Product Reviews
Glutamine
What it is: Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid, meaning that the body can produce it naturally (in this case through the conversion of glutamic acid in the muscles and liver). It is found in foods such as chicken, fish, and eggs and also is contained in many of the protein powders on the market.
What it does: Since glutamine stores are depleted during intense exercise, supplementation with glutamine is purported to improve immune function, attenuate muscle breakdown and promote protein synthesis, and prevent overtraining syndrome.
Verdict: It has been well established that glutamine helps to enhance immune function and maintain muscle mass in critically ill patients, particularly those with severe burns and post-surgical victims. Studies on athletes and those involved in regimented exercise are promising but less definitive. There seems to be credence for glutamine's role in helping to stave off infections and other illness following intense bouts of exercise, and potentially in reducing the potential of overtraining. Glutamine supplementation also appears to enhance glycogen storage, possibly by increasing activity of glycogen synthase (an enzyme responsible for glycogen storage). The ability for glutamine to promote muscle development is still in question. Some studies have hypothesized that it may help to increase growth hormone levels in the body, but even if this occurs (which has not been substantiated to date), it's dubious as to whether it would have an appreciable effect on protein synthesis. The jury is still out in this regard.
In sum, glutamine can potentially be of benefit for the hard training athlete. Its relatively low cost and research-supported efficacy make it a viable supplement and worth trying. One thing to take into account is your overall daily protein intake. If you consume adequate protein in your diet (approximately one gram per pound of bodyweight), then supplementation with glutamine might be superfluous as the body cannot store excess protein and will ultimately excrete what it cannot use.
Side effects: None of any consequence noted.
SUPPLEMENT GRADE: B
DISCLAIMER: The preceding review is meant for educational purposes only and should not be taken as advice on whether or not to use a particular product. Always consult your physician before taking any supplement.
Website Development Provided By Tanner Creative
