L-glutamine

2curvy
2curvy Member Posts: 183
edited March 2017 in Recipe Swap for Healthy Living

Hi ladies - What is this and what is it used for? Thanks!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2007

    Hi Colleen...L-Glutamine is a protein amino acid that is popular among body builders as it's thought to enhance performance and bulk. But here on these boards, we talk about it in a very different way. Quite a number of our oncologists (mine included) recommend the ingestion of L-Glutamine throughout chemotherapy to help avoid the neuropathy that is one of the side effects of the taxanes. Ladies here have had varying degrees of success using it for this purpose, but it certainly seemed to help me!

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited October 2008

    Hi all,

    I have L-Glutamine but am wondering about the dosage. I just got Taxol #2 and am starting to feel tingling in fingers!! ahhhck!

    Can you all tell me how many grams you took, and how many times per day? Anybody that had success with L-Glutamine for Peripheral neuropathy?  I have seen things ranging from a 15 grams twice a day (that would be A LOT) to 1 gram 4 times a day...  The bottle of powder says 1-2 grams per day, just once a day. That may not be enough though...

    Springtime

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  • Tamara67646
    Tamara67646 Member Posts: 293
    edited October 2008

    I am unsure of the right dosage as well.  The instruction sheet from my onco said 10 grams, 3x per day but that would be 30 grams a day.  The bottle says to start with 10 grams a day and anything more than 15 grams could cause stomach distress - I don't need any more of that! The guy at the vitamen store agreed that 30 grams would be too high - more than serious body builders use.  I have just been following the recommendation on the bottle. 

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited October 2008

    Tamara,

    I have seen 30 MGs all over the internet, and the "reach to recovery" volunteer said that's what her doctor told her to do (about that much.) My bottle says just 2mg a day!  Sheesh, that is like WAY different.

    Did you get yours at GNC? Mine was not, maybe I should go to GNC and get that version!

    Springtime

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  • Tamara67646
    Tamara67646 Member Posts: 293
    edited October 2008

    I got mine at a different health/vitamen store - don't recall the name.  Maybe there are differences in the brands?  I have not had any neuropathy in my hands/feet but have been getting alot of muscle aches which I thought the L-glutamine was supposed to help with . . .   The aches only last a day or two - so maybe it is helping. 

    Just one more round and hope to never have to deal with chemo SE again!

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited October 2008

    Yes I have two more rounds Tamara! We are both almost done! :)

    I think the L-Glutamine did help with my aches this time, they have been much less than last round... I feel a slight tingling in a few fingers - but not bad. I'm going to keep trying it and hope for the best!

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  • bmdaley
    bmdaley Member Posts: 292
    edited October 2008

    Hello ladies, my nutritionist turned me on to a wonderful product made by the company Xymogen called GlutAloeMine which has L-glutamine, aloe & licorice root. It protects my stomach and digestive system lining and I can tell you I seriously miss it if I run out. Here's a bit of info about it:

    http://www.xymogen.com/2008/formula.asp?code=000017

    http://www.xymogen.com/uploads/attributes/DRS157glutaloemine0407.pdf

    And here's a description of L-glutamine --

     

    L-Glutamine, the most abundant free form amino acid in the body, is very important for maintaining gastrointestinal and stimulated immune cell functioning. It is an important transporter of nitrogen (and carbon) in the body and therefore, is vital in wound healing. Although glutamine can be synthesized by the intestinal mucosa, during periods of physiological stress when needs can not likely be met by the body alone, gut epithelial atrophy, ulceration and even necrosis are possible.1 L-glutamine is metabolized to ammonia and glutamate.
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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited October 2008

    I am on my second bottle of L-Glutamine, I just finished Taxol #3 yesterday, so have one more treatment to go. I feel hardly any Neuropathy, and I'm taking between 24-30 mg a day with juice.

    My ONC said there is no proof it works, but it's not "contra-indicated" (meaning it can't hurt you either). So, onward! 

    Springtime

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  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited October 2008

    Hi All:

    Regarding the correct amount to take, it seems there might be a little confusion about grams and milligrams!  One gram equals 1,000 milligrams (mg).  My bottle of L-Glutamine suggests taking one 500-mg capsule twice a day, for a total of 1 gram.

    BTW I take only one capsule, at bedtime, as recommended by my healthfood store owner.  I think it has really helped, although I do still have fingertip neuropathy from time to time.

