L Glutamine For Sickle Cell Anemia: Why You Need This Supplement

What Is Glutamine?

Glutamine is an amino acid that is found in the human body. It is a building block of protein and it helps to repair and build muscle tissue. This supplement is also involved in the immune system and it helps to protect the gut from infection. It is also involved in brain function and it helps to protect the brain from damage.

What Does Glutamine Do For The Body?

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid that is found in the body. and it is also involved in many other important body processes. For example, it helps the body to heal wounds, to make immune cells, and to remove waste products from the liver. It supports detoxification by cleansing the body of high doses of ammonia.

The most common original uses of glutamine powder were to meet the following goals: to lose weight fast, burn fat and help build muscle.

Glutamine supplements are often taken by people who want to boost their immune system or improve their gut health. Some people also take glutamine to help with exercise recovery, to reduce muscle soreness, and to improve athletic performance.

Does Glutamine Have Any Side Effects?

Some of the side effects of include

Nausea,
Chest pain
Abdominal pain
Constipation,
Cough
Headache

What Form Of Glutamine Is Best?

There is really no one form that is the best. Oral glutamine and parenteral (I.V) really serve their own purposes. For convenience, it is easier to take capsules instead of constantly using injections. However, the I.V route has been utilized when major injuries or diseases are involved.

Are There Any Natural Sources Of Glutamine?

Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid. This means that your body produces more of it when you are injured or are in a situation that requires more production.

What Is Sickle Cell Anemia?

Sickle cell anemia is a disease that affects the shape of red blood cells and their ability to transport oxygen. In sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells are sickle-shaped and rigid which affects the way they transport the RBC and oxygen. This can cause slow flow or cause blockage.

What Is Vaso Occlusive Crisis?

This is when microcirculation in the blood vessels is blocked by sickle cells because of their shape. This can lead to extreme pain in the legs, chest, abdomen, hands, back, etc. The term VASO means vessels and OCCLUSIVE means “to block or deny passage”

How Does It Occur?

High oxidative stress increases the stiffness of the red blood cells which gives them their sickle shape. These abnormal blood cells stick to the blood vessel walls which causes a blockage of blood flow and oxygen transport.

How Does Glutamine Work For Sickle Cell Patients?

Glutamine supplementation increases its amount in blood circulation. Sickle cells can use this extra glutamine to generate anti-oxidant molecules. This in turn stops the oxidative stress on the sickle cells which makes them less rigid and bouncier, and this enables them to travel to blood vessels carrying oxygen and not stick together.

Glutamine Therapy For Sickle Cell Anemia

Although its efficacy in sickle cell patients is still an ongoing study. There have been many studies that have noted statistical improvements when it came to glutamine and sickle cell management.

In a study, patients with sickle cell anemia were given oral glutamine at a dose of 30g/day for four weeks. After the study, it was shown that there was a significant reduction in

Chronic pain
Reduced usage of daily opioid
Improved energy levels.

In pediatric patients that had sickle cell anemia and were also candidates for bone marrow transplant. It was shown that there was a reduced incidence of infections and bacteria when glutamine supplementation was added via I.V.

Also in patients that had sickle cell and undergoing chemotherapy, when they were given the I.V form reduced the occurrence of oral stomatitis.

In another study, sickle cell patients were exposed to oral glutamine over a period of 48 weeks. It was shown that glutamine supplements caused a 25% reduction in sickle cell crisis. It also showed that those treated with this supplement had a longer in-between time for crisis and hospital admission

What Are The Benefits Of Glutamine Therapy For Sickle Cell Anemia?

Reduced Vaso occlusive crisis
Decreased opioid use for pain
Reduced hospital admissions by over 25%
Reduced infection in people recovering from wounds.
Aids in Irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea
Increases blood flow of sickled cells in vessels.
Promotes muscle growth and reduces muscle wasting.

Combination Therapy

This combination of olive leaf extract, ginkgo Biloba extract, and glutamine has helped a lot of patients reduce hospital visits. (there is no scientific evidence to support this). However multiple individuals have given testimonies to the efficacy of this combination therapy.

Olive Leaf Extract: Some benefits of olive leaf extract include

Reduces cardiovascular risk, like atherosclerosis.
Lowers blood pressure.
Helps control type 2 diabetes.
Supports weight loss.
Eliminates free radicals.
Boosts immunity.
reduces inflammation.

Gingko Biloba: This plant extract reduces the oxidative stress on red blood cells of patients suffering from sickle cell disease

Are There Any Other Benefits Of Glutamine Therapy?

Improves Gut Health
Can Help In the Treatment of Leaky Gut and Stress-Induced Ulcers
Supports Brain development
May Improve Irritable bowel syndrome and Diarrhea.
Assists in Weight Loss
Increases overall metabolic rate
May Improve Athletic Performance and Recovery from Endurance Exercise.
May help stabilize blood sugar
Taking glutamine by mouth seems to help HIV/AIDS patients absorb food better and gain weight.

How Can I Get Started With Glutamine Therapy?

To get started with glutamine supplementation. Please consult your doctor. If you are not an athlete or suffering from a condition that may require increased glutamine consumption, there is really no need to supplement because your body produces enough of the supplement.

Conclusion

L-glutamine therapy is a promising treatment for sickle cell anemia. It has been shown to improve symptoms and quality of life in patients, and it is safe and well-tolerated. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to determine the optimal dose and duration of therapy.