L-Glutamic Acid HCl

L-Glutamic Acid HCl

L-glutamic acid HCL is known by many names such as glutamic acid, glutamic acid HCl, glutamina, glutaminate, glutamine, glutamine ethyl ester, or glutamine ethyl ester HCl. L-glutamic acid HCL is a neurotransmitter, a brain chemical that is responsible for regulating the electrical conduction inside the brain. This amino acid is also used to flavor food and can be found in high protein foods such as fish, meat, dairy products, eggs, legumes, lentils and beans. Because L-glutamic acid HCL is needed by your body in large amounts, you need to load up on this essential amino acid by taking supplements.

Benefits of L-Glutamic Acid HCl

L-glutamic acid HCL has a multitude of positive benefits on the human body, including:

Relief from Leaky Gut Syndrome

Leaky gut syndrome happens when tight junctions in the gut, which control what passes through the lining of the small intestine, start to malfunction. As a result, substances leak into the bloodstream and cause unpleasant digestive symptoms such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain, cramps and food sensitivities. A study published in the medical journal Lancet investigated the effect of L-glutamic acid HCL supplementation on 20 hospital patients with leaky gut syndrome.[1] Interestingly, researchers observed that the treatment was able to decrease intestinal permeability, resulting in significant improvement of symptoms.

Strong Immune System

Taking L-glutamic acid HCL can help boost the immune function, thereby preventing a wide array of medical maladies. A medical study published in 2001 investigated the effects of L-glutamic acid HCL on the immune system.[2] Researches found that L-glutamic acid HCL benefits the body by regulating the IgA immune response. IgA is an important antibody that fights harmful microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria.

Improved Exercise Recovery

During an intense workout, your muscles and tendons become stressed and inflamed, resulting in body pains. In addition to this, your body will require more glutamine and will enter a muscle-wasting state. Fortunately, one study found that L-glutamic acid HCL supplementation can prevent this from happening.[3] Another study also found that L-glutamic acid HCL supplementation at a dose of 8 grams in seven physically active male subjects after exhaustive exercise resulted in improved muscle recovery.[4]

Improved Wound Healing

There is strong scientific evidence that L-glutamic acid HCL supplementation can accelerate the wound healing process. According to a 2001 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, L-glutamic acid HCL supplementation in postoperative patients can decrease the length of hospital stay and incidence of infections, as well as improve the rate at which wound heals.[5]

Weight Loss

Research suggests that L-glutamic acid HCL can help burn fat through various mechanisms. For instance, one study found that nine healthy subjects who ingested 2 grams of L-glutamic acid HCL dissolved in a cola drink over a 20-min period 45 min after a light breakfast, had improved fat metabolism and significant increase in growth hormone levels.[6] Researchers believe that this hormonal response boosts the fat-burning ability of the body.

Blood Sugar Control

A 2009 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that oral L-glutamic acid HCL supplementation can help normalize the levels of the hormones glucagon and insulin in the blood, both of which play a major role in regulating blood sugar levels.[7] The study included 8 healthy normal-weight volunteers, 8 obese individuals with type 2 diabetes and 8 obese nondiabetic control subjects who were given glucose, L-glutamic acid HCL, or placebo. After 120 minutes, subjects who took 30 grams of L-glutamic acid HCL had better glucagon and insulin levels.

Healthy Heart

Research has shown that L-glutamic acid HCL may play a role in improving heart health. When given to patients with heart disease, L-glutamic acid HCL in the form of monosodium glutamate (0.8 and 1.5 mg/kg body weight intravenously or 40 and 80 mg/kg orally), can increase exercise tolerance and improve heart rate without any adverse side effects.[8]

Lower Risk of Depression and Anxiety-Related Disorders

There is increasing evidence that L-glutamic acid HCL may also play a role in improving mental health. According to a 2006 study published in Molecular Psychiatry, low levels of L-glutamic acid HCL in the body are linked to higher prevalence of depression, anxiety-related disorders, and other mental disorders.[9] The study involved a sample of 9270 adult subjects from the population-based Virginia Adult Twin Study of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders. After careful data analysis, researchers found that subjects with low L-glutamic acid HCL were more susceptible to a range of anxiety disorders and major depression.

Improved Prostate Health

L-glutamic acid HCL plays a major role in facilitating the normal functioning of the prostrate. In fact, prostate fluid contains large amounts of glutamic acid. One study even found that L-glutamic acid HCL supplementation can help improve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition characterized by prostate enlargement.[10]

 References:

1. Van der Hulst RR, van Kreel BK, von Meyenfeldt MF. Glutamine and the preservation of gut integrity. Lancet (London, England). 1993; 341(8857):1363-5.
2. Chang WK, Yang KD, Shaio MF. Effect of glutamine on Th1 and Th2 cytokine responses of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Clinical immunology (Orlando, Fla.). 1999; 93(3):294-301.
3. Available from http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-06162005-142747/unrestricted/Piattoly_thesis.pdf.
4. Bowtell JL, Gelly K, Jackman ML, Patel A, Simeoni M, Rennie MJ. Effect of oral glutamine on whole body carbohydrate storage during recovery from exhaustive exercise. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985). 1999; 86(6):1770-7.
5. Wilmore DW. The effect of glutamine supplementation in patients following elective surgery and accidental injury. The Journal of nutrition. 2001; 131(9 Suppl):2543S-9S; discussion 2550S-1S.
6. Welbourne TC. Increased plasma bicarbonate and growth hormone after an oral glutamine load. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 1995; 61(5):1058-61.
7. Greenfield JR, Farooqi IS, Keogh JM. Oral glutamine increases circulating glucagon-like peptide 1, glucagon, and insulin concentrations in lean, obese, and type 2 diabetic subjects. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2009; 89(1):106-113.
8. Thomassen A, Bøtker HE, Nielsen TT, Thygesen K, Henningsen P. Effects of glutamate on exercise tolerance and circulating substrate levels in stable angina pectoris. The American journal of cardiology. 1990; 65(3):173-8.
9. Hettema JM, An SS, Neale MC. Association between glutamic acid decarboxylase genes and anxiety disorders, major depression, and neuroticism. Molecular psychiatry. 2006; 11(8):752-62.
10. FEINBLATT HM, GANT JC. Palliative treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy; value of glycine-alanine-glutamic acid combination. The Journal of the Maine Medical Association. 1958; 49(3):99-101 passim.