We hear about taking L-Glutamine to reduce cravings but without knowing why it works it’s difficult to believe that it does work.
I have done extensive research on L-Glut. At first I wasn’t making any headway as everyone kept saying the same thing: That’s it’s a powerful amino acid proven effective in double blind clinical trials to reduce cravings for alcohol. But no-one was explaining WHY it works so it’s been hard for me to believe that it does work.
Then I came across an article by Dr. Patricia Slagle who explains best why L-Glut is effective. First of all:
L-Glut 101:
Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in circulation in our bodies. It is a major fuel source & therefore energy source for the entire body. It is an important fuel for the brain & can provide adequate energy in the absence of glucose (the other major brain fuel). For this reason it is helpful with focus, concentration, memory, intellectual performance, alertness, attentiveness, improving mood and eliminating brain fog & cloudiness. (All the more reason to take it gang!)
This gets too deep medically so in laymen’s terms alcohol may cause exaggerated insulin secretion resulting in severe hypoglycemia (too low blood sugar).
When the blood sugar is low, Glutamine suppresses insulin to stop the further decline of the sugar levels. It also stimulates glycogen (a stored form of glucose) to be released to help increase the blood sugar to normal levels. These blood sugar stabilizing effects may partially explain why it decreases alcohol cravings, as well as sugar cravings. In studies with alcoholics, 2000-3000 mg 3 times daily decreased the desire to drink, decreased anxiety, & improved sleep. It works best given between meals. It has been used for this purpose in daily doses from 6000-15,000 mg in 3 divided doses. Use upon arising, mid-morning & mid-afternoon between meals.
L-Glutamine may be taken on a daily basis, or kept on hand to manage "craving emergencies" in which the powder from half a 1,000 capsule is poured directly under the tongue. Many MWO members have shared this info with each other stating that this works for them when they are undergoing severe cravings.
Giving Glutamine to rats decreased their voluntary alcohol consumption by 34%. When the Glutamine was stopped, their alcohol consumption returned to baseline levels.
Studies using high dose Glutamine have failed to demonstrate toxicity. However Glutamine should be avoided in cases of acute liver failure & kidney failure.
Precautions: Glutamine should not be taken by persons with cirrhosis of the liver, kidney problems, Reye's syndrome, or any type of disorder that can result in an accumulation of ammonia in the blood.
To our good health!
Eve11
I have done extensive research on L-Glut. At first I wasn’t making any headway as everyone kept saying the same thing: That’s it’s a powerful amino acid proven effective in double blind clinical trials to reduce cravings for alcohol. But no-one was explaining WHY it works so it’s been hard for me to believe that it does work.
Then I came across an article by Dr. Patricia Slagle who explains best why L-Glut is effective. First of all:
L-Glut 101:
Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in circulation in our bodies. It is a major fuel source & therefore energy source for the entire body. It is an important fuel for the brain & can provide adequate energy in the absence of glucose (the other major brain fuel). For this reason it is helpful with focus, concentration, memory, intellectual performance, alertness, attentiveness, improving mood and eliminating brain fog & cloudiness. (All the more reason to take it gang!)
This gets too deep medically so in laymen’s terms alcohol may cause exaggerated insulin secretion resulting in severe hypoglycemia (too low blood sugar).
When the blood sugar is low, Glutamine suppresses insulin to stop the further decline of the sugar levels. It also stimulates glycogen (a stored form of glucose) to be released to help increase the blood sugar to normal levels. These blood sugar stabilizing effects may partially explain why it decreases alcohol cravings, as well as sugar cravings. In studies with alcoholics, 2000-3000 mg 3 times daily decreased the desire to drink, decreased anxiety, & improved sleep. It works best given between meals. It has been used for this purpose in daily doses from 6000-15,000 mg in 3 divided doses. Use upon arising, mid-morning & mid-afternoon between meals.
L-Glutamine may be taken on a daily basis, or kept on hand to manage "craving emergencies" in which the powder from half a 1,000 capsule is poured directly under the tongue. Many MWO members have shared this info with each other stating that this works for them when they are undergoing severe cravings.
Giving Glutamine to rats decreased their voluntary alcohol consumption by 34%. When the Glutamine was stopped, their alcohol consumption returned to baseline levels.
Studies using high dose Glutamine have failed to demonstrate toxicity. However Glutamine should be avoided in cases of acute liver failure & kidney failure.
Precautions: Glutamine should not be taken by persons with cirrhosis of the liver, kidney problems, Reye's syndrome, or any type of disorder that can result in an accumulation of ammonia in the blood.
To our good health!
Eve11
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