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.
