L-Glutamine, the free amino acid, is the single most abundant amino acid present in skeletal muscle. L-Glutamine may support muscle tissue by limiting the degradation of protein through nitrogen retention, glycogen synthesis, and protein synthesis. L-Glutamine may also assist in the fueling and detoxifying of the brain. Thus, L-Glutamine has been dubbed "the thinker's amino". L-Glutamine's muscle and brain tissue supporting qualities have made L-Glutamine an invaluable addition to an athlete's regimen.

Because L-Glutamine is non-toxic, you can safely take it year-round without needing to cycle it. L-Glutamine is a fundamental bodybuilders' supplement. Don't be without it! Laboratory Tested for quality and purity.

Wound Healing
When the body is stressed (such as from injuries, infections, burns, trauma, or surgical procedures), steroid hormones such as cortisol are released into the bloodstream. Elevated cortisol levels can deplete glutamine stores in the body. Since glutamine plays a key role in the immune system, a deficiency in this nutrient can significantly slow the healing process. Studies have shown that glutamine supplements enhance the immune system and reduce infections (particularly infections associated with surgery). Glutamine supplements may also aid in the recovery of severe burns.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Glutamine helps to protect the lining of the gastrointestinal tract known as the mucosa. Because of this, some experts speculate that glutamine deficiency may play a role in the development of IBD, namely ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. These conditions are characterized by damage to the mucosal lining of the small and/or large intestines, which leads to inflammation, infection, and ulcerations (holes). In fact, some preliminary research suggests that glutamine may be a valuable supplement during treatment of IBD because it promotes healing of the cells in the intestines and improves diarrhea associated with IBD. Not all studies have found this positive benefit, however. For this reason, more research is needed before conclusions can be drawn. In the meantime, follow the advice of your healthcare provider when deciding whether to use glutamine for IBD.

HIV/AIDS
Individuals with advanced stages of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) often experience severe weight loss (particularly loss of muscle mass). A few studies of individuals with HIV have demonstrated that glutamine supplementation, along with other important nutrients including vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, and N-acetylcysteine, may reduce the severe weight loss associated with this condition.

Obesity
Results from animal studies suggest that glutamine may help suppress appetite. Large-scale research trials of humans would be needed to determine if glutamine supplements are useful in treating obesity in people.

Peritonitis
Glutamine supplementation has long been known to maintain the health of the mucosa (inner wall) of the gastrointestinal tract and inhibit muscle wasting in critically ill patients. Keeping the intestinal mucosa healthy helps prevent infections such as peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum, the thin membrane that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs of the body).

Animal studies indicate that a diet supplemented with glutamine may protect the lining of the intestine, inhibit the growth of bacteria, and improve survival rates in animals with peritonitis.

Additional studies of people at high risk for peritonitis infection suggest that diets high in glutamine, arginine, and omega-3 fatty acids may lower the risk of infection by more than 50% and significantly shorten the length of hospital stay. These results are somewhat controversial, however, as the way that these supplements appear to work involves an inflammatory response in the peritoneum -- a reaction known to cause peritonitis.

The bottom line is that in a hospital setting, a physician will determine if glutamine supplementation (generally given intravenously) is necessary in someone who is critically ill, particularly following surgery or trauma. This would be used, in part, to prevent or treat peritonitis.

Athletes
Athletes who train excessively may deplete their glutamine stores. This is because they are overusing their skeletal muscles, where much of the glutamine in the body is stored. Athletes who overstress their muscles (without adequate time for recovery between workouts) may be at increased risk for infection and often recover slowly from injuries. This is also true for people who participate in prolonged exercise, such as ultra-marathon runners. For this select group of athletes, glutamine supplementation may be useful. This is not true, however, for most exercisers who tend to work out at a much more moderate intensity.

Cancer
Many people with cancer have abnormally low levels of glutamine. For this reason, some experts speculate that glutamine may prove to be a good addition to conventional treatment of cancer under certain conditions. In fact, nutritional support with supplemental glutamine is often used in malnourished cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments and sometimes used in patients undergoing bone marrow transplants.

Glutamine is used to protect the lining of the small and large intestines from damage caused by chemotherapy or radiation. Glutamine may also protect against the development of mucositis (breakdown of the mucosal membranes of the mouth and nasal passages) caused by therapy for head and neck cancer.

There is some question, however, about whether protection of the intestinal mucosa is a desired result for colon cancer. Plus, some studies suggest that this nutrient may actually stimulate the growth of tumors. Therefore, more research is needed to know whether use of glutamine is safe or effective to use as part of the treatment regimen for cancer.

Other
Glutamine can aid in healing stomach ulcers and prevent inflammation of the stomach that is caused by chronic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS).

• Clinically Proven
• Muscle Recovery
• Fast Absorption