The Truth About L-Glutamine Powder

If you are a fitness enthusiast, then you are likely to have heard about glutamine and may be asking yourself this question.

Well, glutamine is the most abundant naturally-occurring amino acid in your body, making up over 60% of your skeletal muscle tissues. It is also one of the very few amino acids that cross the blood-brain barrier and is essential for the rapid division of several different cells in your body, including those of your GI and immune system. Furthermore, this amino acid is used as a source of energy in mitochondria and is the precursor of the neurotransmitter known as glutamate. It is also essential for protein synthesis as well as optimal nucleotide biosynthesis.

Considering the major role that it plays in many of your natural bodily processes, it is only logical to believe that taking L-glutamine powder can be helpful to someone who wants to build more muscle mass and is determined to maintain optimal immune function while doing so. Those who are challenged with muscle loss for whatever reason and those who want to ensure the smooth function of their immune system even when they are under severe stress may also find this amino acid very helpful indeed.

Now, if you regularly perform heavy exercises or intense weight training workouts, then you should remember that glutamine levels tend to get depleted as a result of intense physical activity. And your body does not have the ability to quickly replenish and bring your glutamine levels back to normal, which means that you may be vulnerable to illnesses and infections at this time.

Furthermore, your muscles may enter a catabolic state, which can undermine any gains you may have achieved with your workout routine. This is where supplementing with L-glutamine powder may come in handy.

Of course, you will have to take L-glutamine powder supplements properly and in the right dosages. Many experts recommend taking 10-15 grams on a daily basis, taken 2-3 times a day in 5-gram doses. It is also generally accepted that the best times to take the supplement is first thing in the morning before you have taken any meal, within 30 minutes after a workout session, and right before bedtime. On days when you are not working out, you may take the supplement with an afternoon meal. It is also a good idea to start with the minimum recommended dosage indicated on the product label on the first few days that you take the supplement to observe how your body reacts to it.

If you have liver or kidney problems, or if you are a diabetic, be sure to consult your doctor before you take this or any other dietary supplement. And if you notice any negative effects after taking the supplement, lower your dosage or stop taking it completely until you have talked to your doctor about your symptoms. Take note that L-glutamine powder supplements are meant to help, so you should be sure to follow dosage instructions carefully in order to avoid any possible negative effects.