Glutamine

The Basics

Glutamine is an amino acid found in the muscles. It is also known as brain fuel because it easily passes the blood-brain barrier. Glutamine increases the amount of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), another amino acid that acts as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

Glutamine helps to build and maintain muscle. It is useful to bodybuilders, people recovering from injury or surgery, and helps to prevent muscle wasting from prolonged bed rest.

This amino acid helps to reduce cravings for sugar and alcohol. Glutamine also benefits epilepsy, fatigue, ulcers, impotence, senility, fatigue, arthritis, scleroderma (an autoimmune disorder that affects blood vessels and connective tissue), and polymyositis (multiple muscle inflammation).

Stress, prolonged illness, strenuous exercise, and surgery may deplete the body's reserves of glutamine.

Sources

Foods such as meat, milk, soy proteins, raw spinach and parsley are sources of glutamine. Cooking destroy glutamine.

As a supplement, it is available in some multivitamin formulations, and individually in liquid, tablet/capsule (500-mg), and powder forms.

Take on an empty stomach before breakfast or between meals. Combining with zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E may enhance the effects of glutamine. Do not combine with milk or other protein foods.

Since there is no recommended dietary requirement for glutamine, check with a medical professional prior to taking this supplement.

Guidelines and Cautions

The powdered form of glutamine should be kept dry to prevent it from turning into ammonia.

Do not take glutamine if any of following diseases exists: Reye's syndrome, cirrhosis of the liver, kidney disorders, or any disorder causing ammonia to accumulate in the blood.

Do not give glutamine to children without the advice of a medical professional.