Glutamine has recently been the focus of much scientific interest. A growing body of evidence suggests that during certain stressful times, the body may require more Glutamine than it can produce. Under these circumstances, Glutamine may be considered a "conditionally essential" amino acid. Glutamine is involved in maintaining a positive nitrogen balance (an anabolic state) and also aids rapidly growing cells (immune system lymphocytes and intestinal cell entercocytes). In addition, Glutamine is a regulator of acid-base balance and a nitrogen transporter.Benefits include:
Assisting Muscle Growth
This amino acid is very popular when used for muscle growth by athletes and bodybuilders. Supplementing our diet when working out can greatly assist with protein synthesis. When the body is depleted of this amino acid during intense workouts, muscle wasting can occur. This can causes fatigue & slower recovery periods. Supplementation with l-glutamine allows for faster recovery periods, enhancing the athlete’s strength program by helping to repair the muscles quicker and increase consistency. L-Glutamine enhances the results of our workout effort by allowing the body the much needed amino acids for lean muscle growth and healthy maintenance.
Glutamine plays key roles in protein metabolism, cell volumizing, and anti-catabolism. Glutamine also increases your ability to secrete Human Growth Hormone (HGH), which helps metabolize body fat and support new muscle growth. Glutamine's anti-catabolism ability prevents the breakdown of your muscles, so you can actually build muscle effectively.
This is especially useful for people trying to get cut-when you're trying to get rid of some body fat without losing any muscle. Glutamine is needed throughout your body for optimal performance. Your small intestines requires the most Glutamine in your body, and your immune system also needs Glutamine because Glutamine levels deplete during workouts, athletes and bodybuilders are more susceptible to illnesses, and this is why L-Glutamine supplementation is really important, and not necessarily to gain more muscle, but for themaintenance effects of L-Glutamine.
Cell Hydration
By assisting cell hydration, cell volume is enhanced thereby reducing recovery time from sporting activity, injury and wounds. Muscle damage caused by intense workout or injury is repaired more effectively where the cell volume & hydration levels are aided by this amino acid.
Gastrointestinal Health
L-Glutamine has been effective in reducing the severity and incidence of Diverticulitis, Crohns Disease, Irritable Bowels Syndrome, Ulcers, and other intestinal issues, and its effect on the digestive system boosts the overall immune system. Adding glutamine powder (a tasteless, odorless powder) to aloe vera juice, twice daily on an empty stomach, can really soothe irritated, damaged tissues, and improve digestion dramatically, and often quickly. It really can help a condition known as Leaky Gut Syndrome. In this condition, instead of remaining inside your digestive tract, food particles pass through the intestines and into your bloodstream. The intestinal lining is unusually porous, allowing toxic substances into our bodies instead of being eliminated.
L-Glutamine makes up as much as 60% of our amino acids so it’s pretty obvious how important it is. One important discovery shows that it brings many benefits to our gastrointestinal tract. Researchers now believe that much of the glutamine we make and ingest works in the intestines, more so than the other aminos and therefore it’s responsible for digestive health. Additionally many believe that it helps level out the alkaline acid balances and thus diminishes lactic acid, which causes distress.Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic, often painful inflammatory disorder that affects all parts of the digestive tract. Glutamine may benefit IBD patients because it helps to protect the digestive tract lining and maintain the integrity of the intestinal mucosa. Glutamine may also reduce intestinal permeability, a condition commonly associated with IBD patients. In this condition, instead of remaining inside your digestive tract, food particles pass through the intestines and into your bloodstream. Although glutamine may prove to be a beneficial supplement for IBD patients, one trial found that glutamine only helped during periods of remission, and more research needs to be done to confirm glutamine's exact effects on IBD.
Reduced Cravings for Alcohol and Sugar
l-glutamine can help suppress or curb cravings for alcohol or sugary foods. It does this by helping the body to suppress insulin and thereby stabilizing blood sugar levels. This reduces the body’s draw upon muscle mass to maintain blood sugar levels in times of low calorie intake or strenuous exercise. In a similar way, alcohol cravings can be reduced and in extreme cases has led to the cure of alcoholism. As a result of the reduced cravings of sugary foods or alcohol, weight loss can occur as a fringe benefit. Similarly, with reduced fat and improved lean muscle mass, caloric metabolism is improved. This is due to muscle being a higher burner of calories than fat.