Glutamine

Glutamine is the conditionally essential free amino acid i.e. building block of protein most copiously found in skeletal muscles of the body. ^{[1, 2, 3]} This naturally occurring amino acid easily crosses the blood brain barrier and found in blood stream. ^{[1, 2, 3]} Glutamine is considered as brain fuel ^[3] & it becomes non-essential amino acid because body can manufacture it. But under extreme physical stress or in states of injury and illness, body must require its intake from food supplements because body demands more glutamine in these situations. ^{[1, 2]} In brain it is converted into Glutamic acid which is vital for brain function and increases the amount of neurotransmitter GABA, which is required to maintain proper brain function and mental activity. ^[3] It aids in sustaining the proper acid and base balance in the body and also promotes mental ability and maintenance of a healthy digestive function. ^[3]

Glutamine is also important for removing free nitrogen because it can from ammonia which is toxic for brain tissues. ^{[1, 2, 3]} Glutamine donates ammonia to make other amino acids, sugar and antioxidant glutathione. ^[2] Glutamine is unique among amino acids because it contains two nitrogen atoms which help to pick up ammonia from the tissues, especially from brain tissues and it can also transport nitrogen from one place to another. ^[3]

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Beneficial Health Aspects of Glutamine

Effects on Healing Process

During stressful conditions such as injuries, surgical procedures, infections, burns & trauma, muscles release glutamine as much as one third of glutamine stored in muscles. ^{[1, 2, 3]} Glutamine has a key role in strengthening immune system and accelerates healing processes. ^{[1, 2, 3]} Some clinical trials suggest that Glutamine is effective in boosting immunity and has positive effects in reducing infections related to surgery. Supplemental Glutamine might be helpful in recovery of sunburn. ^[2]

Glutamine – As a Body Building Supplement

Glutamine is abundantly found in muscles and readily available when needed for the production of skeletal muscle proteins. ^[3] Supplemental Glutamine helps to build and retain muscle and is very reputable among dieters and body builders. ^{[1, 3]} Athletes may deplete their glutamine stores in skeletal muscles because of excessive training. Overuse of skeletal muscles leads to deficiency of glutamine, in this regard glutamine supplementation may be valuable to work out with additional moderate strength. ^[2]

Wholesome Effects on Mental Health

Glutamine is considered as brain fuel, has ability to enhance mental performance, improves memory, increases IQ and has positive effects on developmental disabilities, epilepsy (seizures), anxiety, depression & other mental problems like schizophrenia and senility. ^{[1, 3, 4]}

Antioxidant Effect

Glutamine exhibits positive effects on antioxidant protection ^[3] and preserves glutathione in the liver ^{[1, 3]} and may protect the liver form side effects of acetaminophen overdoses. ^[3]

Positive Effects on Alcohol & Sugar Craving

Glutamine also has wholesome effect on sugar and alcohol cravings and is useful for recovering alcoholics. ^{[1, 3]}

Effects on Digestive Tract

Glutamine plays a significant part in maintaining healthy digestive tract. ^{[1, 3]} Some health experts contemplate that deficiency of Glutamine may leads to a digestive upset like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Clinical researches have shown that glutamine may be a remarkable dietary supplement for IBD because it has ability to support healing process in intestine and improves diarrhea also. ^[2]

Favorable Effects on Muscle Wasting

Glutamine helps to reduce muscle wasting that can accompany prolonged bed rest or long standing problems like AIDS. ^[3] Glutamine supplementation reduces muscle wasting associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and may decrease the severe weight loss associated with these conditions. ^{[2, 3]}

Other Beneficial Features of Glutamine

Supplementation with Glutamine might be helpful for arthritis, fatigue, impotence, ^{[3, 4]} intestinal problems, digestive ulcers, connective tissues related problems and tissue damage due to radiotherapy. ^[3]

References:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutamine
2. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/glutamine-000307.htm
3. Phyllis A. Balch, CNC & James F. Balch, M.D. (2000). Prescription for Nutritional Healing. (3rd edition) Page No. 47. Penguin Putnam INC. New York: Avery.
4. Remington. (1975). Remington’s Pharmaceutical Sciences. (15th edition). Page No. 964. Easton, Pennsylvania: Mack Publishing Company.

Disclaimer

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease.