Glutamine is one of those substances that you’ll probably have heard of if you’ve been in gyms and worked out regularly for a little while. If you are anything like I was when I first started working out, you have absolutely no idea what it is and why it’s important. This is where I’d like to help.
What’s The Big Deal About Glutamine?
Out of all the amino acids in your muscles, glutamine is the most common. Approximately 60% of your skeletal muscle (the type of muscle you work at the gym) is comprised of glutamine. Glutamine itself is made up of a significant portion of nitrogen, making it the preferred nitrogen transporter in your muscle cells.
The Molecular Structure Of Glutamine
When you work out, you greatly depreciate the glutamine stores within your muscle. This has the effect of decreasing your stamina, strength, and recovery. As a results, it would be beneficial for anyone to supplement this problem with glutamine.
Glutamine Benefits
Glutamine plays an absolutely vital role in protein synthesis, increasing the volume of cells, and prevent your muscle from entering a catabolic state (which prevents the breakdown of your muscles). Equally important if you’re looking to shape up, glutamine also increase your ability to secrete Human Growth Hormone (or HGH). HGH helps your body to metabolize fat and encourages new muscle growth.
These benefits make glutamine an especially important supplement when wanting to get lean. It’s perfect when you want to lose fat while maintaining as much muscle as possible.
Here are some more of glutamine’s great benefits:
- Glutamine is extremely important to your intestines as it helps maintain your guts structure.
- Studies have shown that glutamine increases growth hormone by up to 400% when at least 2 grams are consumed.
- Glutamine is necessary for proper immune response. When you work out, you need to make up the glutamine you’ve depleted if you want to keep your immune system in tip-top shape.
- Glutamine is prevents lean muscle mass depletion.
- Glutamine helps preserve the hydration and volume of cells.
How Much Glutamine Should I Take?
Glutamine Powder
If you regularly workout, you should take 2-3 servings of glutamine per day. Each serving should be 5 grams in size. If you’re not an athlete and don’t regularly exercise than 3-5 grams a day should do you just fine. Everyone can benefit from taking glutamine. Oh, and just in case you’re wondering. Studies have shown that there are no adverse side-effects associated with glutamine consumption over a long term period. So have no fear!
- Josh
