Thanks for the recent mailing on L-Glutamine and Kids to my e-mailbox. I never connected L-glutamine with "glutamates" which I of course avoid because they are thought to be neurotoxins. I followed the link to Dr. Mercola's article where he reproduced comments by the neurologist who wrote "Excitotoxins, the Taste that Kills". He feels that L-gluatamine should only be taken for "short periods". I'm frankly alarmed. L-glut worked to give me formed stools in a very small amount for a while, and then it didn't have the same effect...in fact, I rapidly upped the dose (over two months) to 1 scoop 2X per day and it feels like just a light solidifying effect is taking place, and I take it with Natren probiotic powders. *****after reading this article, I think I should stop taking it!! ***** If I get enough protein in my diet, shouldn't that be enough???

Hi, Karoe.

Just a reminder for everyone's benefit.

First, a quotation from Jini from a different discussion thread. The point made also applies to supplements.

for ANY diet, system of eating, report on fats, report on dairy, etc etc. I could show you an equally valid report, clinical trial, etc. that directly contradicts it. So, there's not a whole lot of point to endlessley debating dietary opinion (unless you enjoy it, and indeed it can be stimulating).

The bottom line is that each of us can recognize 'truth' when we hear/read it. By that I mean, what's true and appicable and helpful to us at THIS TIME. And if you allow yourself to always stay connected to your gut, then your body can direct you to what it needs (and this can certainly change throughout our lives), when it needs it. What more do we need?

Keep in mind that no single substance is going to be good for everybody. If your gut is telling you to stop taking L-glutamine, by all means listen to the hunch!

As a general rule, though, remember the following from Dr. Blaylock's article:

"Normally, when the brain finishes using glutamate for chemical communication between brain cells at the synapse the glutamate is taken up by surrounding glial cells and changed by the enzyme glutamine synthease into glutamine, where it is stored.

"The glutamine is then transported to the neuron and by the enzyme glutaminase, it is converted to glutamate--the potential excitotoxin. I say potential because unless is accumulates outside the brain cell it is harmless."

"I would caution readers to avoid excess glutamine, especially in the above named conditions and situations."

(Italics in the above quotes are mine.)

So as Jini pointed out in her newsletter, the problem of excitotoxicity is only an issue when intake exceeds need.

In any case, for those who feel uncomfortable taking L-glutamine but still need something to help stem diarrhea, one other product you might try is psyllium.

Hope this helps.

Nicole

P.S. Sorry the quotes are a bit messed up in this post; not sure what I did wrong when I cut and pasted them in. In any case, I added quotation marks to the quotes from Dr. Blaylock, so hopefully no one will find it too confusing!

Also, if you go back and re-read my newsletter on L-Glutamine, I present numerous articles that show that glutamine supplementation is not only harmless, but beneficial.

And at the bottom I give out the guidelines that numerous clinical trials found were safe for children: 3,000 - 10,000 mg/day

As an adult, you're probably not even taking that much per day.

take care,
Jini

Nicole, thank you for your intelligent response to my question. **SIGH*** Sometimes it all gets to be overwhelming. I felt like I was heading in the right direction between getting my system used to the L-Glutamine and taking the 3 Natren Probiotics before bed at night. I already do SO MANY things to eat a very healthy diet that I can tolerate....cooking everything from scratch etc. .....well, you know how I feel......to think that something that I was relying on to aid in my healing might be doing harm.....sometimes I feel that it's just beyond hope! And I "only" have IBS!!! If you would be so kind, please just tell my why you think that the L-glut no longer results in a formed stool. Has anyone reached a "tolerance" phase like that? I was actually thinking, hey this is good, now I can take a therapeutic dose (2mg per day) and get the healing benefits without the constipation.......your thoughts welcome as always!

Hi, karoe.

I'm going to mull this one over for a bit. Look back tomorrow or Monday for my thoughts.....

Nicole

Karoe, have you done the Wild Oregano Oil Protocol yet?

And what is your Natren probiotic dosing at?

Remember that L-Glutamine treats the 'symptom' of diarrhea - but it does not address the root cause like the oregano and probiotics do. So, yes, your body will keep returning to diarrhea to flush pathogens until you address the underlying cause.

Jini's Probiotic Retention Enema would probably also be a good idea for you.

One more thing: don't take L-Glutamine with Natren Probiotics - the probiotics need to be taken on a completely empty stomach to be effective.

take care,
Jini

Hi, karoe.

I've found that the best results come with the most multi-pronged approach. In my experience, if you address only the physical, only the emotional or only the spiritual, you won't see the results that are possible if you include all of them in your approach. The total is greater than the sum of its parts, as they say.

So definitely think over the advice Jini gave you as you feel it applies to you and take care of the physical.

Just make sure you're addressing the rest, too.....again, however you feel that applies to you.

