L-Alanyl-Glutamine

ProteinDipeptide

What is it

L-Alanyl-L-glutamine is a stable dipeptide of L-alanine and L-glutamine. It is more soluble and stable in solution than free glutamine, making it useful in parenteral nutrition and in some hydration/exercise products.

Evidence for 3 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Parenteral nutrition (critically ill)

Good Evidence

Alanyl-glutamine in parenteral nutrition is used to provide glutamine in a stable form. Clinical outcomes data are mixed; cautioned in multi-organ failure.

Exercise hydration and recovery

Limited Evidence

Some studies suggest improved hydration and reduced fatigue when added to electrolyte drinks; evidence is mixed.

Gut health / leaky gut

Mixed Evidence

Glutamine is an important fuel for enterocytes; trials in inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal permeability are mixed and small.

How it works

After oral or intravenous administration, alanyl-glutamine is rapidly hydrolyzed by intestinal and plasma peptidases into free alanine and glutamine. The glutamine is then used by enterocytes, immune cells, and muscle tissue. Compared with free glutamine, the dipeptide is more soluble (about 30 times) and more thermally stable, allowing higher concentrations and longer shelf life in intravenous solutions.

Dosage

In parenteral nutrition, doses are calculated to provide 0.3 to 0.5 g of glutamine per kg body weight per day (under medical supervision). In oral hydration and exercise products, alanyl-glutamine is often dosed at 1 to 2 grams. The DSLD label data are too limited to provide a reliable median.

When and how to take it

For exercise/hydration, taken before, during, or after exercise per product instructions. Parenteral use follows medical protocols.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Alanyl-glutamine powder

Used in sports nutrition and hydration formulas.

More soluble and stable than free glutamine.

Alanyl-glutamine intravenous (Dipeptiven)

Used in parenteral nutrition in hospitals.

Pharmaceutical IV form.

Safety

Generally well tolerated. In critical illness, glutamine supplementation in parenteral nutrition has been associated with reduced infections in some trials and increased mortality in one large trial (REDOXS), suggesting caution with high-dose glutamine in unstable, multi-organ-failure patients.

Who should be cautious

Avoid high-dose supplementation in people with multi-organ failure (per REDOXS trial concerns). Use under medical supervision in cancer patients (theoretical concerns about feeding glutamine-dependent tumors are unproven but raised). Limited data in pregnancy and breastfeeding for non-nutritional supplementation.

Interactions

No major drug interactions documented for oral use. In hospitalized patients receiving parenteral nutrition, glutamine dosing is determined by the clinical team.

Frequently asked questions

Is alanyl-glutamine better than glutamine?⌄

It is more stable and soluble, making it useful in solutions. After absorption, it is broken down to free amino acids and provides similar physiological effects.

Should I take it after exercise?⌄

Evidence is mixed. It may modestly aid recovery in some athletes, but adequate protein and carbohydrate intake matters more.

References

L-Alanyl-Glutamine on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on L-Alanyl-Glutamine (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.