GLUTAMINE POWDER FOR SORE MOUTHS

Scambuster
Scambuster Member Posts: 973
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
HI to all,

I though I would post this as we get so many questions about what to do for 'Sore Mouth' and 'Mouth Burning' and 'Mouth Ulcers' etc all related to our treatments with Radiation and Chemotherapy.

Very early in my treatment (70 hits of IMRT and Erbitux) I was put on Glutamine Powder (an essential Amino Acid) to help restore my mucosa. Please note, your mucosa is all the inside tissue cells (epithelial) from your mouth to your butt, all intestines included. Mostly we need to treat the top end ie your mouth.

I have pasted in one of a zillion website pages below about the 'Benefits of Glutamine'.

I mixed 1 teaspoon in a glass of water and sipped it and rinsed and swallowed it through the day and used for when I suffered burning from certain foods and when I started to get mouth ulcers. I was recommended to take 2 teaspoons a day. It's tasteless and mixes with any liquid so it's very easy to take.

I can't claim this will help everyone, but I believe I benefited greatly. Please note the last paragraph below -this also pertains to the tissue inside your mouth and throat (epithelial tissue). It also will assist to prevent muscle loss for those of us you who may be prone to lose a lot of weight to the point where you start to lose muscle once the fat is gone.

Do your own further research via the web as you will find 100's of sites to get yourselves informed if you so choose.

It should be readily available from Health food / Vitamin stores.

Hoping this helps someone.

Regds
Scambuster

==============THE WEBSITE EXERPT==============


What Is Glutamine Used For ?

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the human body and is involved in more metabolic processes than any other amino acid. It is extensively used as a fuel by various organ systems. Research has shown glutamine to be integral in the proper function bodily functions.

Glutamine has been used in treatment or management of numerous conditions and diseases, including burns, colorectal cancer, Crohn's disease, HIV/AIDS, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), obesity, peritonitis, radiation damage, sepsis, ulcerative colitis, and wound healing. It is also used for muscle growth in weightlifting, bodybuilding, endurance and other sports. Glutamine is also used as an adjunct therapy for decreasing carbohydrate, alcohol and/or cocaine intake. It is used to assist people in the management of sugar craving in diabetes. Glutamine has also been used to enhance brain function as it fuels two of the brain's most important neurotransmitters. It has been used to aid memory, increase IQ in those with mental retardation, and to support people with schizophrenia and senility. It has also been used in the treatment of ADHD, anxiety and depression. Glutamine is also used as an anti-inflammatory in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and preserves glutathione, important for detoxification and immune support, levels in the liver.

However, the small intestine is by far the greatest user of glutamine in the body. It has been seen that lack of l-glutamine leads to a loss of epithelial cell integrity in the lining of the intestines. This, in turn, may allow toxins and infectious agents to enter the body.

Comments

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Scambuster


    Great post I have been using Chelation 1 for mucosa but it is very hard to get here in the US and very expensive and does nothing for mouth sore, but it is a great healing herb for the body. I will this stuff and try and let you know how it works.

    Thanks again Brother, all the best to you.
  • Dazey
    Dazey Member Posts: 91
    brand name?
    Is there a brand name for this product? I went into a GNC and the worker there was unable to identify this product. Perhaps, I need to ask for something with a different name? Thanks for your help - yep, the mouth gets sore, it burns and the mucous hacking spurts can sometimes put you "over the edge".........Dazey
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Dazey said:

    brand name?
    Is there a brand name for this product? I went into a GNC and the worker there was unable to identify this product. Perhaps, I need to ask for something with a different name? Thanks for your help - yep, the mouth gets sore, it burns and the mucous hacking spurts can sometimes put you "over the edge".........Dazey

    Hi Dazey
    Here is one web-site you can try there are many more, so take your pick

    http://www.vitacost.com/Optimum-Nutrition-Glutamine-Powder?csrc=PPCADWLT-glutamine_powder&mtp=s7o8u3l6z|pcrid|4428880391
  • Dazey
    Dazey Member Posts: 91
    Hondo said:

