Glutamine

Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid, meaning that at times of intense stress placed on the muscle tissue, it becomes essential. Glutamine in supplement form is known as l-glutamine, which has a slight difference in chemical structure but the same properties. Glutamine is crucial for bypassing catabolism or muscle degradation, the normal result of intense exercise.

 

When manufactured in the body, glutamine is a derivative of glutamic acid, which is synthesised from the amino acids arginine, ornithine and proline. While it is found abundantly in animal proteins, glutamic acid cannot cross the blood brain barrier, where most of the metabolism takes place. Glutamine, which can cross this barrier, works better in supplement form.

 

Glutamine can also be used by cells as a metabolic energy source similar to glucose. Research indicates that apart from sparing muscle catabolism, supplementation with glutamine reduces the craving for alcohol, sugar and carbohydrates.