When you’re managing a health issue like psoriasis, you may wonder whether taking vitamins and supplements could help your symptoms. Glutamine is a substance that helps make proteins and supports immune function. It can be taken as a supplement. Some MyPsoriasisTeam members have asked about its benefits and formulations.

“Does L-glutamine come in pill or powder form?” one member asked. Another said, “I add it to my water. L-glutamine has really helped for gut health.”

Glutamine is mainly studied for its role in gut health, but it may also play a role in autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis. Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that causes a buildup of skin cells that form lesions. Some researchers have linked gut health to psoriasis.

There’s no clear evidence that taking glutamine supplements can treat psoriasis symptoms. But there may be connections between L-glutamine, gut health, and psoriasis.

What Is L-Glutamine?

Amino acids are essential building blocks used to make proteins. The body is richest in one amino acid: glutamine. Glutamine comes in two types — L-glutamine and D-glutamine. L-glutamine is the type found most in the body.

Like other amino acids, L-glutamine helps the body make proteins. It also helps remove excess waste from the body, especially ammonia, and helps the immune system, digestion, and brain work well. Glutamine also helps the body heal from injuries, trauma, and infections.

Usually, the body makes enough glutamine by itself and stores it in the muscles and liver. But when the body is under extreme stress, glutamine levels can go down. Taking glutamine supplements during these times may help some people have fewer complications.

Foods That Contain L-Glutamine

In addition to being available as supplements, glutamine can be found in both plant and animal products, including:

• Poultry
• Pork
• Beef
• Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt
• Cabbage
• Nuts
• Tofu
• Grains (like rice and oats)
• Corn

L-Glutamine and Gut Health

L-glutamine has been studied for its role in gut health. In a condition called increased intestinal permeability (formerly known as leaky gut syndrome), the cells in the intestines are more loosely held together. This allows more substances to pass from the intestines into the bloodstream. These changes can affect the balance of bacteria in the intestines (called the gut microbiome) and may lead to swelling or irritation.

Research shows that increased intestinal permeability is connected to several autoimmune diseases that affect the digestive tract, like celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Recent studies show that L-glutamine plays an important role in gut health. It keeps the intestines working well and helps the cells lining the gut stay close together. Additionally, several studies have found that this amino acid can help lower swelling in the cells. This could help treat diseases that cause swelling in the intestines.

Still, research on whether glutamine supplements can improve gut health is mixed. One review of many studies found that taking L-glutamine supplements helped in some cases but not others. For example, L-glutamine supplementation improved inflammation in people who had recently received chemotherapy treatment. Another study, however, showed that taking L-glutamine supplements had no benefits in people with gastrointestinal failure.

Psoriasis and Gut Health

Some researchers believe there may be a connection between gut health and psoriasis. People with psoriasis may have increased intestinal permeability. This may trigger inflammation and play a role in autoimmune disease symptoms.

Research has found that imbalances in gut bacteria may contribute to psoriasis and psoriasis symptoms. Many factors affect psoriasis, including lifestyle factors like physical activity and diet. Changes in gut bacteria may be linked to how psoriasis develops and progresses.

Can L-Glutamine Help Psoriasis Symptoms?

L-glutamine supplements may support a healthy gut and intestinal lining, which may, in turn, benefit people with psoriasis. While there haven’t been any clinical trials to support L-glutamine as an effective psoriasis treatment, some research suggests a gut-skin connection in psoriasis that could be improved by L-glutamine supplementation.

One small study found that people with psoriatic disease (psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis) have lower levels of glutamine than those without psoriasis. Researchers think this may be because, in psoriasis, skin cells divide rapidly and may use up more glutamine. Immune cells, which are also overactive in psoriasis, also require a large amount of this amino acid.

Scientists are also studying whether L-glutamine plays a role in other inflammatory skin conditions. For example, researchers found that people with atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema) sometimes have mutations in the CARD11 gene, which is responsible for moving glutamine inside cells. This supports the idea that glutamine may be important for skin health and autoimmune conditions, which shows potential for glutamine supplementation to help skin symptoms.

Still, there are no studies showing that L-glutamine can directly treat psoriasis. While early evidence points to a possible link between the two conditions and amino acid levels, more research is needed before doctors can recommend L-glutamine supplements for psoriasis symptoms.

Taking L-Glutamine Supplements

If you want to try adding L-glutamine to your diet, talk to your dermatologist or primary care provider first. They can help you determine the right dose and discuss any interactions the supplement may have with your current medications or health conditions. It’s always safest to discuss any supplements with your healthcare provider before trying them to avoid causing new health problems.

L-glutamine is available as tablets, powders, capsules, and liquids. The dosage varies, so talk to your doctor about how much to take. If you choose to use L-glutamine powder, add it to cold or room-temperature beverages.

Diet changes and supplements like L-glutamine may provide extra support for managing psoriasis, but they shouldn’t replace prescribed medical treatments like topical creams, phototherapy, or biologic medications.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyPsoriasisTeam, people share their experiences with psoriasis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Are you taking an L-glutamine supplement for your psoriasis? Let others know in the comments below.