L-Glutamine is a very popular amino acid that can be found in pure form, protein powders, meal replacements, performance products, meats, dairy products and beans. Glutamine is also naturally occurring in the body, and therefore side effects are limited if at all.
About 60% of free-form amino acids floating in skeletal muscle are L-glutamine.
This makes glutamine one of the most abundant amino acids in the body and therefore in high demand for bodily functions such as in the gut and immune system. This amino acid also plays a large role in protein metabolism which makes it of particular interest to bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts in Canada.
Because the body relies on glutamine as cellular fuel for the immune system, scientific studies have shown that supplementation can minimize the breakdown (anti-catabolic) of muscle tissue and improve protein metabolism. In other words glutamine supplements can help prevent the breakdown of valuable muscle tissue and assist you in recovering from intense workouts more quickly. That is why in Canada glutamine has become one of the most popular bodybuilding supplements.
Glutamine levels are reduced by about 50% after intense workouts, and so it is also important as a sport supplement in Canada. After your workout your body is looking for glutamine to support its regular bodily functions (ie: immune system) and may choose to break down muscle (catabolism) to find a source. With supplementation you can reduce the stress the body places on the muscles (remember 60% of it is found in the muscle).
Supplementation of this product is usually dosed at around 10-20 grams a day. Other Added benefits of glutamine supplementation include increased growth hormone secretion, healthier immune function and cell volumization.
