Cat shared this feedback about how effective just 500mg of glutamine is for her low blood sugar and how quickly it helps:
I recently followed one of your posts on GABA down the rabbit hole to a linked blog post and then to another post where I found a mention of using glutamine for hypoglycemia. This is the only reference that I have read on this in 35 years of research on the subject. I follow a low carb, higher protein, healthy fat diet, but still suffer low blood sugar issues consistently at one particular time of the day. After so many years of eating a second breakfast to prevent the lows, I was ready to give any other healthy option a try.
It works!!! I found a powder that I mix approximately 500 mg of with water. It works within about 15 minutes and keeps me going for about 2 – 3 hours — long enough to reach a reasonable time for lunch.
I’m thrilled to have this option as anytime that I travel, low blood sugar becomes a huge issue as I suffer from ketotic hypoglycemia and end up with massive headaches and vomiting for 6-8 hours.
You have freed me from a huge weight! Thank you and hugs!
(And thank you for researching and sharing the tremendously helpful information in your books, webinar presentations and blogs.)
Thank you Cat for sharing your success and you are most welcome! I’m sharing this as a blog post because you may also be new to this.
Glutamine dosing, using powder vs capsules and using it on the tongue
Cat finds 500 mg glutamine works well for her unique needs. This is a good starting dose. I see many folks start too high, like 5000 mg / 5 g and up multiple times a day, and it’s not necessary. However, we increase based on individual needs and you may find you do need to use 500 mg -1000 mg two to three times a day.
Using a glutamine powder is a great way to use it especially if you find you do need more than 500 mg each time.
One thing I mentioned to Cat is when you use glutamine powder directly on to the tongue (rather than mixed in water), the benefits are seen more quickly i.e. right away rather than having to wait 15 minutes.
If you do start with glutamine capsules, be sure to open the capsule on the tongue too, But watch for fillers which can be irritating to some folks. Powders are typically glutamine-only and don’t taste bad at all. But when traveling, capsules may be a better option (at least when on a plane).
Ketotic hypoglycemia, adrenal dysfunction and breakfast
Ketotic Hypoglycemia International defines ketotic hypoglycemia as “a condition characterized by low blood sugar (glucose) and elevated ketones, typically occurring after fasting, like sleeping overnight. Ketotic hypoglycemia (KH) is not a disease itself but rather a symptom or a clinical presentation that can occur as a result of various underlying conditions.” I’ve asked Cat if she is aware as to what is causing her ketotic hypoglycemia and I’ll report back.
I have also asked if she has had salivary cortisol testing done as adrenal dysfunction plays a role in all types of low blood sugar and will need to be addressed. This can take awhile to test and figure out nutritional support. Until then, glutamine is wonderful for preventing low blood sugar episodes.
I’m also curious what her breakfasts look like and will update the blog when I find out. Cat does mention that she follows “a low carb, higher protein, healthy fat diet” so I assume her first breakfast is a good one. But it’s always something to confirm. As you can see on this blog, Anxiety and Hypoglycemia Symptoms Improve with Diet Modification, a healthy breakfast is key for blood sugar stability and preventing anxiety.
Low blood sugar symptoms and all the ways glutamine may help
This is the blog she commented on: Glutamine for calming, intense sugar cravings, gut healing and low blood sugar
I share all the symptoms we see with low blood sugar:
- Crave sugar, starch or alcohol any time during the day
- Irritable, shaky, headachey – especially if going too long between meals
- Intense cravings for sweets
- Lightheaded if meals are missed
- Eating relieves fatigue
- Agitated, easily upset
- Nervous, anxious, panic attacks
As you can see, in addition to helping with low blood sugar symptoms, glutamine has calming properties (low blood sugar can also cause anxiety and panic attacks), helps reduce intense sugar cravings (sometimes described as a demonic urge to eat all things sweet and also helps with healing a leaky gut. Be sure to read these two blogs I’ve linked to above.
Glutamine has also been researched to help with addiction recovery. In this blog, An amino acid supplement with DLPA, glutamine and 5-HTP eases alcohol withdrawal symptoms at an inpatient detoxification program, glutamine is paired with two other amino acids.
