New research conducted in Brazil has shown that taking an L glutamine supplement can modify the gut bacteria in obese people so that it resembles the composition of gut bugs in lean individuals.

Taking 30 grams of glutamine per day significantly reduced the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes in overweight and obese individuals. A change like this is associated with weight loss in animal and human experiments, as seen in experiments conducted in the past. (Obese people tend to have more Firmicutes strains of bacteria and slim people tend to have more Bacteroidetes bacterial strains).

According to the researchers, “These findings suggest that oral supplementation of L glutamine has similar effects on gut microbiota as weight loss”.

It is thought that glutamine discourages the growth of harmful gut bacteria that promote the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are associated with weight gain. Therefore glutamine has a net anti-inflammatory effect. A reduction in inflammation can promote weight loss and it has numerous other health benefits.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

Reference