Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid (meaning the body can produce it) it is stored mainly in the muscles but can be found in the liver, lungs, brain and blood. 60 Percent of the free amino acids found in the bloodstream is glutamine, extra glutamine is stored in the muscles and the lungs.
It is used as a source of fuel for cells in the intestinal tract and also as a source of fuel for the immune system. It has the property of being able to helping the regulation of the ph off the blood if the blood ph starts to rise, glutamine can be broken down in to glutamate and ammonia.
Intense exercise can deplete glutamine levels by 35-50 percent. During exercise when glutamine level drops in the blood. These stores can be depleted in 4-6 hours and may take up to 24 hours to fully recover. The body can release glutamine into the bloodstream by breaking down muscle tissue and releasing the glutamine into the bloodstream. This is a process that bodybuilders would want to avoid as this may cause you to lose strength and muscle mass reversing the gains you have been trying to make in the gym
Glutamine is consumed in a normal diet and makes up 4-8 percent of food protein. Sometimes the body cannot consume enough from food sources quick enough so that is when supplementation can be useful. it is a white odourless tasteless powder which will dissolve in liquids and can easily be taken
Taking glutamine you can take 10 grams a day and split it between before and after training can help improve your strength, reduce muscle catabolism and improve recovery times. It is easy to take and not very expensive for the gains you can get from it.The main source of glutamine for the blood when levels are low is from the bodies muscle tissue
Glutamine supplementation has been found to be able to increase levels of growth hormone secretion reduce muscle soreness and aid in muscle growth. Taking extra glutamine has been found to have several effects, it has been found to minimize protein breakdown by stopping the body from breaking down muscle to create glutamine for other parts of the body and improve protein metabolism.
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