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L-Glutamine for Multiple Sclerosis

Cell membranes, tissues, lymph nodes, enzymes, blood and hormones all require amino acids, which are essentially the building blocks of all proteins that our body requires to be healthy.

There are different kinds of amino acids out of which only 8 are essential proteins (meaning the body cannot make them) and require an external source of provision for these proteins. High quality proteins present in fish and other lean meats are excellent resources for these amino acids.

A deficiency of these essential amino acids can be caused by faulty digestion or disorders like leaky-gut syndrome (which is common in MS patients). This lack of amino acids can cause some of the common symptoms of MS like fatigue, weakness and lethargy. Upon doing some research a hospital found a deficiency of amino acids in blood levels in almost all patients diagnosed with MS.

L-Glutamine or Glutamine is a type of amino acid which found in the most abundant quantities in the body. Unlike the essential amino acids, Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid; which means that the body can produce it. Is plays an important role in maintaining the health of different organs and body functions.

Glutamine is the most used energy source that provides energy to cells which are rapidly diving. Since the cells are the building blocks of tissues, Glutamine ipso-facto becomes essential for the tissue’s health.

It is the most important nutrient for the lining of small intestine and colon as it increases regeneration of new cells. These cells form a thin barrier between the gut and the rest of the body; any gaps in the barrier can cause a leaky gut, which is a common symptom in MS patients.

Glutamine has an equally important role in the nervous system where it is essential for the production of neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

These neurotransmitters are mandatory requirements for neuro-activity, a lack in these transmitters can cause the neuro impulse to falter and negatively impact motor-activities.

Overbearing stress, strenuous activities, infectious diseases and trauma can alter the levels of Glutamine in the brain and cause a depletion which can result in intestinal problems and immune dysfunction which can then cause demyelination (damaging of myelin sheath).

To cover up for the decrease in the Glutamine levels due to MS symptoms, supplements which can stimulate Glutamine levels to rise. Glutamine can also be easily found in plentiful quantities in both animal and plant protein sources

Although a measured intake of Glutamine is helpful for the body, in MS patients it needs to be carefully checked and kept in balance. MS patients have higher levels of glutaminase enzyme near the areas of nerve fiber damage, which converts Glutamine into Glutamate.

Glutamate is an exitotoxin which can cause further damage at the lesions where the demyelination has occurred. High levels of Glutamine intake can cause exitotoxicity which is the leading cause of damaging oligodendrocytes (myelin producing cells) and cause further damage in existing lesions. But a careful manipulation of the Glutamate altered homeostasis can be therapeutically beneficial for MS.

April 04, 2018 by

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