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Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the blood and in the free amino acid pool of skeletal muscle. Glutamine stimulates the synthesis and inhibits the degradation of proteins, is an important vehicle for the transport of nitrogen and carbon within the tissues, stimulates the synthesis of hepatic glycogen, and is an energy source for cell division.54 Because glutamine deficiency can occur during periods of metabolic stress, it has led to the reclassification of glutamine as a conditionally essential amino acid.55 Glutamine is also a precursor for the synthesis of amino acids, proteins, nucleotides, glutathione, and other biologically important molecules.
Glutamine is considered to have an anabolic effect on skeletal muscle. It stimulates the synthesis and inhibits the degradation of proteins. Experiments with various animal models have demonstrated glutamine supplementation can result in better nitrogen homeostasis, with conservation of skeletal muscle.55 The mechanism by which glutamine affects skeletal muscle protein turnover, and thus muscle protein balance, is unknown. However, glutamine has an anabolic effect of promoting protein synthesis and also might reduce protein breakdown. 56
Glutamine was shown to increase cell volume, while insulin and glutamine together seem to work synergistically to enhance cellular hydration. The effects of glutamine in skeletal muscle include the stimulation of protein synthesis, which occurs in the absence or presence of insulin, the response being greater with insulin.57
During various catabolic states, such as infection, surgery, burns, and trauma, glutamine homeostasis is placed under stress, and glutamine reserves, particularly in the skeletal muscle, are depleted. In these conditions, the body requirements of glutamine appear to exceed the individual's muscle deposits, resulting in a loss of muscle mass.58 In critically ill patients, parenteral glutamine reduces nitrogen loss and causes a reduction in mortality.54
With regard to glutamine metabolism, exercise stress can be viewed in a similar light to other catabolic stresses. Plasma glutamine concentrations increase during prolonged, high-intensity exercise. However, during the post-exercise recovery period, plasma concentrations decrease significantly. Several hours of recovery are required before plasma levels are restored to pre-exercise levels. If recovery between exercise bouts is inadequate, the acute effects of exercise on plasma glutamine concentrations can be cumulative. It has been observed that overtrained athletes appear to maintain low plasma glutamine levels for months or years.59 Some experts believe reduced concentration of plasma glutamine can provide a good indication of severe exercise stress.60
Results suggest, after exercise, the increased availability of glutamine promotes muscle glycogen accumulation by mechanisms possibly including diversion of glutamine carbon to glycogen. 61
Following trauma there is a loss of nitrogen, with a concomitant reduction of skeletal muscle protein synthesis. This is accompanied by a decrease in the stores of muscle free glutamine. Nutritional support with either glutamine or its carbon skeleton, alpha-ketoglutarate, has been shown to counteract the postoperative fall of muscle free glutamine and of muscle protein synthesis.62
Evidence suggests oral glutamine supplementation results in an increased release of growth hormone. An oral glutamine load (2 g) was administered to nine healthy subjects to determine the effect on plasma glutamine, bicarbonate, and circulating growth hormone concentrations. Eight of nine subjects responded with an increase in plasma glutamine at 30 and 60 minutes before returning to the control value at 90 minutes. Ninety minutes after the glutamine administration load, both plasma bicarbonate concentration and circulating plasma growth hormone concentration were elevated.63
Although some advocates recommend as much as 30 g, it is likely only marginal benefits are found at supplementary levels higher than 2-3 g per day.
More info On Glutamine
Glutamine is highly in demand throughout the body. It is used in the gut and immune system extensively to maintain optimal performance. 60% of free-form amino acids floating in skeletal muscles is L-glutamine. L-glutamine plays a very important role in protein metabolism, and it appears to be a very important nutrient for body builders. When supplemented, it may help body builders reduce the amount of muscle deterioration that occurs because other tissues that need glutamine will not rob the glutamine stored in the muscle cells.
Research shows that after intensely working out, glutamine levels in the body are reduced by as much as 50%. Since the body relies on glutamine as cellular fuel for the immune system, scientific studies have shown that glutamine supplementation can minimize the breakdown of muscle tissue and improve protein metabolism. Its effects on replenishing the body after stress or trauma have been shown in Europe where it is commonly given to patients in hospitals. Glutamine's cell-volumizing effects have also been shown in several studies. No conclusive studies have been done to evaluate the effects of L-glutamine supplementation on weight-training adults; however, a recent study showed up to a 400% increase in growth-hormone levels when as little as 2 grams of free-form L-glutamine supplement was consumed!
Bodybuilders can particularly gain from the intake of glutamine. Since bodybuilders use a lot of their glutamine when working out, they are more susceptible to health related problems, as the immune system relies heavily on this amino acid.
Catabolism or muscle break down can occur if the body robs muscles of glutamine for use elsewhere such as nitrogen transport or maintaining the immune system. Glutamine supplementation is certainly important in keeping muscles building--not deteriorating.
Bodybuilders can benefit by taking ten grams of L-glutamine per day, although clinical studies have not determined a precise amount for muscle metabolism optimization.
There are no side effects associated with L-glutamine, because it is a nutrient naturally occurring in the body. Reports of an upset stomach are associated with ingesting a great deal of glutamine, using smaller doses is recommended if this occurs.
Back to Glutamine Products.
