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How Does Glutamine Help the Digestive System?

Have you ever heard the phrase, you are what you eat! To be more specific, you are what you digest!

If your digestive system is not functioning properly, your body is unable to breakdown and absorb the nutrients in the food you eat. The knock on effect of this is that it can interfere with your attempts to maximise your optimum health. Furthermore, relieving more immediate symptoms of digestive discomfort, such as flatulence and bloating, without addressing the underlying issues, is not enough to improve your overall digestive health.

The more appropriate protocol is to help support the digestive systems delicate lining, the mucosal membrane. Clinical research suggests that the amino acid glutamine, may play a significant role in achieving this.

A good analogy to describe the function of the mucosal membrane that lines the intestinal tract, is like the traffic police, in the terms that it allows good nutrients into the bloodstream while keeping everything bad out. However, this process can be compromised, in that substances such as bacteria and partially digested proteins can enter the blood.

The amino acid Glutamine (also called L-glutamine), seemingly promotes digestive health in a number of ways. Firstly, for the cells that line the small intestine, it is the primary fuel source, which is where the majority of nutrient absorption takes place. Secondly, It is used to synthesize glutathione, known as the mother antioxidant due to its major role. Glutamine also helps to clear the toxin ammonia, which has the potential to throw off the body's acid-base ph balance.

The role of glutamine to intestinal health is clearly significant, however it works best when supported by other nutrients.

The mineral calcium plays an important role in that it helps to buffer acidity. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and selenium, fight against free radicals. Beneficial bacteria that normally live within the intestinal tract, known as probiotics, help turn dietary fat into fatty acids, which is essential for a healthy mucosa. In turn, they are further supported by a special class of fibres known as prebiotics. Finally, whole-food concentrates along with live enzymes all contribute to support overall optimum digestive well-being.

Remember, you are what you digest! .

The information provided is not an endorsement of any product, and is intended for educational purposes only. NaturesPlus does not provide medical advice and does not offer diagnosis of any conditions. Current research on this topic is not conclusive and further research may be needed in order to prove the benefits described.

The conditions and symptoms described may be indicative of serious health problems, and therefore should be brought to the attention of a qualified healthcare practitioner.

**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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