Resources if you are new to using glutamine and other amino acids as supplements
We use the symptoms questionnaire to figure out if low blood sugar may be an issue for you.
If you suspect blood sugar or low levels of any of the neurotransmitters and do not yet have my book, The Antianxiety Food Solution – How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings, I highly recommend getting it and reading it before jumping in and using amino acids on your own so you are knowledgeable. And be sure to share it with the practitioner/health team you or your loved one is working with.
There is an entire chapter on the amino acids and they are discussed throughout the book in the sections on gut health, gluten, blood sugar control (this topic has an entire chapter), sugar cravings, anxiety and mood issues.
The book doesn’t include product names (per the publisher’s request) so this blog, The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs. You can find them all in my online store.
If, after reading this blog and my book, you don’t feel comfortable figuring things out on your own (i.e. doing the symptoms questionnaire and respective amino acids trials), a good place to get help is the GABA QuickStart Program (if you have low GABA symptoms too). This is a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support.
If you are a practitioner, join us in The Balancing Neurotransmitters: the Fundamentals program. This is also a paid online/virtual program with an opportunity to interact with me and other practitioners who are also using the amino acids.
I really appreciate Cat for sharing her story and giving me permission to share as a blog.
Has glutamine helped you with low blood sugar/hypoglycemia? If yes, in what way has it helped – reduced anxiety, less sugar cravings (or other addictions), and not as irritable and cranky/angry?
And how much helps and how quickly? Are you using it on the tongue?
Has glutamine also helped with leaky gut?
If you’re a practitioner are you using glutamine this way with your clients/patients?
Feel free to share and ask your questions below.
I’ve been taking dr Sandra Cabot glutamine many years . Helps muscle recovery -‘gym workouts . It’s Such an all rounder supplement. Thru taking this over years it definitely helps with cravings blood suagr stability . Helps after a heavy meal with that sickly feeling . I also love Oolong tea for cravings ?
Geri
Great to hear – thanks for sharing. May I ask how much you use and how often? And how it helps with muscle recovery?
Is glutamine safe for use during pregnancy?
Anna
The rule of thumb is not to use any of the individual amino acids, including glutamine, in pregnancy and nursing because of lack of reliable research.
There are a few studies for specific situations
1) L-GLUTAMINE SUPPLEMENTATION PROTECTS AGAINST DISRUPTED CARDIAC GLUTATHIONE ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE AND POOR FETAL OUTCOME FOLLOWING LATE GESTATIONAL TESTOSTERONE EXPOSURE https://journals.lww.com/jhypertension/abstract/2021/04001/l_glutamine_supplementation_protects_against.1026.aspx
2) Maternal L-glutamine supplementation prevents prenatal alcohol exposure-induced fetal growth restriction in an ovine model https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25740606/
However my advice for clients who are pregnant is to focus on eating for blood sugar stability. I am curious to hear why you are interested in using glutamine i.e what symptoms you experience and when?
Thanks! I may become pregnant and am wondering if this could be a possible solution for adrenal issues that my ND has me taking rhodiola rosea for. I also experience irritability and can get lightheaded before mealtimes when I’m not eating enough protein.
Anna
Glutamine does help prevent feeling lightheaded before meals when not eating enough protein. For someone planning to become pregnant I’d focus on eating enough protein to prevent low blood sugar. Or ideally address adrenal and other health issues before planning pregnancy.
I wake up every morning with high anxiety and it dissipates through the course of the day. Could this be a low blood sugar issue where glutamine would help??
Pat
Low blood sugar is one common cause of morning anxiety and addressing low blood sugar would help. I have an entire chapter on this topic in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” (more here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/) but in summary it means eating for blood sugar stability and using glutamine as needed the day before and using glutamine in the moment too.
Other causes of high anxiety in the morning are low GABA, low serotonin, high cortisol, caffeine, SIBO, gluten (to name a few of many possible causes) and we explore and address these causes too.
Hi,
I’m having adrenal issues/low cortisol and would like to try using glutamine. Can you suggest how we can measure out 500mg increments? Is it 1/8 teaspoon for example?
