The Benefits of Glutamine

Glutamine is a vital amino acid that plays a role in various processes. Most notably, the amino acid serves as a building block for larger and more complex proteins. It also seems to play a role in immune system function. Unlike other amino acids, glutamine also has a hand in intestinal health.

Our bodies are capable of producing glutamine, which makes it a non-essential amino acid. We can also get it through food and as part of a supplement.

We’ll go over four of its most prominent benefits for our health and fitness in today’s post.

1. It Serves As a Building Block For Protein

The most notable reason why glutamine is vital for our health and fitness is that the amino acid serves as a building block for larger and more complex protein structures.

Proteins are vital for many functions within the body, including growth, development, wound healing, and much more. Without an adequate supply of glutamine, protein structures become compromised.

For instance, glutamine becomes conditionally-essential in some cases. Without an adequate supply, the body begins to break down lean tissue to get enough of it, so supplementation can prevent muscle loss. This is often the case with burn victims and people with severe wounds.

2. It Can Improve Intestinal Health

Glutamine seems to be incredibly beneficial for people with gastrointestinal issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease.

Specifically, the amino acid appears to be vital for repairing and rebuilding damaged tissues, so getting enough of it is crucial for such conditions.

What’s interesting is that glutamine’s effects in the gut seem to impact our immune system health, too. Let’s see.

3. It Plays a Role For Immune System Health

Our immune system is an invisible barrier that keeps external threats at bay. Each day, countless microorganisms try to make your body their home. Many of the ones that make it through get obliterated, and you get to enjoy good health and vitality.

According to research, our gut health plays a vital role in immune system function. A healthy gut means a robust immune system. And, given that glutamine has such favorable effects on the stomach, it’s not a stretch to assume that the amino acid also boosts our immunity.

Glutamine also directly improves gut health by feeding specific cells like white blood cells. Research also finds that glutamine deficiency is liked to impaired immunity.

4. It Boosts Brain Health and Function

Interestingly enough, glutamine’s effects in the body impact the mind, too. As a precursor to a neurotransmitter called glutamate, glutamine is a crucial amino acid for keeping the brain healthy.

But why is that?

Well, research seems to suggest that a disruption in the relationship between the amino acid and neurotransmitter can lead to a whole host of brain disorders. Most notably, epilepsy, schizophrenia, depression, addiction to substances, and bipolar disorder.

The amino acid also seems to be an essential player in the normal and healthy aging of the brain. Deficiencies are linked to a disruption in the glutamine-glutamate cycle, which can result in various issues.

Have you tried Glutamine lately?

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