Glutamine deficiency develops
during periods of fasting, starvation, strict dieting, and weight loss associated
with AIDS, critical illness and cancer. De ciencies cause loss of gut
integrity, impaired immune function, poor wound healing and slow recovery from
illness. Glutamine de ciency can result in diarrhea, villous atrophy, mucosal
ulceration, increased intestinal permeability and intestinal necrosis.