Glutamine foods include yogurt, eggs, cheese, lentils, soy, and white rice. These foods contain glutamine, the most abundant amino acid in the body, which plays an important role in immune function, metabolism, and protein production.
The body can produce glutamine naturally, but higher amounts may be needed during periods of illness, recovery, or physical stress. Eating glutamine foods can help support immune cells, intestinal cells, and muscle tissue that rely on this amino acid for energy.
Both animal- and plant-based glutamine foods can help maintain healthy glutamine levels through diet. Common dietary sources include dairy products, meat, fish, legumes, grains, and vegetables, and supplements may also be used when additional intake is needed.
List of animal-based glutamine foods
Foods from animal-based sources that are rich in glutamine include:
List of plant-based glutamine foods
Foods from plant-based sources that are rich in glutamine include:
What is glutamine used for?
Glutamine is considered to be an immunomodulator as it stimulates and strengthens the immune system. It is used as an energy source by immune system, intestinal and muscle cells.
Some studies have shown that glutamine supplementation can increase the recovery of immunosuppressed and/or post-operative patients, and in those in critical conditions who are recovering from burns, sepsis, or multiple traumas. This amino acid becomes essential when the body is undergoing metabolic stress, and can be supplemented to prevent muscle breakdown and stimulate immune system functioning.
L-glutamine supplementation is also used to maintain muscle mass, as it reduces muscle tissue breakdown after exercise. It also stimulates muscle growth by promoting the absorption of amino acids into muscle cells, which is beneficial with exercise recovery and overtraining syndrome (which is associated with a drop in plasma glutamine levels).