L-Glutamine - the most underrated supplement on the market?
Well, the cricket season is upon us and, if you’re anything like us, it will either make you feel a little ashamed about your lack of exercise or it will inspire you to get active – or both!
Or is there something holding you back?
A massive +-10 million people are presently living with arthritis in the UK; that is 1 in 5 of the adult British population. And, that doesn’t take into account the several other types of joint conditions. Equally, muscle and joint injuries are incredibly common amongst athletes.
Many people are trying the supplement L-Glutamine in the battle to keep active, but what is it?
WHAT IS GLUTAMINE?
Glutamine is one of the 20 amino acids, or building blocks of protein. More simply, it is a molecule our body stores in the bloodstream and converts into glucose (blood sugar) when it is required.
It is the most abundant, naturally-occurring, non-essential amino acid in the human body and one of the few amino acids that directly crosses the blood-brain barrier (a separation of circulating blood and the brain extracellular fluid in the central nervous system). In the body, it is to be found circulating in the blood, as well as stored in the skeletal muscles.
Glutamine plays a role in a variety of biochemical functions including:
• protein synthesis, as with any other amino acid;
• regulation of acid-base balance in the kidneys by producing ammonium;
• cellular energy, as a source, next to glucose;
• nitrogen donation for many anabolic processes;
• carbon donation, as a source, refilling the citric acid cycle;
• as a non-toxic transporter of ammonia in blood circulation.
Dietary sources of L-Glutamine include beef, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, dairy products, wheat, cabbage, beets, beans, spinach, parsley and other health foods. Small amounts of free L-Glutamine are also found in vegetable juices and tofu.
WHAT ARE THE USES OF GLUTAMINE?
Glutamine is not referred to as an “essential amino acid” because, under normal circumstances, the human body can produce it alone to meet our physiological demands. However, there are circumstances where it may become “conditionally-essential” – in other words, the body may need to up the intake from food or food form supplements.
Some believe that it can be useful in, for example:
• reducing joint inflammation;
• wound healing for post-operative patients;
• during cancer;
• wound healing for burns;
• during sepsis; and
• assisting in recovery from certain gastrointestinal disorders.
In such circumstances, it is essential that there is an adequate intake of glutamine to meet the increased demand caused by these situations.
It is also frequently used as a supplement during intensive athletic training for muscle growth. For example, in weightlifting, bodybuilding, endurance and other power or stamina sports.
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF GLUTAMINE?
Many believe that glutamine can be used for enhancing energy levels, due to its relationship as a fuel to mitochondria (tiny energy-producing structures in the cell, referred to as “power plants” or “batteries”), which in turn facilitates cell metabolism for the conversion of food to usable energy.
L-Glutamine has been called “the most underrated supplement on the market”.
The other potential benefits of glutamine are as follows:
• it may promote the maintenance of a balanced digestive tract;
• it may promote mental alertness and improve mood and memory;
• it may boost immune function and help fight infection;
• it may decrease sugar cravings and the desire for alcohol;
• it may help to mitigate the kind of muscle loss (wasting) that can accompany prolonged bed rest or illnesses such as cancer and AIDS, where the person may be incapable of manufacturing their own supply of glutamine.
We are already convinced of the power of glutamine – why not try it yourself and see!
