Glutamine
Glutamine is the most abundant free amino acid in the human body, produced primarily in skeletal muscle and circulated to organs with high demand like the gut and immune cells. It becomes conditionally essential during periods of intense physical stress, illness, or injury when the body's production may not keep pace with demand. It is widely used to support gut barrier function, immune resilience, and recovery from strenuous exercise.
Expert Evidence
8 references from 2 experts
“Glutamine has been shown in a few studies to play a role in bolstering the immune system. It can increase the number of killer cells in the immune system.”
How Our Hormones Control Our Hunger, Eating & Satiety
39:196 references in 4 episodes from 2021–2025
Huberman is a long-term glutamine user who values it primarily for immune support, gut health, and appetite regulation. He cautions that people with cancer risk should consult a doctor, as tumors can utilize glutamine. No specific dosing protocol or best practices were discussed.
Consumption
He has taken glutamine for years, increasing to higher dosages multiple times per day when feeling run down.
Benefits
Huberman highlights glutamine's role in boosting killer cells for immune function, improving leaky gut symptoms, offsetting sugar cravings via gut-brain signaling, and contributing to CCK release that suppresses appetite.
Cautions
He warns that many cancers and tumors thrive on glutamine, so anyone with cancer or a predisposition should consult a doctor before supplementing.
“I take one 5 gram dose of glutamine in the morning. It's NSF certified from Thorne.”
Rhonda Patrick's EXACT Supplement Routine (doses, timing, & brands revealed)
0:342 references in 2 episodes from 2024–2025
Rhonda Patrick takes 5g of glutamine daily (morning, Thorne brand, NSF certified), specifically on heavy training days to reduce susceptibility to respiratory illness. She provides specific dosing and brand but does not discuss broader benefits, cautions, or mechanisms.
Side Effects
- Elevated blood ammonia at very high doses
- Mild gastrointestinal discomfort in some individuals
- Rare allergic reactions
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