    Cheers, Linda

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited October 2008

    I think I goofed up, But this study shows 15 grams 2x a day. THat is what I am doing, basically 2 TBS per day, with juice, twice a day. It is a high dosage, but so far, nothing bad, and no neuropathy. 

    http://www.hrpca.org/glutamine.htm 

    A recent paper in The Oncologist (Wei-Shu Wang et al, Oral Glutamine is Effective for Preventing Oxaliplatin-Induced Neuropathy in Colorectal Cancer Patients, The Oncologist 2007;12:312-319) reports successful results using 15 grams twice a day for seven consecutive days every 2 weeks starting on the day of oxaliplatin infusion. Table 2 from that paper has the results. While this study was not with a taxane, it does show how effective glutamine can be in preventing peripheral neuropathy. 

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  • bar62
    bar62 Member Posts: 321
    edited November 2008

    My Oncologist feels that if it doesn't harm me physiologically, and he has no proof that it does, take it. He's surprised, I developed  painful tingling fingers with purplish-black nail beds, two weeks  taking AC therapy, but I am Diabetic,  so maybe that's why. I also have blackberry looking spots on my tongue. arrgh.

    PS

     I'm on my Decadron high...can't sleep.

    nite nite:)

    Thanks again for this tip.

    mina

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  • goldie0827
    goldie0827 Member Posts: 6,595
    edited November 2008

    I worked with Naturopathic physicians during my treatments. During chemo I was taking the L-Glutimine. Mine is 10,500 mg. I was to take 1 tablespoon, 3 times a day for 5 days following chemo. Once I was done with chemo and started radiation, they had me take 1 tablespoon, twice a day, everyday. I am done with radiation now and they told me to just finish what I have, and then I don't have to take it anymore.

    Lori

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited November 2008

    I tool L-G for the week of chemo. Did good until about a week and a half after my last chemo. Then I started getting link pinchy/stings (like pin pricks?) on and off in my hands, wrists and fingers.

    I got more L-Glutamin today. I am going to see if this works...

    Spring.

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited November 2008

    Will L-Glutamine help with neuropathy after 2 years post Taxol?  My onc was useless when it came to preventing symptoms.  I wish I knew about this supplement when I took Taxol 2 years ago.  I had very bad neuropathy during my 1st Taxol treatment and the neuropathy still flairs up - - worse now with cold weather.  I've been taking B-complex which has helped a little.

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited November 2008

    CP, I don't know about 2 years later. But I started up the L-Glutamin yesterday and had had three doses so far and I already notice a lessening of the symptoms. I'm staying on it! I genearlly do 2 TBS a day like Goldie above mentioned. Maybe I'll do like Goldie and stay on it through RADs and then finish and see how I do.

    BTW, My onc did not tell me about this, but said it was not "contraindicated" when I asked. Another woman clued me in. My Dr. office and nurses did not encourage me at all... but I told them I was going to try it.

    Goldie, What are Naturopathic physicians? (natural?)

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  • goldie0827
    goldie0827 Member Posts: 6,595
    edited November 2008

    They have the Naturopathic doctors at the center where I was treated. They work with you individuallly and suggest which natural supplements will help you through your treatment. I was taking all kinds of things that were to help with my immune system, my heart, my bones and energy. At one time I was taking up to 25 pills a day! I breezed through all of my treatments with hardly any side effects at all. Don't know if it was the supplements or not, but I wasn't willing to stop taking them to find out. He is working with me now to try and get these hot flashes under control!

    Another friend of mine that couldn't always afford them, could tell a difference from when she was off and when she started taking them again.

    Lori

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited November 2008

    Fascinating. I wish I had access to someone like that!!! Thanks for the info...

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  • kathyrd
    kathyrd Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2010

    It's been a couple of years since anyone posted on L-glutamine. Is there anything new? Does it work for peripheral neuropathy, even after treatment? Is there any concensus on the dosage? Is it still considered to be safe? Where's the best place to get some? I finished the hard stuff (lumpectomy, chemo (TCH), and radiation) in Oct 2010. I still have Herceptin infusions every 2-3 weeks and I've been on Armidex for about a month - so far, so good. Soon I may start Zometa, assuming my insurance will cover it. My toes and feet are still pretty numb - feels like I'm always walking on pads - but I'm still able to walk 3-4 miles a day. It's mostly just annoying, but I'd still like it to go away!

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited November 2010

    I don't have anything new -- just that it worked for me. During Taxol, I had pinchy stings in my hands and fingers. I took 1 TBSP 3x a day with juice. My symptoms went away. After a while, I stopped, The symptoms came back. I took it again, they went away. Later, I stopped, and was okay.  I now see an osteopath and she has me taking 2-3 tsp daily, just for "energy and repair". So I am still taking it, just at a lower dose. Hope his helps! I believe it is perfectly safe. Even my onc said there is no proof it works, but she said it was not "contra indicated". It worked for me!

