Glutamine and Health Benefits

Glutamine, a semi-essential amino acid is one of the most abundant free-form amino acids found in our body. This building block of protein is found mostly in the muscles and is the amino acid present in most metabolic processes. Practically, in normal conditions, our body is able to produce its own sets of this amino acid but in terms of stress, trauma or infections, supplementation may be necessary. Sport supplementation mostly benefits bodybuilders and athlete enthusiasts alike who need an extra protein requirement punched into their diet. However, apart from this bodybuilding and sports endeavor, supplementation also caters to different health issues likewise experienced by those who are not into rigid fitness activities.

Being one of the most active amino acid involved in metabolic processes, glutamine helps blood sugar regulation within our body. In conditions when our body needs extra glucose as a source of fuel, it promotes the release of the stored glucose, commonly termed as glycogen to bring up the blood sugar level in our bloodstream. This effective mechanism that enhances better glucose and insulin utilization is particularly helpful in the treatment of diseases such as diabetes.

Moreover, as an important energy reserve, this conditional essential amino acid acts as a fuel reserve for the cells lining the intestines. With this, supplementation with this product can be considered an effective approach to treat diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Crohn's disease as it helps repair and maintain the health of the inner mucosa, our gastrointestinal lining, to prevent diarrhea and improve absorption of nutrients directly into your gut.

Another noteworthy health benefit is its particularly significant role in enhancing our body's own immune system. In fact, sport supplementation increases antioxidant concentration responsible for fighting free radicals known to cause extensive cell damage. In addition, it also helps to buffer down the ammonia levels in the bloodstream to prevent toxicity. A double-blind, randomized study demonstrated that through supplementation also, the body's ability to ward off infection is augmented especially in athletes under endurance training. In contrast to the placebo group, supplemental group showed a significant decrease in incidence of infection among 151 endurance athletes. Likewise, this amino acid supplementation has been used as an innovative approach to the management of patients affected with HIV. As an evidence, a double-blind, placebo controlled study consisting of 25 subjects with HIV was supplemented with 30 grams daily for 7 days. Interestingly enough, the incidence of diarrhea was greatly decreased in these group subjects.

Physiological processes aside, supplemental L-glutamine have also been studied as a potential treatment for many neurological and mental disorders. This was contemplated as this amino acid can easily pass the blood-brain barrier and can then be readily converted into glutamic acid which promotes better cognitive functions. Likewise, by removing ammonia-by product from the system, this amino acid enhances better signals and communications among brain cells for sharper cognitive impulses. With this, the possibility of using this product as advance modality for the treatment of depression, schizophrenia, epilepsy and other neurological disorders have been looked into. However, these subject matters are all gray areas while researches with rigor are still ongoing and needs to be published.

Generally speaking, glutamine supplementation is considered safe and effective with no side effects to baffle with. Moreover, aside from being a potential treatment for some illness and as an ergogenic aid to athletes, supplementation is best use as a preventive agent to maintain good health while at the same time maximizing its bodybuilding benefits. Needless to say, this product is not for fitness enthusiast only but for average persons as well, just like you and me.