GLUTAMINE

The human body is capable of synthesising this amino acid. It is therefore described as "non-essential". It is nevertheless important for health because glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the human body and plays a key role in protein synthesis.

Glutamine is present in the diet, particularly in legumes, meat, dairy products, cereals and fish.

Used in sports, it contributes to the development of muscle tissue by promoting protein synthesis.

Glutamine is also the precursor of GABA, a neurotransmitter that inhibits the central nervous system.

This amino acid is preferentially used by enterocytes (cells of the intestinal epithelium). A glutamine deficiency can therefore be responsible for intestinal hyper permeability. The intestine is then no longer watertight, the mucous membrane no longer fullfils its role and allows bacteria, toxins and pro-inflammatory molecules responsible for allergies and chronic irritable bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease, to pass through.