Markymarkuss777’s BodyBlog

Found an interesting site explaining the benefits of L-Glutamine and when to take it. Check this out *(link below to read whole article)*

www . powersupplements . com / glutamine.htm

How does Glutamine produce all these positive effects?

In order to answer this question we first need to review how our body builds muscles. The key to building muscle mass is protein metabolism (to learn more about protein click here). Interestingly, our body does not make muscles while we workout, it is during the recovery time after we workout that muscles are made. Our body goes through a constant cycle of catabolism and anabolism. Or, in simpler terms - we are constantly going through cycles of protein synthesis and protein breakdown (remember, protein is the building block for muscles). During the stage of muscle catabolism we lose nitrogen and glutamine is stripped from our muscles. You see, our body needs glutamine for many other critical functions such as the immune system, and these functions take precedence over the building of muscles. Without any glutamine in the muscles we can not build muscle mass and in fact the muscles can start to breakdown.

The more stress our body is under the more glutamine that is pulled away from the muscles. And guess what- working out puts a lot of stress on the muscles. Ironically, when we work out we are really putting our body into a catabolic state and losing the glutamine that is essential to protein synthesis (which is how muscles are built). Now, if we supplement our body with glutamine before an intense workout we allow our body to keep a high supply of glutamine in the muscles and stop the muscle catabolism. This means the body can use the glutamine in the muscles to synthesize protein and build muscle mass. In addition, because there is enough glutamine for the whole body - the other critical functions such as the immune system have enough glutamine to perform their necessary functions.

An interesting side note, for years high levels of glutamine have been used in Emergency Rooms for patients that have been involved in a high trauma accident. When a person is in a car accident, their body is put into a stressful situation and begins to enter a catabolic state. The muscles start to breakdown as the body quickly starts to pull glutamine from the muscles to deal with other more serious problems. Doctors have found that giving patients a high dosage of glutamine is very effective in preventing the muscle breakdown. To a much smaller scale the same theory holds true when you work out - if you keep a high level of free glutamine, your body will not need to pull glutamine out of the muscles when the stress begins.

I’ve heard so many differing opinions on the supplement L-Glutamine. I decided to look at it’s history and came across this site which shows all the benefits of Glutamine as a supplement to the human body. This whole article is amazing, but one thing that stuck out to me was the fact that they use L-Glutamine for patients in hospitals. If this is true, then I think it should be considered a legitimate and viable supplement for anyone. Here is the link with the whole article below :

http://www.cleanse.net/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=18

WHY L-GLUTAMINE IS SO IMPORTANT:

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body.
Glutamine controls the supply of nitrogen in the body. Nitrogen is necessary for balance in the body, but too much nitrogen is exceedingly toxic.
Glutamine also buffers poisonous wastes, such as ammonia and helps remove them from the body.
Construction of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is dependent upon adequate amounts of glutamine.
During stress associated with illness, the body breaks down its own muscle to produce large quantities of glutamine - hence serious illness is associated with loss of muscle mass due to glutamine deprivation.
One-third of the amino acids released at times of stress are in the form of glutamine.
Without glutathione (major antioxidant), the body will die in only three days. For the body to make glutathione, it needs glutamine.
Glutamine is destroyed by cooking and acids. People who cook too much of their food may easily be glutamine deficient.
Hospital Use

Using glutamine before and/or after major surgery, burns, illnesses, severe injury, and chemotherapy eliminates muscle breakdown.
Patients receiving glutamine had a significantly decreased incidence of infection and were released from the hospital earlier than patients who received no glutamine supplements.
Hospital bills of patients who received glutamine were reduced by an average of $21,000.
Glutamine is the most important amino acid for the healing of wounds.
Glutamine has been shown to enhance the ability of medications to kill cancerous growths.
Glutamine protects the liver during toxic chemotherapy, during acetaminophen toxicity, and following a severe inflammatory injury to the liver.

Digestive Aid

In Japan and Asia, glutamine is used as an effective anti-ulcer drug for the stomach.
Intestinal mucosa is completely dependent upon glutamine.
Digestion and normal metabolic function of the intestines are dependent upon adequate amounts of glutamine.
Leaky bowel syndrome and damaged mucosa are usually associated with glutamine deficiency.
Through the action of glutamine on the kidneys, the body controls pH balance and eliminates acids.
Glutamine is important in preventing the loss of electrolytes.
Glutamine is easily destroyed by high temperatures. Cooked food has no usable glutamine in it.
Immune Function

The immune system is completely dependent upon glutamine.
Many studies have proven that glutamine supplements can greatly improve immune activity.
The IgA is an important antigen that is produced by B cells in the intestinal epithelium. This immune activity is capable of eliminating every known pathogen, but it is completely dependent upon glutamine.
Glutamine is known to enhance the replication of cancer cells, yet at the same time strengthens the immune system and metabolic functions that help fight cancer.

Animals and Glutamine

When animals are stressed, there is a threefold increase in the release of glutamine from muscles.
Cows taking glutamine have doubled their milk production.
Glutamine helped laboratory animals reduce their pain levels.
Brain & Nervous System Uses

Glutamine is the most important amino acid for the brain, for glutamine is the precursor of two important neurotransmitters.
Glutamine has helped to increase the IQ of mentally-impaired children.
Large amounts of glutamine are stored in the nervous system.

Vitality

Patients who received glutamine were statistically more “vigorous” than those who did not.
Glutamine helps stop alcohol and sugar cravings.
How to Use Glutamine

Glutamine should be kept refrigerated.

Acids also destroy glutamine. Glutamine should be taken after meals when HCL is most diluted or between meals.
Vitamin C is needed to activate glutamine, but should be taken separately.
One teaspoon of glutamine powder equals 4,000 milligrams (mg.), which is 4 grams.
People with kidney disease or severe liver failure should not take glutamine. Glutamate (Glu) and glutamic acid are not glutamine. Only glutamine is glutamine.

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