The Physician's Desk Reference for Nutritional Supplements describes glutamine as "arguably the most needed amino acid and, indeed, one of the most needed nutrients under these circumstances (physiological stress.)" The amino acid, glutamine, is usually manufactured by the body to be used in skeletal muscle as a form of energy. Under extreme physical stress like training (but also surgery, severe burn, etc.) the body uses so much glutamine that it becomes a conditionally essential amino acid. This means the body can't provide enough and we have to supply it through food or supplementation. If required levels of glutamine aren't maintained, a negative nitrogen balance occurs and the amino acid our muscles need most becomes even more depleted. In a nutshell, this means muscle loss.

A great deal of study has been concluded in the non-bodybuilding functions of glutamine. This amino acid is the preferred fuel for lymphocytes and other immune system specific cells. It is directly required for the maintenance of lymphokine-activated killer cells (those that destroy pathogens in the body) and can enhance phagocytosis by neutrophils and monocytes (disposing of the destroyed pathogens.) In other words, glutamine is critical for your health. It may be just as important as vitamin C and other immune-building supplements that you already take.

Glutamine is also used as fuel and to maintain enterocytes in the intestinal tract. These cells in the lining of the digestive system will actually use a small portion of the glutamine that you supplement or consume. This is a good thing for intestinal health, but it means not all that you take will end up in the muscle tissue. Most will be absorbed into the blood stream, but then another small portion is metabolized and used in the liver. Finally, the rest is circulated and used in the body. This simply means that you have to take a little more glutamine per serving and use it a little more frequently to get the best results.

Think of glutamine as food for your muscle, maybe like "Miracle Grow .™" If you don't have enough present to be used as energy, your body will break down more muscle amino acids which means muscle loss and the lost potential for muscle gain. When you have enough glutamine present, an overabundance really, then you will always have what you need during a hard workout and for recovery. You will be able to recover and grow from your workouts instead of inducing a catabolic state of muscle loss.

Glutamine is virtually free of contraindications. People with liver or renal failure are recommended to use caution and pregnant women are advised not to take oral glutamine. Typical doses are 15-25 grams per day. I recommend a tablespoon 30 minutes prior to workouts, a tablespoon before bed, and for those dieting I recommend another tablespoon after workouts and cardio sessions. This would be 2-5 tablespoons per day. You won't notice a huge initial difference in strength or performance when starting glutamine supplementation. You'll notice a slow progression of muscle gain and strength because you're recovering better between workouts and you're maintaining a positive nitrogen balance between meals.

There are many reputable companies that make pure L-Glutamine. If you visit our online store, you'll find the brands that I recommend and use myself.