine: a review of the literature. Altern Med Rev 1999;4:239-48.
2. Patrick L. Nutrients and HIV: part three N-acetylcysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, L-Lglutamine, and L-carnitine. Altern Med Rev
2000;4:290-305.
3. Daniele B, Perrone F, Gallo C, Pignata S, De Martino S, De Vivo R, et al. Oral glutamine in the prevention of fluorouracil induced
intestinal toxicity: a double blind, placebo controlled, randomised trial. Gut 2001;48:28-33.
4. Griffiths RP. Outcome of critically ill patients after supplementation with glutamine. Nutrition 1997;13:752-4.
5. Chang WK, Yang KD, Shaio MF. Effect of glutamine on TH1 and TH2 cytokine responses of human peripheral blood mononuclear
cells. Clin Imunol 1999;3:294-301.
6. Calder PC, Yaqoob P. Glutamine and the immune system. Amino Acids 1999;17;3:227-41.
7. Buchman AL. Glutamine for the gut: mystical properties or an ordinary amino acid? Curr Gastroenterol Rep 1999;417-23.
8. Roth E, et al. Glutamine: An anabolic effector. J Parent Ent Nutr 1990;14:1305-65.
Comment [c25]: Could not find other authors.
9. Felig P, Wahren J. Amino acid metabolism in exercising man. J Clin Invert 1971;50:2703-8.
10. Felig P. The glucose-alanine cycle. Metabolism 1973;22:179-86.
11. Lacey JM, Wilmore DW. Is glutamine a conditionally essential amino acid? Nutr Rev 1990;48:297-309.
12. Cynobar L, et al. Action of ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate, ornithine hydrochloride and calcium alpha-ketoglutarate on plasma amino
Comment [c26]: Could not find other authors.
acid and hormonal patterns in healthy subjects. J Amer Coll Nutr 1990;9:2-12.
13. Cynobar L, et al. Action of ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate on protein metabolism in burn patients. Nutrition 1987;3:187-91.
Comment [c27]: Could not find other authors.
14. Leander U, et al. Nitrogen sparing effects Ornicetil in the immediate post operative state. Clin Nutr 1985;4:43-51.
Comment [c28]: