Benefits of Glutamine

What is glutamine? What are the benefits of glutamine? What are glutamine side effects?

Glutamine is one of the thirteen nonessential amino acids. It is a substance that is required for the body to function normally. But you may not need to include glutamine supplement because your body is able to produce it and you can get it from many food sources that are high in protein. Glutamine is found in your muscle tissues and your lungs.

However, though it is nonessential, people who have low level of glutamine may have to eat foods with glutamine or take glutamine supplements. These people are those who are suffering from injuries, experiencing high level or prolonged stress, cancer patients. Low levels of glutamine may cause fatigue, mood disorders, decrease in strength and stamina and slow recovery from illness and surgery.

The Benefits of Glutamine

Glutamine is sometimes referred to as the brain food or brain fuel. One of the benefits of glutamine is in improving mental function. The brain uses l-glutamine that is converted to glutamic acid as an energy source for the nervous system.

Glutamine assists in controlling blood sugar levels. The blood sugar level is the amount of glucose present in the blood. Fluctuation in the blood level concentration is normal. But in certain situations such trauma, surgery, illness, cancer treatment, consumption of alcohol and extreme or heavy exercise can affect the level of blood sugar drastically. During these times, your body uses up the glutamine in your body to control and manage your blood sugar reaction.

When your blood sugar level is stabilized, your craving for alcohol and sugar, sweets and in-between snacks are also reduced. This is one of the reasons why alcoholics are given extra high doses of glutamine between meals. And it is also one of the reasons why some people associate glutamine to weight loss.

Glutamine benefits include strengthening your immune system, wound healing and for speedy recovery. There are many reports that state that patients who have had surgery or went through chemotherapy and radiation treatments, healed faster when given glutamine.

Just like any other amino acids, glutamine synthesizes protein and help build muscles. One of the benefits of glutamine is maintaining muscle mass. Body builders, weight lifters and those who go for endurance training take glutamine supplements for muscle growth.

Some of the other benefits of glutamine include removing excess ammonia. When there is excess ammonia accumulating in the brain, it can cause mental disorientation. Glutamine also defends the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

Foods with Glutamine

You can get glutamine from the food you eat such as beef, chicken, fish, eggs, vegetables, milk and dairy products. A 100g of plain whole milk yogurt provides 0.6g of glutamine. Ricotta cheese will give you 0.2g, raw spinach 0.3g and raw beets 0.4g glutamine.

Side Effects of Glutamine

One of the possible side effects of taking glutamine is having diarrhea. Glutamine supplement isn't recommended for people with kidney disease or those with bipolar disorder. Elderly people also don't need to add their glutamine intake because of the decrease in the function of the kidney.

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