Glutamine
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On Feb 23rd Fastest posted the following:
"Has anyone on this forum ever taken glutamine. Did you notice a massive difference in strength? Does anyone know if it is a steroid or whether it is banned in sport?"
On Feb 24th krhollen posted:
"Glutamine represents 20% of the free-form amino acid in the blood system, 60% of the free-form amino acid in the cell. Within 6 hours of a heavy weight training session the body will strip out all stores of glutamine. At this time you will either supplement with glutamine or the body will tear down muscle to obtain the constituents of glutamine. "
"Glutamine is used primarily for the digestive system and the immune system. It has been noted that many things grow better in a glutamine solution. Glutamine has been associated with the natural release of growth hormone. "
"Glutamine is an anti-catabolic nutrient, i.e. prevents the breaking down of muscle. It is not a steroid and is not banned by any organization. You will not see dramatic results by taking glutamine, it is just a good idea. Dosages range from 5 grams to 20 grams after exercise, with similar dosages at bedtime. Buy the powder not the pills."
On Feb 25th MaxQ posted:
"However, Glutamine in supplemental form also loads the body with toxic ammonia. The correct supplement to look for is OKG or orthinine alpha-ketoglutarate which is the ammonia free carbon skeleton of glutamine."
For those interested I am posting the following:
"Hyperammonemia increases the utilization of branched-chain amino acids in muscle when ketoglutarate is low, and this is further enhanced by glutamine depletion."
Mol Genet Metab. 2004 Apr;81 Suppl:52-7. Ammonia toxicity to the brain and creatine. Bachmann C, Braissant O, Villard AM, Boulat O, Henry H. Laboratoire Central de Chimie Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, University of Lausanne, LCC, CHUV, Bugnon 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Inaddition to this, Glutamine is reported to buffer ammonia in the system. Any reports of gastiric irritation would be the results of cheap forms of glutamine generally found at you local Walmart.




Glutamine
Mark
27th Apr '04, 11:13am
I've used Glutamine before and notice nothing at all. It is also supposed to help recovery and is anti-catabolic, so it may be working behind the scenes, but to notice any difference I would say no.
Glutamine
Bill Franklin
27th Apr '04, 11:50am
Unless you take Glutamine on an empty stomach, by itself you will see no effect at all!
Glutamine Revisited
krhollen
28th Apr '04, 6:37pm
Mark is correct in saying that glutamine is a behind-the-scene anti-catabolic. One should not expect to see direct results. The recommendation here is there is irrefutable scientific evidence that states glutamine is part of the overall nutritional equation necessary for optimum performance. If you are using the word optimum, then include glutamine. If optimum is not necessary for your regiment, glutamine is optional.
Bill stated that glutamine must be taken on an empty stomach. This is old gym room talk that has no scientific barring. If you take 2 grams of glutamine there will not be any increase in blood plasma glutamine levels, due to the absorption in the intestinal track. It is well documented that one needs approximately 3 grams of glutamine, with or without food, to see any change in glutamine blood plasma levels. Since 60% of the glutamine in the system is in the cell itself, the question is how to get the glutamine into the cell? This is answered in the same way as how to get creatine or protein into the cell? Exercise will increase the receptor sites allowing nutritional uptake by the cell. Insulin will help with the transport of nutrition into the cell with or without exercise. The most desirable oral glutamine administration is 8 grams of glutamine. Since glutamine is an amino acid, the overall synthesis of glutamine by the system is accentuated by the inclusion of liquid carbohydrates preferably glucose or dextrose.
Glutamine
Bill Franklin
28th Apr '04, 7:05pm
Krhollen apparently disregards three independent studies which state Glutamine is best taken on an empty stomach! Due to the fact that each amino acid competes for absorption. For all of the Glutamine to be fully utilized it should indeed be taken on an empty stomach.
Glutamine
A-J
3rd May '04, 5:01pm
Glutamine!!!
Actually aids in the protection of nerves and cells in the frontal lobes!!!
And is used to prevent the onset of conditions such as alzhimers.
It also helps in the protection of nerves and cells everywhere else too but mainly in the brain!
Glutamine / naturally
MrTideman
5th May '04, 7:33pm