Glutamine
(L-Glutamine)
What is it?
Glutamine is an amino acid, specifically a blend known as branched-chain amino acids (BCCA).
Does it occur naturally in the body?
Yes.
What are the claims?
During exercise, glutamine is depleted in the blood supply. Glutamine is involved in keeping the immune system healthy to fend off illness. It has been suggested that taking glutamine supplements can restore the glutamine depleted during exercise.
Does it work?
Taking glutamine supplements on a daily basis did not keep plasma glutamine levels constant.
However, athletes who were given glutamine supplementation before extreme physical events (marathons and triathlons) did keep their glutamine levels constant.
What are the dangers?
The current studies do not show any significant adverse health effects from taking glutamine.
The Bottom Line
During long distance and high intensity exercise glutamine supplementation taken in conjunction with the exercise seems to be able to help keep glutamine levels constant. If you participate in marathons or triathalons you might benefit from glutamine supplementation.
Glutamine does not appear to influence body composition when taken on a daily basis not associated with long distance and high intensity exercise programs.
Unless prescribed by a doctor for a medical condition, we cannot recommend the supplement glutamine for people simply looking to build muscle.
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