Glutamine Peptides
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Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the blood and in the free amino acid pool of skeletal muscle. Glutamine stimulates the synthesis and inhibits the degradation of proteins, is an important vehicle for the transport of nitrogen and carbon within the tissues, stimulates the synthesis of hepatic glycogen, and is an energy source for cell division.54 Because glutamine deficiency can occur during periods of metabolic stress, it has led to the reclassification of glutamine as a conditionally essential amino acid.55 Glutamine is also a precursor for the synthesis of amino acids, proteins, nucleotides, glutathione, and other biologically important molecules.
Glutamine is considered to have an anabolic effect on skeletal muscle. It stimulates the synthesis and inhibits the degradation of proteins. Experiments with various animal models have demonstrated glutamine supplementation can result in better nitrogen homeostasis, with conservation of skeletal muscle.55 The mechanism by which glutamine affects skeletal muscle protein turnover, and thus muscle protein balance, is unknown. However, glutamine has an anabolic effect of promoting protein synthesis and also might reduce protein breakdown. 56
Glutamine was shown to increase cell volume, while insulin and glutamine together seem to work synergistically to enhance cellular hydration. The effects of glutamine in skeletal muscle include the stimulation of protein synthesis, which occurs in the absence or presence of insulin, the response being greater with insulin.57
During various catabolic states, such as infection, surgery, burns, and trauma, glutamine homeostasis is placed under stress, and glutamine reserves, particularly in the skeletal muscle, are depleted. In these conditions, the body requirements of glutamine appear to exceed the individual's muscle deposits, resulting in a loss of muscle mass.58 In critically ill patients, parenteral glutamine reduces nitrogen loss and causes a reduction in mortality.54
With regard to glutamine metabolism, exercise stress can be viewed in a similar light to other catabolic stresses. Plasma glutamine concentrations increase during prolonged, high-intensity exercise. However, during the post-exercise recovery period, plasma concentrations decrease significantly. Several hours of recovery are required before plasma levels are restored to pre-exercise levels. If recovery between exercise bouts is inadequate, the acute effects of exercise on plasma glutamine concentrations can be cumulative. It has been observed that overtrained athletes appear to maintain low plasma glutamine levels for months or years.59 Some experts believe reduced concentration of plasma glutamine can provide a good indication of severe exercise stress.60
Results suggest, after exercise, the increased availability of glutamine promotes muscle glycogen accumulation by mechanisms possibly including diversion of glutamine carbon to glycogen. 61
Following trauma there is a loss of nitrogen, with a concomitant reduction of skeletal muscle protein synthesis. This is accompanied by a decrease in the stores of muscle free glutamine. Nutritional support with either glutamine or its carbon skeleton, alpha-ketoglutarate, has been shown to counteract the postoperative fall of muscle free glutamine and of muscle protein synthesis.62
Evidence suggests oral glutamine supplementation results in an increased release of growth hormone. An oral glutamine load (2 g) was administered to nine healthy subjects to determine the effect on plasma glutamine, bicarbonate, and circulating growth hormone concentrations. Eight of nine subjects responded with an increase in plasma glutamine at 30 and 60 minutes before returning to the control value at 90 minutes. Ninety minutes after the glutamine administration load, both plasma bicarbonate concentration and circulating plasma growth hormone concentration were elevated.63
Although some advocates recommend as much as 30 g, it is likely only marginal benefits are found at supplementary levels higher than 2-3 g per day.
More info On Glutamine
Glutamine is highly in demand throughout the body. It is used in the gut and immune system extensively to maintain optimal performance. 60% of free-form amino acids floating in skeletal muscles is L-glutamine. L-glutamine plays a very important role in protein metabolism, and it appears to be a very important nutrient for body builders. When supplemented, it may help body builders reduce the amount of muscle deterioration that occurs because other tissues that need glutamine will not rob the glutamine stored in the muscle cells.
Research shows that after intensely working out, glutamine levels in the body are reduced by as much as 50%. Since the body relies on glutamine as cellular fuel for the immune system, scientific studies have shown that glutamine supplementation can minimize the breakdown of muscle tissue and improve protein metabolism. Its effects on replenishing the body after stress or trauma have been shown in Europe where it is commonly given to patients in hospitals. Glutamine's cell-volumizing effects have also been shown in several studies. No conclusive studies have been done to evaluate the effects of L-glutamine supplementation on weight-training adults; however, a recent study showed up to a 400% increase in growth-hormone levels when as little as 2 grams of free-form L-glutamine supplement was consumed!
Bodybuilders can particularly gain from the intake of glutamine. Since bodybuilders use a lot of their glutamine when working out, they are more susceptible to health related problems, as the immune system relies heavily on this amino acid.
Catabolism or muscle break down can occur if the body robs muscles of glutamine for use elsewhere such as nitrogen transport or maintaining the immune system. Glutamine supplementation is certainly important in keeping muscles building--not deteriorating.
Bodybuilders can benefit by taking ten grams of L-glutamine per day, although clinical studies have not determined a precise amount for muscle metabolism optimization.
There are no side effects associated with L-glutamine, because it is a nutrient naturally occurring in the body. Reports of an upset stomach are associated with ingesting a great deal of glutamine, using smaller doses is recommended if this occurs.
Back to Glutamine Products.
Glutamine Peptides
glutpepinfo
