Take Care of The Gut!

by Jon Fiume
April 4, 2006

Yes, my Halfsquare friends, there are supplements that you should be considering for gut health! Believe it or not, it is a crucial area of our bodies, and at our ages it is especially important that we practice prevention. You see, our gastrointestinal tract protects us from the harmful effects of bacteria and toxins we receive from food, by preventing their entry into the blood stream. Where exactly do all of these bacteria and toxins come from? They are actually everywhere, and are particularly prevalent in highly processed foods, which eaten when eaten in great quantities will bombard your body with unnecessary toxins. They can also come from other types of foods, such as meats and even fruits and vegetables sprayed with herbicides and pesticides. All of us encounter them but we do need to be conquered by them.

Glutamine, the most abundant amino acid in the body, helps protect the intestinal system. Glutamine is a major source of energy for the immune and digestive systems. Specifically, glutamine helps to provide energy to the cells in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and acts as an antioxidant, thereby protecting cellular health. If the cells become unhealthy, large spaces can develop between the cells, and bacteria, toxins, and in some cases food particles leak into the blood stream from the intestinal lining. This is aptly called "leaky gut" syndrome. If food particles leak into the body before they have been properly broken down, the immune system identifies these as foreign. Chemical sensitivities, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and food allergies are among the many problems that have been linked to leaky gut syndrome. In addition, nutrients may not be properly absorbed from our food or supplements when leaky gut syndrome is present, thus putting us at risk for other health issues.

A typical diet provides 3.5 to 7 grams of glutamine per day. More glutamine is often needed in the case of leaky gut or when the intestine is under stress from infection, trauma, inflammation, food allergy or other irritants. Under these conditions an extra 10-40 grams of glutamine per day may be needed just to maintain normal intestinal structure and function.

If you are considering some additional support, do not forget about acidophilus, otherwise known as probiotics. This is the friendly bacteria that helps to ward off infections and support the immune system. It is an excellent accompaniment to glutamine and your intestinal health program.

Take care of the gut!

This information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to take the place of your current healthcare program or advice from you healthcare professionals.