Glutamine

Glutamine is an amino acid that is categorized in the nonessential group as it can be synthesized by different tissues in the body, which include the liver, skeletal muscles, and adipose tissue. Scientific developments stated that conditionally, glutamine could be an essential amino acid. When the metabolic requirement for glutamine exceeds what is available, and that which can be provided by de novo synthesis, it becomes an essential body requirement.

How Does Glutamine Work?

The requirement for plasma glutamine increases during exercise, or when stresses such as fasting, illness, severe injury, etc., are placed on the body’s normal metabolic rate. Immune system cells, such as lymphocytes, and macrophages rely on the substance, as their main fuel source. In the case of illness an immunological response is started, to overcome the symptoms, and the cells requirement for glutamine increases.

Between forty and fifty per cent of glutamine is consumed by the enterocytes of the small intestines, so they are the main consumers of the substance, which is also needed for the synthesis of nucleotides in the cell nuclei. This explains the extra requirement for glutamine during cell division. An adequate amount of glutamine is essential for rapid growth and development. De novo synthesis of the substance may be insufficient to supply the required amount to satisfy the physiological requirement in times of severe metabolic stress, when free glutamine is quickly depleted.

The skeletal system also requires sufficient glutamine, because the primary sites for glutamine synthesis are the skeletal muscles, and about 60% of the free amino acids stored there are glutamine. The substance is also the most abundant amino acid within the plasma.

Cortisol which is a glucocorticoid hormone is released at stressful times and prompts the proteolysis of muscle proteins along with the release of glutamine into the plasma, supporting an increased requirement for free glutamine.

Glutamine plays an important part in maintaining muscle mass during physiological stress. Supplements may help with nitrogen retention and avoid a loss of muscle protein. Therefore, bodybuilders use it in their supplements as an aid to muscle toning, and mass.

Glutamine Availability

Glutamine is available from health stores, or online, as a powder or as gel capsules. It is also used as an ingredient in some other dietary preparations.

Because glutamine is considered unstable in solution it is important to follow the manufacturers instructions.