Evidence supporting the use of: Glutamine
For the health condition: Surgery (healing from)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Glutamine is supported by scientific evidence for use in patients recovering from surgery, particularly major or critical illness-associated surgery. Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid, meaning that under typical circumstances the body can synthesize enough to meet its needs, but during periods of severe stress—such as after surgery—demand may exceed supply. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have investigated glutamine supplementation (often via parenteral or enteral nutrition) in surgical patients, especially those undergoing abdominal, gastrointestinal, or oncologic surgeries.

Results indicate that glutamine supplementation can reduce infectious complications, decrease hospital length of stay, and improve nitrogen balance and immune function. The mechanism is thought to involve glutamine's role as a fuel for rapidly dividing cells (such as enterocytes and immune cells), support for gut barrier function, and modulation of inflammatory responses. Guidelines from organizations such as the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) recommend considering glutamine supplementation in specific subgroups of surgical and critically ill patients.

However, the benefit appears most pronounced in patients at higher risk or with greater metabolic stress, and not all studies have shown benefit in routine, lower-risk surgical cases. Overall, the bulk of evidence is consistent and robust for select populations, justifying a rating of 4 on the evidence scale.

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