Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

HI Paula
Yes you can get L-Glutamine at Vitamin or Health shops that carry a wide variety of alternative supplements. Oddly enough L-Glutamine is used by weight lifters for muscle strength, but one of its other effects is that it prevents diarhea by encouraging the absorption of water in the colon. As well, it is supposed to be a liver support, and I find it allows me to digest more fat than usual without getting D. It is a white powder, no taste, that you mix with water or juice. It is a main component in the Canadian product made by Natural Factors called RevitalX that I have been taking every 2nd week as a maintenance program that helps me feel better for awhile. (RevitalX is a mix of fibres, vitamins, minerals, herbs, and the L-Glutamine). But I also take L-Glutamine on its own, usually 500-1000mg per day, in one or two doses, when I need it. It is suitable for those with IBS-D, though I'd assume it probably wouldn't help those with C. It is recommended by the book, Prescription for Nutritional Healing in its IBS section, which also recommends probiotics, flax seeds/oil, various herbs, and fibre.

I don't take L-Glutamine all the time, I find that it is a maintenance program, but I doubt it's going to provide any long term healing. Just like I don't take pharmaceuticals, because they are only coping mechanisms too. In the long run I am seeking something that truly heals my gut. In the meantime, Chinese herbs have helped, as have accupuncture and exercise, and of course, watching what I eat. But for the moment, L-Glutamine works for me, as did Questran though only somewhat. By the way, L-Glutamine is a substance that your body produces itself, it is an amino acid. There is lots of info. out there on it if you are intersted in doing more research!

Good Luck,
Kris

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