Glutamine

WHAT IS GLUTAMINE?
Glutamine is one of very few nutrient supplements that truly lives upto it's reputation. Being backed up by everyday results and much medical research, glutamine is involved in enhanced recuperation, improving immune system functioning, boosting Growth Hormone release and is a strong anti-catabolic aid (prevents muscle tissue from breaking down). Glutamine comprises about 70% of all human skeletal muscle tissue and is the most depleted amino acid during times of stress or trauma - much like intense training. Studies have shown again and again, especially in the medical world, post surgical conditions, wasting diseases such as cancer and trials involving stress responses to exercise, have all shown the same results - massive depletion of glutamine. This amino acid comprises around 70% of the content of human skeletal muscle tissue and for this reason makes it the primary and most important amino acid for muscle metabolism and recovery.

GLUTAMINE AS A DRUG
Glutamine is, however, not considered an essential nutrient as the body can manufacture it from the amino acids glutamic acid, valine and isoleucine. In some european hospital treatments glutamine is actually treated as a drug, fed intraveinously to patients suffering from stress such as burns, surgery, disease patients etc. Supplementaion in this way can create a strong anti-catabolic (preventing muscle loss or wastage) effect.

HOW DO OUR BODIES USE GLUTAMINE?
Glutamine is used in large quantities every day by our bodies and not just for muscle repair. Proper functioning of the immune system, kidneys, pancreas, gallbladder and liver are all in need of high quantities of glutamine. Second o this glutamine is also an essential nitrogen transporter, removing excess amonia from places such as the brain and lungs and depositing them in your intestines and kidneys. Glutamine is also essential, along with cysteine and glycine to manufacture your bodies most powerful water soluble anti oxidant glutathione. There is also evidence to show glutamine plays an important metabolic role in glucose disposal into muscle tissue. Finally, interesting to note for body builders and other athletes alike, an oral dose of glutamine of two grams has shown in clinical trials to increase growth hormone output by around four times normal amount. 

Glutamine can be used as a free form amino acid powder, being mostly tasteless mixing in water very well. This form of glutamine is actually quite poorly absorbed by the body and must be taken in doses of  5 - 10g to attain any actual benefits. Often this dose is used two or three times a day to enhance recovery and cell volume. Taking a free form glutamine supplement on an empty stomach is often preffered as taking it with any other form of protein causes the amino acids to compete for absorption. Being a free form amino acid, which are not readily digested by the stomach very well, we find that the glutamine will be knocked out in favour of the other longer chain proteins. On an empty stomach a higher percentage of glutamine will be absorbed but nowhere near as effeciently as the form alpha keto glutarate. In order to increase absorption of this nutrient it is often combined with a transport drink such as those used to transport more creatine into the muscle cell directly after a workout.

As we have stated glutamine is in high demand by all of our gut all of the time, and when the diet does not provide enough of this amino acid nor does the body produce enough, our skeletal muscle is robbed of it's glutamine content causing a catabolic state. This happens because glutamine causes cell volume and when correct cell volume is decreased this causes a catabolic environment (the breakdown of muscle.) As current theories go, we know that the key to proper glutamine supplementation requires regular and frequent small doses throughout the day of around 3 - 5 grams as stated on an empty stomach, along with higher doses directly after training or first thing in the morning of upto 10 grams. Using a peptide bonded glutamine or the form of glutamine alpha keto gluterate well seriously help and enhance stomach absorption along with using the supplement in a carbohydrate only solution at least 30 mins away from a protein food either before or after. Current thinking goes along the lines that the oral glutamine taken in will probably very unlikely reach the muscle cell. It is much more likely that it would be used by the intestines and gut as fuel, preventing these organs from stealing glutamine from the muscle cell causing an anti catabolic situation.

AKG - GLUTAMINE'S PRECURSOR
As mentioned earlier AKG is actually a glutamine precursor and cofactor. This nutrient seems to have the ability to sneak past the gut unlike glutamine and has a much higher chance of actually getting to the muscle. AKG acts as a direct precursor to glutamine and it's possible that AKG may support higher levels of free circulating