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  • mcdonacwho
    mcdonacwho Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2010

    I was told to start taking glutamine the day of chemo for 5 days about2 tsp 3x day in water or juice not milk I have had no pain and not much tingling

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  • donnaalvarez1
    donnaalvarez1 Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2011

    I have been a manager of several GNC stores for over 7 years and am pursuing a degree in Holistic Nutrition.  In most of the references to glutamine, I am seeing the dosages in milligrams, which is WAY too low.  One serving (one teaspoon) of our powdered glutamine is five grams.  When taken in "therapeutic dosages," milligrams is simply not adequate enough.........I hope this provides anyone some useful information. 

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  • PLJ
    PLJ Member Posts: 373
    edited July 2011

    For prevention of peripheral neuropathy, my Naturopathic Onc. recommended l-glutamine 10 g/day 1 week before chemo and said I could decrease it to 3.8 g/day on 'off' weeks. She also suggested alpha-lipoic acid daily, at least 3 days prior to chemo.

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited July 2011

    that is the dosage I used pretty much PLJ.  As a pianist I was very concerned about the effects of neuropathy while on taxol and I documented (for myself) how it worked. I found it was very helpful days 1-8 after my infusion.. and then I could slack off on a 'maintenance dosage'.  I found it helped alot.  I took two of 8 infusions off to test to see if it really worked and found the neuropathy was much worse without it.. also took B6.  I never thought to start taking it before infusion days.  dang.

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  • TexasKaren
    TexasKaren Member Posts: 572
    edited November 2011

    Is there a difference between the powder and the pills?  I have pills that are 500 mg.  Directions say to take 1 or 2 tablets, once to four times a day... that would be like 4,000 mg if you did that!  I don't have any neuropathy, but have been reading about it helping with muscle mass loss in cancer patients... my little arms and legs are just wasting away.  I was going to start at 1,000 a day (1 pill 2x day)

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  • shera
    shera Member Posts: 184
    edited February 2012

    I'm working with a naturopath post-surgery (mastectomy) and intend to throughout chemotherapy.

    Right now she has me taking l-glutamine powder, 2 scoops (= 2 teaspoons) twice a day between meals. This equals 6000 mg twice a day. (12gms or 12000mg daily)

    This is my post-surgery dosage, and I'll post if it changes once I begin chemo.  

    To take it - I add warm water to almond milk then add the powder in. I read that hot liquids kill the protein, so I'm sticking to warm liquids.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited February 2012

    I just found this thread. My kids are both into bodybuilding so they use it all the time and they turned me onto it. All I know about it though, is that they use it so their muscles don't hurt the next day. Now that I've been using it, I wouldn't go without. It hasn't done anything for my neuropathy though, but some aches and pains have disappeared. It's nice to stumble onto something that actually works. I don't know the recommended dosage either, so I just take as much as they do (5g 4 X daily).

    Edited to add: seems to be the thing that has helped with my high blood pressure too! (but that's just a guess) and it certainly helped me to recover after surgery. The doctors were amazed at how quickly I healed.

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  • AnnieLane
    AnnieLane Member Posts: 856
    edited March 2013

    I start chemo this Thursday and asked my oncologist's nurse about it today. She said they would have no concerns with me taking it, which leads me to believe it's still considered safe. I got the powdered form.

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  • WendyBor
    WendyBor Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2013

    I just joined and have found this posting very useful thank you!  I am almost done with my Cytoxan/Taxotere - Yay! But I am suffering with muscle stiffness and pain that is hard to manage day to day mixed with a full time job and kids.  My Oncologist did recommend I take this, but they pulled me off it midway through treatment due to excess joint fluid retention.  I find it hard to believe L-glutamine caused this, so I started taking it again today for another trial run - going to start with 1 Teaspoon 3 x a day. 

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  • AnnieLane
    AnnieLane Member Posts: 856
    edited May 2013

    I've finished chemo and took L-Glutamine starting the day of each treatment and for the following week. I took 1TBSP twice a day in juice or lemonade. My MO had no objections and I think it helped me tolerate the chemo pretty well. I never had any mouth sores or peripheral neuropathy. I also began taking B12 and B6 after I had lots of sharping stabbing nerve pain all over from my first treatment. I also iced my hands and feet during the Taxotere infusions, so that probably helped prevent the peripheral neuropathy also.

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  • Tr4c3y
    Tr4c3y Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2013

    Has anyone else exerienced heartburn from taking L-G? I mixed a heaping tablespoon (about half a gram) with applesauce a few weeks ago, and the heartburn was so bad I almost threw up. Now I know why I was up all night several weeks ago with heartburn - I had blamed it on the taxotere, but it was really the L-G, which I had taken close to bedtime. I would really like something to counter this neuropathy...

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