Does Glutamine Work? (Cont.)

Glutamine Studies

Various studies have shown that using glutamine in IV nutrition (especially for critically ill people) can provide several benefits, including fewer infections and fewer problems in general. Studies have shown that taking glutamine orally may help treat HIV/AIDS wasting (a nutritional problem due to HIV or AIDS). Oral glutamine may also work to help reduce mouth pain due to chemotherapy, although it is not clear why glutamine works for some people and not for others for this use.
 
Glutamine studies for other uses are generally lacking. A few small studies indicate that glutamine probably does not work for athletic performance, diarrhea, cystinuria, or Crohn's disease.
 
There is not enough evidence to have any idea whether glutamine is effective for other uses, including any of the claimed mental health benefits of the supplement.
 

Final Thoughts on Glutamine Effectiveness

Early research suggests that glutamine may be effective for a few uses. However, much more research is necessary to confirm these early findings. There is not enough evidence to suggest that glutamine is effective for other uses. It is important to remember that glutamine is classified as a dietary supplement (not a drug) and is, therefore, less strictly regulated than drugs.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;