DO WE REALLY NEED GLUTAMINE?

                          GLUTAMINE

Glutamine is an amino acid (a building block for proteins), found naturally in the body.

Glutamine is taken by mouth for sickle cell disease, to improve nutrition and help people recover from surgery, injuries, burns, bone marrow transplant, complications of HIV/AIDS, radiation, and cancer chemotherapy, and for many other uses. Glutamine is given intravenously (by IV) for improving recovery after surgery and other conditions.

Glutamine is commercially available as capsules or in packets as a powder form. There are two prescription glutamine products approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Endari (Emmaus Medical, Inc) and NutreStore (Emmaus Medical, Inc). Glutamine for commercial use is made by a fermentation process using bacteria that produce glutamine.

The dietary sources of glutamine includes especially the protein-rich foods like beef, chicken, fish, dairy products, eggs, vegetables like beans, beets, cabbage, spinach, carrots, parsley, vegetable juices and also in wheat, papaya.

FUNCTIONS OF GLUTAMINE:-

• Protein synthesis, as any other of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids.
• Lipid synthesis, especially by cancer cells.
• Regulation of acid-base balance in the kidney by producing ammonium.
• Cellular energy, as a source, next to glucose.
• Nitrogen donation for many anabolic processes, including the synthesis of purines.
• Carbon donation, as a source, refilling the citric acid cycle.
• Nontoxic transporter of ammonia in the blood circulation.
• Precursor to the neurotransmitter glutamate.

DO YOU REALLY NEED GLUTAMINE???

Glutamine is a staple for anyone who wants to maintain muscle mass during intense and/or frequent training. After intense exercise, glutamine levels in the body can reduce significantly. When the body requires more glutamine than it is able to produce, this is known as glutamine depletion.

During this state, muscle glutamine might be metabolised in order to supply the rest of the body, particularly cells in the immune system, with the glutamine they need to function properly.

If you’re training for muscle and size but your glutamine intake is low, your body might be pushed into a catabolic state – where your muscle tissue is broken down.

Whilst glutamine levels will eventually increase naturally, this can take some time, dependant on exercise activity and diet, so supplementation can be an effective way of replenishing glutamine levels quickly. As we age, our ability to synthesise glutamine decreases. As such, glutamine is often recommended for older athletes who train frequently.

WHEN TO TAKE GLUTAMINE???

The perfect time to take glutamine is post workout as this is when your glutamine levels will be at their lowest. However, most people will supplement in the morning, post workout and before bed. In addition, glutamine is a popular intra workout supplement (it’s in several of our products including Complete Intra Workout™ and Informed BCAA). Regular supplementation can ensure that glutamine, particularly muscle glutamine, is maintained for optimum performance and recovery.

DOSAGE:-

 10-15g of glutamine per day should be sufficient, and 5g post workout is often recommended.