Tuesday Sep 30, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- Glutamine supplementation is known to improve insulin sensitivity in critically ill patients, and to prevent obesity in animals fed a high-fat diet.

A new study led by researchers at Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University in Rome, Italy now suggests glutamine supplementation helps weight loss in obese men and women. 

In the Italian study, six obese and overweight women were randomly assigned to 4-week supplementation with glutamine or isonitrogenous protein supplement in a dose of 0.5 grams of glutamine per kg body weight per day.   Subjects were not asked to change their lifestyle and dietary habits.

In subjects receiving glutamine supplementation for four weeks, body weight and waist circumference were significantly reduced, compared to those receiving no supplementation.

Glutamine supplementation also reduced insulinemia and HOMA-IR by 20%.

The study concluded "This pilot study shows that glutamine is safe and effective in favoring weight loss and possibly enhancing glucose metabolism."  (David Liu, PHD)

Laviano A, Molfino A, Lacaria MT, Canelli A, De Leo S, Preziosa I, Rossi Fanelli F.  Glutamine supplementation favors weight loss in nondieting obese female patients. A pilot study.  Eur J Clin Nutr. 2014 Sep 17.