Everything You Need to Know About L-Glutamine
The first place it is taken from is muscle, which causes catabolism (destroying muscle).
Why does the body need L-Glutamine?
L-Glutamine is the most common amino acid found in our muscles. Over 61% of skeletal muscle is made up of it. Not only is muscle mainly made up of L-Glutamine, but other essential cells rely on L-Glutamine to create the energy they need to function effectively. Our brain uses L-Glutamine too, to create neurotransmitters.
It’s labelled as a non-essential amino acid as the body can produce it itself, plus it is in high protein foods that we consume. This is not to say that we don’t need it though, as when the body is in stress after an intense workout, or from being sick, injured, or in times of starvation (aggressive dieting) our white blood cells get special treatment as the body will prioritise them with all the L-Glutamine they need. The first place it is taken from is muscle, which causes catabolism (destroying muscle).
Why is it good for people who work out to supplement with L-Glutamine?
Having fully functioning neurotransmitters is essential to bridging the connection between our brains and our muscles, to activate a muscle fully – therefore growing and stimulating that muscle
Gut health! 1 in 5 people in the world are suffering from digestive issues. Of course there are commonly known gut issues (IBS, leaky gut syndrome), but there are a lot of other symptoms that are linked to digestion that you may not realise are e.g.:
Mood disorders
Skin concerns
Bad breath
Body odour
Brittle nails
Poor immunity
Gut issues are often improved by enhancing the gut lining. The great thing about including L-Glutamine in your supplement line up is that studies have shown improvements to the gut lining in as little as 10 days by taking the recommended dose daily!
What’s the recommended dose and how do you take it?
The recommended dosage in studies for L-Glutamine is 0.5g per kg of body weight per day, but remember you can get L-Glutamine through your food as well. It’s advisable to spread this fairly evenly over the day (so roughly 2 – 3 times a day consumption) if you can.
L-Glutamine is relatively tasteless so it can easily be mixed in with a smoothie, protein drink, water or food. Just be aware to mix with cold or warm items as mixing with hot foods or drinks can change the confirmation of the amino acid.
I highly recommend Nutratech L-Glutamine
Per serve: 5 grams of Glutamine per serve
Flavour: Neutral
How to take it: Mixed into water (or with your preferred beverage)
When to take it: In my opinion ideally once in the morning and once directly after training, with your post-workout drink
Robert Scott Fitness clients receive special discounts on Nutratech products. Contact me here for more information.
*It’s always recommended to consult your doctor before adding supplementation or making any changes to your diet. Remember I’m not one – the above is my opinion based on my own research.*