Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid found in food and is one of the basic components of protein. However, in some situations, glutamine could become essential, as the body cannot produce enough of it. In these situations, glutamine is considered “conditionally essential.”

A number of cells use glutamine as fuel (“nutritional substrate”). This is especially important in the small intestine, as its cells use glutamine as their main source of fuel.

It has been tested how glutamine would provide enough energy to the small intestine to stimulate motility and suppress oxidative stress in clinical situations such as postoperative conditions (1).

In other studies, it has been established that both glutamate and glutamine have a positive effect on the immune system of young animals such as piglets (2).

In summary, the relationship between glutamine and intestinal function and immunity seems clear, and thus its use in nutrition and complementary feeds is increasingly of interest in situations of both prevention and clinical management.