Many thanks,
Michal
Michal
Yes when using a powdered glutamine product you need to figure out how to get 500mg because each company has their own way of labeling. For example, one product may state 1 scoop = 3g (or 3500mg) glutamine – so 500mg is 1/6 of a scoop. Another product may state 1 level metric teaspoon = 2500 mg (or 2.5g) glutamine – so 500mg is 1/5 of a teaspoon. A mini measuring spoon set like this one https://amzn.to/3Q94nsI (my Amazon link) helps.
Can you share what low blood sugar symptoms you experience and at what time/s of the day? And have you had 4x saliva cortisol collection?
Where can I purchase the Antianxiety Food book, the powdered GABA and powdered glutamine?!
Pat
You can find GABA and glutamine in my online supplement store – this link lists products and how to set up an account to purchase supplements. The Now brand has both in powder form https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-pyroluria-supplements/
I think you have my book but for other readers here is that link https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
I have the book Antianxiety Food Solution. Which chapter in your book addresses morning anxiety??
Pat
There is no specific chapter on morning anxiety – but the blood sugar chapter would be most relevant and also the amino acids chapter as GABA can help with morning anxiety when GABA is low. Gut health and diet may be applicable too and also pyroluria so I encourage you to read the whole book.
Trudy,
Disregard my previous comment. I was able to set up my account and get to the list of products where I can order. There are quite a few products on you website. Which GABA and glutamine products do you recommend I order for morning anxiety??
I have setup an account for the online store, however I am confused with all the products that are available and which are best for my situation. I suffer with severe morning anxiety I believe due to low blood sugar. Can you please recommend which specific product(s) I should be purchasing?? Thank you.
Trudy,
I really need some assistance into what specific products I should be ordering for my low blood sugar morning anxiety. There are so many products on the store menu that I’m not sure which I should be ordering. I know it’s powdered GABA and glutamine but I’m not sure which ones specifically off the menu. Please help.
Pat
As I mentioned in one of my comments, the Now brand has both in powder form. I do find Source Natural GABA Calm to be very effective too – it’s a chewable/sublingual low dose 125mg
Hi Trudy
I live in Australia is there anyway I can purchase the supplements from your site. I tried but international
Shipping is not offered.
Trudy,
These are the items I ordered to address my low blood sugar morning anxiety.
L-Glutamine powder 500 mg
GABA Calm Lozenge – Orange
I just wanted you to confirm that I have ordered the correct items.
Pat
I can’t consult via the blog but can share that I use both these products with clients with success. Keep in mind glutamine will help with low blood sugar type of anxiety and other low blood sugar symptoms. GABA will help with low GABA type of anxiety and other low GABA symptoms. You can see all the symptoms here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
Please do keep us posted if these help you
Trudy,
Thanks for your help I really appreciate it. One more quick question what does the “L” stand for in
L-Glutamine??
Hi Trudy
I have a question about supplements. I live in Australia is there anyway I can purchase the supplements from your site. I tried but international
Shipping is not offered.
I want to make sure I get ones you recommend.
Thank you I look forward to your reply
Dear Trudy
I started taking glutamin capsules for my gut and stomach issues .one capsule with 1500mg in the morning .the company suggest 3-6 capsules a day!which I thought is a lot. I always start careful with new supplements.do you think even 1 capsule is to much ?
I also am wondering if I should also supplement gaba to keep the balance because I saw a report of a person who had the stiff person syndrome because of high glutamate and low gaba levels.or has glutamine nothing to do with that?
I have tight muscles mainly in my legs and neck and often cramping and feeling weak,but this started long ago and not since taking the glutamine. I also tried collagen a while ago but stopped again as I felt more stiff and anxious with that
Thanks for a reply
Linda from Germany
Linda
I have clients start with 500mg and increase from there. For most folks some glutamine converts to GABA and is calming. If it becomes too stimulating or anxiety provoking we review the low GABA symptoms and may do a trial of GABA.
Hi Trudy,
I have recently been diagnosed with Antiphospholipid Syndrome and placed on warfarin and Plavix to prevent clot formation. I have taken gaba and tryptophan in the past but I’m wondering now if there is any contraindication with blood thinners. Doctors and pharmacists are not as knowledgeable as you regarding amino acids.
Thank you,
Marilyn
Marilyn
I’m not aware of any documented contraindication but it may well be that it’s not been researched. I’ll respond if I find out anything.