Glutamine for Heartburn
Heartburn is not only annoying; it can also cause permanent, severe damage to your esophagus. You can make lifestyle changes to help reduce symptoms, but sometimes that’s not enough. If taking prescription pills just isn’t for you, there are natural alternatives you can try. One great natural cure is glutamine, also known as L-glutamine.
Glutamine is an amino acid produced by your body. It is a powerful antioxidant. This means it helps protect your body from damaging free radicals that exist in the environment and are produced by your body. Antioxidants are so powerful; they can combat cancer and other diseases and prevent premature aging. Glutamine coats your digestive tract, including your esophagus, and not only prevents stomach acid from damaging the fragile lining; it actually repairs damage done by previous episodes of heartburn.
If the fact that it reverses the damaging effects of heartburn isn’t enough, glutamine can also encourage you to change your ways while becoming heartburn-free. Cigarettes can aggravate heartburn, glutamine will soothe your cravings and help you quit. It also calms you down and makes you less nervous or anxious; all of which are contributing factors to some heartburn. Besides decreasing your heartburn symptoms, these wonderful side effects of glutamine can also decrease your blood pressure, improve your mood, and help you live a whole lot longer. As side effects come, those aren’t too shabby.
If you want to get more glutamine, you don’t have to take a supplement. In fact, you’re probably already getting some glutamine in your diet. All you need to do is add more glutamine-rich foods to your diet. This includes beans, red meat, nuts, cabbage juice, and fish.
Not sure glutamine is for you? Well, because it is essential for proper functioning of the body, getting more glutamine has been suggested to help with lots of other ailments. Because it helps the digestive system function properly, it helps treat Crohn’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, ulcerative colitis, ulcers, and even food allergies. It has also been suggested to treat angina, problems from exercise and overtraining, and even HIV. It can improve mental functioning and may help with ADD. Imagine all those additional benefits from your heartburn treatment.
Before trying any treatment for persistent heartburn, natural or otherwise, you should see a doctor. Rarely, heartburn can be caused by another disorder that requires a different treatment. A doctor can check on your condition and tell you if glutamine is right for you.
So, why not try some glutamine today. It will give you a jump start on the way to being heartburn-free.
Thanks to: http://www.oarticles.com/health/diseases-and-conditions/glutamine-for-heartburn.html