Glutamine and cancer

[Tatjana]

https://biosignaling.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12964-024-02018-6?utm_source=chatgpt.com

biosignaling.biomedcentral.com

Glutamine and cancer: metabolism, immune microenvironment, and therapeutic targets - Cell Communication and Signaling

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in human serum, and it can provide carbon and nitrogen for biosynthesis, which is crucial for proliferating cells. Moreover, it is widely known that glutamine metabolism is reprogrammed in cancer cells. Many cancer … Continue reading

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @Tatjana – thank you for sharing those articles. That was very interesting to read how they’re using glutamine in cancer treatment. The reason why there’s a question mark on glutamine however is because while it can help healthy cells recover and support the immune system, some cancers rely on it to grow. So in certain cases, it might actually fuel tumor growth and progression.

But if the question you’re asking is “does glutamine cause cancer?”, then no, it doesn’t cause cancer. It’s a natural amino acid your body needs for healing, immunity, and gut health. But in people who already have cancer, some aggressive tumors can use glutamine as fuel to grow. That’s why they reference using treatments to try and block glutamine from feeding cancer. At the same time, they also recognize how glutamine can help with chemo side effects. So with cancer, it really needs to be carefully considered depending on the type of cancer and treatment plan.

Unless there’s liver or kidney disease or MSG/glutamate sensitivity, there’s usually no issues using glutamine in a healthy individual. I do also caution those with anxiety or neurological symptoms because the excess glutamate once it’s converted may be stimulatory as it can cross the blood brain barrier and worsen symptoms.

[Tatjana]

@Bernadette_Abraham Thank you for the answer. What about benign fibroadenomatoid hyperplasia (breast cysts) , as they can also grow at some point, is L glutamine safe in this case too?

Also, any alternative for boosting hcl without supplements, something like lemon, cayenne pepper, apple cider vinegar? I’m getting tired of all the supplements, can any of these be effective? I take 3 betaine hcl plus digestive enzymes , don’t feel anything and never tried to go more than this dosage, today I took berberine hcl 400mg plus ox bile 500mg and got diarrhea straight after.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @Tatjana there is no conclusive evidence that glutamine increases the risk or growth of breast cysts. The concern is really only with cancer cells, and again it’s dependent on the type of cancer.

And yes, pill fatigue is real! That’s why I like to combine food therapy and tinctures to help ease the number of capsules. HCL and digestive enzymes for example can be replaced with digestive bitters. It’s not as strong, but can help stimulate all digestive secretions (stomach acid, bile and enzymes), and it’s a tincture or pump so it’s easy to take. You can also eat bitter foods. Here’s a handout with examples.

And yes, apple cider vinegar before meals can also help stimulate more acid production. I discuss these solutions and some brand suggestions in this lesson from the Gut Health Masterclass if you haven’t already watched it.

[Tatjana]

Ok , great. Thank you. @Bernadette_Abraham

Well actually I tried both, apple cider and betaine one time and didn’t feel anything, the only time I always feel burning in the stomach is with cayenne pepper. So is it possible that my acidity is that low or betaine that I have already expired even if expires in August this year something is wrong here , if this isn’t strong enough for me then I doubt bitters can help. But the truth is I never went more than 3 capsules on betaine and plus digestive enzymes contains betaine too

[Bernadette_Abraham]

@Tatjana what’s the dosage of betaine per capsule? You can always try the “HCL Dosage Challenge” to determine the correct dose. Your dose will be 1 less than the dose that leads to a mild burning sensation. If you reach 7 capsules of 700mg and don’t feel anything, then you might need some pituitary support (gut-brain communication).

And yes you’re correct, bitters are much gentler than betaine, but since you were asking for non-pill support, this would be stronger than apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for example.

[Tatjana]

@Bernadette_Abraham the dose per a capsule is 648mg , NOW supplements.

Hmmm,ok. thank you , now there is only one way to find out and that’s to keep betaine and increase the dose and see.