What is Glutamine?

According to the University of Maryland Medical Centre, Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid (building block of protein) in the body. The body can make enough glutamine for its regular needs, but in times of extreme stress (the kind you would experience after very heavy exercise or an injury), your body may need more glutamine than it can make. The majority of glutamine is stored in muscles and the lungs, the site of where most of the glutamine is made.

Glutamine is important for removing excess ammonia (a common waste product in the body). It also helps your immune system function and appears to be needed for normal brain function and digestion. Injuries, surgery, infections, and prolonged stress can lower glutamine levels. In these cases, taking a glutamine supplement may be helpful to promote wound healing and recovery from illness.

Why Supplement with it?

Glutamine supplementation works because when the body is stressed, it releases the hormone cortisol into the bloodstream. High levels of cortisol can lower your body's stores of glutamine. Clinical studies have found that glutamine supplements strengthen the immune system and reduce infections.

Athletes who train for endurance events (like marathons) may reduce the amount of glutamine in their bodies. It's common for them to catch a cold after an athletic event. Some experts think that may be because of the role glutamine plays in the immune system. For this select group of athletes, one study showed that taking glutamine supplements resulted in fewer infections. The same is not true, however, for exercisers who work out at a moderate intensity.

So, if you find that you are training hard and feeling a little under the weather afterwards, give Glutamine Supplementation a go!

We stock some of the best names in Glutamine here at onefitstop.com:

Try APS Nutrition (1kg or 500g) http://bit.ly/16TqWan

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(Source: University of Maryland Medical Centre 2011)