The following are links to quotes that I found particularly insightful. Maybe they'll strike a chord with you (or someone else), as well.....

http://www.jinipatelthompson.com/bb2/vi ... php?t=1274

http://www.jinipatelthompson.com/bb2/vi ... php?t=1094
(In the above link, the quote I'm referring to is in my post dated 6/18/07.)

Hope this helps.

Nicole

Thanks to both of you, Nicole and Jini, for your responses. Jini, I have tried the Oregano Oil protocol and I detailed my result on this board under a posting called "IBS-er tries Oregano Oil Protocol" My experience left me stumped. Taking the oil and the probiotics at the same time resulted in such a large amount of stool & gas production that I was very uncomfortable and frankly, scared. I didn't know where to go from there so I decided to just do the probiotics in water before I go to bed. I started out with half a teaspoon of each and that lasted two days, as I became incredibly uncomfortable with, once again, a large quantity of stool being produced. I cut back to about 1/4 teaspoon of each and I am holding steady on that, trying to be very consistent and correct in taking it. I was doing the L-glut twice a day, but gave that up and the stool is still partially formed. It is not diarreah, never or rarely was it that. Currently I have two bm's per day but I can manage that as I get off work at 3.30. It's so hard to balance this when you know you have to function, go to work, do errands etc. I have also the problem of extreme fatigue in the afternoons. Consistency with this level of probiotics seems to have helped overall, but ---- am I getting anywhere??

Your thoughts of course welcome. May I should try Olive leaf extract?

Hi, karoe.

Sorry to take so long to reply; I've been away on vacation.

Yes, you can definitely try the olive leaf extract. As you've probably already noted, there are guidelines on pages 141-142 of LTYG regarding olive leaf extract, including a dosage recommendation.

Do remember the following, as well:

Secondly, gas and bloating, etc. are classic symptoms of a pathogen die-off effect, so if this is what you were experiencing, then that is a good thing and needs.

Lastly, I hear your frustration in trying to balance everything - and can sympathize.

Are you a person who kind of resents cooking all the time and this causes you stress, as on the one hand you feel making everything from scratch helps and on the other hand, you hate doing it? Are any of the other things you're doing to promote healing causing you stress?

If so, when you feel ready to do so, this is another aspect to address. (Using dislike of cooking as an example - maybe it doesn't apply specifically to you.) This may mean making "behavioral" changes: for instance, hiring a personal chef to prepare a certain number of meals for you that you can freeze and reheat, so you don't have to cook all the time (or various other possible solutions). Or it may mean using EFT, even on a daily basis, to reframe your feelings and neutralize the stress. Only you can know the specifics that will work for your inner self and outer circumstances.

The one thing I do know is that we all experience stress of one kind or another and this stress WILL eventually manifest as physical symptoms if we don't address it first.

The point I am making is that yes, it is definitely vital to address the physical. For example, I can address the stressors in my life till the cows come home, but that's not going to make my body capable of dealing with a diet of "junk" food. On the other hand, I can do everything "right" in a physical sense, but if I'm stressed out, especially long-term, guess what? Symptoms are going to show up as surely as the tide will rise.

It's not always possible to avoid stressors, but it's definitely possible to neutralize their negative effects on us.

So if you're not already addressing the stress component, this is something to start thinking about and implementing as you feel ready.

Nicole

Well said Nicole.

The other thing you can do is continue what you're already doing with the probiotics - you've found a dosage that doesn't cause you too much discomfort, but that is still giving you gradual improvement.

So next, do the same thing with the wild oregano or olive leaf. Start at only 2 drops per day and see how that goes. When you've been comfortable at that dose for a while, then increase to 3, then 4, then 5 drops. Then increase to 5 drops twice a day and so on.

Do the same gradual increase with the probiotics until you get up to the dosages that will provide therapeutic benefit (7-10 billion cfu per day).

Take it as slow as you like, even if it takes you a year to get there, you're still better off!

all the best,
Jini

Jini-- thanks for your note. I have been on what would be a dream vacation for a lot of people, but for an IBS-er, it's a challenging minefield punctuated with some moments of pleasure! I am in France for a theater festival in Avignon. I rented an apartment so I could mostly cook my own food and I have many times found that being away from home and eating new food that I don't have sensitivities to is beneficial. Well, not this time!

I come home tomorrow and at the top of my to do list is contacting you about some personal guidance. I also start a better job on Aug 13 (real money for a change) so I can now afford to do this. I am more than willing to continue with the protocol, I just need guidance, reassurance & encouragement. I have been working with an obese friend on weight loss for her for the last 6 months and she is doing great and really benefiting from my coaching--- so I am convinced of the value of guidance.

I would say that my IBS has come close to ruining this vacation for me --- I can't really expect to travel anywhere anymore until I get some improvement--- and that is such a depressing thought. I will contact you through Holistic Health Shoppe. Thanks!