L-Glutamine

Health Benefits of L-Glutamine

October 29, 2009

By: Jason Weeks (independent health columnist)

L-Glutamine has many uses. Regardless of what type of lifestyle one pursues, supplementing with glutamine offers myriad health benefits.

To start with, L-Glutamine is used by cells as a form of energy, similar to the manner in which glucose is used, but without the blood sugar elevation issues that accompany glucose ingestion.

Bodybuilders and athletes use it to recover after a workout. Much of the body's skeletal muscle is damaged or consumed for energy during training. To make up for this defecit, they supplement with free form glutamine. After all, the human body's skeletal muscle is composed of 60% glutamine.

It's used by doctors after surgery as a means of shortening their patients' recovery time, sometimes by as much as 50%.

The brain uses l-glutamine extensively, so it's no wonder supplementation can improve mood overall, sometimes drastically. This is especially true for situations of athletic overtraining, high emotional stress, and illness. Glutamine also speeds illness recovery.

Cortisol is a stress hormone that can have detrimental effects when elevated for extended periods of time. Glutamine has been shown in athletes to effectively lower cortisol levels significantly. I imagine the effect is similar for people with inactive lifestyles.

L-Glutamine is used by cells for energy, similar to the way glucose is used, but without blood sugar elevation issues.

The biggest problem with glutamine supplementation is the taste --- it's disgusting! My suggestion is to use something citric like orange juice, or something thick like V8 juice. The taste is bitter and disgusting, but not disgusting because it's bitter. The consistency is gritty, and doesn't seem to dissolve in liquid well. Anything strong and/or thick should mask the flavor/consistency. The easiest way to circumvent the taste is to ingest it in capsule form, which is now readily available at most health food stores and vitamin shops.

L-Glutamine is extremely beneficial to athletes involved in intense training regimens. It is also beneficial upon first waking up in the morning, following surgery, during periods of increased stress, or any time the human body is stressed or pushed beyond its normal level.

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