Is glutamine worth it?

[hogfan2007]

The guy I buy my protein from used to be a professional body builder and is very knowledgable with supplements... he wont let me buy something in his store that i won't need. He said the order of importance with supplements is 1. protein
2. glutamine
3. Stackers
4. creatine
5. nitrous oxide

I only want to do 2 of these, but I just joined this website and people on here seem to think creatine is better although glutamine supposedly helps release natural growth hormone (i saw one study say it increased it by 400%) Do you guys think creatine or glutamine would be better. I am currently in a bulking phase and plan on cutting in a couple months.

[RB12]

The guy I buy my protein from used to be a professional body builder and is very knowledgable with supplements... he wont let me buy something in his store that i won't need. He said the order of importance with supplements is 1. protein
2. glutamine
3. Stackers
4. creatine
5. nitrous oxide

I only want to do 2 of these, but I just joined this website and people on here seem to think creatine is better although glutamine supposedly helps release natural growth hormone (i saw one study say it increased it by 400%) Do you guys think creatine or glutamine would be better. I am currently in a bulking phase and plan on cutting in a couple months.

please site the study showing oral glutamine increase GH by 400%


while you are looking, there are no studies showing oral glutamine provides any benefit other than placebo

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=171886
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=947462




Garlick PJ, the godfather of amino acid research, recently did a study where he INJECTED glutamine and still found no effect on protein synthesis or breakdown. WHY DO YOU PEOPLE KEEP LOOKING FOR EXCUSES TO WASTE YOUR MONEY?

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=886830


what exactly are stackers? Commonly, the basics would be protein, multivitamin, fish oil and creatine. being as that only 2 of these 4 are listed in your friends list and the fact that NO is no way a staple, I would reconsider your friends supp knowledge

EDIT: to further back the point about NO, this is the next thread under yours in the science section:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=2332551

[FlyingV]

Forget, for the sake of argument, that glutamine can do anything for your muscles or growth hormone. It still supports a wide range of functions in the body including intestinal health and function, immune function, acid buffering, fueling neurons, offsetting hypoglycemia and is a glutathione precursor. Those are all important. It's still worth taking as a multipurpose nutrient IMO.

In fact I think it's precisely the widespread and multiple roles of glutamine that will always confound tests trying to isolate a specific, measurable benefit for bodybuilders and other athletes. It could well be that a nutrient like this is shunted and prioritized around the body according to individual and transient factors.

IMO clinical tests are not the last word on whether something is worthwhile or not. It's great when a well-designed study has a clear unambiguous conclusion. But that's often not the case. Sometimes you just put 2 and 2 together and use something on a theoretical basis. It's a crude analogy but I mean how would you prove that changing the oil does your car any good? We know it does, the theory is sound, but it doesnt improve mileage or horsepower to any appreciable degree; the difference shows up in the long run and any benefit will be enhanced or offset by a host of other factors too. I see a parallel betwen that scenario and a whole-body multipurpose nutrient like glutamine. Just my .02 on this perpetual debate.

[liftjunkie06]

IMO, supplementing with something that is the most abundant amino acid in muscle tissue is a no brainer.

[hogfan2007]

when i was looking at glutamine supplements at an online store they cited a study that it increased HGH by 400% but i know that study could have been in some dudes backyard or something... just wanted to see if you guys could back that up. The stackers he talked about were like animal stack and stuff i think and he basically said the nitrous oxide was a waste of money thats why he ranked it last.

[UncleMixer]

Glutamine or L-Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid found primarily in muscle tissue. Over 61 percent of skeletal muscle tissue is glutamine. It's responsible for carrying nitrogen into the muscle cell for muscle growth. Glutamine is released from the muscle cell under prolonged exercise, causing water to be discharged, dehydration, and muscle breakdown. Glutamine also plays a role in brain function, immunity, and GI (gastrointestinal) health.

Research on glutamine supplementation is scarce and conflicting. Some have found that supplementation does indeed decrease muscle breakdown under very high levels of stress to the muscle, whereas others show no improvements to muscle growth, performance, or recovery time. The one area that seems promising for glutamine supplementation is reduced incidence of infection after exhaustive exercise, boosting the immune system.

During intense training, glutamine levels are greatly depleted in muscle, decreasing strength, stamina, and recovery. It takes up to six days for glutamine levels to return to normal. Glutamine could also increase the body's ability to secrete Human Growth Hormone, which helps metabolize body fat and support new muscle growth. People may choose to take glutamine supplements to help with muscle growth, increase glycogen storage, decrease muscle breakdown, promote speedier recovery time after workouts, increase immunity, and/or enhance mental clarity and memory. People who are "cutting-down" burning fat without losing muscle may supplement for this purpose. The desired potential effects of glutamine cease once supplementation is discontinued meaning if you stop taking it, it doesn't take long for your body to stop gaining the effects of supplements.

Given the lack of conclusive research and your reasons for supplementing with glutamine, you will need to determine if it's worth the cost. In addition, dietary supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so there's no guarantee of these products' effectiveness or safety. However, if you're considering using glutamine, the recommended dose of the powdered form is between 10 - 15 grams per day, contingent upon your eating plan and exercise intensity. It is also suggested that the dose be split during the day (i.e., if you are taking 10 grams, take 5 grams in the morning and 5 grams in the evening).

Because glutamine is a naturally occurring substance in the body, when supplemented in moderation, it produces no adverse side effects. If an individual takes more than the recommended dose, however, s/he may experience stomach aches. I find this to be the case with pill form glutamine more often than powder. Those with Type I or Type II diabetes need to seriously consider not supplementing with glutamine. Excess amounts of glutamine in the blood may be used to produce glucose instead of passing harmlessly out of the body. As a precaution, anyone considering starting a regimen that includes glutamine supplementation needs to consult a medical provider, nutritionist, or other qualified health care professional first. You can usually find certified nutritionists at your gym. We have several at our local powerhouse.

[FlyingV]

IMO, supplementing with something that is the most abundant amino acid in muscle tissue is a no brainer.

Not sure if you're pro or con by that statement, but calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, yet many people need to take it, do take it and it does benefit them.

[Guardian]

I take glutamine at about 25-30 grams a day.


Personally I can say that I have continued to lose bodyfat while still maintaining and actually gaining strength/muscle. I wouldnt attribute this directly to glutamine however I do believe it helps.


I think the benefits of glutamine arent necessarily "increasing protein synthesis" or an exact benefit along that line. What I feel glutamine does do is spare other amino acids such as glutamic acid from being used up. Basically I believe it may have benefit not from itself directly effecting muscle but rather by sparing other protein that does impact muscle. I also feel glutamine may be very good for the digestive tract and immune system which uses glutamine heavily. The immune system is partly responsible for recovery not to mention a strong immune system will keep your firing harder in many areas both training and non.

Yes its true alot of oral glutamine is used up in the digestive tract, but one can surmize that if one didnt supplement with glutamine the body would either need the glutamine from other areas or be deficient in that area neither one of which is ideal circumstances.

Sure id use my cash for other things before glutamine, but that doesnt render it useless by any means.

[Bonecrshr]

I prefer not to take the chance of ditching it. Its worth the "gamble", IMO. ;)

[The Brotherhood]

Never did anything for me, and for many. The science seems to show it not doing jack ****. Ill keep my money in my wallet.

[thewaycreates]

i think and he basically said the nitrous oxide was a waste of money thats why he ranked it last.

why would he even put it on the list if he thinks its a waste of money.