Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid that supports a number of health benefits. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are essential in the creation of new muscles. With over 60% of amino acids in skeletal muscles made up of glutamine, glutamine is the most abundant amino in the human body. Glutamine is a popular supplement that 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 consists of 19% nitrogen and is the primary transporter of nitrogen into the muscles. But during high-intensity workouts glutamine levels are significantly depleted. Low glutamine levels can decrease strength, stamina, and recovery, limiting workouts and muscle growth potential. Glutamine supplementation can minimise muscle breakdown and improve protein synthesis. As an amino acid, glutamine is vital in protein metabolism and encourages growth hormone secretion, supporting body fat metabolism and the growth of new muscles. Glutamine also has anti-catabolic effects which help prevent the breakdown of muscles.
Glutamine levels, when depleted during training, make the body susceptible to illness or infection. When glutamine levels are low during and after workouts, glutamine supplementation is especially important for athletes and bodybuilders. During periods of stress – extreme training, injury, surgery, or infections – there is an increase in glutamine demand. When this demand is not met there is a significant chance of illness or limited regeneration capacity. Glutamine also supports the production of lymphocytes and macrophages, which are two immune cells that support the body’s main line of defence against microorganisms. By encouraging higher levels of production for these two immune cells, glutamine substantially improves the body’s overall immune functions.
Studies have suggested that glutamine has some health benefits beyond improved protein synthesis, muscle growth, and immune functions. Glutamine may also be beneficial for arthritis, autoimmune diseases, cancer, fatigue, fibrosis, intestinal disorders, peptic ulcers, and illness-related muscle loss. Glutamine is able to pass the blood-brain barrier, making it a brain fuel. Because of this, glutamine may reduce irritability and depression, enhance mental alertness, mood, memory, and overall brain functions.
