Glutamine Supplements

What is Glutamine?

Glutamine is a nonessential amino acid (protein building block). The body can create its own supply if the diet is lacking in glutamine-rich sources.

Functions & Health benefits

Glutamine plays a key role in the synthesis of protein. Glutamine is primarily produced in the muscles and appears to play an important part in keeping them functioning normally. It's also used by white blood cells and contributes to normal immune-system function. It is converted to glutamic acid in the brain, which is essential for cerebral functions, and increases the amount of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which is required for brain functioning and mental activity.

Glutamine is found in many foods high in protein, such as fish, meat, beans, and dairy products.

People suffering from physical trauma, arthritis, fibrosis, connective tissue disease, peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, epilepsy, fatigue, impotence and senility may find benefit from an increase of this nutrient. It is also known that glutamine has various effects in reducing healing time after operations.

Precautions & Side effects

• Some people may experience headaches and other side effects with glutamine. In clinical trials, no toxic reactions were recorded at relatively high doses of 4 to 21 g a day.
• Don not take glutamine supplements if you have any serious illness (such as kidney disease, liver disease, Reye's syndrome, autism, multiple sclerosis, stroke) or are pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Never take glutamine for longer than three months unless you are under the direction for a doctor familiar with its use.