    Hi Dazey
    Here is one web-site you can try there are many more, so take your pick

    http://www.vitacost.com/Optimum-Nutrition-Glutamine-Powder?csrc=PPCADWLT-glutamine_powder&mtp=s7o8u3l6z|pcrid|4428880391

    thanks
    Thanks, Hondo, I will look at them both. Dazey
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    Dazey said:

    thanks
    Thanks, Hondo, I will look at them both. Dazey

    Many Brands
    HI Dazey,

    I have used 'Vital Nutrients' and also 'Musashi' but there are hundreds of brands. As said many suppliers sell online if you google it and I think Hondo has provided a link.

    All the best with it and really hope it helps you.

    Regds
    Scambuster
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973

    Many Brands
    HI Dazey,

    I have used 'Vital Nutrients' and also 'Musashi' but there are hundreds of brands. As said many suppliers sell online if you google it and I think Hondo has provided a link.

    All the best with it and really hope it helps you.

    Regds
    Scambuster

    more information on Glutamine
    Hi All,

    Here is another very good article on Glutamine from the Life Extension Foundation web site reconfirming the above with more scientific back up from studies done..

    Well worth a read.

    http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006/jan2006_aas_01.htm

    Cheers
    Scambuster
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member

    more information on Glutamine
    Hi All,

    Here is another very good article on Glutamine from the Life Extension Foundation web site reconfirming the above with more scientific back up from studies done..

    Well worth a read.

    http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006/jan2006_aas_01.htm

    Cheers
    Scambuster

    Hi Scambuster
    Very good article on glutamine, thanks
  • kit0
    kit0 Member Posts: 9
    by mouth?
    does the glutamine have to be taken by mouth? my husband was taking a product called Juven, which I found out has glutamine in it also, but he was using the gtube.
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    kit0 said:

    by mouth?
    does the glutamine have to be taken by mouth? my husband was taking a product called Juven, which I found out has glutamine in it also, but he was using the gtube.

    Through the Tube is OK
    HI Kit,

    The Glutamine Powder can be taken through the Tube mixed with any liquid.

    I found it great to relieve the pain I had in my mouth when I had it mixed in water when I was trying to drink or eat stuff again as it neutralized the burning and stinging I had from almost all foods I tried at that point. Even plain water stung my mouth. As i recovered, I could tolerate more foods and drinks.

    You just mix a teaspoon or more in a glass or water and use as a mouth wash or swish and swallow if you can.

    Cheers
    Scambuster
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228

    Through the Tube is OK
    HI Kit,

    The Glutamine Powder can be taken through the Tube mixed with any liquid.

    I found it great to relieve the pain I had in my mouth when I had it mixed in water when I was trying to drink or eat stuff again as it neutralized the burning and stinging I had from almost all foods I tried at that point. Even plain water stung my mouth. As i recovered, I could tolerate more foods and drinks.

    You just mix a teaspoon or more in a glass or water and use as a mouth wash or swish and swallow if you can.

    Cheers
    Scambuster

    Topping
    Topping this thread since we have a few Members that are nearing the end of rads and suffering with mouth issues.

    I just got some last week in GNC.
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    GLUTAMINE PRODUCT
    Hey Scam, hope all is well with you today, (or tomorrow, near HK Correct?)

    My RD from my Medical team gave me a product called "Juven". It is a flavored poweder that gets mixed with up to 10 oz. of water and taken x2 daily. A serving consists of the following:
    7G L-ARGININE
    7G L- GLUTAMINE
    7.6G CARBS

    POTASSIUM 270 MG
    CALCIUM 200 MG
    PHOSPHORUS 95 MG

    The product is made by Abbott Labs.

    It claims "targeted nutritional therapy to help build and maintain lean body mass".
    "Heal and recover from illness, surgery and wounds".

    Does this sound simillar to the Glutamine regiment you are taking?

    BEST!!

