Glutamine - Supplements Descriptions

Glutamine
(Glutapure: Ultimate Nutrition)

by Gary F. Zeolla

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in muscle cells. It is considered a semi-essential amino acid. What this means is, the human body can manufacture glutamine from other amino acids. However, during times of intense physical stress, like during periods of heavy training or due to various medical conditions or surgery, the body cannot keep up with sufficient production. So an outside source is needed.

Many powerlifters, bodybuilders, and other athletes have found benefit from supplementing with glutamine. Some of the reported benefits included improved recovery, a reduction of post-workout soreness, an increase of human hormone (HGH) levels, a decrease in cortisol levels, and a decrease in exercise-induced colds and flu.

Glutamine was a major factor in my stiff person syndrome. See the "Testimony" at Quality and Absorption of Supplements for details in this regard. It explains the importance of being sure to use a high grade glutamine product, along with high grade supplements in general. And that is why I like Jarrow or Ultimate Nutrition's L-Glutamine as both are pharmaceutical grade, meaning they is of the highest quality and purity you can purchase. Both of these brands are of high quality but are still relatively inexpensive.

I particularly like Ultimate Nutrition's Glutapure. Unlike the Jarrow product, it is micronized. This means the particles are smaller, so it mixes up in even cold water easily, with no clumping whatsoever. I would assume it is also absorbed more easily in the body.

The label states:

Glutapure is produced exclusively for Ultimate Nutrition, Inc. utilizing patented state-of-the art Fermapure Technology. This innovative fermentation process produces the highest quality, micronized L-Glutamine available in the world today. Only Glutapure exceeds FCC, USP and Pharmaceutical Quality Standards. Ultimate Nutrition's Glutapure is pure white in color and bland in taste adn smell. This is the purist of all L-glutamines.

Having experimented with glutamine on and off for several years, I can say that without a doubt it has a positive effect. When using glutamine, the most immediate effect I notice is less post-workout soreness. More long-term, by comparing my workout logs with my supplement logs, it is apparent I make better progress in my powerlifting training while I am using glutamine. So it is a supplement I intend on using indefinitely in some fashion or another.

There are two ways to use glutamine. One way is to mix it in when one mixes up a protein drink or pre- or post-workout drink. However, some feel it is best to take glutamine on an empty stomach. In this case, mix the glutamine in a small amount of water. The solution should be drunk at least two hours after a meal and half an hour before a meal.

I've tried it both ways, and I have found that by taking it on an empty stomach, I get a greater effect. The book Sports Nutrition by Anita Bean recommends taking post-workout 100 mg of glutamine per kilogram of bodyweight (pp.73,74). I weigh about 54 kg, so that would be 5.4 grams, so take about that amount post-workout. I then take my shower and eat dinner afterwards. That pattern seems to be working well.

For those used to pounds, a simpler way of calculating the dosage would be one gram of glutamine per 20 pounds of bodyweight. I weigh about 120 pounds, so for me, it comes to six grams, just slightly higher than the above method.

Jarrow's Glutamine is available at WebVitamins and iHerb.
Ultimate Nutrition's Glutamine is available at Bodybuilding.com.
For iHerb, when checking out, use referral code HOP815 to receive $5.00 off your first order.

The above article was posted on this site May 7, 2004
and last updated on December 13, 2009.

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