Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid taken as a dietary supplement to produce a variety of health benefits. Amino acids are the precursors to protein and play a substantial role in the creation of new muscles. Although glutamine is a non-essential amino acid and the most abundant amino acid in the body, glutamine is a popular supplement because it boosts the body’s immune functions and supports muscle growth, maintenance, and repair.
Benefits:
*Supports protein synthesis and muscle growth
*Enhances immune system functions
*Protects against illness and infection
*Encourages growth hormone secretion
Glutamine is the most common amino acid in the muscles, with over 60% of amino acids in skeletal muscle made up of glutamine. Glutamine consists of 19% nitrogen and is the primary transporter of nitrogen into your muscles. During high-intensity workouts, glutamine levels are significantly depleted, which can decrease strength, stamina, and recovery. Glutamine supplementation can minimise muscle breakdown and improve protein synthesis. Glutamine is central in protein metabolism and encourages growth hormone secretion, which metabolises body fat and supports new muscle growth. Glutamine also has anti-catabolic effects which help prevent the breakdown of muscles.
Glutamine levels are depleted during training, which makes the body susceptible to illness. Because glutamine levels decrease during high-intensity workouts, glutamine supplementation is very important for athletes and bodybuilders. Without glutamine supplementation, trainers run the risk of illness and infection. When the body experiences periods of stress – extreme training, injury, surgery, or infections – there is an increase in glutamine demand. If this increase in demand is not met there is a significant chance of illness or poor body regeneration. And because glutamine supports the production of lymphocytes and macrophages, two types of immune cells that work as the body’s main line of defence against microorganisms, its role in supporting the body’s immune function cannot be overstated.
Beyond glutamine’s recognized benefits in terms of supporting protein synthesis, muscle growth, and immune functions, tentative studies have shown that glutamine can be beneficial for arthritis, autoimmune diseases, cancer, fatigue, fibrosis, intestinal disorders, peptic ulcers, and illness-related muscle loss. Glutamine is also believed to readily pass the blood-brain barrier, making it a brain fuel. Glutamine has been shown to reduce irritability and depression, enhance mental alertness, mood, memory, and overall brain functions.