    Mike
  • TheDane
    TheDane Member Posts: 27

    GLUTAMINE PRODUCT
    Hey Scam, hope all is well with you today, (or tomorrow, near HK Correct?)

    My RD from my Medical team gave me a product called "Juven". It is a flavored poweder that gets mixed with up to 10 oz. of water and taken x2 daily. A serving consists of the following:
    7G L-ARGININE
    7G L- GLUTAMINE
    7.6G CARBS

    POTASSIUM 270 MG
    CALCIUM 200 MG
    PHOSPHORUS 95 MG

    The product is made by Abbott Labs.

    It claims "targeted nutritional therapy to help build and maintain lean body mass".
    "Heal and recover from illness, surgery and wounds".

    Does this sound simillar to the Glutamine regiment you are taking?

    BEST!!

    Mike

    Watch out for the Aginine
    This is a good product.

    BUT.

    L-Arginine is known to be a brutal CAUSE of mouth sores.
    Back in real life I used to take it to up my Nitric Oxide levels and to lower my blood pressure - and it's great - noticeable effects on the second day.
    But if I used it for more than 3 or 4 days straight it induces mouth sores in me somethin' awful.
    I have some friends who had to stop using it altogether.

    When healthy I can take it only every 3rd day or so.

    "NOW" brand makes a good L-Glutamine powder at a good price. Google around or buy it from www.bodybuilding.com

    ~Dane
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973

    GLUTAMINE PRODUCT
    Hey Scam, hope all is well with you today, (or tomorrow, near HK Correct?)

    My RD from my Medical team gave me a product called "Juven". It is a flavored poweder that gets mixed with up to 10 oz. of water and taken x2 daily. A serving consists of the following:
    7G L-ARGININE
    7G L- GLUTAMINE
    7.6G CARBS

    POTASSIUM 270 MG
    CALCIUM 200 MG
    PHOSPHORUS 95 MG

    The product is made by Abbott Labs.

    It claims "targeted nutritional therapy to help build and maintain lean body mass".
    "Heal and recover from illness, surgery and wounds".

    Does this sound simillar to the Glutamine regiment you are taking?

    BEST!!

    Mike

    Heaped Teaspoon
    Hi Mike,

    A heaped teapoon is about 6-8 grams so your mix sounds about right. You can't really OD on L Glutamine so if you got yourself some bulk powder, and took an extra spoon a day, it would not go astray. It is also good mix in water and swish around the mouth as it releives some pain and burning and have some topical effect.

    Dane, On the Argenine, it is an amino acid and can inflame viral conditions like Cold sores, chicken pox, herpes zoster and shingles. It does do some good things also but if you are prone to any of these, you might want to check further. I think the mouth sores are most likely not related to these conditions. Good spotting though Dane.

    THanks Sweets for bringing this post back to the top.

    Regds to all.
    Scambuster
  • susan0803
    susan0803 Member Posts: 90

    Heaped Teaspoon
    Hi Mike,

    A heaped teapoon is about 6-8 grams so your mix sounds about right. You can't really OD on L Glutamine so if you got yourself some bulk powder, and took an extra spoon a day, it would not go astray. It is also good mix in water and swish around the mouth as it releives some pain and burning and have some topical effect.

    Dane, On the Argenine, it is an amino acid and can inflame viral conditions like Cold sores, chicken pox, herpes zoster and shingles. It does do some good things also but if you are prone to any of these, you might want to check further. I think the mouth sores are most likely not related to these conditions. Good spotting though Dane.

    THanks Sweets for bringing this post back to the top.

    Regds to all.
    Scambuster

    Lglutamine is helping my husband
    Joe is in week 3 of chemo/rad treatment. He's been swishing, gargling and swallowing the LGlutamine, as recommended by people on this board. Just today he told me how helpful it is. This morning he said he felt headachy and acidy, and after doing the LGlutamine, felt A LOT better. It seems to be helping with keeping down the mouth sores as mentioned above too. The brand he is using is: Source Naturals Free-Form powder. We got it at our local health food store.
    S.