How Important is L-Glutamine for Dogs?

Did you know that glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in your dog's body?¹ Read on for the reasons this molecule is so important for your pup, and for the best way to help them get enough of it.

Key Takeaways

L-glutamine is essential for your dog's health.
It's a conditionally essential amino acid, meaning your dog's body should naturally produce it, but at times may not produce enough.
Glutamine is a precursor for various important things, from proteins to antioxidants like glutathione to neurotransmitters like GABA.
It also plays important roles in the normal functioning of the liver, gut, immune system, muscles, and more.
Glutamine is often blended with other powerful ingredients in supplements like our Liver Detox System.

Understanding L-Glutamine For Dogs

L-glutamine goes by many names. Glutamine, glutamic acid, glutamate... But these names all refer to the same potent molecule.

Glutamine supplements have exploded in popularity over the last few years. The global market size is worth a whopping $135 million, with almost all of that coming from L-glutamine specifically. ²

Many people around the world use glutamine supplements as part of their post-exercise recovery regimen. ³ But did you know that it can be a powerful supplement for dogs, too?

That's because glutamine is an amino acid, one of several essential compounds that are used by both dog and human bodies to build proteins. ⁴ In dogs, glutamine is called a "non-essential" amino acid. ⁵ That means your dog's body can naturally produce it. ⁶

Glutamine is actually the most common free amino acid in both dogs and humans. ⁷

However, your dog's body might not always be able to produce enough glutamine. Stress, for example, can undermine your dog's glutamine production. Glutamine is therefore also known as a conditionally essential amino acid, meaning that under certain conditions your dog may benefit from glutamine supplementation. ⁸

As an amino acid, glutamine is necessary for the construction of proteins, which are vital for overall health. But glutamine actually has more uses: It plays a crucial role in the immune system, helps maintain a healthy intestinal tract, and more. ⁹

Glutamine and Glutathione

Glutamine is a precursor to glutathione, another powerful molecule you may have heard of. ¹⁰

Glutathione is an antioxidant that can help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. This damage is what’s known as oxidative stress. Mitigating the adverse effects of oxidative stress is important for your pet's health.

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How L-Glutamine May Support Canine Health

L-glutamine supplementation may provide several potential health benefits for your dog. Let's discuss a few of the most well-known.

Digestive Health

Research suggests that glutamine can help support gut health. In fact, it's often used for this purpose in veterinary clinics. ¹¹

Glutamine's potential to support digestive health comes in part from its ability to help the body maintain levels of glutathione. ¹² Glutathione, in turn, can help support proper digestion and bowel health. ¹³

Immune System

Under certain conditions, including during high-intensity exercise, immune cells use glutamine for energy. Glutamine can, therefore, help support immune function. In fact, many experts consider glutamine a "fuel for the immune system." ¹⁴

Glutathione can also assist the immune system. For example, it plays an important role in the functioning of white blood cells, which help defend the body. ¹⁵

Liver

Glutamine plays an important role in supporting liver function in many animals, including dogs. ¹⁶ Glutathione (and other antioxidants) are also important for normal liver function. ¹⁷

That's particularly important because the liver is crucial for detoxification. ¹⁸ In the modern world, dogs are at risk of exposure to all kinds of potential toxins, making detoxification vital. ¹⁹

Bonus: What Grains Do Dogs Need for Heart Health?

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Normal Muscle Maintenance

Glutamine is widely used by humans during post-exercise recovery for many good reasons. As an amino acid, it's crucial for the construction of proteins, which dogs need to build and maintain muscles.²⁰

Dogs, just like humans, need to recover after exercise.²¹ And just like humans, your dog's muscles can also decline if they don't get any exercise at all or as they age.²²

Research suggests that glutamine can help support normal muscle recovery.²³

Introducing L-Glutamine Supplements to Your Dog

With so many potential benefits and such a large (and fast-growing) market, there's no shortage of glutamine supplements out there.

Generally, glutamine supplementation is done orally. That means it's usually sold as a pill, in powder form, or as a liquid.²⁴

Glutamine is also often combined with other powerful compounds. For example, our Maxx Life Liver & Immune Support blends L-glutamine with other amino acids and encapsulated glutathione, plus an immune support complex that includes vitamin C, L-lysine, zinc glycinate, and more.

For an even more advanced L-glutamine supplement, consider Liposomal Glutathione Liver Detox System. This first-of-its-kind supplement includes L-glutamine and other potent ingredients with liposomal glutathione. That means the glutathione is delivered via small bubbles of fat, which helps deliver the antioxidant more effectively.

Conclusion

L-glutamine can provide various potential health benefits for dogs. Research shows it plays important roles in the normal functioning of the digestive tract, immune system, liver, and muscles.

Glutamine is also a precursor to glutathione, a powerful antioxidant with plenty of its own potential health benefits.

No wonder, then, that so many supplements for dogs and cats blend glutamine, glutathione, and other related ingredients together.

Keep Reading: What to Give a Dog for an Upset Stomach

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Glutamine Do For Dogs?

Glutamine can do multiple things for dogs. First, it's a building block for other essential molecules. These include proteins, the antioxidant glutathione, and even neurotransmitters like GABA.²⁶

Second, glutamine can play an important role in maintaining the normal function of your dog's liver, gut, muscles, and immune system.

How Much Glutamine For Dogs?

Glutamine dosage can vary based on a number of factors, including your dog's age, breed, size, and weight. Therefore, it's important to follow the dosage instructions as written on your glutamine supplement.

For example, our glutamine-containing Liposomal Glutathione comes in capsules, which can be divided. Dogs under 25lbs should take between 1/3 and 1/2 a capsule per day; medium-sized dogs can have one capsule per day; and larger dogs can have up to two per day.

Is Glutamine the Same as Glucosamine?

No. Glutamine is an amino acid. Glucosamine is a sugar, which is made by combining glutamine with fructose.²⁶

Sources

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How Important is L-Glutamine for Dogs?

Key Takeaways