The Gut Benefits of Threonine

The amino acid Threonine is a building block of mucus which lines the gut [1] and helps protect cells in the digestive tract.

Preclinical research has identified a link between mucus and inflammation in the gut. Inflammation can induce mucus deficiency, which in turn exacerbates intestinal inflammation. By supporting mucus production, Threonine can help interrupt this vicious cycle and assist with gut repair.[1,2]

Supportive nutrients include Glutamine which also promotes mucin (mucus) synthesis [3] to protect the intestinal mucosa, and Collagen and Zinc carnosine which may assist in enhancing intestinal barrier function, protection and repair.[4,5]

[1] Faure M, Mettraux C, Moennoz D, et al. Specific amino acids increase mucin synthesis and microbiota in dextran sulfate sodium-treated rats. J Nutr. 2006 Jun;136(6):1558-1564.

[2] Faure M, Moënnoz D, Montigon F, et al. Dietary threonine restriction specifically reduces intestinal mucin synthesis in rats. J Nutr. 2005 Mar;135(3):486-491.

[3] Wang ZE, Wu D, Zheng LW, Shi Y, Wang C, Chen ZH, et al. Effects of glutamine on intestinal mucus barrier after burn injury. Am J Transl Res. 2018;10(11):3833-3846.

[4] Ramadass SK et al. Type I collagen and its daughter peptides for targeting mucosal healing in ulcerative colitis: a new treatment strategy. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2016 Aug;91:216-224.

[5] Wang X, Valenzano MC, Mercado JM, Zurbach EP, Mullin JM. Zinc supplementation modifies tight junctions and alters barrier function of Caco-2 human intestinal epithelial layers. Dig Dis Sci. 2013 Jan;58(1):77-87.

This post is educational content for practitioners only.