All About Glutamine Supplements

Introduction

Non-essential amino acid L-glutamine promotes cellular immunity and protein synthesis. It is frequently used by patients to boost their immune systems and by athletes to restore their muscles. Its usefulness is disputed, nevertheless, with conflicting findings from studies and no concrete evidence of benefits for muscle growth. L-glutamine is said to provide benefits, however its effectiveness in speeding up wound healing in critically ill patients is still unknown. Unless a healthcare provider recommends it, nutritionists often advise against using supplements to get nutrients from a balanced diet.

What Is the Rationale or Scope of L-Glutamine Supplement?

L-glutamine is the non essential amino acid in the body, which is primarily involved in functions of protein synthesis and also further serves as a fuel or energy source for body cells. It is known to have a pivotal role in both sustaining muscular and cellular immunity. Most individuals are either recommended the glutamine supplement for boosting their immune system by nutritionists or they would also be taken over the counter by body builders ,fitness enthusiasts and athletes commonly for muscle building and to improve their muscle recovery and prevent muscle strain. L-glutamine is also recommended in some patients to relieve the side effects or alleviate these symptoms post chemotherapy. The current day indications that can hold some possible value where this supplement would be recommended is in situations like critically ill or injured patients or in burn victims, where this non essential amino acid can reduce the would healing time and also prevent tissue breakdown thereby boosting the scope for wound recovery .

What Are the Indications of L-Glutamine?

Current nutrition research shows that because of this lack of scientific proof or evidence regarding the potency of L-glutamine supplements to boost systemic immunity, these are definitely not recommended in geriatric population groups or rather in the aging or elderly individuals. On the other hand, the aging Individuals who are afflicted with multiple systemic issues and who are immunocompromised generally or on immunosuppressant medications should be thoroughly evaluated or assessed by their personal health professional or nutritionist before being given this supplement for an immunity boost.

Specifically, the present day benefits can be for individuals who need accelerated wound healing or for aiding recovery in a short time period, such as the critically ill patients (as the intensive care unit patients) or in burn victims. A major Indian research study highlights that the L-glutamine would be useful in possibly reducing the bacterial effects or complications arising in patients who are hospitalized and would shorten the length of hospital stays by almost 15 to 17 days compared to the control group patients who were hospitalized and not on L-glutamine supplement .

As L-glutamine is a non-essential amino acid basically which one can derive both from diet, food as well as supplements. Further the body also has the ability to synthesize glutamine amino acid on its own. Previously, a decade earlier as well, even after extensive scientific research, there was no solid evidence regarding the purported benefits of glutamine supplements.

Why Is Third Party Testing Important?

In case, based on the medical or nutritional condition, one has been recommended a L-glutamine supplement, then it is always best to purchase only the third party tested supplements that are safer. Third party tested supplements as in the ones that are inspected by an independent certifying body for instance like the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) commonly. The supplements that are not tested either by their local or international health body may hold possible safety concerns, especially in the composition .

Is L-Glutamines Muscle-Building Benefit Real or Just Media Hype?

It may be surprising as well as disappointing to know that , in the vast world of wellness and fitness, this supplement which has been touted to provide many muscle building and recovery aiding benefits is actually not of any nutritional value even for those looking to bulk muscle or for muscle building and strength training.

Contradictory results in L-glutamine supplementation seen in type 2 diabetes patients further show that there is no currently substantial proof supporting the muscle recovery benefits of the supplement .

According to the six-week major research study conducted in type 2 diabetes, seen in two different groups, that is group 1 instructed with 30 of L-glutamine supplement per day versus the placebo group. The first group that received L-glutamine demonstrated slightly improved cardiovascular parameters and reduction in body weight or in the waist circumference of the individual in comparison to the other group.

However, several other major research studies have demonstrated and highlighted the fact that even after regular intake, users of L-glutamine supplements did not notice any significant changes in their weight or in terms of their body composition. Because of this lack of proof, it is generally not advised by nutritionists for weight loss or in weight management.

According to many nutrition and wellness experts, the health benefits of glutamine have been nothing more than unsubstantiated claims or rather they have been glorified in media or in print, which holds no scientific proof backing the benefits.

What Are the Dietary Sources of L-Glutamine?

Further if an individual who is following the vegan or vegetarian diet only, then they need to look out on the ingredient or nutrition label of their L-glutamine supplement, whether it is plant or animal based. Vegans can ideally opt for beetroot based fermented plant supplement, that is common indeed for L-glutamine supplements .

To get the dose of L-glutamine in daily diet , one can instead consume the below enlisted foods (with the nutrition value given for every half to full cup serving of food approximately) :

• Corn: 0.4 ounce of L glutamine per every half-cup serving.

• Eggs: 0.6 to 0.7 ounce per two egg serving.

• Tofu: 0.6 to 0.7 ounce per three to 3.5-ounce serving.

• Milk: 0.2 to 0.3 ounce per a half-cup serving.

• White Rice: 0.2 to 0.3 ounce per every half-cup serving.

Conclusion:

L glutamine can be recommended based on the critical condition of the patient and unless advised, there is no need at all for off label use. Hence currently, nutritionists in tune with the present day prescription standards do not usually advise a glutamine supplement unless there is an indication. Ideally, supplements should be given only by the registered physician or nutritionist or healthcare professional based on the body composition or type and in consideration with the nutritional requirements and medical history. It is advisable by nutritionists across the globe generally to avoid prescription supplements unless a person is recommended and rather focus upon consuming or deriving the macro or macronutrients from the daily diet instead, like complex carbs, protein and heart healthy unsaturated fat as well as fiber.