Benefits Of L-Glutamine
What Can L-Glutamine Do For You?
L- Glutamine is considered by many as the most important amino acid to a bodybuilder.
What Is Glutamine?
L-Glutamine is an amino acid produced in your body. It is in fact the most common amino acid in your muscles, making up 61% of your skeletal tissue.
Why Should You Supplement With L-Glutamine?
Studies have shown that L-glutamine supplementation can minimize the breakdown of muscle, and improve protein metabolism. To summarise, during intense workouts, glutamine levels are greatly depleted in your body, which decreases strength, stamina and recovery. It could take up to six days for glutamine levels to return to normal, and glutamine plays a key role in protein synthesis.
Even though L-glutamine is a very important part of a bodybuilder’s supplementation, L-glutamine isn't only for bodybuilders. Glutamine is essential for maintaining intestinal function and aiding in the body’s immune response as well. Therefore, people who often find themselves becoming ill quite frequently, or show signs of losing lean muscle mass, should be taking the supplement as it’s possible they may have a glutamine deficiency.
What Else Can L-Glutamine Do For You?
Generally speaking, glutamine is needed in the body to help you perform optimally during your workouts, and is especially useful for those people who are cutting and trying to reduce body fat without losing any muscle.
How Much Should You Take?
If you’re training to build muscle, its normal to take a 3-5 gram serving 2-3 times a day. However, you should also know that you may already be getting some glutamine in your diet from other supplements you're taking. Many protein supplements already have some glutamine mixed into them, so read the labels to know for sure.
When Is The Best Time To Take L-Glutamine?
The best time to take glutamine is in the morning, post workout, and right before bed.
Recap
Here's a list of benefits:
- Glutamine promotes protein synthesis and prevents muscle catabolism.
- Glutamine helps maintain cell volume, hydration, and speed up recovery.
- Glutamine replenishes declining glutamine levels during intense workouts.
- Glutamine can boost your immune system and support intestinal function.
Conclusion
If you have the money, L-glutamine is definitely one of the better supplements you can spend your cash on. The benefits are plentiful, and being able to recover quicker can only mean one thing… more opportunities to train!
