Glutamine

Glutamine Benefits

Originally a staple of the fitness industry, glutamine’s popularity has grown in recent years as people increasingly discover the wide variety of health benefits it offers. glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the bloodstream. Around 60% of skeletal muscle is made up of glutamine and it’s present in both animal and plant protein. Unfortunately, statistics tell us that the majority of people don’t get enough glutamine from their diet. Complicating things is the fact that glutamine is depleted by stress, physical injuries and inflammation.

Supplementing with glutamine allows muscles to work harder and longer, which builds strength and repairs skeletal muscles. Glutamine also prevents muscle wasting, so ideal for anyone looking to optimize body composition (lose fat – build muscle), athletes, bodybuilders and just general fitness across the lifespan.

Glutamine is the primary fuel source for cells in the GI tract; therefore, a glutamine supplement can be invaluable for conditions such as digestive conditions and stomach upset. Glutamine has also shown to help maintain healthy blood sugar.

Benefits of Glutamine

• Assists in Muscle Cell Repair After Exercise
• Burns Fat & Boosts Metabolism
• Maintains Immune and Digestive Health after Periods of Physical Stress
• Supports Blood Glucose & Enhances Mental FunctionImproves Gut Health

Who Needs Glutamine?

Natural Health Care practitioners will often recommend glutamine to help recover after exercise and illness. More broadly, it’s recommended to support metabolism, weight loss, control sugar cravings, optimize muscle building and recovery, as well as rebuild and repair tissues in the GI tract.

Glutamine Supplements

Glutamine supplements are available either as L-glutamine (free form), which should be taken with food for proper absorption, or trans-alanyl-glutamine (TAG); which is highly digestible. Unlike free-form glutamine, it can be taken on an empty stomach.

The recommended daily dose is 2-5g twice daily and up to 10g daily for professional athletes. When to take glutamine? For best results, glutamine supplements are best taken right before or after workouts. If you’re considering taking glutamine for an extended period, a B complex (especially B12) is a good idea to prevent glutamine buildup in the body.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a quality glutamine supplement, look for L-glutamine, which is the active form of glutamine. It’s also wise to know what source your supplement is coming from; Glutamine can come from animal proteins or more commonly, fermented vegetables such as beets or GMO corn. Also, look for glutamine that is third-party tested and ideally, NON-GMO verified. Always follow label instructions for dosage.