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Glutamine for Stomach Ulcers
U. S. medical researchers say they’ve now discovered that popular glutamine supplements show promise in the treatment of stomach ulcers.
Since it’s been recognized Helicobacter pylori bacteria are responsible for stomach ulcers, antibiotics have become the principal treatment for such disorders. But scientists say bacteria are growing more and more resistant to antibiotics.
In a new study led by scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, researchers found the amino acid glutamine can turn out useful in offsetting gastric damage attributable to H. pylori infection, therefore possibly serving as a healthier alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of stomach ulcers. “Our findings suggest that extra glutamine in the diet could protect against gastric damage caused by H. pylori, ” said Susan Hagen, an associate professor at the Harvard Medical School and lead author of the study.
Glutamine is a non- essential amino acid naturally found in certain foods, including beans, beef, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy products and some fruits and vegetables, such as beets, cabbage and parsley. L- glutamine- - the biologically active isomer of glutamine- - is widely used as a dietary supplement by body builders to increase muscle mass. This study is reported in the May issue of Journal of Nutrition.
