What is it?

Glutamine (abbreviated as Gln or Q; the abbreviation Glx or Z represents either glutamine or glutamic acid) is one of the 20 amino acids encoded by the standard genetic code. Glutamine is a naturally occurring non-essential amino acid (meaning it can be produced by the body). It is generally found circulating your blood or in the skeletal muscles (said to make up around 61% of skeletal muscle tissue). Glutamine is highly essential during periods of illness or injury.

Where would I find Glutamine?

You can find high sources of Glutamine in beef, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, dairy products, cabbage, beets, beans, spinach, and parsley. Smaller amounts of L-Glutamine can be found in vegetable juices or fermented foods.

Why supplement Glutamine?

There are a number of benefits to the human body associated with Glutamine supplements.

General Health:

For the past 10-15 years the effects of Glutamine have been heavily researched and its use has been found to be particularly helpful in treating serious injury, illness, burns, trauma and cancer, thus playing a key role in a functioning immune system. Furthermore, Glutamine has been found to contain cleansing properties, especially true to the intestinal region, due to the fact that the intestinal extraction rate of glutamine is higher than for other amino acids. Diets rich in Glutamine have been proven to maintain the gut-barrier function, intestinal cell proliferation and reduce systems of irritable bowl syndrome.

Bodybuilding & Fitness:

Research now suggests Glutamine can have a positive use in many sports, endurance exercise and weightlifting/bodybuilding. It has been said that due to natural glutamine levels being depleted during anaerobic exercise, sports enthusiasts and bodybuilders alike should supplement glutamine as post-workout relies essentially on a strong immune system and protein synthesis, both of which are aided by high levels of glutamine in the body.

Post-workout, muscle deterioration can be avoided as glutamine stored in muscle cells is not robbed by other tissues that need their daily fix.

Glutamine helps maintain proper acid/alkaline levels in the body and is the basis for DNA and RNA synthesis. Glutamine also aids the body’s human growth hormone (HGH), which in turn helps metabolize body fat and support new muscle tissue growth.

More involved in the metabolic side of things than any other amino acid, Glutamine is also used as an energy source as it is converted to glucose when the body requires more energy i.e. during post-workout.

How do I use Glutamine?

Usually produced in powered or tablet form, Glutamine should be taken orally with water and as the dosage suggests on the packaging.

People with kidney or liver disease, or who suffer from Reye’s syndrome should NOT take glutamine. People who are sensitive to monosodium glutamate (MSG) should also avoid glutamine supplements as the body can convert glutamine into glutamate.

Does Glutamine have any side effects?

Like the majority of supplements available, Glutamine is extremely natural to the human body and is produced naturally to aid the immune system, skeletal muscle and have a positive effects on many parts of the nervous system. As long as Glutamine is taken following the correct dosing guidelines, it is considered perfectly safe.

One rare, but possible, side-effect of glutamine can be minor headaches but there have been few reports of any similar or relating adverse effects during clinical trials, even when taking large quantities.

Methotrexate, a drug used to treat certain kinds of cancer, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis, may interfere with glutamine’s effectiveness in treating mouth ulcers resulting from cancer chemotherapy.

Did you know?

The healing properties of Glutamine know no bounds as research shows the amino acid can cure ulcers. Studies have shown that 1.6grams of glutamine a day had a 92% cure rate in 4 weeks.

Check out our great Glutamine range: Glutamine