What is Glutamine? Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid found in the human body. Glutamine and glutamic acid can be found in protein-rich foods like beans, red meat, nuts and fish. The body utilizes this amino acid to control blood sugar and retain muscle mass. Bodybuilders are the principal users of glutamine supplements, but others who wish to enhance and develop muscle are beginning to take note of this helpful fitness tool.

Benefits of Glutamine

According to most fitness experts, anyone who is looking to grow lean muscle should be taking glutamine supplements. In fact, many trainers recommend that you take this supplement rather than creatine.

If you are working out hard and training daily, or if you are under high stress, your body cannot produce enough glutamine to keep you going. This is why taking the supplement can be so beneficial to people who are weight training. The muscles burn so much glutamine when you are working out that you and your muscles can become dehydrated. By using glutamine supplements, you ensure this will not happen.

Research also indicates that glutamine supplements can increase brain function. Apparently, there is a subtle relationship between brain chemistry and muscle growth that can be positively influenced by the supplement. By upping the glutamine in your system, you can increase the production of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. This, in turn, can stimulate growth hormone secretion, thus helping you grow more muscle.

How much Glutamine should I take?

The suggested intake of glutamine ranges anywhere from two to forty grams per day. For added results, in terms of muscle development, the minimum dosage of eight to ten grams per day is recommended. With regards to what type of glutamine supplements should be taken, most people prefer the L-Glutamine free-form amino acid. You can also take the peptide-bonded meal replacement glutamine powders.

For best results, it is recommended that you take your glutamine supplements in the morning and just after working out. Researchers have found that by taking it after a workout, you can repair muscle damage and build lean mass.

Is Glutamine safe?

According to recent studies, glutamine supplements can cause problems for diabetics because they metabolize the amino acid incorrectly. Also, the supplements have been shown to interact badly with, and be linked to, abnormal cell growth in cancer patients. However, these are the only groups that appear to have experienced any adverse effects.

Conclusion on Glutamine

Glutamine supplements are some of the most powerful and effective tools to be added to a health and fitness regimen on the market today. The supplement is being hailed almost universally among trainers, health stores and fitness aficionados. So, if you are looking for a potent addition to your fitness toolkit, glutamine just may fit the bill. As with the inclusion of any supplement, it is advisable to consult your physician before you regularly take it. Having said that, the sky appears to be the limit in terms of the ways in which your fitness routine can be enhanced by this supplement.