L-Glutamine Update

UPDATE ON L-GLUTAMINE AND VITAMINS (JAN 2012)

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My allergic reactions include severe gut/gastrointestinal issues.  My stomach become distended, I become extremely bloated, swollen, uncomfortable, achy and nauseated within minutes to hours of consuming grains (i.e. corn, cane sugar, wheat, psyllium, rice, etc).  These side effects/reactions usually lasts for two weeks.  I called my Naturopath (We shall call him SpiderMan) to ask him about the possibility of including L-Glutamine into my routine to help heal my gut and alleviate the issues I was having to accidental allergy exposures.  I had been doing a lot of reading about “Leaky Gut” Syndrome and I thought it might apply to me.

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Here is the correspondence with my naturopath:

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Erica:  Quick question:  is l-glutamine safe for me to take?  I wanted to try something to help with my gut issues, the bloating and discomfort are getting to be a bit much for me to handle.  I found a corn free version available.  I want to make sure it’s safe to take, I read an article that said most glutamine was derived from hydrolysed wheat.  I don’t do well with grain, wanted to check with you and see if this was true or false.

SpiderMan:  L-glutamine is manufactured through the fermentation of a carbohydrate source or extracted from an animal protein source. The most common is the vegetarian carbohydrate source. Which means it could be wheat, or possibly corn, or as some of the links I have provided indicate “Glucose” as you and know this could be anything. With that said I have had numerous clients with wheat allergies take glutamine just fine. But none of them were of your unique nature. So I don’t know. The thing to do would be to contact your source and ask about the carbohydrate source. Dietary sources of L-glutamine include protein powders, beans, meats, fish, & poultry.

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So, I contacted Bluebonnet Nutrition.  They have been one of the most open and honest companies concerning the source of their ingredients and their manufacturing process.  They responded to my email within 48 hours.

Erica:  I’ve emailed earlier concerning allergen content insome of your vitamins (Calcium Magnesium, Potassium and the B6) and have been very pleased with your products.  No allergic reactions to date.  I wanted to inquire about the L-glutamine that your company offers.  I see it says there are no additional ingredients in the powder but I wanted to inquire about the carbohydrate source for the glutamine.  Again, I have multiple food allergies and I know that the carbohydrate source for glutamine can be the fermentation of a carbohydrate source or extracted from an animal protein.  I’ve seen the vegetarian source listed as wheat, possibly corn or “glucose,” which could be anything really.  I am allergic to the top 8, as well as corn, corn derivatives, chicken, turkey, other animal protein sources, and many fruits and vegetables.

Can you please tell me the carbohydrate or animal protein source for your glutamine.

 

Bluebonnet Nutrition:  The glutamine is derived from plant source, casava.

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I received the L-Glutamine late July 2011.  I’ve been taken it since early-August (I had to build up enough courage).  So far no ill effects and I think it has been helping me.  My stomach is typically swollen by 6″, which is a lot for me!  Since beginning the L-glutamine I have noticed less discomfort and pain, less bloating, my stomach has not been distended, and I’m having better gastrointestinal health.  I take 2 tsp at night in 4 oz of water.  If I mix the two teaspoons in water by themselves it is basically flavorless, if I mix it in with my probiotic it morphs into this unpalatable congealed mess.  Absolutely disgusting.  You have been warned.

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